What investments can you expect when buying a used car
The issue of choosing a used car consists of several aspects, each potential car owner has them in a different order, but as surveys show, price, brand, and maintenance costs become decisive factors.
In the car market, not every person will tell you the whole ins and outs of a car, and when buying a car from your hands, you must be prepared for financial investments. We will tell you about what investments you can expect when buying certain or infx cars in the new project of the Kirov Motorists website, the site "Sores at the wheelbarrow". We will not invent anything ourselves. The essence of the project is that the real owner of the car talks about the problems he faced while owning a car. It will not even be about the problems of the car, but about what to expect when buying a certain car with a certain age. Of course, all cases are unique and the condition of the car depends on its owner, but we are sure that many people, when choosing and buying a used car in Kirov and in neighboring regions, will find the materials useful and they will be more balanced when choosing a car.
The legendary and much desired Mitsubishi Lancer IX. Despite the failure of sales in dealerships, a myriad of these cars travel around Kirov and Russia, and from time to time interesting specimens pop up for sale, which attracts the attention of potential owners.
But when buying a car that has been driving on Russian roads for more than 10 years, it is even hard to imagine how the car feels now.
Eugene from Kirovo-Chepetsk bought a 2005 Lancer with a 1.6 engine and an automatic transmission with a mileage of 137 thousand kilometers in 2014 in Perm. A few weeks later, I started receiving bad news. First, the catalyst error “crawled out”. In the process of studying the issue, a scam scheme became known among outbids that burn out the channel on the board and prevent the “error from catching fire”. Probably a good part of the Lancer travels in a country with a non-burning check.
After the car was driven to a comprehensive inspection in Kirov, a lot of new things became known about the driven Lancer.
Firstly, the car was a bit in the rear left side and, accordingly, straightened, painted.
Secondly, the car required serious investments in terms of consumables and suspension components. This defect was not revealed during the inspection of the car for a number of reasons.
Thus, after buying the car, Eugene was forced to invest in it a large amount of money, which included spare parts and work to replace them:
1. Solving problems with a catalyst error P0421 - 1000 rubles.
2. Steering rod CTR — 550 rubles.
3. KYB front shock absorbers - 2900 rubles.
4. KYB rear shock absorbers - 1950 rubles.
5. Silent blocks of the front levers rear Febi — 350 rubles.
6. Front stabilizer bar TRW - 250 rubles.
7. Gearbox support front original - 1900 rubles.
8. Gearbox support rear original - 2000 rubles.
9. Rear trailing arm silent blocks (large) original — 1140 rubles.
10. Silent blocks of the rear transverse levers under the RBI rack — 210 rubles.
11. Rear breakup bolts - 200 rubles.
12. Crankshaft oil seal before — 150 rubles.
13. Gates timing belt - 750 rubles.
14. Roller GMB - 460 rubles.
15. Power steering high pressure hose - 6350 rubles.
16. Corrugation (bellows) - 1000 rubles.
17. Repair of the speed sensor - 300 rubles.
18. Replacing the washer pump — 500 rubles.
19. I bought a used one for the first summer season. Vredestein Sportrac 5 tires with alloy wheels - 8000 rubles.
For work on the replacement of spare parts gave — 7000 rubles.
In total, the first investments came to 36,000 rubles in 2014 prices.
After a while, a number of other expenses followed. It included the replacement of the air filter, the replacement of the cabin filter, the replacement of the alternator belt, then, during operation, the replacement of fluid in the engine and transmission, the brake system, power steering, and battery replacement followed. After some time, it was necessary to replace the rear silent block of the front left arm, and the muffler bracket was repaired. The rear wing also required intervention, robbing Evgeny for another 10,000 rubles.
Currently, investments, albeit small in the car continue. And to the list of these "improvements" was added the replacement of ball joints, high-voltage wires, spark plugs, fan washer nozzles, and replacement of the thermostat.
All of the above works have been carried out so far, that is, for several years, and not one-time. Accordingly, when buying such a car during its inspection from the seller, you already have a certain list of questions that it would not hurt him to ask in order to protect yourself from unnecessary and unforeseen costs.
Numerous owner reviews make it possible to judge the Mitsubishi Lancer IX as a reliable, inexpensive and practical golf-class car for all occasions. But since there are no perfect cars, those who are just looking at the Lancer will not be out of place to learn about its weak points.
