Oz-rally brand new - first step to best performance, keep warranty

[HobieKopek]

There are a handful of turbocharged Lancers who were smoking stock WRX's when they were only running 6psi. Granted, straight line comparison really isn't the best, but just because the Lancer isn't something YOU desire does not make it a piece of shit. It's certainly not very fast, but i'd say it outhandles just about any car in its class and it's a damn decent platform for FWD tuning. It's probably got the most rigid chassis of any econobox for what it's worth. And this being minus the thousands of spot and seam welds that the Evolution has. Don't be discouraged if you're into tuning, but also don't expect much from bolt ons and don't expect parts availablility of cars that have been around and been tuned for a decade or more (i.e. H&A cars).

EDIT: Trij, you completely neglected insurance and repair costs as well. The WRX, STi and Evolution will probably cost near as much to insure for many people as financing a Lancer would on a monthly basis.

[Twist]

heh. I don't have any money for tuning. College bills are pretty steep.

[marky5505]

First I don't understand why someone would come to a forum for a car that they don't own, plan to own, or like. What does it matter if someone else you don't know bought and likes something you dont? Its called free will and personality. Second have you ever owned a cavalier I have and I just got rid of it due to disappointing performance, handaling and it falling apart. I wouldn't want a civic ex cause everyone has a civic ex. I bought a OZ and have never been happier. I would love to have an Evo VIII but I dont' have 30 grand lying around.

My point is, he didn't ask you. If your doing it for kicks fine then hope you had your fun. Otherwise please respect other peoples opinions.

[BearyOZ]

Just a thought. What about the real world? What about picking up a 2002 OZ for 10 grand because you like the look and appreciate a balance of performance with everyday use. I've been where I had to have the top performance. I have even had a car featured in sport compact car mag a few years ago. Everything doesn't have to be about who goes 0-60 the fastest. Sometimes, it's about going to work in an inexpensive, economical car that's fun to drive. I drove half a dozen other cars before loving the Lancer. That's enough for me.

Just a thought.

[roar6005]

whats up i'm new to the forum. i got a 2003 oz rally. i got a injen intake (RD) and gun metal back lights coming in the mail. who ever said a ex civic will shit on a oz has not raced me i tear them up all day long just felt like i had to say that. if any body has bought a after market throttle body let me no how it feels. if any body needs to no where to get something from let me no.

[fab1984]

Now read this fu.. bi...es:

I have tuned my 04 OZ to 423HP!!!!!
So, what about your WRX now???????
In addition, I got the improved EVO Body-Kit!!!
Though, my OZ looks alike to the EVO now, it's much faster---
It has cost a lot but now I just can lough about such a fu....(Trijenji or whatever your fu..ing name is)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[howesgoing87]

I agree with you ozlancernut, I just bought an 04 oz rally also, it's a great car to drive around the blocks, and right now i'm trying to find that stupid IAT Sensor, if anyone knows where that thing is, please reply.

[speedtkt1]

Originally Posted by Trijenji

Wrong buddy. Brand new WRX will cost around $22k, and a Lancer OZ Rally is around $17k. That's not twice the price guy, someone obviously failed math in school...

And Twist, I see you own an Impreza. Do you own an RS or WRX? What mods have you done to your car so far?

hey trijenji , WRONG , the wrx runs about 28k after delivery & t.t.l., the wrx sti runs 30-32k after delivery & t.t.l and an O.Z. runs about 16 k when alls said and done. Know the facts b4 trying to bash a lancer!!

[LancerGst]

Hey trinjenji, Just wanted you to knowI dont even bother with civic ex's. They arnt even worth my time. I don't bother with a civis unless I see the SI. And My 03 lancer stock was running high 16's not 17's. All in the drive home boy. Ant the extra 10k I could have paid for an sti I can dump into my oz and make it run way better than the sti 13's. Stick with mitsu budd

[trippy]

Interesting thread with a bit of a flamefest going on! I just read this and figured I'd join and put in my 2 cents. I have a 2003 Lancer ES (the cheapest one). I pay only CAD$268/month with $0 down payment and 0% interest and it's for 48-months. My buyback is only about $3k. In other words I don't lose a cent on my lease like most people.

That was only one of the many reasons I bought my Lancer. NO other cars had similar deals available. I checked every one out. Honda, Acura, Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, I even test drove a BMW 325i w/sport pack. I tried the Civic DX, SiR, RSX (not type S), base Sentra, base Protoge, base Echo and base Corolla and many other cars.

I chose my Lancer because of the financing flexibility and also because of the pure value. The base Civic had no CD player. None of the other cars in its class handled quite as well or had as nice of a ride feeling as the Lancer. The Lancer comes with absolute shit for tires and it still out handles the competiton. That's gotta say something for the car.

