I'm 18 looking into my first Lancer.. and yes believe it or not my first car... I do want to get CVT cuase I've learned on auto. But I'm alos looking new base model, or possible used higher end.

First Question: Can I trust a used Lancer?

Second question: Is the higher model going to have any better performance?

By the way I wont have my vehicle for some time, but I AM for sure about the Lancer. (hopefully black) :P

My problem with the base model is the fact that you get lousy brakes. What is it like rear drum & front disk....but if you upgrade to the ES, you get 4 wheel disks...
...but if you upgrade to the GTS, you not only get 4 wheel disk brakes...but they are also larger, for better braking performance.


The DE also has black door handles & black mirrors.....this won't be a problem for you if you get a black car.


The ES comes with more features over the DE & then the GTS has more features over that.


As far as trusting the used cars....it can be scarey! I am not sure about the warranty. It comes with a 5yr/100K warranty, but would it still remain on a used car or would it drop down to a 3yr/36 somethin?
Example: Chryslers wicked lifetime warranty ONLY applies to the original buyer & you can only keep that warranty when the cars bought used, if you pay to have the car certified & maybe something else....can't quite remember right now.

If you get the car with low enough miles & still with plenty of time left with the warranty.....you should be fine. Just make sure that the paint isn't all chipped up.
You'll read about that in the forum....lot's of issues with chips.


The only better performance that your going to see with the model would be with the 2009's. From the cars initial release, you got the 2.0 which is still the case for 2009 unless you get the GTS model. Then you get a 2.4. With that you will get like 16 more HP & around 21 more TQ. I believe that the GTS will handle & brake better & maybe ride alittle harsher over the others that ride on 16" wheels.
Paddle shifters are only available in the GTS models...which make the CVT kinda fun.

One thing that comes to mind....reading the paper...the ES models have a rebate out & usually have some kind of a deal. I think that it's maybe 2 Grand off.........



It's late for me & I know I am jumbling around a bit....but you also need to check on the insurance costs. There is a thread on who's paying what & some of the prices are just ridiculous!


Other than that.....really though....save up as much as you can & if you can swing it....buy the ES or ES Sport for 2009....or if your really doing good on cash...just go for the GTS. Really though, I have been VERY happy with my car so far. 6 months later & over 10K on the clock...problem free & still getting me great mileage.....I could go on & on...on why I love the GTS version....just wish the paint wasn't cheap.

After re-reading what I had stated....your from Minny.....by the time that your able to buy the Lancer....they will hopefully have the traction control option & stability control. I would DEF. get this. Really...the GTS Lancer with it's stock Dunlops were SUPER scarey in the snow!
Having the traction control would be a must IMO.

But if it isn't available...for whatever reason.....I would highly suggest getting a set of dedicated winter tires.

Alright :) Thanx SixFeet, anyone else (not that I dont fully respect your input I just want as much advice as possible.) I'm actually glad you responded.

Also SixFeet I've noticed in another areas you've done some after market and just wonering (since assuming, from how you threw the GTS out, you have one) what works and what doesn't, once agian, this is open to anyone.. Just hoping I don't get casted out in the rowds becuase I don't own one yet. I just need an idea on what I'm in for.

Should have mentioned this already but my brother owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T soo I do know the CVT pretty well and he drives his sportingly with a CAI and a Custom Catback exhuast... will it be a fimilair feel if i go for ES or GTS models?

Thanx guys, I'm really looking foward to the purchase :banana:

You could split it down the middle and get an ES-Sport. Basically it is an ES with the GTS body kit. I got mine fully loaded NAVI and all for like $1500.00 less than what the GTS was going to cost me with out the NAVI. I'm in Arkansas so the price of cars here is pretty high. They wanted $26,000 for a loaded GTS and about $23,000 for a bone stock GTS CVT and they wanted to charge me a 1000.00 because they had to go to texas to pick it up.
I went to a different dealer and got my 09 ES-sport for $21,000 but that price includes 1100.00 for some aftermarket rims and tires. Overall I am happy with the car. It doesn't have the shift paddles but oh well I am lazy anyway.

To be honest, you won't see much of a price difference on a used 2008 Lancer than you would on a brand new one. You're better off getting brand new and an unaltered warranty.

