2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Reviews

The CJ Lancer arrived in 2007 with plenty of promise.Compared to the previous model the CJ had fresh looks, a longer wheelbase and wider track for more cabin space, and there was more equipment.In an increasingly crowded, and hotly contested small car market, it tended to blend into the background rather than stand out, but anyone who cared to take a closer look would have discovered a solid, well built, and reliable car.The CJ range offered a choice of four-door sedan and five-door hatch body styles, and a range of models to suit most needs and desires.Most were front-wheel drive, but there were also sizzling hot four-wheel drive models to satisfy wanna-be rally drivers.At launch, everyday motorists had the option of the entry-level ES, the VR mid-ranger, and the sporty VR-X, with the Aspire, Activ, RX, and SX, added to the range in the following months and years.Weekend warriors could satisfy their need for speed with the rally-bred Ralliart and Evolution models.Standard features in the ES included air-conditioning, four-speaker sound with CD player and MP3 compatibility, cruise control, driver’s footrest, intermittent wipers, multi-function control screen, power windows and mirrors, cloth trim, trip computer, and tachometer.It had steel wheels and full wheel covers, and the spare tyre was a space saver.Metallic and pearl paint could be ordered as options.Had you chosen the VR you would have got all of that plus alloy wheels, six-speaker sound with CD stacker, air-conditioning with climate control, fog lamps, leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel and hand brake lever, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, and a sporty rear spoiler and side skirts.The list of standard features was even longer with the VR-X, and included 18-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth to allow you to connect your iPhone or Android device, sports seats, sports pedals, keyless start, a body kit with high rear spoiler, and a front strut brace to aid handling. High end Rockford audio and a sunroof were available as options.The four-wheel drive, turbocharged Evolution, or Evo, was Mitsubishi’s nod to its rally participation. It had everything you could imagine in a rally special, with sports suspension, a wild body kit, sports instruments, sports seats and a sporty steering wheel.For more there was the optional 'Performance Pack', which saw the suspension and brakes upgraded.An update in 2008 saw the introduction of the Aspire with a 2.4-litre engine.Standard features of the Aspire included 18-inch alloy wheels, leather trim with woodgrain highlights, a premium sound system with nine speakers, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and fog lamps.At the same time the VR-X was upgraded with the 2.4-litre engine, and the Ralliart joined the Evolution on the performance front.The RX arrived in 2009 and it was positioned above the ES, and could be distinguished by alloy wheels, and the Activ came a year later.A reversing camera was added to the range, except for the ES, in 2012, but there were no parking sensors or a parking assist system.Sat nav was not available on the ES, but was available on other models in the range from 2013.The Lancer’s cabin was quite roomy for its size, with comfortable accommodation for five.Front seats were buckets, sports seats in the sporty models, and the rear was a split-fold seat for extra carrying capacity when needed.With the rear seat in the normal position the boot volume was 315 litres. With it folded the volume increased to 400 litres.There was plenty of storage spread around the cabin, with an in-dash glove box, a compartment in the console, pockets in the front doors and front seat backs, bottle holders, and cupholders in the front and rear.Most models had cloth trim, but up-range ones had leather, and some had woodgrain, as well.The main power source across the range was a double overhead camshaft 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing that put out 113kW (151 horsepower), and 198Nm at is power and torque peaks, which was enough to give it solid performance in the class.A larger 2.4-litre petrol four was added to the range in 2008, and with 125kW (167 horsepower), and 226Nm of torque, it provided more performance for those wanting a bit more zip.There was a five-speed manual gearbox available, but the transmission most buyers chose was the CVT, which was the automatic option.The quirky CVT was not everyone’s cup of tea, but with the option of a six-speed sports mode the Mitsubishi transmission didn’t feel as soggy as some others.With their connection to rallying the Evolution and Ralliart models had blistering performance delivered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.It was linked to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, in turn to a four-wheel drive system.The CJ Lancer was a capable and user-friendly small car. It did everything well and didn’t present anyone with any untoward challenges on the road.With independent front and rear