Topic: CD Article: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

[Autos_Editor]

         
First Drive:


The Lancer Sportback is back, this time with a more stylish hatchback bodystyle, and two versions: GTS and Ralliart.  Both offer “a great combination of practicality, style and – particularly in the Sportback Ralliart – performance,” says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.
 More: View the photos | All the First Drives

[EV Dan]

MUCH better looking car than the sedan IMO, but the trunk space seems small even compared to Hyundai Touring, the 2.4L engine is somewhat thirsty on the highway and at that starting MSRP they'd better throw in 0% financing or other incentives to get it out of the gate. Just my 2 cents.

[ovr50]

I am not a Mitsu expert, but this car seems priced very high against it's major competitiors?? Or am I missing something here?

[initial_D]

I like the looks of the Sportback. Having driven the EVO MSR 5 seed and the RalliArt back-to-back not too long ago, the EVO is a different beast from the Ralliart model. The latter model is more of a faster Lancer.

The loaded Sportback in the test is over $38,000, for that price, I much rather have a base EVO version, even if it is $3000 more.

[carcrazy]

I think Mitsubishi priced the regular Lancer too high from the get go, and the Sportback is no different. The few gadgets they offer do not compensate for the average interior materials and some fit-and-finish issues. The CVT is nothing to write back about and the fuel economy is average at best (I find the fuel economy better in the 2.4L relative to the competition than the 2.0L).
I'm surprised by Mitsu's pricing strategy with the Lancer because as far as I'm concerned they got it right with the new Oultlander.

I liked very much the Sportback concept, but the production model is quite a departure from it, especially the rear end.

 

[EV Dan]

Yep. I have no idea why something called a SPORTback would have a CVT instead of a DSG, when its been a while since Mitsu started using the latter. A DSG could have been a deal maker for the asking 24k MSRP.

[carcrazy]

The CVT on the Lancer, especially paired with the 2.0L which is the combination I drove, is awful IMO. I would never buy that powertrain. The manual might alleviate the problem, but in North America, if you don't have a good auto you are at loss (as a car company). I wonder how difficult would've been to use the 6-speed auto in the Outlander, which I find very good; if Mitsu would use the 6 A/T they would have something to brag about after all. Also, fixing the fit-and-finish annoyances and pay attention to little details would go a long way with very little cost. Oh, I forgot, a telescopic steering wheel would be in order for this price.

[Careener]

Nice vehicle but way overpriced imho. The seats in the Ralliart are REALLY comfortable.

[EV Dan]

The CVT on the Lancer, especially paired with the 2.0L which is the combination I drove, is awful IMO. I would never buy that powertrain. The manual might alleviate the problem, but in North America, if you don't have a good auto you are at loss (as a car company). I wonder how difficult would've been to use the 6-speed auto in the Outlander, which I find very good; if Mitsu would use the 6 A/T they would have something to brag about after all. Also, fixing the fit-and-finish annoyances and pay attention to little details would go a long way with very little cost. Oh, I forgot, a telescopic steering wheel would be in order for this price.

I know the feeling. I once experienced it in a Caliber  The drivetrain was sourced from Mitsu according to the salesboy and it made more noise than go.

[KRS]

 

I think Mitsubishi priced the regular Lancer too high from the get go, and the Sportback is no different. ...                         

I'm surprised by Mitsu's pricing strategy with the Lancer because as far as I'm concerned they got it right with the new Oultlander.
 

  Actually when the Lancer was brought out it seemed price competitive (at least to me) but when the dollar went froim the 65cent range to being at par most of the other manufacturers adjusted prices. Mitsu never adjusted prices, either on the cars or any of their accessories. Things like scuff plates for the door sills are available from US dealers for US$95 but are CAD$166 from Canadian dealers. I have to assume that they are still moving them at a volume they want or they would adjust prices.

  The thing I don't understand is why they haven't offered the Sportback body style in any trim level lower then the GTS I wouild have thought that a fair percentage of people interested in the sportback would be attracted by the extra utility of the hatch and would be less inclined to want sport suspensions and 18" wheels and rims and would not be interested in paying for them. I would think a Sportback DE for $16999 would be much more popular.

 I once experienced it in a Caliber  The drivetrain was sourced from Mitsu according to the salesboy and it made more noise than go.

