Woohoo, first post!

I am looking at buying a new 08 lancer this month, but am having a little crisis of opinion. The best price I've been able to snag on the GTS around here is about 19,5k base, and about 17,5k for the ES with the "technology" package. Unfortunately, the ES is right at the upper limit of what I've got to spend. To me, the only real differences that I see between the two (outside of some bells and whistles that I don't find as appealing) for me is the Sportronic shifting on the automatic. Truth be told, the other car I am looking at is the Mazda 3s, which does have it. It was fun when I drove all of these cars over the past few days, but is it worth the extra 2k in price I would be paying for it? Also, if I could get some opinions on the Lancer 08 ES vs. an 08 Mazda3s, i would appreciate that too. I am leaning heavily towards the Lancer because of its looks, but you always wonder what you are getting more for the money on:)

Oh, and to help out with advice: I'm 24, Medical student (3rd year...but have to buy a new car now, not a year and a half from now...long story), and currently drive a 1990 Chevy Full size pickup. Looking for something that is small (but not tiny), quick, fun to drive, and looks really sporty. Lancer seems to fit all of that, but lets hear what ppl got to say!

Thanks!

consider even going as low as a DE and pickup a killer bodykit package. If you are equiped with a CVT transmission then I dont think your going to miss much if you opt not to get the shifters from the GTS package. I personally use the shifter insteady of the paddles on my GTS. most guys I know just dont drive with two hands on the wheel, well at least the few I have asked on the topic.

I would wait till spring if you can, alot of annoucements are yet to come both from Mitsu and the aftermarket world.

Cheers

Now wait, if i remember correctly, the ES doesn't give you the option to shift with the automatic at all...am i wrong and just having a brain fart? If it was just the paddles near the steering wheel that were missing, this would be a nonissue.

I was also comparing between the mazda 3 and the lancer gts. I obviously got the GTS because it looks ten times better than the 3. Performance wise they are pretty close, same with the price. I got my GTS for 18, 500. Plus the GTS comes with an awesome warranty. 7 year/ 100,000 mile or something like that. But I have the 5 spd, I've never really liked paddle shifters in cars.

i have the paddle shifters and i have used them twice! but i do love my GTS! with CVT and the sun and sound package! and navi package! for 21,300!! so if you dont want the navi or S&S! then DE! and you can get a body kit! and new rims!

well for 2k you get the body kit, bigger rotors (better breaking), sport tuned suspension, the Sportronic shifting with paddle shifters, different cloth, sport front seats, different graphic design on the dash. I use my Sportronic shifting and the paddle shifters all the time and love it. You do get alot for 2k considering it's coming from a dealer and ready for you to drive. That's just my 2cents.

Rivelution, I am curious, was that 18.5k out the door or plus tax tag and title?

I agree. I just wish I got the Nav system for 1k more. Driving in sport mode makes me feel happy.

If u appreciate the sporty mods and looks the GTS among other things gives u, then no doubt it is well worth the upgrade.

About the sportronic is up to u, would u like to have an automatic trans that whenever u like allows u to change gears yourself with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, like F1?

I bought my 08 lancer stick why would you get anything else?

:amen:

As for me, cause I wanted.
As for the thread poster, who knows? :grin:

I'll only buy a stick and it will never change

It was out the door. Brand new, it had 7 miles on it. The mazda3 5 spd was the same price, but I went with the GTS cuz it looks 10 times better and the warranty is 10 times better aswell.

SAME HERE BROTHER!!

I BOUGHT MY GTS IN NOVEMBER 07 FOR $18.500 PLUS TAX WITH CVT. THE PADDLE SHIFTERS WORK FANTASTIC. ALONG WITH THE OTHER OPTIONS ON THE GTS MODEL IT MAKES BUYING THIS MODEL A NO BRAINER!. GET THE GTS WITHOUT THE SUN AND SOUND PKG. YOU WON'T BE SORRY. THE PERFORMNACE WILL GET BETTER AFTER 2000 MILES!

Thanks for the replies...So I got an offer from the dealer today on $18900 out the door for an 08 Lancer GTS with the CVT...this includes tax, new tag, and title. I know some will jump up and down and yell "But the 2009 is around the corner!"...but do you think this is a good deal? Wouldn't it be difficult to land the 09 for this price anyways out the door? Oh, and it has no sun, sound, navigation, or personal butler option either.

Invoice on the car is $17K. Wait for the 2009 to come out first, then watch the 2008 prices drop. It may be a brand new car with little to no mileage on it, but don't forget... they've been trying to sell that model for almost a year now. It's even better when they have been trying to sell that specific car for a couple months.

As for buying a DE and picking up rims and a body kit... I'd advise against it. The DE (at least here in Chicago) does NOT have all disc brakes. It has drums in the back. Drum to disc conversion packages for the DE are non-existant as far as I know.

Final words of advice... don't be so focused on the sale price. It's the APR where they get you unless you plan to pay off the car within one year (Interest assesses once a year on the day of your first payment).

Hope this helps!

put it this way. paddle shifters come in handy when... your driving some insane backroads when your in the middle of an intense corner you dont wanna reach down to shift and leave one hand on the wheel paddle shifter are handy in any situation you just have to be smarter then the average joe. make things easier not harder!


Alex

I have an 08' GTS Manual trans. w/ both Sun and Sound and Technology package. I wouldn't have wanted to get this car either way. The clutch and shifting is so smooth. The navigation and mp3 storage are amazing. I paid close to $22k after taxes and all that for mine.