suspension, even in base form, it was sure-footed, steered well, handled corners with assurance, and the ride was well damped.The steering was light, and the turning circle tight, making it easy to manoeuvre and park around town.Step up the model range and the picture was even better, with sportier handling from the lower and former suspension.Both engines were willing, the larger 2.4-litre unit had more torque to deliver smoother driveability, and for that reason, is a better choice than the 2.0-litre engine.Those inside were treated to comfortable seating with little external disturbance from road noise or other potentially annoying elements to bother them.The thrill-a-minute performance-tuned Ralliart and Evo models were different animals entirely; they were at their best competing on the track or in the forests.The CJ Lancer was well equipped with safety features.All models except the entry-level ES, which was rated at four stars, carried a five-star ANCAP rating from the introduction of the model.The difference in rating can be attributed to the ES not having head airbags for the front or side airbags for the front and rear seat passengers.Anyone wanting to upgrade the safety of the ES to five stars could have added an option pack of side and head airbags.That changed in 2010 when the ES got the additional head and side airbags and was upgraded to the same five stars as the other models.All models then had front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, a knee airbag for the driver, head airbags for the front seat passengers, and side (curtain) airbags for those in the front and rear seats.All five seats had lap-sash seat belts, allowing the fitment of a baby car seat.The Lancer was one of the cars that had ISOFIX baby car seat mounting points before they were made mandatory in 2014.In addition to the passive safety features all models had ABS braking, EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, and ESP electronic stability control.Except for the CVT and dual-clutch automatic transmissions the Lancer follows a well-proven formula.There’s nothing radical about it, nothing that should be cause for concern by anyone considering buying one second hand.Most owners were keen to praise the reliability of their cars, saying they were well built and were for the most part reliable.One issue that cropped up related to the operation of the ABS brakes as a result of the failure of the electronic module that controls the system.Owners said their first warning of the problem was when the warning light on the dash began flickering. It eventually stayed on; the ABS braking system was then not functioning.Check with the seller to see if there have been any problems with the braking system previously, and take note of the ABS warning light if it comes on.Another thing to focus on when test-driving a car is the operation of the automatic transmissions.No owner we spoke to raised any issues with either the CVT or the dual-clutch transmission, which suggests there are no problems with them, but the history of the transmissions in general says they are prone to problems. Observe the CVT for shuddering on take-off or when accelerating, hesitations, or any other thing that doesn’t feel right.In the case of the dual-clutch auto, observe for any hesitation on shifting, or incorrectly selecting neutral.Check for a service record to make sure your potential purchase has been well maintained.The recommended engine oil for the CJ Lancer is 5W-30, servicing should be every 15,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first, and the engines have timing chains.Mitsubishi provided a generous new car warranty of five years/130,000km, and there was also five years roadside assistance.Capped price servicing was introduced in 2012 to keep a lid on service costs.There have been some recalls, mostly for electrical issues, so check the service book to see what if any recall reworks have been done.Buying a Ralliart or Evolution model requires extra caution when inspecting prior to purchase. As many will have been driven hard by enthusiast owners, or even used in motorsport competition, it’s important to check for signs of modification or abuse.MORE: If anything crops up, you’ll probably find it on our Mitsubishi Lancer problems page.K. Brigham: I bought my 2010 Activ new. It’s solidly built, very roomy, comfortable, gets good mileage, and there have been no problems with it at all.Anna Breinl: My 2007 VR-X is a great touring car, it’s comfortable, and it has been absolutely trouble-free.Patrick Firth: The 2013 ES feels sporty. I like the performance of the 2.0-litre engine, the manual gearbox is good, and I get good economy.Michael Beeston: I’ve owned my 2011 ES from new. It’s now done almost 100,000 km and there has been no problem with it at all. I like driving it, the handling is quite good, it’s safe, and the fuel economy is good.Apart from the Evo the Lancer wasn’t very exciting, but it was a solid and reliable all-rounder.

Graham Smith reviews the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer as a used buy.