 Dan your salesguy was about a quarter right. the Caliber would have had a GEMA (Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance) produced engine. GEMA which is a joint venture of Chrysler, Mitsubishi Motors, and Hyundai Motor Company. The Dodge and Mitsu engines are both developments of Hyundai's Theta engine as introduced in the 04 Sonatas. The CVT transmissions for the Caliber and the Lancers are made by JATCO which is a spin off company of Nissan. From what I understand from Jatco's website,the CVT's are different models. The one used by the Caliber is supposed to be used by the Jjeep Compass and a variety of JDM Nissans as well. The Lancer one seems to be used by only Mitsu.  I have to agree that I was unimpressed by the CVT I test drove but the 5 speed is so nice I could be bothered paying for an automatic personally any way so when i was buying my lancer it wasn't an issue for me.

  If the sales don't meet their targets perhaps Mitsu will adjust prices though from what I understand the EVO's aren't close to meeting the sales expectations and those prices don't seem to be dropping yet.

 

[carcrazy]

The reason I've always felt the Lancer was too pricy is that it was too close in price to Mazda3 and Civic, which is not justified by its interior quality, fit-and-finish, standard features and powertrains.
I was expecting Mitsu to undercut these competitors by at least $1000-$1500 while offering a better package. This did not happen.
However, it's interesting how they can sell as many as they do for those prices.
One thing that Mitsu got right is the design (sedan) which is usually where most manufacturers fail (at least in my books).

[initial_D]

The reason I've always felt the Lancer was too pricy is that it was too close in price to Mazda3 and Civic, which is not justified by its interior quality, fit-and-finish, standard features and powertrains.
I was expecting Mitsu to undercut these competitors by at least $1000-$1500 while offering a better package. This did not happen.
However, it's interesting how they can sell as many as they do for those prices.
One thing that Mitsu got right is the design (sedan) which is usually where most manufacturers fail (at least in my books).

If Mitsu can sell them without heavy incentives, obvious they did their job right.

I see mostly young people driving the NEW Lancers.

[vdk]

That's because it looks like an EVO, at least to the untrained eye. Kids love the EVO, even if it's a fake one.

[sky]

Can anyone share the exact negotiation range we are expecting to get for lancer?

[johngenx]

If the "base" model had AWD, it would be much better value.

[carcrazy]

If the "base" model had AWD, it would be much better value.

+1. Optional AWD would be a nice to have, but with AWD the price should remain at the current level, this way use the AWD as a differentiating factor. Without AWD should be still cheaper than it is today.

[Mitlov]

That's because it looks like an EVO, at least to the untrained eye. Kids love the EVO, even if it's a fake one.

Maybe "kids" also like a car that's fun to drive.  Yeah, the successfully-executed manga styling helps, but there's a lot more to it than that.  If I was going to buy a new economy car, the Mazda3, Lancer, and Jetta would be the three contenders.

[carcrazy]

That's because it looks like an EVO, at least to the untrained eye. Kids love the EVO, even if it's a fake one.

Maybe "kids" also like a car that's fun to drive.  Yeah, the successfully-executed manga styling helps, but there's a lot more to it than that.  If I was going to buy a new economy car, the Mazda3, Lancer, and Jetta would be the three contenders.

BTW. I saw a white Ralliart without the rear wing. It looked so much better. I think it wouldn't be a problem to ask the dealer to swap the trunk lid with one from the basic Lancer.

[Spheric]

So I went to the Mitsu Canada website and priced out a Sportback on 48 month lease with zero down.

Results:

Total selling price: $27,758
Lease rate: 3.8%
Lease Payment: $452 per month (not including tax)

Buyout: $8802 (which is 31% of original value).

Is a 69% depreciation over 4 years in line with car industry norms ??

[Mitlov]

That's because it looks like an EVO, at least to the untrained eye. Kids love the EVO, even if it's a fake one.

Maybe "kids" also like a car that's fun to drive.  Yeah, the successfully-executed manga styling helps, but there's a lot more to it than that.  If I was going to buy a new economy car, the Mazda3, Lancer, and Jetta would be the three contenders.

BTW. I saw a white Ralliart without the rear wing. It looked so much better. I think it wouldn't be a problem to ask the dealer to swap the trunk lid with one from the basic Lancer.

For what it's worth, I like the wing and I wouldn't own a Lancer without one     I don't normally like wings on sedans, but it just looks so right on the Lancer.