Sensitivity to fuel quality
“What to fill in the gas tank” is a question that is relevant for all Mitsubishi Lancer 9 owners. The operating instructions say that you should refuel with gasoline with an octane rating of 95 or higher, but during operation it becomes clear that this is simply unsafe. Often in Russia, the 95th is made by adding additives to the 92nd. As a result, the octane number increases, but the quality of the fuel deteriorates, which affects engine parts. The solution may be the use of 92nd gasoline. The 98th, according to the observations of some Lancer owners, can lead to engine overheating and valve failure.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption is the first thing the owner pays attention to. For the most popular 1.6-liter engine option among motorists, the consumption is: in the city - 8-10 liters per 100 km, on the highway 6-9 liters per 100 km.
If the consumption increases to 15 liters per 100 km even with a 1.6 liter engine, then this means that you need to pay attention to the catalyst. It is its pollution that leads to such a large fuel consumption. The problem will be solved by replacing the catalytic converter. Ferrocene deposits contribute to catalytic failure. Ferrocene has a specific brick color and its deposits can be seen on the lambda probe and candles, which in this case will also have to be replaced.
If power is lost and gasoline consumption has increased, then perhaps the reason lies in the throttle. It is not necessary to change it, most often it is enough just to clean it.
Air conditioner
By itself, it does not cause problems. You only need to turn it on about once a week. This must be done even in winter. The goal is to prevent leakage of air conditioner seals. You can turn it on in winter as follows: first, thoroughly warm up the interior with a heater, and only then turn on the air conditioner.
Extraneous sounds in the cabin
A specific plastic sound coming from the right side of the cabin most likely means that the torsion bar of the glove compartment microlift has loosened. To fix the problem, you need to open the glove compartment, remove the metal leg - the latch and place a piece of foam rubber under it.
Water in the cabin
If the smell of dampness and rot appeared in the car, then most likely this is due to water that has penetrated inside the passenger compartment. In some cases, water can enter through the plug between the passenger compartment and the wheel arch of the left front wheel. The problem is solved simply: you need to remove the mudguard, bend the fender liner and vigorously put the plug in place.
Knocking in the steering column
Not dangerous, but can be annoying. It's a telescopic design. If your car was manufactured before 2006 (four-spoke steering wheel), then it will be replaced by a dealer under warranty with an upgraded one. Frankly, over time, it will also begin to knock, as plastic bushings become loose, but this does not affect driving safety and smoothness.
Noise isolation
Noise isolation leaves much to be desired. This is especially true of thresholds and wheel arches.
fogging headlights
This is due to the design of the headlights and may occur in wet weather. Eliminated by turning on the low beam. If this does not help, then it makes sense to contact the warranty service center. In general, the problem is solved by cleaning the ventilation holes and lubricating them with sealant.
Disadvantages of optics
The owners have repeatedly noted that the brightness of the headlights is clearly not enough. It is solved by replacing the dipped and main beam headlights with more suitable brightness.
Relatively high cost of official parts and maintenance
For a golf-class car, the Lancer is too expensive for original parts and maintenance. Of course, you can reduce costs by using suitable non-original parts.
Brake discs
The generally recognized weak point of the Mitsubishi Lancer IX. Already by the first MOT they will need to be replaced, and at high speeds when braking they will “lead”. In some cases, they can crack or even break.
Suspension
The suspension is hard. So long trips on not very good roads can be tiring.
Fragile paint finish
Insufficient enamel strength can easily lead to cracks and chips, which in turn leads to rust.
Of the minor shortcomings, I would also like to note the dimensions of the trunk, which are very modest for a city sedan, and the location of the washer reservoir under the hood in a cold place is not the best, so it will not work to dilute the anti-freeze with water and save money.
In conclusion, we can say that the Mitsubishi Lancer IX still has much more advantages than disadvantages, and with proper timely maintenance, it will faithfully serve its owner without causing any special problems in operation.
Weaknesses Mitsubishi Lancer IX
Sensitivity to fuel quality
"92nd or 95th?" - a question that is relevant for all owners of Mitsubishi Lancer 9. Disputes over the octane number do not stop among owners to this day. The instruction manual says that you should refuel with gasoline with an octane rating of 92.95 and higher. Often in Russia, the 95th is made by adding additives to the 92nd. As a result, the octane number increases, but the quality of the fuel deteriorates, which affects engine parts. The solution may be the use of 92nd gasoline. The 98th, according to the observations of some Lancer owners, can lead to engine overheating and valve failure.
Note from the editor of the site lancer9.rf: I do not consider the described issue to be a direct drawback or weakness. I used it myself before (for about a year and a half, the 95th gasoline - there were no problems). Today, I have been using the 92nd for more than a year and also no problems arise.
Fuel consumption Lancer 9
Fuel consumption is the first thing the owner pays attention to. For the most popular 1.6-liter engine option among motorists, the consumption is: in the city - 8-10 liters per 100 km, on the highway 6-9 liters per 100 km.