You can save a motza on a late-model used car, because the first owner has already taken the biggest hit... usually 30-50 percent, in depreciation. Ideally, you want to be the second owner, and hang on to the car for a few years, to maximise the value you get from your motoring dollar. We've picked our top five used

It seems the Lancer has been around forever, much like the Toyota Corolla, but unlike the small Toyota it has never commanded a lot of attention from buyers. Those who know recognise it as a solid, well-built, reliable small car that makes sense, but it's a car that has blended into the background rather than stand

Japanese designed and built to a high quality, Mitsubishi Lancer is at the forefront in the reliability stakes, so has long been popular on the used-car scene in Australia.The Lancer began life as a small car, then gradually morphed into a medium model. From the new model launched in October 2007 it can be used as a family car if the kids aren’t yet into their hulking teenage years.Interior space is good in the front seats in all models. Rear seat headroom can be tight in the older hatches, but is generally fine in the sedans and wagons due to their extended rooflines.Lancer comes with a big variety of bodies: two-door coupes, three-door hatches, four-door sedans, five-door hatchbacks and five-door station wagons. Not all bodies were on offer at all times.Mirage shares most of its out-of-sight parts with Lancer, the name change is simply a marketing ployThree-door hatchbacks built prior to 1996 were called Lancers, but the name was changed to Mitsubishi Mirage with the introduction of the new model of that year.Mirage shares most of its out-of-sight parts with Lancer, the name change is simply a marketing ploy to try and create a new niche for the three-door. Imports of the Lancer-based Mirage ceased in 2004 although the name was reintroduced in 2013, this time in a small five-door hatchback.Ride comfort in the standard Lancers is generally good, though rough Australian backroads can sometimes knock them about. This improved with later models, but try for yourself if you do a lot of country driving.Engines are all four-cylinder units, with a big spread of capacities; 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 and finally 2.4 litres. The marketing strategy over the years saw the largest engine at any one time being first introduced in the upmarket models then gradually making its way down the line.The ultra-hot Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution (Evo) models provide stunning performanceThe 2.4-litre powerplant has plenty of torque, giving the car excellent performance and safe overtaking, yet it doesn’t use a lot more fuel than the other powerplants.Manual gearboxes are all five-speed units. Automatic transmissions from 1996 had four-speeds. The auto with the 2.4-litre engine has tiptronic functions in case the driver wants to override the computer and get more revs out of the engine.If you do want real excitement, the ultra-hot Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution (Evo) models provide stunning performance, but cost big bucks. However, the Lancer MR coupe of 1997 to 2004, while tamer than the Evo is still fun thanks to its firmer suspension and sharper steering.Spare parts and repair prices are about average for this class and the Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is widespread and efficient.The Lancer is relatively easy for the home mechanic to work on, with good underbonnet space and nothing particularly tricky in its layout.Insurance charges are about average for the class in all but the sportier variants. You may need to raise a big loan to cover an Evo if you’re under the age of 25.Though Mitsubishi has pulled out of local manufacture the company continues to operate as a major player here, now exclusively with imported cars. Lancer is at the vanguard of the new Mitsubishi Australia.If possible, start the engine when it is completely cold. It should fire up within a couple of seconds and idle smoothly and quietly straight away.If the engine puffs oily smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration it may be due for an overhaul.A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to useFeel for an automatic transmission that is slow to engage gear or is inclined to change up and down unnecessarily.A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to use. If not there could be troubles - fast changes down from third to second usually show the problem first.Rust normally only gets into the body following poor quality panel repairs, but look over the lower areas of the body and the bottom corners of the doors, tailgate or bootlid just in case. Also look at the surrounds of the front and rear windscreens.Check for panel repairs by looking for ripples in the panels; paint that doesn’t match from one panel to another; and tiny spots of paint on glass, badges, body trim and so on.Don’t even think of buying until you've had a full professional inspectionDo a complete check of all interior surfaces, in particular the tops of the dashboard and the rear parcel shelf that may have drive out and cracked.Look for rips in the seats, excess wear in the carpets and for damage in the luggage area.

