Looking at Buying a Ralliart Lancer (MY10)

[timralliartlancer]

Hey guys,

Looking at buying a Ralliart Lancer ( MY10 ), i am aware that there are issues with the SST transmission and as the car is at 82k kms, I'd need to replace the fluid soon.

Are there any specifics I should be looking for when test driving the Ralliart other than the basics (check fluids, service history etc.)?

Any help is much appreciated!

[black_ice]

If you hear some clunks coming from the gearbox, esp at slow speeds, thats quite normal.

Under heavy throttle make sure the gear changes are crisp and not slipping.

Also find a place with a steep slope and bring the car to a complete stop at the greatest angle of the slope. Take off slowly and if you feel the gearbox/car vibrating that could be a sign the SST is on its way out.

I would also consider getting a full inspection done from either TechSport or RTR as they are the two evo specialist workshop in Melbourne. I got my ralliart checked out at Techsport but RTR apparently do a much more comprehensive check (hence more expensive).

If you do end up buying the car I would change the SST fluid immediately (good bargaining point as an oil change will cost you approx $800 inc labour).

[mcpondy]

If you hear some clunks coming from the gearbox, esp at slow speeds, thats quite normal. Under heavy throttle make sure the gear changes are crisp and not slipping. Also find a place with a steep slope and bring the car to a complete stop at the greatest angle of the slope. Take off slowly and if you feel the gearbox/car vibrating that could be a sign the SST is on its way out.

Good call on the hill/angle slope. I had that with my MY10 and needed the clutch pack changed - I was lucky I still had factory warranty - they paid for the fluid and clutch change - I also added some cash to replace the external filter while they were there. Much better now - although still has a few clunks etc at low speed.

[Trouble]

[quote:74c8b1aaf0=black_ice]If you hear some clunks coming from the gearbox, esp at slow speeds, thats quite normal. Under heavy throttle make sure the gear changes are crisp and not slipping. Also find a place with a steep slope and bring the car to a complete stop at the greatest angle of the slope. Take off slowly and if you feel the gearbox/car vibrating that could be a sign the SST is on its way out. [/quote:74c8b1aaf0] Good call on the hill/angle slope. I had that with my MY10 and needed the clutch pack changed - I was lucky I still had factory warranty - they paid for the fluid and clutch change - I also added some cash to replace the external filter while they were there. Much better now - although still has a few clunks etc at low speed.

Really need to sus mine out - I feel like i havent noticed any clunks at all - but maybe ive just become used to them haha

[timralliartlancer]

I've heard about the timing chain stretching and possibly snapping. From what I've read, it was fixed in the later MY11 Ralliarts. Should I save and buy a MY12 Ralliart? Any other issues I should be wary of?

Pretty excited about test driving one this weekend, pretty much the quickest P Plate Legal car

[timralliartlancer]

I've heard that the clutch pack needs replacing at 100k kms which costs 7k. Please tell me this isn't true Is there any expensive bills maintenance wise with the Ralliart, especially as they older and higher kms?

Thanks guys! Just want make sure I'm not in for a money pit.

[Shaun Patterson]

if the sst die then yes huge bill you cant replace parts, mitsubishi will only sell the sst as a whole and that will put you out of pocket, clutch kits themselve are about 2-3k and then there is the installation and not many places that i would trust to do it properly. better off waiting and buying a X gsr manual if you are concerned about having to pay for all this maintaince, plus the manual is the way to go if you want to mod for power, less money on sst upgrade more on the motor itself, sst supossedly tops out at 300f/p torque safely.

[JustinR]

if the sst die then yes huge bill you cant replace parts, mitsubishi will only sell the sst as a whole and that will put you out of pocket, clutch kits themselve are about 2-3k and then there is the installation and not many places that i would trust to do it properly. better off waiting and buying a X gsr manual if you are concerned about having to pay for all this maintaince, plus the manual is the way to go if you want to mod for power, less money on sst upgrade more on the motor itself, sst supossedly tops out at 300f/p torque safely.

Incorrect, at least for the past two years Mitsubishi have been repairing them instead of replacing the whole gearbox. My clutches got repaired under warranty last year. In terms of replacement, clutch packs cost a couple of grand, so try and find a low K car to purchase would be my best advice.

[squala]

if the sst die then yes huge bill you cant replace parts, mitsubishi will only sell the sst as a whole and that will put you out of pocket, clutch kits themselve are about 2-3k and then there is the installation and not many places that i would trust to do it properly. better off waiting and buying a X gsr manual if you are concerned about having to pay for all this maintaince, plus the manual is the way to go if you want to mod for power, less money on sst upgrade more on the motor itself, sst supossedly tops out at 300f/p torque safely.

The only problem with the Evo X manual is that it lacks a gear. If the humble Corolla is now six-speed, then all the more should a high performance car should be six-speed. The five ratios it has to make do with are stretched a bit more than ideal. They're not too long or too short, but performance and fuel consumption are compromised somewhat. While I do know that economy isn't a priority for Evo buyers, a lower cruising rpm would have still lessened engine stress.

[merlin]

The Evox makes enough torque that a 5-speed is enough for the job.
And, the gears are bigger and thus able to cope with even more neddies.

Having said that, the SST seem to be fine to 300wkw and who needs more than that anyway (except Faoud of course).

[timralliartlancer]

Thanks for all the help guys! Have got a lot to think about now. I am definitely considering buying one, just waiting for the right spec, price and km car to turn up.