If the consumption increases to 15 liters per 100 km even with a 1.6 liter engine, then this means that you need to pay attention to the catalyst. It is its pollution that leads to such a large fuel consumption. The problem will be solved by replacing the catalytic converter. Ferrocene deposits contribute to catalytic failure. Ferrocene has a specific brick color and its deposits can be seen on the lambda probe and candles, which in this case will also have to be replaced.
If power is lost and gasoline consumption has increased, then perhaps the reason lies in the throttle. Some car owners are foolishly advised to clean the throttle valve, with inept cleaning, this procedure threatens to “swim” revolutions. So be careful.
Note from the editor: I have a Lancer 9 with a 1.3L engine. There are no problems regarding the flow, as you understand.
Air conditioner Lancer 9
By itself, it does not cause problems. You only need to turn it on about once a week. This must be done even in winter. The purpose is to prevent leakage of air conditioner seals. You can turn it on in winter as follows: first, thoroughly warm up the interior with a heater, and only then turn on the air conditioner.
Note from the editor: to be honest, I have never heard of this procedure, so I can’t say anything about it, the air conditioner works fine.
Water in the cabin Lancer 9
If the smell of dampness and rot appeared in the car, then most likely this is due to water that has penetrated inside the passenger compartment. In some cases, water can enter through the plug between the passenger compartment and the wheel arch of the left front wheel. The problem is solved simply: you need to remove the mudguard, bend the fender liner and vigorously put the plug in place.
Editor's Note: Haven't encountered this issue.
Soundproofing Lancer 9
Noise isolation leaves much to be desired. This is especially true of thresholds and wheel arches.
Editor's Note: I totally agree. Noise isolation Lancer 9, unfortunately, is inferior to European cars. But this, in general, is the weak point of almost all "Japanese". Soon we plan to post an article on our site on soundproofing Lancer IX with our own hands.
Fogging headlights Lancer 9
This is due to the design of the headlights and may occur in wet weather. Eliminated by turning on the low beam. If this does not help, then it makes sense to contact the warranty service center. In general, the problem is solved by cleaning the ventilation holes and lubricating them with sealant.
Note from the editor: fogging of headlights can also occur after unsuccessful tuning, when their sealing is broken.
Disadvantages of Lancer 9 optics
The owners have repeatedly noted that the brightness of the headlights is clearly not enough. It is solved by replacing the dipped and main beam headlights with more suitable brightness, or by installing xenon.
Note from the editor: I remind you that the installation of xenon lamps in headlights that are not intended for this is prohibited. But no one will stop you from "collective farming" or installing special lenses.
The rather high cost of official spare parts and maintenance of Lancer 9
For a golf-class car, the Lancer is too expensive for original parts and maintenance. Of course, you can reduce costs by using suitable non-original parts.
Editor's note: I agree about original parts, but there are a huge number of analogues on the market, so there are ways to reduce the cost of service without compromising quality.
Brake discs Lancer 9
The generally recognized weak point of the Mitsubishi Lancer IX. Already by the first MOT they will need to be replaced, and at high speeds when braking they will “lead”. In some cases, they can crack or even break.
Note from the editor: you, of course, got excited about the first MOT. I myself encountered the problem of driven disks, but this happened during a run of about 80 thousand km.
Suspension Lancer 9
The suspension is hard. So long trips on not very good roads can be tiring.
Note from the editor: of course, how many people - so many opinions, but I do not think the Lancer 9's suspension is too stiff.
Fragile paint finish
Insufficient enamel strength can easily lead to cracks and chips, which in turn leads to rust.
Note from the editor: I myself noticed small chips on the thresholds of the rear door somewhere around 85 thousand km. mileage
Of the minor shortcomings, I also want to note the dimensions of the trunk, which are very modest for a city sedan, and the location of the washer reservoir under the hood in a cold place is not the best, so diluting the anti-freeze with water and saving money will not work.
In conclusion, we can say that the Mitsubishi Lancer IX still has much more advantages than disadvantages, and with proper timely maintenance, it will faithfully serve its owner without causing any special problems in operation.
17.01.2017
Not so long ago, the Mitsubishi Lancer 9 was such a popular car in its class that many car enthusiasts had to wait half a year for their turn to become its owner. The unprecedented popularity of this car was influenced by several factors: an affordable price, positive reviews about reliability, a good brand reputation and ease of maintenance. But time does not stand still, and, today, there are already many offers for the sale of the generation on the secondary market, but despite this, the demand for the ninth generation is still great. Therefore, today I decided to find out how things are with the reliability of the car and what you should pay attention to when choosing a used Mitsubishi Lancer 9 in the secondary market.