Mitsubishi Lancer is a small to medium Japanese car designed and made to a high quality, making it one of the leaders in the reliability stakes.

Graham Smith reviews the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer as a used buy.

The Lancer has long been the small car staple of the Mitsubishi diet. It's always been well-respected in the Japanese carmakers range, one that small car buyers have felt comfortable with over many years.MODEL WATCHIn recent times small cars have taken on a new role in the local car market as buyers have sought ways of saving money. Buyers who would once never even considered buying a small car have been searching for a car that was safe, economical, and a pleasure to drive, but in a compact package.No longer were small cars thought of as cars for poverty-stricken motorists who simply couldn't afford anything better. In that environment Mitsubishi's management trumpeted its intention to deliver cars with "the best levels of occupant safety, security and comfort at the best possible price", no matter the class.The CJ Lancer was a huge step forward from the previous model, which had well and truly reached its use-by date. Fresh new looks gave it a great kick-start. It looked good from any angle with well-balanced proportions and taut lines, and importantly, it had an attractive face.Inside, there was enough room for adults to be accommodated in comfort. Even tall people had enough head and legroom to allow them to travel with comfort in supportive and comfortable seats. The interior was neat and tidy, although some might have said it was bland and boring compared to the busy interiors in some of its rivals. But it was more about old school function than playschool gimmick, and everything was where you might expect it to be and the controls were easy and logical to use.A 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine delivered 113 kW at 6000 revs and 198 Nm at 4250 revs, which gave the ES and VR Lancers good performance with plenty of zip whenever it was needed. The sporty VR-X was given extra punch courtesy of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder that produced 125 kW and 226 Nm. The transmission choices were a five-speed manual 'box or a six-speed CVT transmission as the auto option. The final drive was through the front wheels.The Continuously Variable Transmission drove without flaw, it was smooth and there was no lack of get up and go when the right pedal was sent to the floor. There was also the option of manually shifting the CVT 'box to extract more zip; that could be done by moving the shift lever across the gate and then using the six preset ratios much the same as you would with a conventional auto.There were three models in the CJ range, starting with the base ES and moving up through the VR to the VR-X hottie.IN THE SHOPOwners of the CJ Lancer are not complaining to Cars Guide about their cars, which should be reassuring for anyone looking to buy used. Cars driven by CarsGuide have all been well built and nicely finished with no faults to be found. The CJ Lancer is still relatively new to the market so early ones will have only done 30,000-40,000 km. Even so, check for a service record to rule out possible neglect.ON THE ROADTime spent at the wheel of the CJ Lancer confirms that it is a roomy and comfortable car to drive, with plenty of head, leg and elbowroom, and supportive seats. The dash, with its large expanse of plastic, while a little bland, is neat and tidy, and functional, with all controls well placed and easy to use on the run. Overall the Lancer feels a little light on the road, and the steering could have a little more feel.The suspension is supple giving a comfortable ride over all surfaces. The 2.0-litre engine has all the performance you could want in a small car, and there is plenty of get up and go when needed and it was at all times smooth.IN A CRASHThe Lancer performed well in crash testing and ANCAP awarded it five stars. It had front airbags for the driver and front passenger and a driver knee airbag, plus standard ABS antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability control. The VR and VR-X models had the additional protection of side and side curtain airbags.AT THE PUMPMitsubishi claimed the Lancer would do 7.7-8.2 L/100 km and road tests suggested the claim was on the mark. A Lancer tested by Cars Guide averaged just over 8.0 L/100 km when driven in normal town traffic.LOOK FORNeat, attractive looksComfortable, roomy interiorGood fuel economySafe and soundWell-built.THE BOTTOM LINE: A safe and sound small car choice.RATING: 80/100

