Used 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Consumer Reviews
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the world in your palm
what an amazing honor to be the first to write a review on the 2011 gsr. OK enough with that nonsense, . So as i pull out of the dealership into heavy traffic, it then dawns on me that I'm in a super car, just before a screeching to a halt to avoid hitting the car there in front of I.Now just out of pure luck I finally make it to the highway(30 minutes later). Yes pedal to the metal and as that twin scroll turbo unleashes all fury on that on that unmistakable 4B11, it throws me back in the seat to be overwhelmed with brain crushing torque, then I click to 4th gear, only to look down and see that I'm already splitting hairs at 120 MPH " oh dang this thang can move" then I have to pump fluid i
Great Car Horrible Warranty
i bought the car with high hopes for the first month loved it fun to drive great car but i started to notice little issues with the transmission it progressively got worse it started to pop second out when you down shift so i took it back to mitsubishi and there service dept. is horrible gave me the run around every time i call they say there going to call me back i have to keep calling them they didn't even provide me a rental took them a week to remove the transmission and now i have to wait for mitsubishi to give the ok to repair or replace it during all this im paying for a car that i cant drive and mitsubishi wont give me a rental but they expect me to pay
LOVE IT! But don't buy it for the Build Quality.
I unequivocally LOVE this car. Squeaks rattles and endless, monotonous, cheap plastic and all. I knew going into this deal that build quality and interior materials weren't going to be top notch and I was right. HORRIBLE rattles everywhere! I have 5 separate rattles that happen at all different speeds and frequency's. I have a low speed rattle coming from the drivers side door panel, two acceleration rattles coming from the center console and the dash, and a cruising rattle coming from the passenger side dash. I've been to three separate dealers a total of 7 times to try and fix the rattles with no luck. But all I have to do is mash the throttle and I somehow forget about the rattl
My Evo
I took home my 2010 Evo MR in rally red after driving all the way to Costa Mesa, CA from Billings, MT. Mine came equipped with the Aero kit, Sport interior, and chrome packages. So far I have loved the car immensely and there is no part of me that expects to get bored with it at all. The SST transmission is amazing and the overall performance is always engaging. My only complaints are poor fuel economy due to the rich factory tune and the slight top-end power drop off due to boost taper (also from factory tune) I am preparing to tune the car which will fix both of these issues and will only make the car better. If you want an exclusive car which definitely makes you feel alive, this is it.
Too Early to tell.
Gosh, I just got the car two days ago. So far, it is more solid than I expected, not an econobox at all. I have the 5 speed. You are doing around 3,000 rpm at 65mph. It needs a sixth gear. At 100 miles the Service Engine Soon light came on. 1) I checked the gas cap and 2) I am sure it is nothing, but it is still a PITA to go to the dealer and drop it off. On the positive side, the car is fun with 5 seats. Give me a few weeks and I will give a good full review. Gotta break it in first.
Amazing Evo X
This AMAZING car is my daily driver and our family car for almost 2 years now. It's very reliable, safe, and SCARY-FAST around the curves, due to it's superb AWD system. It has an extremely responsive handling on asphalt and is very nimble in the pouring rain. It truly is a great TUNER'S car and the 4B11T engine will easily handle 400hp to 500hp:) The interior is mediocre and the trunk is tiny, but the Recaro seats and RockFord sound system are excellent. Gas mileage isn't too bad, my average is 24-26mpg on the hwy. Draft behind an SUV within my 40 mile commute and my 450hp Evo can get 26-28mpg. Considering price and performance potential, the Evo is hard to beat.
2010 EVO GSR
The handling on this car is amazing. I was looking for the car that would be the most fun that could carry kids when necessary. I looked at the BMW1, Mustang, Cooper S, etc. This is by far the tightest car of them all by a country mile. I personally really like the look of the car both inside and out and do not feel the interior is any better or worse than other cars, but I don't have much interest in that either. I also do not think the car is much "harder" over bumps than other cars. The irony is that this car was only supposed to have kids in it as needed, but my wife and kids prefer it over the Toyota Highlander. They actually prefer the more inviting non-leather seats.
Still going strong after 2 years
I've had my Evo for 2 years, and it's still going strong. I've kept up with the oil changes and other maintenance check-ups with no problems. The Evo's acceleration is very nice - it will kick you into your seat once the RPMs hit 4k (and you can pretty much keep your engine at 4k if you wanted to). Turbo lag exists, but I only notice it before 10mph - after that, it more than makes up for any time lost. Turning a corner is one of the best things to do in an Evo - it loves corners. When other cars slow down in a corner, the Evo seems to want to do the opposite. It's fancy rally-bred suspension and differential make cornering extremely easy. Simply put, this car is a blast to drive.