A bit of history:
For the first time, a car of this model appeared on sale back in 1973, and continues to be successfully sold to this day. The ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer debuted on the world market in 2003, and already in 2005 a minor restyling was carried out, thanks to which the manufacturer managed to eliminate most of the significant miscalculations and shortcomings. In 2006, a small facelift was carried out, which touched exclusively on the grille. Almost all Lancers that are presented on the secondary market were officially sold in the CIS, but, occasionally, there are copies imported from Europe, the USA and Japan. The car became so popular that even after the tenth generation of this model entered the market, it continued to be produced and sold no worse than the novelty.
Weaknesses of the Mitsubishi Lancer 9 with mileage
As with most Japanese Mitsubishi Lancer 9 cars, it is painted with water-based paint, as a result, the paintwork is very weak and quickly becomes chipped and scratched. As for corrosion resistance, Lancer has everything in order in this component, and if the car has not been restored after serious accidents, then there should not even be a hint of corrosion on the body, the only exception can be wheel arches. Also, you can note the plastic from which the bumpers are made - it is quite strong and can withstand a slight collision without any problems. In wet weather, the headlights fog up quite often; to solve the problem, you should clean the ventilated channels and coat them with sealant.
Engines
Mitsubishi Lancer 9 was equipped with the following power units: gasoline - 1.3 (82 hp), 1.5 (90 hp), 1.6 (98 hp), 1.8 (114, 165 hp), 2.0 ( 114, 135 and 280 hp). Engines 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 have proved to be the most reliable, their resource before overhaul is 250-300 thousand km. On engines 1.8 and 2.0, a GDI injection system is installed, which is sensitive to fuel quality, therefore, in our realities, as a rule, fuel injectors and a high-pressure fuel pump fail quite often. Also, due to the poor quality of fuel, it is often necessary to change spark plugs, their resource, in rare cases, exceeds 30,000 km. A slight twitching while driving will signal the need to replace the candles.
On a car with a 2.0 engine, two balancer shafts are installed that reduce vibration. The shafts are driven by belts that need to be changed every 90,000 km. The procedure for replacing belts is not cheap (200-400 USD), but, despite the cost, it is not worth saving on this procedure. All motors are demanding for high-quality and timely maintenance, and if this is not done, hydraulic pushers and valves will fail prematurely. If power is lost and fuel consumption has increased, most likely the throttle valve is to blame. When contacting the service, most likely, you will be offered to replace it, but often, to solve the problem, you just need to clean it. Also, the cause of the problem of unstable operation of the engine can be a worn throttle block. There are two options for solving the problem: the first is to replace the throttle valve (300-500 USD . ), the second - boring the throttle and replacing the damper (100-150 USD).
The fuel filter is installed under the rear seat and lasts no more than 30,000 km, and the cost of the original part is unpleasantly surprising. On cars with a mileage of 200,000 km or more, oil consumption increases significantly, the problem can be solved by replacing the valve stem seals and rings. Under the influence of reagents, with which our roads are generously sprinkled, the cooling radiator quickly fails (replacement will cost 300-400 USD). Generator bearings are not famous for their reliability either, replacing a generator costs a tidy sum (600-800 USD), therefore, most owners, when a problem arises, look for a generator at a disassembly, or try to repair it on their own.
Transmission
For Mitsubishi Lancer 9, three types of gearboxes were available - a five-speed manual, a four-speed automatic and a CVT. The mechanics are very reliable, the only thing that can upset the owners a little is the high cost of replacing the clutch (about $ 400), fortunately, it needs to be changed every 150-200 thousand km. There are no complaints about the reliability of the automatic transmission.
Suspension reliability Mitsubishi Lancer 9
Despite the fact that the Mitsubishi Lancer 9 is equipped with an independent suspension: MacPherson strut in front, multi-link in the back, it is difficult to call it comfortable. The original suspension is quite reliable and does not require serious investments, no more than once every 150-170 thousand km. Today, almost all cars of this brand have mileage of about 200,000 km or more, therefore, it is quite difficult to objectively say how long it will last after repair. The fact is that original spare parts are expensive and many owners, at best, take analogues of average quality, at worst - cheap China, which may need to be replaced even after 100 km of run.
The steering rack starts knocking after 100-150 thousand km, and its replacement is very expensive (from 1000 USD). Many owners restore the rail, but it is difficult to predict how long it will last after repair, therefore, be sure to check this unit not only for oil leaks, but also for backlash. Also, check the power steering hoses for cracks and power steering fluid leaks. Tie rods, in comparison with other parts of the chassis, are not particularly reliable and require replacement every 60-80 thousand km. Brake pads, on average, go 40-50 thousand km, discs - twice as long. Over time, the calipers begin to knock, in order to eliminate this knock, it is necessary to lubricate the caliper guides.
