Topic: CD Article: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer DE CVT

[Autos_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:

CVT: Sporty styling and great driving manners make the base Lancer sedan a good value for under $20,000, says contributor Haney Louka, but the optional continuously variable transmission contributes to excessive "noise and vibration," he says.
   
   More...


Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[The Mighty Duck]

There's one of these parked along my walk to campus most days, and every time I go by it catches my eye.  I really like the looks of this new Lancer...  can't wait to see the Ralliart Turbo AWD version... 

[gotak]

I know 1 CVT equipped 4 banger that doesn't have those issue this reviewer is complaining about. It's the one I am driving. Haven't seen a single review of the SE R so far just the base Sentra. Come on people.

I considered the Lancer but the interior just well it's just not there to match the outside. So you look at the outside and you are like  but then you go in and  . If only they had A) a slightly bigger engine for the higher trim and B) better interior.

[Spheric]

It's one of the few cars that actually looks incomplete without the rear spoiler. Same applies to the Mazda 3 hatchback....looks kinda 'bald' without it.

[Rupert]

I suppose that competitors are Ford Focus, slightly smaller and lighter Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sentra...Suzuki. This one looks similar to the Focus to me if you move the upper grille back a bit. Speedo seems small for bi-focal users and out in left field. Usual tach comment. The Elantra is quiet on the highway with conventional automatic and the report on this forum did not seem to indicate any harshness. Is the Elantra engine the same. Seems to be less powerfull in numbers. Maybe the peakiness mentioned is due to tuning for more power.
I think I prefer the lighter more fuel efficient Elantra overall although I don't like the wavy style contour on the side. In photos the Focus stands up pretty well here. I don't know; if you get away from the sporty theme, the curent crop of small sedans are not bad at all IMO. An improvment over past models.

[Dante]

Wow! Mitsu is getting some attention from CD - two reviews, plus the first drive review, plus Wing's blog. One thing though, all reviews were about the DE model (low end). Most of the people are getting the GTS or the ES - much better value.

These reviews are pretty much in-line with what I thought about the Lancer DE too. The interior felt cheap compared to my Mazda3 GT (top of the line), but I don't think it was a fair comparison. The ES is comparable to Mazda3 GS, although I still think Mazda3 is better. The Mazda3 GT blows the Lancer out of the water.
Oh, it happened that he other day I rode in a co-worker's 2008 Corolla with the 20th Anniversary Package and I was surprised how cheap the interior felt. I would say a Lancer ES has a better interior than that Corolla.

I didn't like the CVT in the Lancer at all. This would be the deal-breaker for me. For those buying a manual anyway, this wouldn't be a problem.

Mitsu needs to do the following to the Lancer for the next model year:
1. Get rid of the CVT and replace it with a 5-speed A/T with manual mode.
2. Put the 2.4L in the GTS.
3. Improve few fit and finish things - the carpet in the trunk looks flimsy, put some insulation on the inner side of the hood, etc.
If they do this, the Lancer could be a top contender in the class.

[IGB]

Honda S2000 like front........

I beg your pardon.

[PJungnitsch]

Wonder what Nissan does that is so different with CVT's. The parents Versa is extremely quiet, strangely so, makes the wipers sound loud.

CVT's in almost every other make have the 'vibration/noisy' thing going on. The one in the Caliber felt like there was a paint mixer under the hood.

[chrischasescars]

Wonder what Nissan does that is so different with CVT's. The parents Versa is extremely quiet, strangely so, makes the wipers sound loud.

CVT's in almost every other make have the 'vibration/noisy' thing going on. The one in the Caliber felt like there was a paint mixer under the hood.

Seriously. Nissan's CVTs are terrific. So smooth; it makes the Versa feel like a much larger, more expensive car.

[safristi]

apparently Nissans CVT's are licenced to Jeep (in Patriot and Calibre) and to several other folks (Mitsu too??)...but something gets lost in the translation..maybe Nissan leaves out the SECRET SAUCE when cross licensing.!!!!  but the Patriot too whines and groans with the "same" CVT.....i agree having road tested the Versa CVT last week it was surprisingly pleasant..but i'm still not 100% convinced i'd want one hell the Versa offers a 6 SPEED manual....

[The Mighty Duck]

An interesting tidbit, perhaps: a student from my Uni's School of Business just won one of these cars as part of a national "Canada's Next Ad Exec" competition.  Mitsu says they were so impressed they're planning to use some of the elements of her campaign in next year's ads for the Lancer.

So when you see an ad for the Lancer in the spring, they were partly designed by a 22 year old student.

[Brig]

There's something about that front end that screams "Dodge" to me.  That said, I saw a white one recently, and was very much impressed by it, especially from the back.  Looks like a much more expensive car -- almost like a Lexus.  Very eye-catching.

I do wish someone would review the MT version.   

[Ex-airbalancer]

There's something about that front end that screams "Dodge" to me.  That said, I saw a white one recently, and was very much impressed by it, especially from the back.  Looks like a much more expensive car -- almost like a Lexus.  Very eye-catching.

I do wish someone would review the MT version.   

  about the front, more expensive car but I do not get Lexus comment

[initial_D]

I have seen a number of them around already, and there will be a NEW Mitsu dealer in central Alberta, Red Deer Mitsubishi, good news for the brand.

Personally, I dislike the front end a lot. The rest of car looks rather good.

[2JDM]

Seen a couple around too, mostly GTS models. Looks very sharp in the electric blue color.

[JVan]

There's something about that front end that screams "Dodge" to me.  That said, I saw a white one recently, and was very much impressed by it, especially from the back.  Looks like a much more expensive car -- almost like a Lexus.  Very eye-catching.

I do wish someone would review the MT version.   

  about the front, more expensive car but I do not get Lexus comment

Tail lights have a similar shape and look.

[terry0703]

I have never been a fan of Mitsubishi, but the new Lancer is really a contender with a striking look.
Although it reminds me of the new Elantra and Lexus IS from the rear, the overall design is well executed.
I like the car.

[safristi]

 LEX_HI_BUSHY....................hope it's not catchin'......

[mmret]

I don't know who makes this CVT, but the one in my Sentra is great.

This back end looks like a Mazda3, otherwise nice looking car. The interior needs a slight change; it's too dowdy as is. But a car worth considering for those on a budget looking for a long warranty?

Nissan is on to its 2nd or 3rd generation of CVT I believe, the Sentra and Altima I drove were both very smooth and quiet.

The Lancer CVT I sat in (my girlfriend test drove it) was very harsh on the ears, and she said that the car felt like a boat.

[Rupert]

Don't get the raves about the rear view. Worst aspect in my view.  CVTs have been around for donkeys years. At least 60 to my knowledge. They have only recently been used in auto's, discounting Daf which I believe was a system of Vee belts.
In industry they are called PIV boxes. Positive Infinitely Variable reducers. and they operate the same way.