2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Consumer Reviews

Fun, but Mitsubishi Does Not Back Up Its Products

Written by: james on 08/11/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The Lancer Evolution is a fun car! However, Mitsubishi has problems with the synchros in the shifter. I could smell the clutch from this problem. Mitsubishi will not back their product. I had to pay to replace all of this at 3,000 miles. Mitsubishi knows about this problem. There are lots of articles out there about this, if you do a little research. By the time I did my research it was to late, I already bought the car. They give you this big warranty and look for reasons not to back their product.

Favorite Features

2nd and 3rd gears are nice. 1st gear has a governer so you can't get off the line. It protects the rear end and tranny. 4th gear is my favorite! It gets you on the freeway.

Suggested Improvements

Beef up the synchros! Back up your product! The dealer waits for a rep before they fix anything under warranty. so all this comes directly from Mitsubishi!

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

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EVO 8

Written by: Jerry Smith on 06/03/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Overall the car is a excellent buy. I have no problems with the car. It has outstanding handeling in all weather and traffic conditions that are present in the Houston area. This is not a young person's car, it requires concentration and skill, when you make demands from the car it responds instantly. It takes some getting use to at first, then traffic or open road driving is no problem. I am considering buying my wife a Evo 10 as soon as they hit the dealers.

Favorite Features

Every performance part on the car has a function. This car is not a car built to look good it is built to perform and it does it very well. The best feature is the button on the dash that allows the driver to set up the all wheel drive system for the road or weather conditions.

Suggested Improvements

The Evo could use a larger fuel tank.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Evo after 18 months

Written by: steve on 06/01/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Edition 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I love this car. Thanks to Mitsubishi for building such a fun, focused affordable car! I replaced the Yoko. tires with an all season radials. The road noise and all weater traction advantage was worth the slight decrease in steering feel. The car seems to have gotten faster and just a bit louder after a few thousand miles. I runs very hard. I have changed the oil, aligned the wheels, replaced the tires (due to road noise), and changed the oil. It has never been back to the dealer for anything! Overall this car is an intoxicating blend of performance and reliablity at a reasonable price.

Favorite Features

Powertrain and suspension

Suggested Improvements

Upgrade the interior plastics. Make the seat recline adjust knob easier to reach. Make the guages easier to read quickly. Add seat tilt adjustment. Better quality paint on the BBS MR wheels, mine are chipped and I don't run off road.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Disappointed

Written by: Johnny Thor on 04/06/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I thought this car was amazing, but it has a ton of turbo lag. It handles like charm in the twisties, but in a straight line, it falls on its face at the top end. I have been seen Cobra, STi, Camaro SS, and even lowly SRT-4 models that are faster. Don't get me wrong this car is awesome for what it made for---rally; it turns like it's on rails.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Upgrade the turbo to a fast-spoolin one. I think that the one it has now, is too big.

0 out 6 people found this review helpful

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This car has everything

Written by: Tim on 03/15/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is the ultimate car. It is VERY fast, and handles like you're bolted to the road. The seats hold you tight when taking the corners, and the Infinity stereo in it is phenominal for a factory system (optional Sun, Sound and Leather package - highly recommended). However, it also has mounting brackets for my son's car seat, and the trunk is big enough so I can easily fit a few sets of golf clubs. We have nasty winters, but with the AWD and a set of Blizzaks, this is the best winter car I've ever had (better than my wife's 4WD SUV). Considering the performance the gas milage is outstanding. I was looking for a daily driver that had everything, and this is it.

Favorite Features

Incredible performance, 4 doors, good size trunk, AWD, good gas mileage, kickin' stereo .... did I mention Incredible performance?

Suggested Improvements

I put mudflaps on it to protect the paint in winter. I personally might change out the struts, because the stance is a little high in front. Also, maybe a stainless or titanium exhaust because my stock one already has surface rust from the winter driving.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Whats not to like?

Written by: Ryan on 03/08/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Edition 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

The Lancer Evolution is a blast to own, It has excellent acceleration, steering, and braking. Its maintenance costs are higher than an economy vehicle's but no higher than any other performance wehicle.

Favorite Features

The power and acceleration

Suggested Improvements

None

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A True Driver's Car

Written by: Organicwheels on 02/01/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

If driving is just a necessary part of your day to get from point A to point B and you would rather spend the time talking on your cell phone, then this is not the car for you. But for us serious enthusiasts who LOVE to drive and KNOW how to drive, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII may be the best car on the planet, at any price! I drive an 18 wheeler all over the country, but when I'm in my own private vehicle, this is definitely my vehicle of choice.

Favorite Features

The handling and acceleration are top notch! This car is well balanced! It provides excellent feedback, the car tells you exactly where the limits are!

Suggested Improvements

It is difficult to recline the seats. It needs steel rims for winter driving and those of us who need snow tires. Also, it needs cruise control.

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2005 better than 2003!

Written by: Chick 'N Evo on 12/14/2005

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

We purchased a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII in March 2004 and decided to trade it in for a more "practical" daily driver 8 months later: an Acura RSX-S. Though the Acura is an all around great car, we missed the turbo charged, AWD Evo and went back to it. The overall purchasing process was not bad. We purchased from the same sales rep, and dealership both times. The Mitsubishi "special financing" was a joke! Buyer beware: purchasing an Evo includes Yokohama tires that are not winter-friendly. The odd tire size puts snow tires anywhere from $150 - $200 each. Overall this is a GREAT CAR - even as a "family sedan." We couldn't be happier the second time around :). It's comfortable for business or family, fast, and handles like a brick.

Favorite Features

The leather racing seats are extremely comfortable! So is the back seat. The stereo w/sub has improved greatly from the 2003 model! I love the great acceleration, awsome handling, center placement of the RPM gauge, and the lack of blind spots.

Suggested Improvements

Improve the gas mileage. Add an optional MP3 player. The recliner knobs on the front seats are a pain! There is little room to get your hand in between the seat and door to turn this oddly shaped knob. Add a change/coin holder, cruise control, and a trunk opener on the remote.

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Other than the clutch

Written by: James on 10/19/2005

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Other than having to replace the clutch at 3,000 miles, my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII was great...I say was because a friend introduced it to a tree at 45 mph. The tree won.

Favorite Features

The handling, this car is a dream.

Suggested Improvements

Poor customer service from Mitsubishi

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What a car!

Written by: Ozzman on 10/11/2005

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS model is for those strong enough to handle it. Ok, that might be a little dramatic, but when you're behind the wheel of this beast you feel as though nothing else can compare. Your freeway cockiness sky-rockets as you start to toy with Mustang GT's, GTO's, Camaro's, or any others who "claim" to have power. Timid youths soon become aggresive bullies of the road. And then, then you add your air intake, downpipe, turbo manifold, exhaust, boost controller, and fuel injectors. Now, this is when modesty sets in. Modesty because you no longer feel like anything else compares, you now know that nothing else compares. With $2,000 you'll be eating Cobra's and Corvette's for breakfast.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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