Salon
The Asian interior of the cabin immediately catches the eye, everything looks very neat, but modest. And, here, on cars with high mileage, the interior can look pretty shabby, it all depends on how the previous owner treated the car. Despite the fact that the manufacturer used inexpensive finishing materials, everything was assembled very high quality, which cannot be said about sound insulation - its quality is very low, and if you are annoyed by the noise of the wheels and the motor, you cannot do without additional noise. The only thing that can be noted is the reliability of electrical equipment, problems with it are extremely rare. If an air conditioner is installed on the car, then it must be turned on at least once a week (even in winter) to prevent leakage of the seals. Be sure to check the interior for moisture. Often, water enters the cabin through a plug between the passenger compartment and the front left wheel arch (plug replacement is required).
Outcome:
In conclusion, we can say that Mitsubishi Lancer 9 still has much more advantages than disadvantages. Therefore, if you are looking for an inexpensive and reliable car, then this is perhaps the most interesting option in this price segment.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.
Sincerely, editorial Autoavenue
I'll add my 5 cents:
1) Maslozhor after about 100K km of run. It is treated by painstaking selection of oil, which burns less than the others. Or engine repair up to the overhaul;
2) Throttle assembly. Over time, the damper gnaws a hole in the cylinder of the assembly, which for the time being does not interfere. The very first wash of the throttle assembly or simply the critical dimensions of the hole - an increase in idle speed to 1500-2000 rpm. It is treated by replacing the throttle assembly or by the Titus method;
3) A frail cable for controlling the temperature of the stove. In some cases, when switching from cold to hot air, the cable bends stupidly or flies out of the mount. It is treated by disassembling two dashboard panels and replacing the cable. If he just flew off the mount, then the mount. A variant of the collective farm reinforcement of the cable at the place of its inflection is possible;
4) Lots of Lancer 9s drive with cracked windshields. This comes from the winter heating of the cabin with a stove turned on to the maximum and blowing glass. treated by replacement. But you can score;
5) Snotty power steering hose. It is treated by replacing the hose or handicraft re-squeezing of another piece of high-pressure hose with the end caps of the original hose;Well, a couple of comments that are not related to problems, but to shortcomings:
1) Weak headlights. It is treated by replacing the lamps with something like Koito WhiteBeam III;
2) Non-informative fuel level sensor: up to half of the tank is consumed smoothly, after the arrow leaves after half the tank it sharply sags to a quarter;
3) There is no adjustment of the steering column for extension. It is not always possible to adjust so that the legs are not cramped and at the same time the wrists lie on the steering wheel, as recommended. Therefore, you have to keep the steering wheel in its lower sector;
4) Under the right hand there is no armrest. The left one can be put on the ledge of the door, the right one either hangs in the air, or dangles in the lower right sector of the steering wheel;
5) The leg area is poorly heated. That's the way it is. It is not treated in any way;
6) Slightly outdated design, especially the front headlight units. Lancer 9 has not been restyled for a long time, retaining its appearance for exactly 10 years.From the pros:
1) Pretty strong iron. Toyota Kaldina came to my rear left wing, broke the right half of my muzzle, but I just have a dent. There is a photo of the dent on the forum, whoever is interested will look;
2) torquey elastic engine. If you lazily constantly pull the lever from 2 to 3 and back, you can score and go to the 3rd, the engine will pull out normally. The same with 3-4 gears;
3) Spacious interior. Nothing bothers anyone at the back, everything is at hand in front;
4) 98 HP - low transport tax and insurance. This is a big plus;
5) Low fuel consumption - 7-8 liters per 100 km in the city. Nicely;
6) Stylish looking classic sedan: no designer ugliness. It may seem boring to some, but classics are classics, these are not goggle-eyed Nissans for you;
7) Very stable suspension performance. The rear wheels "help" to enter the turn. In turns at speeds of 40-50, the car does not veer off course even on fresh snow;
8) An assembled baby stroller, a box with car junk and 4 more full packages from Lenta fit into the trunk. Verified personally;
9) Starts up great in cold weather. At -30, the starter spun for about 3 seconds, then the engine started and after 10 minutes it was possible to go. Of course, no one canceled the "stool" effect, but the engine felt fine;
10) Responsive steering: potholes and potholes are perfectly cut with one hand hanging in the lower sector of the steering wheel. Driving a Lancer is a pleasure.