LONG POST WARNING
My girlfriend test drove a Lancer DE (or whatever the midrange one is) today, with the CVT. During her preliminary research (most of it guided by me) for the perfect compact funmobile, she had cemented in the idea that the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer was the "best" car for her. Civic? "I already owned one." Corolla? "Every Asian has one." Rabbit? "2.5 Litre engine? That's too big! I want to save gas. Plus I hate hatchbacks." [Wow, she really hates that VW Rabbit!] Elantra? "I don't want a Korean car."
I dare not mention domestics.
But Lancer? "It looks so cool!"
So today, I drove her to a Mitsu dealership to test drive one. We were greeted by a quite young salesman whom immediately offered us a test drive. He even sat in the back seat during the drive. A good start, I thought, even though we had zero intentions of buying that day.
The exterior looks good, if a little quirky. Interior was put together well enough, even though the materials were somewhat low rent. As everyone knows, the on-paper feature content is quite solid, and the warranty is the best in the business as far as I know.
But a major problem manifested itself even before we got out of the lot: this car is loud.
My hearing has been on edge for the last month, listening to every minute sound in the TSX as if it could be an annoying rattle or a nascent mechanical issue, but no discerning ear was needed to know that something wasn't quite right with this engine. It was just plain loud. And not in a good "give'r some gas!" way.
If I were to compare it to the TSX, it would be like the difference between listening to a professional strings orchestra play the Bradenburg Concertos and listening to a bunch of middle school kids play the Bradenburg Concertos. With saxophones and tubas. And a large number of cymbalists. Rest assured, this engine will make people wonder if your brand new car needs a tuneup.
The salesman assured me that there was nothing wrong. Perhaps it was just not broken in yet, I thought hopefully. Or maybe it just needs to warm up. Regardless, we went about the test drive.
Horrendous sounds permeated the cabin. It was as if it came from all around us, and they were just as menacing as from outside the car. Obviously, someone skimped on the sound insulation. From a passenger perspective, acceleration was decent (as it should be, with 156hp in this size of car). It was hard to tell though, because all I could hear was the coarse, raspy growl of the engine. Misery. Not something one would want to live with anywhere above 2000 RPM (inside) or at any RPM (outside)
Upon returning to the lot I asked if we could start up the other Lancer they had and listen to that engine. Same sound. Same horrible, brutal sound. Not a fluke!
After leaving the Mitsu dealer, she agreed to go to a VW dealership posthaste for a Rabbit test drive, but unfortunately they were closed.
Regardless, the Lancer has gone from first to worst in her eyes. Personally, I just cringe every time I think about it.
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I hereby retract all of my previous positive comments about the Lancer.
You have been warned.