A Grown Up EVO
I previously owned a 2003 XIII (131K miles) so I have some experience with this model. I use this car as a daily driver so it is not a garage queen. The EVO still thrills after all of these years. The handling and control are amazing and the engine is first-rate. Plenty of improvements over the previous model. The new EVO weighs more and has more things in it but it still has the heart of an EVO when you give it throttle. IMO, it is a great alternative compared to a BMW 3-series, Lexus IS, or Audi A4 for a lot less money. I would recommend the GSR over the MR unless you want paddle-shifting or different shocks/struts and spending an extra $4K.
1 yr later with the Evo X MR. Still fun!
Update after 1yr w/ the X MR. The X is a fun Daily w/SST; I use Manual more than AUTO. My commute is more city than hwy; MPG avg 14.7 over the yr. Interior scratches easily, esp the trim around the glove box & radio. Rear vis with wing is poor. SST autoshifts slow when cold. Storage space: It is what it is. Trunk for wknd trips is ok (two carry- ons); big items need to go in the backseat (dog carrier). Leather is easy to clean/just wipe down. Front seats are comfortable on long road trips. Perf in bad weather is confidence inspiring. Track (Willow Springs) perf is excellent! Turn off ASC and it's Point and Shoot. Helmet clearance is not a prob-I'm 5'9". This X is way better than any XBox.
Most fun you will have on 4 wheels
I have owned Range Rovers (traded it in for the Evo) BMW's, [non-permissible content removed], have driven Porsche's, Lexus, and Mercedes. The Evo by far is the most fun I have ever had in a car. It just feels so raw. Like a car built for one purpose, to go fast in the turns. If you are particular about the interior you are missing the point of this car. BTW, the interior isn't that bad, at least not on the 2012 I have. Mine is only a month old. I get a rattle every once in awhile but to me that adds to the feel of the car. The vibration caused by the motor and tight suspension causing a rattle just makes it feel all the more "serious".
Three Diamonds
Overall, driving this vehicle.. this wont do you any justice, reading isn't the way to go. Driving it is the best justice for you to realize the reason why this is the "HALO" vehicle for Mitsubishi. Think about it, Subaru and BMW use the turbo built by Mitsubishi. Enough said. Go drive it
Kicking and Screaming
It's been about 2 months and I've put about 2500 miles of highway and city driving. No tracking done. The vehicle has performed wonderfully. I just transitioned from a 2001 Camry, so my expectations were easily exceeded with this car. I was able to get a test drive at a dealership in Pittsburgh and loved it. The Subaru guys did not let me have one, so I just bought the one I knew I'd like. I also took the 10 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty with a 100$ deductible since I do not intend to mod the car much. Its just lovely as it is. I knew before purchasing the car that it was going to be an expensive affair, but I was ready to pay the premium for the enjoyment since I could afford it.
MR Touring 2010
I sold my 2009 Ralliart for the MR Touring. There is no contest in build quality, performance and comfort. I really have wanted this car since it I first saw it in August. The deal was great and so far for the $$$$$ I feel it is the car for the money. Reminds me of my Audi RS4. Not the interior quality but the performance and looks are all there for $38,000. Too bad Mitsubishi does not put this quality into their lesser cars like the Ralliart. I know that this is their signature auto so I do get that and my son's GTS build quality was also better than the Ralliart also. I now have become a Mitsubishi Fan.
1700 miles so far!
Well I got a bad one, and started out on the wrong foot, I still dearly love my car, but at 1143 miles I required a new transmission. My notchy went grinding and then ripping, I got a new tranny, im not grinding as bad now, but still grinding. I love the overall car tho, just wish I had gotten a different one. I realize people have a lot of notchy issues, hopefully this is something that will play out.
No Regrets!
I have had my MR for a month now, and it has been an amazing experience. The car has tons of power and is very responsive. The handling is outstanding; I am amazed at what this car can do on winding roads. The transmission in this car must be driven to be believed. In Sport mode, the shifting is crisp and firm. The downshifts are perfectly timed, and are done better then I can run a clutch after 20+ years of driving. The logic that controls the transmission is very well set up; I haven't even touched the paddle shifters. The car is always in the gear that I need.
