Car always overheated, even with a brass radiator.
Intermittent A/C (leak). A problem we really had was trying to keep cool in heavy Manila traffic.
Suspension bushing was already going, said my dad (I had no clue back then). So we had it changed. I think this was around 130,000km.
Clutch went after three years of school-home use. It was already slipping. This was around 155,000km I think.
For some reason I always had a flat tire (nails--bad roads?).
Resonator broke! Couldn't drive higher than 40KPH. If memory serves, this was around 145,000km.
Muffler started rusting out, so we had it changed.
Always hit the ramp, curb, or a speed bump due to its ride height. I always had to go either diagonally, or really slow. But it was good practice with a manual and going over a speed bump.
Rear suspension started swaying at around 1 year after it was passed on to me, roughly 125,000km I think. Had it fixed and the swaying was gone.
Loved it in the rain, but had a tiny leak in the trunk and left rear door. Only 3 wiper speeds--off, level 1 and level 2. In the pouring rain a level 3 would be nice to have.
Didn't have a tachometer, so I had to base my shifts according to engine noise.
Once, somebody threw a firecracker and it exploded on the car's hood (New Year's Day). Made a big dent roughly 4 inches wide. Had it fixed at a local body shop together with the front fenders and the radiator support.
Driver door stopped locking and I had to drive while holding the door shut! Went home and got our other car to use, while this was in service. This was around 175,000km.
Right rear window started falling, maybe the window regulator came loose. This was the last problem I had, because soon after this we put it up for sale. I don't know if my dad fixed it before selling, or sold it as is.
That was my first car, it was passed on to me by my dad at around 110,000 km. I drove it to school and back home, to my girlfriend's home and to other places we went.
The car is basically a city-driver with its tiny 1.3 liter engine. Zipping about by myself without any powersteering assist was great! In fact the car felt light when I'm by myself and a trunkful of stuff for my apartment.
The 5-speed manual transmission was very lively and since it's only 987kg at curb weight, I could easily zip about without the aide of any kind of device. Its 60-something horses are enough to pull this car up to speed.
Top speed I have done with it was 120kph, it would not go any further, and the steering wheel would already shake. It did feel like it would suddenly come apart, but fortunately it didn't--for the dozens of times I've done 120kph!
The factory seat bolsters are really nice, it added a lot of lateral support when I drove the car in a spirited manner. They're also very ergonomically designed, I couldn't get tired with them. The hip bolsters are a great addition too, as it made me feel one with the car (not being tossed around).
When you carry a single passenger, that's when the car has trouble keeping up. Nonetheless, it could still bring me and my girlfriend anywhere. When the A/C is working, it's really nice. But it would often go away after a while, then I would need to shut it off (the A/C) and restart it again. Annoying in Philippine climate, but adventuresome nonetheless!
In the three years I used it, the battery went out twice. Once in the cold weather, and once in the pouring rain while I was stopped in traffic. Lots of adventures with that machine!
Very easy to work on the car, even if back then I didn't know much about it. I was able to install the upholstery all by myself, with no prior experience at all. Took out the rear seat and saw glass shards from a previous incident where the rear windshield was hit by a falling piece of wood. It's been fixed since, but when I removed the rear seat it brought back memories.
The trunk is a bit on the small side, but nonetheless purely industrial--that's how I would call it. No fussy coverings to hide the frame, no fussy carpetting to make it look special. The trunk floorboard was a large cork piece with a rubber/vinyl covering it. Also my first time to see the inside of the trunk from the opening in the rear seat.
I loved this car so much as a tribute I made a LEGO version of it!
We finally sold it in 2004. If I have the chance, I'll hunt down that car and restore it to its former glory. But the chances of finding it in the Philippines might require a number of miracles... =)
Mine too.. hey readers we must have to build an org about our brand of car.. call or text 09172740071.thanks.
Can you give suggestions on how I can set up this car.
I am experiencing a "thud" sound in front my my 1997 Mitsubishi Lancer on curbs, humps and uneven roads.
Brought it to an authorized Mitsibishi shops and what they did was a re-tightening of the suspension bolts at the front, but the strange sound is still there.
Please advise me as to what could be the possible origin of the annoying sound?
Thank You.
This is my first bought brand new car way back 15 years ago already. regular maintenance and using OEM/japan replacement parts kept it still running at A1 condition. my Lancer EL is still in its old stock condition, I only added a caster bar between my front wheels to keep it stable and to lessen stress on my front chassis. the manual choke switch helps a lot during cold starts. This Lancer EL is powered by a cyclone multi valve 4G13, powerful yet fuel efficient (10-13 kms./liter).
Hey people...
I have an 89 lancer EL too. Got this from an ad at a fair price. Still in the verge of restoring it.
Some of the points made by the reviews/comments are my current problems. The thud sound in the front ssuspension, temp level always at the middle (even if I've driven it for just 1km), and a leak in the trunk! lol!
Hopefully all these will be gone soon.
And, yes, this car is fuel efficient. nice car...
I always check out other ELs on the road and it feels nice to see a lot of em still stirring around. HEHE.
To my co ELers, let's flash our lights when we see each other on the road...
PEACE!
Good Day To All.
I just got a Mitsubishi Lancer 1989 EL 1.3L.
Newly overhauled, with air-con (not that strong though).
Just this May 2008.
My very first car.
The first time I saw it. I felt a connection with it.
Changed the wheels to Mags, Oil.
Even though I drove dozens ranging from vans L300s to Hondas, this is truly my very first car that I really own at the age of 38.
I just drove it yesterday from Quezon City to Pangasinan and back again because I had a client there. I'm a Systems Programmer.
It felt great. It drives great.
It zips along even overtaking a lot of those newer cars of the same class.
At 120+KPH on North Express it shakes a little bit, maybe because I still haven't aligned the wheels yet. It swerves to the right though.
The air-con turned off once while driving back along the long bridge in Pampanga. Maybe because of the hot weather we have this Summer 2008. But after turning it back ON again it worked.
I really made a right decision in purchasing this car.
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