1997 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 2.0 petrol from Finland

Summary:

True sport car from a past era of Japanese turbo cars

Faults:

One exhaust valve had to be replaced due to a hole burnt in it. Fuel injectors were fine, though.

Crankshaft gearbox-end bearing needed to be replaced due to a manufacturing flaw in this engine type. Also known as "crankwalk" phenomenon.

Exhaust controllers needed to be replaced from cylinder head.

Drinks petrol like crazy, no matter how you drive it. 13 litres per 100km is normal. And high-octane of course.

Road noise over 120km/h is terrible, and you don't want to drive long distances with these speeds.

General Comments:

Oh boy, what a car!

This car is from a past era of Japanese turbo cars, when fuel economy was not a point of interest, and only performance mattered.

Sadly new EVO's have lost their "balls". They look too much like executive saloons.

This piece of machine glues down to the road. Suspension is tight and you can throw it into corner very hard and come clean out of it. The car's body won't bend at all when driven in hard corners. AYC helps you to exit corners even faster.

This is great car to drive on twisty roads, and the handling is very sharp. You're constantly aware of the surface of the road. However, my opinion is that this is best driven on snow and gravel.

This car delivers good 0-60 performance (under 6 seconds), but this is not a type of car you want to launch always from traffic lights. My car is completely stock version. Turbo kicks in from 3000rpm and it pulls hard until the red-line. I like to keep my window open and listen for that sweet whoooosh sound from turbocharger.

This is imported from Japan. Recaro seats are designed for local people, and they are way too small for a scandinavian fat-ass like myself.

Everywhere I go, people stop to look at my car. Young boys take pictures of it with their cell phones. When I stop to fill her up at a gas station, strangers come asking me about the car. Some family men are looking my car with envy from their "so-called" sport cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 2010

1997 Mitsubishi Lancer GL 1.5 from Kenya

Summary:

A reliable car

Faults:

The driving boots are worn out.

General Comments:

The seats are low for tall people, it's got the looks, and the exterior is great too.

She's a nice buy, and since she's a lady I don't push her to extreme speeds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2009

1997 Mitsubishi Lancer GLXi 1.6 from Trinidad and Tobago

Summary:

I drove many different cars in my life, and this is one of if not the best car I have ever driven.

Faults:

I have no problem with this car, just Diamond Motors,they have some of the worst service that I have ever had to endure.

General Comments:

Paid $85,000 TT for this car, and never regretted it.

Easy to maintain, parts relatively inexpensive, and easy to upgrade.

Fastest 4 door sedan in that price range, kicked a lot of butt on the track on weekends.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd December, 2007

1997 Mitsubishi Lancer GL 1.5 carb from Philippines

Summary:

Almost maintenance free

Faults:

At the first year, a worrying noise from the front wheel well during cruise. I mistakenly replaced both wheel bearings to find out later that the noise was coming from the tires. After the replacement it was quiet and nothing else had been replaced after 125,000kms and 10 years of ownership, except brake pads twice.

General Comments:

I had several cars before and this Mitsubishi is built like a true blooded Japanese car. The engine is only 1500cc, no computers. Sporty in looks, and performance is just moderate, but good for fuel efficient driving. Just keep the throttle within 2000rpm during acceleration.

I kept my Toyota Corolla Liftback 1980 for 25 years with no engine overhaul and still going with a new owner. Note: I keep my speed limit within 100km/hr, best speed 80k/h.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th November, 2007

16th Dec 2010, 04:28

Hi. I have a 1997 Lancer GL, and I was having problems with the knocking sounds from the front wheel. You mentioned you replaced the wheels and got it fixed. May I know exactly what was the problem?

Thanks.

17th Aug 2011, 14:34

Mine was a loud hum caused by the tire tread, which seems not compatible with this car. After replacing the two front tires, the hum quieted down and solved the noise problem.

24th Oct 2017, 03:19

1997 Lancer, 20 years old and 132000km. Minor repairs only. Original owner. Great car.