A decade of romance with a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. Long term ownership review.
My daily commute to work lasts about 45 mins one way. Add to that another 30 mins of evening drives here and there and I can safely say that 2 hours of my daily life are spent inside the car. No wonder its an important part of my life. So to give credits where they are due, the Mitsubishi Lancer SFXI petrol has served me as a good friend for more than 10 years now.
After finishing school, college to me like everybody else was a dream come true. New clothes, New friends, new adventures, new love and what not. But above all for me it was the car that came into my life. I turned 18 and got my drivers license. The next obvious step was getting a car.
With two bikes parked in the garage, the choice was definitely not easy. But the hunt began. We looked at the Maruti-Suzuki Esteem, Chevrolet Optra petrol, Skoda Octavia, Hyundai accent, Opel Astra Club, Honda City V-tec, Ford Mondeo and the Mitsubishi Lancer. I read everything there was to these cars and got test drives again and again.
The first choice came out to be Ford Mondeo. The 2003 Ford Mondeo was the biggest car in our selection and obviously the most expensive. Spacious and fun to drive it almost ticket all the boxes. The car was also a looker back in 2003. But the issues with stereo and electric power seats and lack of availability of spares (imported from Belgium) marred the otherwise excellent car. The brand killed the resale further and hence I had to let go.
Naturally, the next best car was the Skoda Octavia. The new entrant had taken the luxury car market by storm with its space and power. German engineering was a plus. This was the second most expensive car of the lot. Due to a relatively new name, we let go of this option. Sadly, the company launched a VRS version with a 1.8 TPI engine with 150 BHP on tap and lots of goodies on offer in just six months after our purchase of the Lancer SFXI.
The third car on the list was the Stonker of a vehicle. The Honda City 1.5 Vtec. It was the most powerful car in its segment and the quickest amongst those on sale. The problem was with the dealer. Being the only dealer in town, he had resorted to bad selling tactics and many honda owners had problems. Also, at the time, a new honda city had already entered the market with only 77bhp on tap to cater to the Fuel efficiency fans. This was the closest competitor to the Mitsubishi Lancer SFXI back in the day and trumped in most factors.
The fourth car also belongs on the list of my favorite cars. The Opel Astra. The Germans were the first to give India a taste of what the hoopla about german engineering is. The Astra had many firsts during its time. The list includes, hood scoops, sunroof, Dual tone metallic paint job, spoiler, alloy wheels and a display computer. But the downsides were the launch of the Chevrolet Badge replacing the opel. Astra was also on its last legs in India and Europe had already seen the second model replacement of the Astra. High maintainence and low resale marked this car out.
As mentioned above, that the Chevrolet brand was replacing the Opel Astra, The company had just launched the Chevrolet Optra. A rebadged Daewoo the car was the perfect replacement for the Astra with its spacious and feature packed cabin. The car had a powerful 1.6 petrol engine, sunroof, leather seats, spoiler alloy wheels and a comfortable ride. But the car was not a looker and I did not like the dull driving experience. So it was ruled out.
Hyundai Accent features here only because it was the cheapest option and made a sensible choice. The GTX Tornado and the Accent Viva were the powerful petrol cousins. I did like the way the Accent Viva looked with its Notchback design a la the Octavia. The car was easy to maintain, didnt look that bad and still had enough bells and whistles. This car being the jack of all trades was second on the list of confirmed buys after the Lancer.
The first time I saw the lancer, it was at a display stall at a shopping mall. The glistening red car completely decked with body kit took my heart away at first glance. I reached the dealership for a test drive and they were prompt with their service. The HM-Mitsubishi of 2003 was at the end of its best levels of quality service and cars. I was impressed with the car in the first test drive itself. Though not exactly a sales topper, the car still had what it takes to win hearts. It was no Mondeo to drive but the Handling beat the Ford Hands down. It was no Octavia VRS but had enough bodykit and accessories to win the heart of the boyracer. The car was no 0-100 champion like the Vtec but was stable even at 160 kmph thanks to the Evo VI chassis. The result was the cheque written in favour of the three pointed diamond star.
I have driven the lancer for more than 10 years now and the car has saved my family from a disastrous accident, won the heart of my girl for me and cheered me up on the long drives when life acted like a bitch. The car still retains the orginal paintjob and runs like a charm returning 13kmpl in city and touching 17kmpl on the highway.
The car has seen two tyre changes
Stock tyres 185/60 R14 MRF ZVTS
Michelin XM1+ 185/65 R14
Goodyear Assurance 195/60 R14
A suspension change replacing stock gabriel Oil Struts to KYB Excel G gas struts.
And a stonker audio update
Pioneer 7950UB with USB with wireless remote control
Rockford Fosgate Prime co-axial speakers
Soundstream xtc 6.5" components
Soundstream Picasso Pw12L DVC sub
Bassworx sub enclosure
Soundstream Lil Wonder 4.480 4channel amp.
Connecxion 8-guage amp wiring kit.
What I liked
- Reliability
- fun to drive factor
- robust engine
- Awesome ergonomic interiors.Everything falls into hand and seating position is perfect
- Still commands attention
- Good ground clearance makes it easy to take on bad roads.
- precise and well weighted steering
- Chilling AC
- slick gearbox but with normal ratios
What I dont like
- Mediocre power
- premium rear space
- low seating a problem for parents
- Company support and dealership service problems
- Weak power windows
- Cabin sound insulation
What I miss today
- New age dashboard.