The quickest way around a race track is simply mathematics.Going faster and beating all your mates is directly proportional to a diminishing fear factor and a rising-rate expense program divided by the money in your bank account.To go faster, a rough rule is $10,000 a second per lap. That is, spend an extra $10,000 on your race car and you will be one-second quicker per lap faster.Theoretically, you'd spend $30,000 for a three-second rocket around the circuit but sadly, the formula is disproportionate. You may only gain 1.25-seconds, for example.So the question is: Do you pay an extra $29,200 over the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart SST for the Evolution X MR and gain a one-second 0-100km/h sprint time?Or do you enjoy the Ralliart and use the "spare" money to buy (a) BHP Billiton shares, (b) a whopping plasma screen and surround sound system, or (c) the Kawasaki Ultra 250X jet ski.Money may not be the only reason to consider forgoing the one-second advantage.The Ralliart comes with practically all the looks of the Evo X and even has similar mechanicals. Even the aluminium bonnet is identical.It has the same basic engine though is dumbed down to 177kW from the Evo's 217kW. It has 343Nm of torque — compared with the Evo's 366Nm — and is delivered at lower revs.The gearbox — Mitsubishi's new and quite delightful dual-clutch six-speeder — is also shared though the Evo allows three driving modes to sharpen the ride.Ride comfort is better in the Ralliart — though the MR isn't bad and certainly up on its predecessor — which extends its audience to include children and the wife.Combined with all-wheel drive, it makes a sedan that can live comfortably in the city and country with a dynamic performance and safety personality when required.Drive it as an automatic and the 2-litre engine shows some weakness at low revs.This lag is more pronounced than the Evo — though even this car has some hesitation — mainly because of it misses out on the Evo's twin-scroll turbocharger that works better across the rev range.The Ralliart's engine will, however, quickly smarten up by 2500rpm and be on song at 4000rpm right up to near 7000rpm.At which point your smile will only be eroded by realisation that the car is consuming premium unleaded petrol at a rate that would shame beer-drinking end-of-semester uni students.Treat the Ralliart nicely, though, and 11.4 litres/100km is entirely acceptable in city and suburbs, plus a short time in the country.The gearbox is pin sharp on changes and will step up with higher revs before it upchanges when in Sport mode. The paddle shifters, by the way, are perfectly placed and have a default to full-auto when held.Handling is first rate. As mentioned, it's not Evo X class but it's also not far short of the mark. The bottom line is you won't have a chance to test this car to its fullest on public roads anyway.Mitsubishi aims this car at the driver who enjoys a fang and likes a car that shouts "performance".The practicalities are shared with the base Lancer. That's a great start because the Lancer is a delightful small car with a great shape, very good cabin and boot space, and a pretty interior.More goodies, such as the six-disc CD player, are added to the feature list but the healthy basics of most Lancers — a five-star crash rating, electronic stability control and seven airbags — remain.Options include the Rockford Fosgate sound system ($750), that audio with sunroof ($2350) and those two with a multi-communication pack with sat-nav for $4750.Comfort rates highly for those in the sports-tailored front seats, less so for the rear where firm foam and short thigh length makes adults wish for shorter journeys.No complaints, however, about leg and headroom though I'll put my two-cents worth in about that space-saver spare.But this is a very appealing package. It serves to uphold the Evo image while saving its buyers near-on $30,000. The only cost is one second.