Great All Around Vehicle
2 weeks so far & I love this car. Have owned BMW, Shinka RX8 and other performance vehicles & I think this is a great vehicle for the money. Great balance between size (seats 5, including 2 booster seats 4 kids). Love the handling, looks, and package (GSR with SSS).
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
This car is a wonderful driving car. The car handles excellently, and if it is tuned, can put out an exceptional 400hp. Drifting with this vehicle is harder being it is All Wheel Drive but otherwise is a very fun car. The new 2008 mustang gt puts out 300hp and is 1 1/2 times more heavy. Stock this car will smoke all the other cars for the same price. Great on gas, great reliability. The Subaru WRX STI is a great car as well although the latest models of this car are hatchback which is not preferred and do not do as well with handling.
Most fun with your pants on!
Excellent perf out of the box! Handling is as nimble as S2000, slight understeer. Very little turbo lag as the RPMs climb effortlessly. The TC-SST is superb! Auto is great in LA traffic, and Manual Sport just screams for open pavement. Driven stick my entire life (I'm 29), I welcome TC-SST technology as an early adapter. Shifts fast! Don't have to give up the power as I would driving a torque converter auto! AWD noise is clunky sometimes, and turn radius is a bit larger than I'd like. Gauges need more driver info, but seats are AWESOME. Steering wheel is perfect size. 1 gripe: car has no "legs!" Small fuel tank means frequent fill. Overall very happy! Can't beat 0% APR & wife can drive it too! :)
Great For The Buy
Just bought the car. Put about 1500 miles on her. Runs great. Don't really care about the interior. Bought it just for outside look and performance. Drifted around 80 degree turn at 80mph. Handles great! This is a sports car.....Not made for comfort. Don't buy if you want comfort. I bought it for drifting.
Nothing in the price range to beat it...
Performance? Oh yeah.. I owned the Evo IX and this car to me is MUCH better. It still has the cheap interior, thin paint, and bad gas mileage, but the X is a MUCH more comfortable car overall. I'm not a big aftermarket guy, but a tune really goes a leap ahead of what is already an excellent car performance wise. The S-AWC makes the new safe Evo even more safe than it already is by letting you turn the car suddenly without it even batting an eye. Like others have said and will say a strong 6 speed manual would be nice, but I don't drive fast where I live... the speed limit is still 55 and with the tune and a bit of added timing I can get 24-26 on the highway.
Great track car; not so great commuter
Lack of overdrive gear really kills highway mileage (3500-4000rpms); really bogs down below 3k rpms, still has turbo lag between 3-5k then starts to fall flat above 5500 rpm. Redline might as well be 5500 rpm. Handles great but the only way to safely test its limits is at the track. Don't bother buying unless you plan to track the car at least recreationally.
X GSR review
I'm loving this car so far. It's a bit heavier than my IX was, but it makes up for it with a vastly superior chassis and substantially better handling potential. The fit and finish have been improved, the brakes are bigger (since the car is as well), the final drive is a bit shorter, and it now has Mivec on both cam gears with a chain driven system on the new 4B11. No more timing belt! Fueling is just pig rich stock. This car will wake up substantially when an aftermarket ECU solution becomes available to the general public.
Exceeds Expectations
Lows Seats and steering wheel should be more adjustable. More choices should be available for interior prestige. Car is hard to find, selection does not exist. Needs a sixth gear on the manual and a tighter gear pattern. Tough to launch without burning clutch. Highs Quick, Responsive, Amazing Handling, Comfortable (Racing seats are a nice touch, Great Stock Stereo (except lack of PIO adapter), attention grabber (except when its the cops attention) I have the GSR with Sight Sound and Spoiler package. The car is amazingly fast and smooth. Its extremely fun to drive (which is the most important factor here), comfortable, and immersive. Highs are really high, lows are mostly minor.
Exceeds Expectations
My new Evo X GSR has blown me away, but before I get to why, I'll note what's wrong: needs 6th gear in manual, better clutch. At this pricepoint, I expect a few more interior luxuries. Sight, sound and spoiler should be stock. Also, why are the brakes not cross drilled, and why must they leave so much brake dust on my wheels? Highs: great stereo with sight, sound and spoiler. Comfort of drive is extremely high for a car that pulls a lateral G. Insanely fun to drive. Seriously stylish. Outruns anything in its class or the next one up. With Vishnu, HKS, K&N, and NOS, this car will be able to hit 600+ bhp. I believe I can get the 1/4 down to 10s.