- Stereo Mounter audio controls
- Fuel efficiency details meter
- All windows one touch power down
After finishing school, college to me like everybody else was a dream come true. New clothes, New friends, new adventures, new love and what not. But above all for me it was the car that came into my life. I turned 18 and got my drivers license. The next obvious step was getting a car.
With two bikes parked in the garage, the choice was definitely not easy. But the hunt began. We looked at the Maruti-Suzuki Esteem, Chevrolet Optra petrol, Skoda Octavia, Hyundai accent, Opel Astra Club, Honda City V-tec, Ford Mondeo and the Mitsubishi Lancer. I read everything there was to these cars and got test drives again and again.
The first choice came out to be Ford Mondeo. The 2003 Ford Mondeo was the biggest car in our selection and obviously the most expensive. Spacious and fun to drive it almost ticket all the boxes. The car was also a looker back in 2003. But the issues with stereo and electric power seats and lack of availability of spares (imported from Belgium) marred the otherwise excellent car. The brand killed the resale further and hence I had to let go.
Naturally, the next best car was the Skoda Octavia. The new entrant had taken the luxury car market by storm with its space and power. German engineering was a plus. This was the second most expensive car of the lot. Due to a relatively new name, we let go of this option. Sadly, the company launched a VRS version with a 1.8 TPI engine with 150 BHP on tap and lots of goodies on offer in just six months after our purchase of the Lancer SFXI.
The third car on the list was the Stonker of a vehicle. The Honda City 1.5 Vtec. It was the most powerful car in its segment and the quickest amongst those on sale. The problem was with the dealer. Being the only dealer in town, he had resorted to bad selling tactics and many honda owners had problems. Also, at the time, a new honda city had already entered the market with only 77bhp on tap to cater to the Fuel efficiency fans. This was the closest competitor to the Mitsubishi Lancer SFXI back in the day and trumped in most factors.
The fourth car also belongs on the list of my favorite cars. The Opel Astra. The Germans were the first to give India a taste of what the hoopla about german engineering is. The Astra had many firsts during its time. The list includes, hood scoops, sunroof, Dual tone metallic paint job, spoiler, alloy wheels and a display computer. But the downsides were the launch of the Chevrolet Badge replacing the opel. Astra was also on its last legs in India and Europe had already seen the second model replacement of the Astra. High maintainence and low resale marked this car out.
As mentioned above, that the Chevrolet brand was replacing the Opel Astra, The company had just launched the Chevrolet Optra. A rebadged Daewoo the car was the perfect replacement for the Astra with its spacious and feature packed cabin. The car had a powerful 1.6 petrol engine, sunroof, leather seats, spoiler alloy wheels and a comfortable ride. But the car was not a looker and I did not like the dull driving experience. So it was ruled out.
Hyundai Accent features here only because it was the cheapest option and made a sensible choice. The GTX Tornado and the Accent Viva were the powerful petrol cousins. I did like the way the Accent Viva looked with its Notchback design a la the Octavia. The car was easy to maintain, didnt look that bad and still had enough bells and whistles. This car being the jack of all trades was second on the list of confirmed buys after the Lancer.
The first time I saw the lancer, it was at a display stall at a shopping mall. The glistening red car completely decked with body kit took my heart away at first glance. I reached the dealership for a test drive and they were prompt with their service. The HM-Mitsubishi of 2003 was at the end of its best levels of quality service and cars. I was impressed with the car in the first test drive itself. Though not exactly a sales topper, the car still had what it takes to win hearts. It was no Mondeo to drive but the Handling beat the Ford Hands down. It was no Octavia VRS but had enough bodykit and accessories to win the heart of the boyracer. The car was no 0-100 champion like the Vtec but was stable even at 160 kmph thanks to the Evo VI chassis. The result was the cheque written in favour of the three pointed diamond star.
I have driven the lancer for more than 10 years now and the car has saved my family from a disastrous accident, won the heart of my girl for me and cheered me up on the long drives when life acted like a bitch. The car still retains the orginal paintjob and runs like a charm returning 13kmpl in city and touching 17kmpl on the highway.
The car has seen two tyre changes
Stock tyres 185/60 R14 MRF ZVTS
Michelin XM1+ 185/65 R14
Goodyear Assurance 195/60 R14
A suspension change replacing stock gabriel Oil Struts to KYB Excel G gas struts.
And a stonker audio update
Pioneer 7950UB with USB with wireless remote control
Rockford Fosgate Prime co-axial speakers
Soundstream xtc 6.5" components
Soundstream Picasso Pw12L DVC sub
Bassworx sub enclosure
Soundstream Lil Wonder 4.480 4channel amp.
Connecxion 8-guage amp wiring kit.
What I liked
- Reliability
- fun to drive factor
- robust engine
- Awesome ergonomic interiors.Everything falls into hand and seating position is perfect
- Still commands attention
- Good ground clearance makes it easy to take on bad roads.
- precise and well weighted steering
- Chilling AC
- slick gearbox but with normal ratios
What I dont like
- Mediocre power
- premium rear space
- low seating a problem for parents
- Company support and dealership service problems
- Weak power windows
- Cabin sound insulation
What I miss today
- New age dashboard.
- Stereo Mounter audio controls
- Fuel efficiency details meter
- All windows one touch power down
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