Engine : 1.6 Litre 4-Cylinder, 106BHP, 1584cc.
Gearbox : 5-speed Manual (Tested) / 4-speed Auto CVT.
Weight : 1120kg
Configuration : 4-Door Saloon, Front-Wheel Drive.
Accessories : Electric Windows, Power Steering, A/C, ABS, SRS Airbags, Audio System, Rear-Window Demister.
Price (Used) : $46,800 - $19,800 (Auto)
$46,800 - $18,800 (Manual)
$38,800 - $24,800 (OPC)
Review
These baby lancers have been around for about 8 years in Singapore and second hand cars markets are still pretty busy with them. But what is all the fuss about?
Power and Acceleration
You still won't get any hint of this when you slam that throttle. With only 106BHP to call upon, don't expect to be drag racing with an STI or an Evo any time soon. On the brighter side, the throttle is responsive and the engine gives reasonable power at low range. Then, you change gear, and that leaves you even more confused about the magic this car possesses.
The 5-speed manual we tested is decently smooth if your gear changes are timed for smoothness, but as soon as things get exciting and you try a high range and fast shift the car becomes jerky and the lack of high range power rears it's ugly head. This jerkiness is so annoying that it tamed me back into doing low-range, smooth, gear changes. A spanner-monkey could improve the power output by installing one of the hundreds of aftermarket high-pressure turbos available for this car, as long as you don't mind some turbo-lag.
Suspension and HandlingWhen the going gets twisty, Mitsubishi's baby Lancer comes alive. With it's sport suspension, which comes standard, this car to darts in and out of corners pretty quickly. The ride is pretty good except for those rare massive bumps which your bones will remember the next morning.
This is where we began to understand the magic of the Lancer GLX.
They are happy little cars. They are the essence of Mitsubishi, shrugging off their typically Japanese eye for engineering perfection, and instead making a car that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Practicality
You get more understanding of this car when you get in the driver's seat. One look at the interior and you get the sense that this car was built pretty cheaply. But once you easy yourself into those cheap seats, you realize they are pretty comfortable. Those controls we criticized before, suddenly seem so friendly and purposeful. Drive the car around for an hour or so and, in the back of your mind, you feel you already own this car. Everything feels familiar. Even avoiding that annoying jerky gear change seems like a fun little game you have played your whole life.
An added benefit of such a popular car is the ridiculous amount of aftermarket parts available. The car even has a decent a sized boot and adequate leg room. The mileage is pretty much on par with most of it's competitors, so nothing to scoff about there.
Specs From
- http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=283295&DL=2469
- http://www.oneshift.com/new_cars/car_review.php?pid=559
- http://www.auto-searchphilippines.com/MitsubishiLancerGLX.html
- http://www.car-specs.za.net/mitsubishi-lancer-1-6-glx-2005-10-specs.aspx
- http://www.ehow.com/list_6327812_advantages-front-wheel-drive-cars.html
Images From
