Buying a used Mitsubishi Lancer (2002-2007)

Some models look bland but the CG-CH-Series Lancers offer durability and lots of used-market value.

The Lancer began life in 1974 as a light and punchy two-door with a penchant for winning rallies against more powerful machinery. Thirty years later a turbo-engined EVO was still engaging in forest-track heroics but lesser versions were desperate for a performance boost that finally arrived in 2005

HISTORY
Buyers entering a Mitsubishi showroom in mid-2002 could be forgiven for some confusion. Alongside the new and significantly larger CG Series cars sat a selection of brand-new but outmoded CE models.

The ‘new’ 2002 range comprised LS, Exceed and VR-X sedans. An updated ES sedan joined the range in early 2003 but the ES Wagon would not be replaced until September 2004 when the CH Series arrived.

MR Coupes, which had proved popular since their 1996 introduction, would survive only until 2003 but their old technology was cheap and a new MR GLi started at $15,990.

The CG engine was 9 per cent larger than previously; still with only a single overhead camshaft, 16 valves and fuel injection. Power increased by a disappointing 6kW to 92kW.   

Improvements to CG-Series Lancers stretched beyond their marginally-expanded engines. The wheelbase had been lengthened by a hefty 100mm; finally making four-door Lancers viable for ‘family’ buyers. The larger car was inevitably heavier and its 100kg weight penalty negated the engine’s minimal power increase.

ES versions available from 2003 came with a standard complement of dual air-bags, air-conditioning, central locking and power mirrors. Five-speed cars cost $20,990 with the automatic around $2000 dearer.

They supplanted the LS as the lowest-priced Lancer but the sporty VR-X still represented a more attractive package for buyers interested in style and a more responsive chassis.

For their $25,490, VR-X manual buyers got body-coloured bumpers, a rear spoiler, different grille and bumpers. Alloy wheels were standard and inside a leather-rim steering wheel and white-faced dials added to the sporting ambience.

More significant for drivers was ‘sports’ suspension with stiffer springs and upgraded dampers that valued cornering response over ride quality.  Rear disc brakes were available on these while other models made do with drums. ABS didn’t arrive until 2005.

The Exceed with its $29,000 price-tag was automatic only and came with a larger load of equipment including climate-control A/C, 14-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel, a CD player and some plasti-timber dash embellishments. Very few were sold and 2005 saw the model disappear.

The CH Lancers that appeared late in 2004 certainly made an attempt to generate some showroom presence and popularity. Initial changes were confined to styling, including Magna-esque light pods and grille, plus some fiddling with specification.

With the Exceed not continuing in CH form, the most expensive and best-equipped Lancers were the automatic VR-X wagons that initially cost $30,690. At the opposite end of the scale was the very keenly priced $19,990 ES manual sedan. From late 2004 until June 2005 an ES Limited was available with air-conditioning, power windows, 14-inch alloy wheels but still fitted with the underwhelming 2.0-litre engine.

That situation was remedied in August 2005 when the MY06 range scored a 115kW, 2.4-litre engine shared with Mitsubishi’s heavier Outlander 4WD. The automatic transmission kept its four speeds but ‘Sports Shift’ manual over-ride was extended to the entire range.

These better-looking and more powerful Lancers came as a sedan or station wagon and equipment in the VR-X included a six-CD stacker, cruise control and excellent climate-control air-conditioning.

Adding some value at the end of the CH model run was a Limited Edition Velocity sedan that packaged alloy wheels, climate-control air-con, cruise control and leather seat trimming for less than $23,000.  

ON THE ROAD
Different Lancer models can display quite different character traits and suit a range of driving styles. Just don’t expect much excitement from basic cars.

A 2002-04 ES exudes blandness from every pore. The sedan is chunky and, despite its 2002 restyle, among the least interesting of automotive shapes. Performance is reasonable but only if the driver is prepared to work the engine hard in its upper rev ranges and accept the fuel consumption penalty that results.

Handling in base-model cars is secure but biased more towards ride comfort than extreme grip. The springs are soft for a car of this class but still don’t stop the front-end reacting badly to mid-bend bumps.

Weight and relatively low gearing mean these cars don’t deliver the economy available from lighter rivals and an automatic in traffic can use more than 10L/100km. Manuals on the highway – especially the 2.4-litre cars that came with cruise control - can get below 8L/100km.

The interior is just awful – grey plastic the dominant material and seats with little sideways support make for tiring motoring. CH Series cars offer improved comfort and features like climate-control air-conditioning and a CD stacker but spending slightly more on one of the higher-specification cars is certainly worthwhile.

For enjoyable motoring and chassis response, a VR-X is undoubtedly the car to choose. While resembling to an extent an all-wheel drive EVO, the VR-X’s skirts, wings and under-bumper air-intake are there to give an impression of performance that is never really delivered.

With the 2.4-litre engine, a manual VR-X will perform OK; delivering 0-100km/h in under 9 seconds and managing 9L/100km fuel consumption. The seats have better shape and superior fabric to those in the ES and the dash design at least appears as an attempt to look interesting.

Cars with the larger 16-inch alloy wheels and 50 Series tyres grip very well but the stiffer ride may feel less comfortable than cars with less aggressive tyre/spring combinations. Steering should feel direct and not need constant correction on a straight road. Misaligned wheels resulting from kerb contact can destroy tyres, so look for worn edges.

Both the five-speed transmission and four-speed automatic are easy to use. The clutch action is light and the manual shift has quick, short throws between ratios. If the car is going to be driven principally under city conditions the auto is a great choice. Unlike later models which moved the sequential ‘Sport Mode’ slot to the driver’s side of the selector you need to reach a little further when using an automatic CH Lancer in manual mode.

Where the Lancer suffers against others in its price zone is safety. Early ones have only a lap belt for the rear centre passenger and side airbags didn’t arrive until the launch of the CJ version, so cars in this age range score only three from a maximum of five in impact tests.

>> Poor-quality paintwork has been reported by owners of early cars, making these easily stone-chipped and leading to rust. Look also for deteriorating clear-coat on upper panels and especially boot spoilers

>> Provided their dust-sealing boots aren’t damaged, constant-velocity joints should last a minimum of 150,000 kilometres. Listen for a clicking noise when turning and accelerating simultaneously.

>> Reports of automatic transmission failure on older Lancers are attributed to poor maintenance. Fluid should be red, not dirty brown, and if it smells burned or there is smoke from the dip-stick tube once the car is hot find another one.

>> Interior plastics and fabrics used in low-end CG models aren’t great quality and seats after a few years became flat and quite uncomfortable. Make sure during the test-drive that the seat frame doesn’t dig into your ribs

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