Yesterday I took my teenage daughter out looking to replace her aging 1995 Camry, and we both test drove the Mitsubishi Lancer, KIA Spectra, and Hyundai Elantra. All three test cars had automatic transmissions and standard engines which delivered comparable acceleration. But the Lancer seemed to strain the most, had very rough shifting through the gears, rode the roughest and noisiest, and had the cheapest feel of the three.
We also looked at (dealers ignored us or didn't offer a test drive) Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta, Honda Civic, KIA Rio, Hyundai Accent, and I'm sure many of the untested cars would have performed as well or better than these three low end cars. But for the quality, driving response, warranties, price and incentives differentials our money will likely go to a new KIA Spectra over any other new or used options.
Please do not tell me that lancer2006 has a bad gear,it is the most good advantage of the car as it let you feel that the car drive with no shift ,especially when acclerate 0-120.
This is very strange!
I have a brand new Lancer with Automatic transmission, and I really don't know how it shift the gears, I hear nothing and the RPM changes very little. my engine is 1600cc.
I really bought the lancer because I heard that it's transmission is the best compared to other cars in the same class.
Test drive??? You should own the car and then we will listen.
Yeah good luck with your KIA, I would have taken the Mitsubushi any day!
Lancer isn't frilly by any means. It's a little raw, but I personally like that it reminds me of early 90's Honda's. But then again its got some personality unlike many of the other compact models.
I own a Hyundai Elantra gt 2002
It is a very good car, however, I expect the Lancer to be just as good.
But then again, taste is none negociable.
The reason for my comment is to say.
Don't BUY A KIA!!!
It SHAMES me to say that the engin is alright... its the same 2.0L CVVT engin as my Hyundai...
Besides that, the kia's are known for POOR Built Quality and a crapload of Little things failing causing constant headaches.
3 years in my Elantra proved to me that Hyundai is now pretty damn good...
But DO NOT CHOSE A KIA OVER A MITSUBISHI!!! That's just wrong.
OK, firstly, you would have test drove a demo which might have been treated badly, hence the harsh shifting. If it was a brand new car and this was happening then fair enough there would be a problem.
Don't expect that KIA to last as long as a Mitsubishi either. Sure, the Koreans are improving, but as far as I can see it is all perceived quality. That is, when you take a look at a brand new one, it will look and feel as good as a Japanese car. However, remember that they do not have a track record of reliability as yet compared to Japanese cars. But I guess you will find out sooner or later how well the KIA holds up over time.
Seriously mate, what is the point of reviewing a car you took for a 5 minute test drive???
Note: A Comments RSS Feed 
is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site