The GTS has the thickest strut and sway bars as well as a sport tuned suspension, so the car will handle better and stick to the asphault more than an ES (thinner strut/sway bars and stock suspension) or the DE (no strut/sway bars).

Furthermore, you can't really compare a Dodge Caliber to a Mitsubishi Lancer (even a 2.4L GTS). The Caliber has a 2.4L turbocharged engine, even in it's bulky form it would still beat a Lancer (new Lancers are heavier than previous generations too). A Lancer will have more fun taking turns at 40 MPH though :grin:

It's all up to you... drive your brother's car and see how it feels. Then stop by your local dealership and give a Lancer a spin and see how it feels. The decision is yours for the taking!

The original warranty DOES transfer over to new owner if it is sold privately. As long as the original owner has all the original papers. I remember my car salesman telling me about it and how it would up the lancer's resale value. At the time i didn't pay it much attention but I guess it makes sense.

With your brother having the RT....is his turbocharged or no?


The only MOD that I have tried so far was the Pulstar Pulse Spark Plugs & I liked them. Unfortunately one of the plugs bit the bullet after 1022 miles. I sent them all back & got a refund. They did make a dif, in the car as far as better response & added mileage, but if there product can't last more than 1K....sorry, I'm not chancing it.....especially when it comes to my family being in the car.
No other MODS as of YET ;) ....but something wicked this way comes :devil:

There are quite a few peeps on here with MODS already done & they all tell of what works & what throws a CEL (check engine light)

Me, I just prefer the GTS....but that is just me. I like the fact that it comes with the 18" wheels & the tighter suspension, better brakes & the black interior, the paddle shifters, ground effects....though you can get them on the ES Sport as well. If you get a new one, which I wish you can....you have to get the Fast Key. That option rocks of never having to take your keys out of your pocket again to open the doors, open the trunk or even starting the car. The Sun & Sound Pkg. is also at the top of my fav. kist. The sound system bumps.....& I love driving with the roof open.
1 option that I love/hate is the Navi with the 30GB HD. Being able to store something like 1200 songs is awesome. You load a CD into the deck & it automatically stores it to the hard drive & it USUALLY stores the CD's track & artist info. Of course their updates to the latest & greatest songs aren't always available & so you would have to enter all of that information yourself which is a pain.
The NAVI really stinks IMO. The latest map update is from 2006! That's it!
But having the Navi does give you added perks....you have a information center on the display...tells you the outside temp for the past 3 hours.....mileage & average speeds, lap timers.....maintenance reminder....tells you when you had the tires rotated, oil changed, filter changed, in cabin filter changed @ what date & miles & when they need to be serviced again. A calender with reminders of dates & a bunch of other things. Those extra goodies make me really like having the Navi....even though the Navi part is outdated & sometimes useless. Buying a portable Garmin would be a better bet if you don't need the added goodies.

Even though the intakes & exhaust systems are available for the Lancer, as well as a bunch of other go quicker goodies....this car will NEVER be quick. If your really looking for a Lancer with some punch, get the Ralliart. Turbocharged & all wheel drive with a softer more liveable suspension over the EVO. That would be my personal choice....but then again....there goes the price northward.

The regular Lancer is just a nice car for the $$$. Sure Mitsu cut corners here & there....especially with the sound proofing....the cars kinda loud on the expressway....but it isn't terrible. The CVT doing 60 MPH is around 2000 RPM, while the Stick is pushing higher & louder than that. Somewhere I thought that I read that they are closer to 3000????? The overall fit & finish leaves you wondering sometimes....but it doesn't seem bad. My car has been holding up very well. Everything is wearing properly & evenly.
So like I said....if you can swing it....buy new & get what looks right for you. Just if you can....get the traction control or winter is going to be very scarey!

Ok thanx for everything I'm liking the response im getting out of all of this. Nightfighter that thing about the warranty is very nice to know, I'm glad thats cleared, that was one of the things I was skeptical on.