I love it!!
First of all, I am 30. I have owned Trans-Am's and Camaros my entire life. I was in need of a 4 door car and fell in love with the looks of the Evo. I am amazed at the power the little 2.0 liter engine makes with the Turbo. It is such a different driving experience than the torque monsters I am use to, but I love it! It takes turns and curves like it is on a rail. I miss fish tails and power slides, but being able to take turns at speeds my Camaro SS could never achieve makes up for it. I would recommend the Sight Sound and Spoiler package for potential buyers. The bad, seats are a little uncomfortable & need more adjustment options. Had to have factory CPU flash to help acceleration.
2010 EVO X GSR (short term)
I Traded in my 05 Tacoma for the Evo. The car I drove in high school was 90 bhp Mustang so I may be going through a mid 20's crisis. The interior build quality isn't as good as the Toyota, and you will be filling up the tank every 5 days also cops will pay lots of attention to you. However none of these small concerns matter, I am now getting to work early just so I can drive on the road at 6:00 am w/o traffic.
Save your money or get an STi
Reliability has not been what you would expect in a car of this price range. Plagued with a few issues, now that could cost you an engine,
I will Never buy Mitsubishi again!
We have now owned our 2008 EVO for four months now. At first, I will say that we were very excited about our purchase. That was until we waxed the vehicle for the fourth time 1 1/2 weeks ago. My husband noticed a massive amount of paint chips above the rear tires on both sides of the car and also on the hood. I searched the web, and found we are not alone! Tons of people have this affliction, and Mitsubishi has done nothing for most of them. Do not buy this vehicle unless you want your paint to chip off, or your windshield to chip with 3000 miles on the car. Very poorly made and will not last. Worst purchase we have ever made as far as quality. Huge regrets.
Happy buyer
I was worried about buyer remorse before I bought this car, but now that I have it, I'm glad I took the risk. I was planning to get a reasonable car, like an Acura or something, but figured you only live once, so I got the Evo. I have a perma-smile since I drove it off the lot. The few things I don't like, the driver seat is not very adjustable, the shifts into 2nd and 3rd are kind of clunky until the clutch warms up, the trunk is tiny (not big enough for golf clubs w/ sub, and no fold down seats for snowboard) and the road noise is loud on rough surfaces. The good, its sharp when you want it to be, and tame on your daily commute. All in all, not a bad daily driver, and fast.
1700 miles
I've had 3 Evo's, and this one is the most daily driver friendly yet. The 5 speed is notchy when cold, but otherwise the car performs well. The handling is truly the best thing about the car. The steering is telepathic, and the brakes are excellent. Power is fair, but the second factory reflash helped smooth things out and helped the upper rpm range. I fixed a rattle in the glovebox, other than that the interior is quiet. Tire noise is high, but the upgraded satellite radio/audio system is superb. Aftermarket parts and tuning solve the power issues quickly and easily.
Great Car but a few warnings
I've had my EVO for about 6 months, and there are two really annoying things about it: First the paint is super thin and scratches easily, after the first two repairs I've put clear bra on most of the car, so plan on spending $1000 or more on that, and do it before it scratches. (front, rocker panels, and trunk deck) Second the windshield is wafer thin. Mitsu did this to save weight. I got a minor chip in mine and the windshield split when trying to repair it. I'm replacing it with a standard lancer windshield which is thicker, but heavier. Anyway plan on spending another $350 on that.
Make sure you want a sports car
Great sports car, but be ready to make some compromises.This thing is a blast to drive. Most fun car I have owned. Just like the last review, I had to replace windshield at 800 miles. BUY the clear 3m paint guard, especially front, and rear rocker in front of rear wheel. Great stock stereo, but no steering wheel control, seats are great, if you fit their ideal size, because they hardly adjust, plus the material is cheap, and wears quick. This isn't my only car, so it fits me perfectly. Personally I could use it as a daily driver. Just be prepared to pay extra for its performance in little items, like tires, windshields, upgrades, you will want to tune. Highly recommended.
