Mitsubishi Lancer 04/07 era

Old diesel

Just wondering what the general views are on these Lancers - wondering now about potentially buying one for myself.

Prices seem very competitive - but what would one be expecting to pay for a 04/05 Lancer - youd wonder sometimes if some of them are "too cheap".

Sister ended up buying a Carisma in the end without looking at any of these - so never did get to drive one.

So what are they like to drive and what are the common issues and what is the overall levels of reliability like.

Thanks a mill

colm_mcm

This model is a bit of an odd one. It never really sold too well here or in the UK. There are some nice specs, some of them come with a nice nardi steering wheel and a bit of a body kit.
Unfortunately there isnt a great feeling of solidity from it, the interior is screwed together ok but out of very old fashioned materials, the doors feel light and the boot door is particularly flimsy feeling. That's not to say its a bad car but perceived quality would be on par with a Mazda 323 or Nissan Almera.

Id have no problem recommending one though as they are great value and the 1.6 is a good enough drive for what it is. The estate is a bit more interesting looking than the saloon.

I suppose the fact that the evolution model looks so different means that you don't get the halo effect that basic lancers from different generations (or indeed the subaru impreza) enjoy.

bazz26

That model was actually on sale in Japan since 2001 while Europe still got the older model Lancer/Colt. It didn't arrive here until 2004 when it replaced both the Carisma and older model Lancer. So it was already 3 years old by the time it reached these shores.

Old diesel

colm_mcm wrote: »

This model is a bit of an odd one. It never really sold too well here or in the UK. There are some nice specs, some of them come with a nice nardi steering wheel and a bit of a body kit.
Unfortunately there isnt a great feeling of solidity from it, the interior is screwed together ok but out of very old fashioned materials, the doors feel light and the boot door is particularly flimsy feeling. That's not to say its a bad car but perceived quality would be on par with a Mazda 323 or Nissan Almera.

Id have no problem recommending one though as they are great value and the 1.6 is a good enough drive for what it is. The estate is a bit more interesting looking than the saloon.

I suppose the fact that the evolution model looks so different means that you don't get the halo effect that basic lancers from different generations (or indeed the subaru impreza) enjoy.

Not the most amazing inside I agree - but id get over that - if the drive is good enough (particularly the ride comfort) and driving position is good.

Good reliability would be nice too .

Oh and you say the 1.6 is "a good enough drive for what it is", does that mean the 1.3 isn't a good drive???.

Any other comparable car I should consider??

Thanks a million

BrianD3

For a mid 00s car there are question marks over safety, it hasn't been tested by EuroNCAP but has by ANCAP (same protocol)
http://www.ancap.com.au/crashTestRecord.aspx?Id=105

Interestingly, it seems to have done better in left hand drive form when tested by the US IIHS
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=143

Old diesel

BrianD3 wrote: »

For a mid 00s car there are question marks over safety, it hasn't been tested by EuroNCAP but has by ANCAP (same protocol)
http://www.ancap.com.au/crashTestRecord.aspx?Id=105

Interestingly, it seems to have done better in left hand drive form when tested by the US IIHS
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=143

thanks for that - would the 3 start rating in the Aussie test be comparable to a 3 star euro ncap test do you think.

3 star isn't "great" - but id live with it I think - but will go away and think about a bit more - and think of the possibilities of a car with a slightly better rating.

Problem is ive started from a position where I was thinking 99/00 type stuff - and now we are up with these on a 04/05 plate - the joys of working on a budget . So wasn't unduly upset with the safety standards of 99/00.

BrianD3

Old diesel wrote: »

thanks for that - would the 3 start rating in the Aussie test be comparable to a 3 star euro ncap test do you think.

I believe the tests/rating systems are the same - although obviously the spec of an Aussie model might differ in terms of standard airbags etc.

Many of the cars listed and rated on ANCAP website were actaully tested by EuroNCAP eg VW Golf
http://www.ancap.com.au/crashtestrecord?Id=44

JohnBoy26

Old diesel wrote: »

Just wondering what the general views are on these Lancers - wondering now about potentially buying one for myself.

Prices seem very competitive - but what would one be expecting to pay for a 04/05 Lancer - youd wonder sometimes if some of them are "too cheap".

Sister ended up buying a Carisma in the end without looking at any of these - so never did get to drive one.

So what are they like to drive and what are the common issues and what is the overall levels of reliability like.

Thanks a mill

Well they are a much better car than a Carisma for a start and they are very reliable.

build quality is generally good but isn't up there with the likes of a Honda Civic or Toyota corolla imo. However the lancer can be bought for less money than both and will do the same job at the end of the day.