Test drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2005 - 2007 sedan

Half of the measured

The editorial couple of the most popular Japanese recently exchanged 100 thousand for two. We note the anniversary in a businesslike way: we will summarize the intermediate results of operation.

Toyota Corolla
Manufacturer: Toyota, Turkey
Year of release: 2003
In operation at the wheel: since March 2004
Mileage at the time of the report: 60 thousand km
Previous publications in the journal: 2004, No. 5, 6, 9; 2005, No. 2

Mitsubishi Lancer
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi, Japan
Year of release: 2003
In operation at the wheel: since March 2004
Mileage at the time of the report: 50 thousand km
Previous publications in the journal: 2004, No. 5, 6, 9; 2005, No. 2
 
Strength at the cost of maintenance
The very view of the Corolla - a modern form and logical proportions, neat external and internal panels, no pretentiousness - at first made the sophisticated colleagues the impression of a too correct, rationally constant car. Nevertheless, according to the accelerated and brake dynamics, maximum speed, the characteristics of the controllability of Corolla, the Corolla plays many classmates. And the calm appearance corresponds to endurance and reliability, confirming the current reputation of the brand.
In fact, if it were not for the annoying replacement of the front racks, which were holding after the Ural run, by and large there is nothing to find fault with, even not a single light has burned out.
Suspensions of the machine are adapted for Russian roads - more rigid elastic elements are installed. Corolla confidently copes with the irregularities of the road surface without an unnecessary hint of a breakdown and swinging the body. The adapted car has a little a larger road clearance, but a smaller move of the end, therefore, deaf blows are tangible on sharp irregularities. You can move painlessly along unimportant roads, but prolonged riding in such conditions at speeds of 110-130 km/h thoroughly trim the contents of the stomach.
About the service: the volume of standard maintenance is not too large and complicated - it, of course, is affected by the specialists of the technical center driving. But this would automatically mean a loss of warranty. And therefore, like the vast majority of owners of new cars, we go along the civilized path, going to authorized service centers - every 10 thousand km. In addition to high cost, inconvenience creates a preliminary recording - in at least two weeks. With large and uneven daily runs, calculate the date of the planned one is sometimes difficult.
Take a look at the table: solid costs; According to them, the Corolla is still ahead of Lancer is much more noticeable than in the run. However, the latter will have a big one - after 60 thousand ...
 
Fifty - Flight is normal
At first it seemed that there was nothing especially to write. The life of the car passes through a rather monotonous program, taking notes in the test log for fixing and maintenance every 15 thousand. At the same time, the state of Lancer almost does not change: it seemed to freeze at a 30,000th mark, emphasizing that the current mileage is not a reason for conversation.
No, of course, on the latter they warned - get ready to replace the pads. A little later, on the 48th thousand I felt vibrations on the steering wheel during braking. So, with disks, too, not everything is okay. But all these planned troubles are ahead and, I hope, we will deal with them by 60 thousand kilometers, at the next visit to the service station.
The first signals from readers came in the middle of the past winter. Say, something creaks in the rear suspension of the Lancers, especially on dry frosty days. The editorial car was silent for a long time, but in the end and he began to make unpleasant sounds when passing irregularities. They either disappeared or appeared again, fortunately, without affecting the behavior of the car. Only one pattern traced the pattern: after a good sink (including below), there were no creaks. But a week or two took place, and again began torture for the ears. What is it: salt, dirt falling into one of the hinges? The service station was confirmed by the service station, saying that the defect was manifested only in Russia! It is associated with the design of the bushes of the lower levers of the rear suspension, just responsible for the excellent handling of Lancer. Alas, they were poorly protected from domestic reagents. Therefore, since September 2004, the design has been changed by introducing it to new cars.
What to do with earlier? You can officially contact the warranty. The defect is eliminated either by replacing the lower suspension levers (as in the editorial machine), or additional sealing of the weak node. With a sigh, I note: that first, creaky version had somewhat more interesting chassis settings, so appreciated by active drivers.
Once in winter, after a long trip in Lanser, vibrations suddenly appeared, clearly related to rolling the car. When they became noticeable even in the city, it was time to understand the reasons. The car was raised and huge growths (1-1.5 kg) from the cave-like sand and dirt were seen on the inside of the rear wheels. They created a tangible imbalance. I had to arm myself with a piece of wood, a bucket of water and work as a nurse. Say, trifle? Maybe. But when in the winter such a procedure must be done two or three times, you will think once again in what cleanliness our roads are. Yes, a simple shrug, cleansing the dirt from the inside, would not hurt in a similar situation.
Finally - about the service. Many complain - a little expensive, although in general they are satisfied with the high quality of service. Nevertheless, it doesn’t do without inconvenience here, I think many of the owners of Mitsubishi felt them. This, of course, is about the timing of the recording for that. At most Moscow stations, you will be offered to do this in a month, or even more. Obviously, there are more and more foreign cars every year - of course, lines are growing for service. However, the same editorial Toyota Corolla confidently holds on a two -week preliminary record.
Well, I thought to do without criticism. It seems that yet it does not work out. Nevertheless, let's hope that after a while the service will work as the machines that it serves.
 
Voskresensky Sergey
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"