EVO X
I have had the pleasure of driving my new EVO X for the last 2 wks and it sure has been a blast. I Love the looks, handling, power and head turning it causes. Some just see a lancer, but those who really know, see it for what it truly is: one heck of a driving experience. I have owned BMW to RX8's and sedans/SUVs in between. It was a toss between the RX8 R3, 350Z, G37, MB or BMW. For the cost and driving fun I think it is a great value PLUS it seats 5 and I can take the kids and wife every blue moon to keep her content. I have not driven it hard (YET) due to its low mileage (got it with 50!) but can't wait to hit 1K miles. Interior is decent, not sure of the cloth arm rest. 21 again
Endless Smile
I leased an 08 GSR two weeks ago and can't stop driving it. The car is amazing. Although it could use a 6th gear the car just wants to be driven. I am 6'2" and find the car to be a little tight and probably wouldn't be a wise choice to take on a long trip. The spooling of the turbo and shifting is precise. It's flat out the best car for the money. I'm 32 and owned a lot of fast cars but I would rate this car at the top. Trust when I tell you it won't disappoint the buyer.
BYE BYE MUSTANG!
So I finally talked my husband out of his Mustang Saleen to go to an import. Let me say after driving the EVO, it didn't take much! The car handles amazingly well. We were torn between the Subaru WRX STI and the Evo. After driving the Subaru, we felt a bit "lost" with the six speed. I would agree that this car having a sixth gear would not be a bad idea. I also say that these "all over the board" quarter mile times that they are reporting are completely inaccurate for the car. Haven't has the chance to romp on it yet as it only has 200 miles. For our first Mitsubishi, we are definitely NOT disappointed!
Good, but wait for the prices to go down
These cars are good, but not worth the premium over the GSR's. These cars are overpriced in my opinion. They are great fun, handle well, good power, and the AWD system is tops. The interior is just so so, the comfort is bad but it is not a cruiser, and the power is good but not great. I am sure in the next year we'll see all the tuner parts come out hen the fun will begin! If you have time, wait for the prices to come down.
Great Spors Sedan
After 1yr, still very happy with the purchase. Easily better than the STi which is more expensive. Did great through the winter. Always gets looks and continues to be fun to drive.
Super fun car
I bought my Evo and had it shipped across the country without ever test driving it. I was a bit skeptical but read several reviews and bit the bullet. Driving this car is exhilarating. Every time I am behind the will I'm grinning ear to ear. It's by far the fastest car I've ever driven and for the money it's a steal.
2008 GSR SSS/AERO
No test drive, I knew what I was getting into. First time driving it out of the dealer lot...WOW! This monster has torque, seats are supportive but very difficult to adjust when reclining. The interior plastic parts are below average compared to my 06 Civic. The plastics are flimsy and cheap to the touch. The transmission is notchy [esp. upshifting to 2nd gear and when compared to HONDA tranny]. I've had 2003 WRX so this GSR's tranny isn't that much of a complaint to me.
One of the best performance cars!
I had this car for 1 year now and still love the drive feel of the car. One of the best performance cars I ever driven. Exterior looks stunning. Handling is fantastic. Not so good on the gas mileage, especially with small tank (means need to fill up more often), but looking performance wise not too bad. Need better quality interior for the price of the car. As for reliability, need to do something for the stone chips problems.
Lancer Evolution
Well, this isn't your normal Lancer. Owned this car for 1 year and had no problem but the clutch... I don't even drive hard or launch the car, but around 12k I had to change out the clutch. I ended up getting aftermarket clutch and new flywheel because of the warp. Beside that I enjoy the car and the fun that comes with it. I joined a local car club and ended up mod a bit out of the car... Gas stinks, but it is a 2.0 pushing out near 300hp on a 3k pound car... Love it... Interior is so so if you got the base model, but an EVO is made for driving not luxury.
STi to EVO
I went from a 2008 STi to the 2010 EVO X. STi had a much more pleasant interior, however the seats in the X are amazing. SSS package is a must, and is well worth it. The biggest complaint is overall build quality compared to the STi and the lack of space. Buttons feel cheaper, seating position is not great, even though the seats are amazing. You cant go wrong with either car, but if you want the closest thing to the X you would need to buy a 2011 STi, as 08-2010 don't compare. Paint quality seems to be better then the Subaru, along with less turbo lag (even though its .5 L smaller motor). Probably the biggest difference is fuel economy. The 5 spd is to short and gets 8mpg less the STi got.
Car in very good condition
Overall the car is in very good condition especially since it is now about 14 years old. Only some small issues. The steering wheel was ripped up a bit and the bumper has some slight impact damage but nothing too serious. The only complaint I have is that the pictures displayed were just blurry enough to not make out these details from posted pictures. Other than that I think I got lucky with a car with only one reported owner and no accidents on record.
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