I have no power anything. No A/C. The little 120hp/130tq motor is more than adequate for all driving conditions. I don't know about the fully equip models maybe they're slower with all the extra shit on them, the spoiler and skirt the AC etc etc it all adds up on a 4 banger.

Anyways... the 9+ second 0-60 figure is pure horseshit unless it's for the slowest model available with all the extras. In which case you'd have to compare accordingly for its competitors.

In any case, from a 5kph roll, to 100kph I clocked in at 7.5 seconds... which if you ask me, is VERY good value for CAD$16k. I used to drive a 95 Civic DX coupe. Supposedly weighed 2200lbs and had 105hp. Will with that Ratio it should have been as fast, or faster than my 120hp 2800lb+ Lancer. It wasn't anywhere near as fast. From a roll the Civic was 10.5 - 11 seconds to 100kph. Pitiful. Even revving the shit out of it from a stop would only yield 9.7ish seconds.

So far, driving with my friends who have 03 Protoge, 04 Echo hatch I've been faster from a stop as well as on the highway. The Protoge is rated at 130-140hp.... how come my little 120hp "slowass lancer" was faster?" How come when the Protoge and Echo topped out at 170-180 on the highway, I kept going past them, up to 200?

Now don't get me wrong... I'm not overconfident in my car, and I DON'T THINK IT'S FAST. But I think it's plenty fast enough for a $16k car and it compares very well with the competition. The Ralliart completely annihilates me on the highway... its incredible.

Anyways .. don't diss other people's car just because you don't like it. Chances are it's got more than you think. The only car that comes close to the Lancer for options/value is the Corolla.

Another thing I'd like to note about the Lancer is it's a VERY solid car for a japanese econobox pos civic-class car. Strong bumpers and overall very sturdy. I find the handling to be excellent... although there is lots of body roll / swaying, that would actually help in a rally inspired drive. Too stiff of a suspension isn't good for that. With the mushy tires and soft suspension I don't know how they make the car handle as good as it does, but I can take some curves pretty damn fast, almost as fast as the Ralliart (but not quite :P).

Also... at high speeds the car is still smooth and stable, unlike many cars when you pass 140, 160, 180 it starts to get very scary. Not in the Lancer. The brakes are also quite formidable. Mine aren't anymore cause the dealer screwed them up.. BUT.. when it was new, it stopped like a bitch!

I would drive someone elses car for a while then get back into mine and I felt like I was getting back into an entirely different (higher) class of car. The brake pedal and response is just so much better. The clutch is smooth and easy unlike some cars.

Aaaaaaaaand another bonus is that Mitsubishi uses CAST IRON BLOCKS unlike Honda, Toyota, and everyone else who use Aluminum blocks and heads. I'm sure an engine made of cast iron will take a lot more beating (and more boost) than an all aluminum.

I don't know if you guys know much about Ralliart but my best friend who has one inquired about it quite a bit before buying his. He found out it comes stock with the whole headers/exhaust setup. It has ceramic cylinder heads or something like that, a much improved clutch and transmission over the stock lancers. stabilizer bars etc.. all kinds of mechanical goodies that they don't even mention.

The 162hp/162tq engine has their mivec technology similar to vtec.. some say its better some say its worse. I say its all good and its very nice, smooth and pulls hard BUT the car could really use a 6th gear (more so than regular lancers).

[craigmcrae]

Gotta love the haters. Dust your shoulders off Lancer owners. I love my 03 Lancer OZ-Rally. There's no reason to not like it. I know it's not the fastest car out there, but with all the fixin's it's probably one of the most comforable, safest, and best looking rides you'll get for the money. As for souping it up, does anyone have any suggestions? I'm new in the game, and was looking for a good way to start for around $1-2k.

[02lancer oz]

I just got my 02 lancer oz not to long ago. I love the way it handles and it is quick enough until some mods are done.
suck my dick trij!!!

[jerzralliart]

well i'm new at this forum as well and just bought my ralliart in aug and have never loved a car as much as this one i traded my hyundai accent in on this ralliart and it's unbelievable, i mean the accent is only a 9g car lol. but anyway the oz has a 4g63 engine and takes mods very well and all you have to do is start looking for them and they are out there , wish there were more for the ralliart but the car is too new but patience, anyway you can get your oz's up and past the ralliart and even the evo you just have to open your wallet and keep adding more mods, o ya and your warranties probably will be eliminated when you start adding mods but that is the price you pay for speed.my boss just bought a rx-8 and the car is sweet and i like it and was fun driving , but i have to say i like my lancer better