Faults:

Developed bad vibration through the pedal under brakes. Front discs needed replacing due to warping.

Experienced slight engine hesitation under heavy load (a full car or up a hill) when the throttle is wide open. Fixed by replacing the leads and plugs, and cleaning the fuel injectors.

General Comments:

Performance.

The car comes with a 1800cc turbocharged engine (4G93T). The standard TD04 turbo has great drivability, especially in cities and traffic. Because it is so small, it comes on very early (less than 3000 rpm) with minimal lag. The result is very smooth and effortless power. The downside is that up high, it lacks the same kick that larger turbos provide, and runs out of blow quite quickly.

The engine itself so far has been very reliable. They cannot handle more than 15psi of boost, otherwise you risk the big end bearing failing. Regular oil changes with good quality oil can help prevent this.

One thing to be said is that on hot days, or with lots of weight in the car (e.g. four passengers) this car loses a lot of its speed. After all, it is only a 1800c, despite the turbo.

Handling.

The car comes with full time 4WD (although lacks the AYC diff the EVO comes equipped with). The result is a very stable ride - no wheel spin, and good handling. The standard ride height is quite high and results in a bit of body roll and understeer if pushed hard. Lower springs and wider tyres would do much to improve this.

Interior.

Very clean and tidy. The front seats are Recaro semi-buckets, which are very supportive without losing everyday practicality. Dash design is clean and tidy, with a nice screen that controls the digital climate control. Interior colour is subtle and inoffensive. Bootspace is ample.

Conclusion.

A good all rounder. Fast, comfortable and practical. It doesn't drive like an Evo, but doesn't cost like one either. I would definitely recommend this car.

Faults:

Battery flat and replaced at 95000km.

Engine brackets replaced in succession.

Rev controller broke after a snow trip; $750 to replace.

Water pump died.

Tyres can wear fast.

General Comments:

This is an awesome car. It was my first car, and I thrashed the hell out of it!

Performance is amazing, and I often beat people with much bigger and expensive cars. The 1.8 litre CC Lancer engine is great, and I didn't need to replace the clutch, even after 12000kms of use.

These cars handle great! Even if you lose it, they snap back into place.

My friend also had the 1999 Lancer; got it for a decent price in above average condition. He thrashed that engine more than anyone who has ever, or will ever, own any car, and never had a single problem, even after neglecting it. These cars are perfect for teenagers, and surprisingly they beat 9 out of 10 non turbo cars, yeah.

These cars are also very cheap! You can pick up a 1996 CC lancer for $6000 AUD or a CE 1999 for $12000.

It's a pity that the CE 4g93 MR DOHC engine only produces 2 more KWs.

Overall, the best 1.8 litre engine ever produced, yeahhh!

Faults:

This is a fair reliable car; it has stuck through with my family from the beginning till now.

I only started driving it when I got my provisional license in year 2001.

But it did have a few electrical problems in late 2001, which resulted in the shorting of the Electronic Processing Unit. It turned out to be a lose wire scraping within the engine bay.

It freaked me out, as me and my friend were testing its gears, suddenly the rev meter clocked.

It appeared that one of the wires in the engine bay was apparently lose and was messing up the electrical flow.

Total Fixing cost: $250AUD.

Currently while driving the lancer, I do hear a banging noise, when ever the auto transmission shifts a gear down.

I' am not too sure what it is, maybe it's the gear box; maybe something lose in the engine bay because I do seriously take the car to its handling limits.

Also the hand break suffers most if you use it often in your driving abilities.

General Comments:

Basically this is a real neat car to drive; I would recommend this to be any teenager's first car.

Lancers looks nasty when they are modified, especially I saw this one lancer within Sydney's western suburbs.

It had a neat European dragon air brushed all over the lancer's body, with its twin exhausts and extremely sharp 17 inch wheels.

It is a 1.8 Auto sports coupe, which means it dose have a fair bit of power, it holds general 92kw engine power stock.

So imagine the simple gain you will get if you fitted in a simple sports air filter, exhaust, replace the extractors & have a decent air intake system weather it would be air intakes upon the bonnet or an air intake trumpet system.

It's extractors do tend to look seriously rusty, but it's only looks and still will hold for years to come.

It is comfortable for the driver and passenger and is reasonable to fit 5 people, as it is a 2 door car.

This car is beautiful on its handling; I am so impressed as I did drive a few of my friends cars', which were Honda Integra, Mazda 121 and Suzuki GTI swift.

I can't stress how sweet the lancer's handling is, especially in the wet.

But when you drive this baby long enough, you will know when it will slide.

It's sharp maneuvers like the 180 and 360 degree turns are impressive, but I wouldn't recommend hand break corner turns for amateurs as I did have 2 minor accidents while attempting to do this within 2 mini streets.

It can make the turn easy, but recovering from it is tricky.

Also be sure if you do decide to turbo this baby, you will give WRX's run for its money.

Providing that you are willing to spend less than 10 grand in modifications including replacing the gear box.

If you really want to test it's ability, hire a race track.

I give it thumbs up.

Please don't be a full maniac with this car, its engine bay looks really not permanent for maniac conditions, as wires will get lose.

It is affordable, you can get a decent second hand Lancer GLXI, from $12,000AUD to $17,000AUD, reasonable price if your purchasing in year 2002.

And by the way, never be afraid to use the brakes, just don't use them too hard in the wet, you will regret it as it is a front wheel drive.

Yasha J.F.

Faults:

Bent L/H brake caliper, think it was done at a service by the agent - was replaced.

General Comments:

Fantastic car with extras, electric sunroof,

ABS, and an aftermarket airfilter.

Handles and goes very well.

Good fuel costs even with the air con on.