Mitsubishi Lancer Saloon (2008 - 2010) 1.8 GS3 CVT 4d (2008/08) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everybody loves it! It has numerous nicknames from friends such as 'Mitsy' and 'The Missile'. Family find it comfortable and good looking. Even strangers comment on how beautiful it is. It never gets mistaken for anything else or lost in a car park anywhere.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I had wanted a Lancer saloon for a long time. In some ways it is disappointing. It feels very light to drive, the interior is dowdy - though exceptionally well made - and the saloon is a little impractical, but overall I do not regret buying it. The stylish looks and that it isn't another Mondeo/Focus or some Kia or Hyundai faceless nothing, far outweigh the disappointments. It makes you smile when you return back to it. If it was still offered I would willingly buy another. Maybe in manual form though next time.

What are you likely to buy next?

If I bought a used car it would be either a manual Lancer GS3 or 4, or if new another Volkswagen Golf.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£5,000

When did you buy the car?

March 2014

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Looks, reliability and comfort.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

It sounds great with a very sporty sound to the exhaust. The steering isn't very positive at all despite the wide 18'' alloy wheels. The ride is very smooth considering the wheel size and generally it is a smooth riding car. The CVT transmission is nowhere near as bad as I originally thought, and the 'tiptronic' style manual function is very good. It does tend to make a 'fuss' of overtaking on a-roads but on the motorway it is a quiet relaxed cruiser as the transmission is 6speed.

What's it like to park?

My car has a rear parking camera fitted though I don't have any problems parking. I can understand though that the very large rear spoiler could hamper your vision. Forward vision is in fact worse as the front end sharply falls away though Lancer does has a large front overhang. Nothing that fitting parking sensors wouldn't easily rectify.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing mechanically. General age related items such as car battery has been replaced as it was the original so did well to last from 2007 until 2014! It is due a recall affecting the drivebelt and this highlights Mitsubishi's biggest problem, the dealer infrastructure. On booking mine in I was told I'd have to approach the Kia franchise as my Mitsubishi dealer 15 miles away, had no service department. The work would also be done at the Kia workshop which I am far from impressed about. The paint is very thin too and the bodywork easily dented.

What's most practical about your car?

Being the saloon version it has a large boot and aces to all seats is good thanks to wide opening - but cheap feeling easily dentable - doors.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The climate control is very good and it standard fit. The Lancer has very little in the way of features like a VW would for instance. It has a Maplins parking camera but I don't use it often as it is sited awkwardly.