But being the middle child in the Lancer sports family has never been so good because like the VRX and hot-shot Evolution X, the turbocharged Ralliart Lancer all-wheel drive is an amalgam of all that's good about its siblings.Available as a sedan or hatch — Sportback in Mitsubishi speak — the Ralliart is aimed squarely at the Subaru WRX, as well as the Golf GTi, Astra SRi turbo, and Ford Focus XR5.In the 11-model Lancer line-up it sits between the mild-mannered 2.4-litre VRX and the uber-hot turbo-charged 2.0-litre Evolution.Mitsubishi hopes enthusiasts who aspire to the $59,490 Evolution but are guided by their hip-pockets, will settle on the Ralliart, which costs $42,490.Mitsubishi's manager, product strategy, Chris Maxsted, says the turbo Ralliart is a strategic car for the brand."Particularly as it's available as a sedan and hatch," he says.Like the Impreza WRX, having a choice of body styles will appeal to a broader range of buyers, he says."The hatch looks more sporty but the Ralliart sedan looks like the Evo sedan so it will appeal to a few wannabe Evo owners," he says.Maxsted sees the Ralliart as is neither a hotter VRX, nor a despecced Evo."It carries elements of both in specifications but it's a unique car, a unique model," he says.The mild-mannered Ralliart shares a detuned version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled twin-cam four-cylinder engine from the Evolution.Despite being retuned, the engine still delivers plenty of punch with 177kW at 6000 revs and 343Nm at 4750 revs, down 50kW and 23Nm over the Evo.A single-scroll lower boost turbocharger replaces the twin-scroll unit of the Evo.But like the Evo, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder is mated to a Getrag-sourced six-speed twin clutch sport shift transmission (TC-SST), complete with steering wheel paddle shifters.In its Ralliart application, the TC-SST offers two driving modes, Normal and Sport, losing the track-ready S-sport mode.The Ralliart's sports suspension is similar to the VRX but gets thick stabliliser bars and the sedan gets fold down rear seats in place of the bracing of the Evo.Then there's the Evo's aluminium bonnet, active centre differential all-wheel drive system and a mechanical limited slip differential rather than the Evo's electronic yaw control rear differential."In essence, the Ralliart driveline is probably like the Evo VIII," Maxsted says.Mitsubishi is aware some drivers may prefer the five-speed manual, but it is not expected to be available in the short term, according to Maxsted.But he has not ruled it out longer term."Autos account for about 30 per cent of the high-performance small car market," he says."I think the market will move to which is the better transmission."Externally both the sedan and hatch gain some distinct styling and enhancements above the VRX.Inside, the Ralliart gets distinctive "Ralliart" sports trim, aluminium pedals, three-way adjustable front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and climate control air conditioning.Stand-alone options include the high performance $750 Rockford Fosgate stereo while metallic or pearlescent paint is $350.The Rockford Fosgate system can also be packaged with a sunroof for $2350 as well as the sunroof and navigation system for $4750.Have a go with the Lancer Ralliart and you wonder why any self-respecting performance enthusiast would bother with a manual gearbox.The TC-SST transmission, similar to Porsche's PDK twin-clutch, is a joy to use and provides enough excitement in "sports" mode to keep all but the most diehard turbo hot-rodder engaged.Unlike some twin-clutch arrangements, the six-speed gearbox is smooth around town, seamlessly preselecting gears.It mates well with the turbo four but things do not really start happening until you're beyond 2500 revs.This may have something to do with the move to a single scroll turbocharger in place of the Evo's twin-scroll unit because in full automatic operation, the Lancer needs some revs on board to give its best.Once above 2500 revs though the bells and whistles start singin' and ringin' in the sweet revving four.The Ralliart will quickly reach double-demerit points territory in a flash.Settle down to some highway cruising though and the car is stable and surefooted and quiet inside.Only some wind-rush from the exterior mirrors interrupts the cabin's ambience.In the twisty bits, there is plenty of steering feedback, reassuring turn-in and both the sedan and hatch remain neutral whether under full power or brakes.Visually, both the Ralliart sedan and hatch are tidy cars and an exercise in discretion.The body kit is subdued, the air intakes blend into the bonnet and the 18-inch alloys, shared with the VRX, look good.Only the sedan's high-set spoiler upsets the visual harmony, and restricts rear visibility.The hatch is also 2mm shallow than the sedan but rear headroom and legroom remains good. The hatch's versatile 60/40 split flat folding seats and nifty release mechanism from the boot will appeal to many.From the rear doors forward both the hatch and sedan are the same.Overall, the Lancer Ralliart has a well-sorted chassis and in some respects more liveable than the full-blown Evo and more exciting than the garden-variety VRX.That's exactly what Mitsubishi set out to achieve.MODELS Sportback and sedan