1980 Mitsubishi Lancer LC Lancer/Celeste from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Nothing has serious or expensive has ever gone wrong with this car. The head has never been removed. Some of the plastic mounts behind the dash are now becoming brittle, but I've devised a way to fix that.

I have replaced the exhaust system once at 200,000 Km and the rear brake pads once at 150,000 km. I go through a set of front pad about once a year. The clutch was replaced at 210,000km, but it costs me very little. Oh; I had to replace the Uniroyal steel cat tires after a 100,000 km as they started to perish and split at the sidewalls; the tread was fine.

Fun to drive, deceptively fast (the faster it goes the more stable it appears) and totally reliable and economical. Why else would I have kept it for 21 years when other cars have come and gone from my household?

Fuel consumption of 42 mpg is possible and it runs OK on unleaded (better on unleaded premium).

Totally rattle free. Now needs a re-spray as the bonnet (hood) has faded somewhat, but otherwise as good as new. I'm forever running in to people who used to own one and regret selling it; they just couldn't believe their luck would hold and something wouldn't go wrong eventually.

Not a family car; no room for children.

I got the same car!!!There are three in my town, not including my own, and they are mint. I wouldn't say they are good performers, but they are alright. I like the profile of them, but the steel wheels are a disappointment. I need a new engine, clutch and gearbox, along with brakes and a new light surround. Not bad cars all-up. I give them a 6/10.

I was also amazed at the reliability of my 1980 Lancer LC Hatch which I owned from 1986 to 2000. It covered over 300,000 km without any problems, except eventually rust. I particularly loved the body shape, and the dash layout which had a suggestion of early Mustang about it A great car that never seemed to get the recognition it deserved.

I am the proud owner of a 1980 Celeste and have now owned 8 at last count. I have a daily driver and a race/rally car. Neither car has given much grief and with slight mods the race car (turbo) is a real rocket-ship and all at low cost. The main thing about my Celeste (known as the Magnet for its 'chick pulling power') is that it has heaps of character.

Hey, I'm another arrow owner. I'm not a official mechanic, but if your going threw front brake pads once a year it sounds like its having something to do with the rotors. rotors that are grooved can kill brake pads within 10,000 miles. if not it could be something else because that is not normal. second comment, this is to the guy with the arrow with engine blow. I'm not sure how you did it, but I give you a pat on the back, I'm 17 and I still have not been able to kill this motor, it can take whatever I can throw at it. my arrow has over 200,000 miles and is getting a much needed clutch. it isn't really fast, but if you know how to drive it you can make it move. the stock tire size is horrible.

I bought a new Lancer LC here in Sydney in 1980 (with A/C) for AU$7000. Of all the cars I have ever had, this is the best. Originally had to fix the suspension, which was no good here in Australia. Had the clutch changed once and had new wheel bearings fitted to the rear wheels. Recently put a new water pump in it as it was getting noisy. Needs some work of a general nature, but after 28 years of hard motoring it still goes like a pocket rocket.