My brother has an R/T, the R/T is belt driven so no, it's not even possible in any way to supercharge or turbo it, it would simply snap the belt everytime he put his (leadfoot) down

He does however have the CAI and custom catback and actually to tell the truth he's probly gotten about 20 more horse overall out of it and he's getting better gas mileage! :thumbsup:

As for the price I've actually found a GTS for 17, which surprised me a and scared me a little at the same time (made me wonder what was wrong) but it hasnt been to hard to find ES's for the price of a DE which would be very nice. As for the 30 GB HD, has it had any tech issues? I've seen all the little hype about it, but has there been any tech crashing or just not working right? I do think I will be going with a NAVI even though it's another chunk out of the money tree, as far as I can tell I'll want it.

(slightly off topic[i know]) My bro has a pretty nice setup though. Custom hand made headlights, aftermarket tails, the CAI and exhuast full interior LED kit, and he just bought a new full bodykit and hood for 500$.

Edit:


Well as for that..... I have a good feeling I'm not gonna be too scared about it :gunsmilie:

Believe me....it was real bad with the stock Dunlops on the GTS versions. Pretty much only a 3 season tire...though it is claimed as an "all weather"
Everything about it was scarey....but I still managed.

No issues that I know of with the 30GB HD. Just that the Gracenote....that has all the information on the CD's you insert....it knows the bands name & all of the tracks data. It isn't up to date with all of the latest & greatest CD's out now.
But like I said...you can always type the info in yourself....though it's a pain.

I personally don't like aftermarket tail lights or headlights....only because anyone that I have ever known to have them.....& they go through a somewhat powerful car wash....always had leaking issues. Stinks....but it happens & then it becomes all fogged up. Yeah you can still have that happen with stock ones....but I think less of a chance...plus they are warrantied.....aftermarket aren't....at least I don't think that they are.

Any other Q's.....ask away....we are here to help :)

Im selling my 2008 ES (Tarmac Black), but its a 5-speed. Tinted windows also..a/c, 4 wheel discs, oil changed every 3k w/Mobil 1...if you want a 5-speed, here ya go. (it has 8000 miles).

sorry it's beena while i dont mean to necro, (my computer took the fritz and like half crashed:blownose:) but as for the offer.... im not sure Idaho is my best shot for buying my first car i live in Minnesota, but I would if i live there gladly take it... I have started looking at a mani instead of auto.

I am in the same boat you are in. Look at my thread thats been running for quite some time. Title is Gonna Buy It.

But i would do some more research, look into exactly what you want. I finally had decided on the '09 GTS, 2.4L over 2.0, not as many issues as the '08 had, and still reasonably priced brand new.

And since you have time to wait, save up a down payment, talk to dealerships, banks, insurance companies, etc. Find the best deal you can. I am about to buy mine here in a week or two (unless Willy can get me the Bonneville Fund working :liebe011: for the support Willy!!)

But do your research you have months to decide what you want, At least if you cant get the GTS get the ES or ES Sport. Find out what packages you want, what colors you would like, etc. And then on top of that, find two to three other cars that are made by other companies that are comparable to the lancer, VW, Subaru, Audi, etc.

We all would like for you to purchase the Lancer, but if the lancer is not entirely for you then dont purchase one. find the car that is the best fit for you.

Well said :clap:


Really though....for the price...you could look at what I did. A Honda Civic Si 4dr.
Awesome car....& for not much more $$$ over a loaded up GTS. But the dealers screwed me outa that one....mean jerks! If they would have been cool, I would be driving that car right now over the Lancer.

Mazda 3

Subie

Chevy Cobalt SS

Scion

VW

Or whatever else you can think up. I just chose the Lancer because of how different it looked compared to everything else out there. The deal I got & the features it came with. Who can forget about the warranty?! That right there is what sold me the most on the car. I will be driving 20K+ a year. In less than 2 years, most of the Lancers competition would be out of warranty...unless I bought an extended warranty. My Lancer should be under warranty for at least 3 years I am hoping. After 3 years....I'm dumping it...reguardless of how many miles or IF there is any paint left on it LOL! So far I would consider another Mitsu....but I'm tellin ya....the Civic Si was a sweeeeeet ride. That VTEC rocks...but the car had a very stiff ride & it required premium fuel. But here is hoping that you don't just settle on a Lancer before you try out ALL of the competition. To each his/her own.....just make sure you don't have ANY regrets when you buy something. Don't settle...get what you want & be done with it. Your probably going to have that car for a while right? Get what you want at the price you want. Or shop elsewhere. Plenty of dealerships are out there & yes there are some that really want to deal.