Mitsubishi Lancer Review (1999 to 2001)

Quick Summary

The Lancer Estate certainly won't stand out from the crowd on looks, but when it comes to offering top-notch value for money and providing thoroughly capable and reliable family transport, it's one of the best. It's at the blunt end of the cutting edge, but more than makes up for this in terms of metal for your money. Appealing to the same clientele as bargain Korean cars but with the additional bonus of Mitsubishi's comprehensive warranty package, a low-mileage Lancer Estate makes a surprising amount of sense as a used proposition. Pitched at the right end of the 'estate of the ark/art' continuum, the Lancer earns an unexpected thumbs-up.

Overall:

Models Covered: (5dr estate 1.6 petrol [GLX])

A QUIRK OF EVOLUTION

Why did Mitsubishi sell the Lancer Estate in the UK between 1999 and 2001? This question, perhaps more than any concerning value for money or whether the car was in fact any good, seemed the overriding concern when considering the Lancer Estate 1.6 GLX. Available with a manual gearbox only, in a range of three colours and at a budget price, it seemed something of an anomaly in Mitsubishi's glossily high-tech product range. As a used model, does it make any more or less sense than it did when new? Find out here.
Used Mitsubishi Lancer for sale

History of the Lancer

To understand the logic of the Lancer Estate, one must first become immersed in the murky world of Mitsubishi's strategic alliances. Lancer saloons and hatchbacks are available in the UK, it's just that they are badged as Proton Personas and Wiras. Mitsubishi's links with the Malaysian firm go back quite some way, and it was only when Proton didn't feel the Wira Estate was right for the UK market that Mitsubishi was faced with a quandary.As UK buyers lobbied for cheaper cars, Mitsubishi had a limited supply of Lancer Estates that were approaching the end of their product run. Unwanted by Proton, and with no Mitsubishi Carisma estate model for sale in Britain, the decision was taken to import the cars, offering them for the knockdown price of £10,995. Whilst this might have smacked of boot sale opportunism, it nevertheless brought a surprisingly capable car into the market at an almost laughably cheap price. With 1500 cars imported, the last few left UK dealers forecourts in spring 2001, leaving Mitsubishi with a hole in their range that hasn't been subsequently filled.
Used Mitsubishi Lancer for sale

Mitsubishi Lancer Road Test

Here's a shock. The Lancer Estate is actually quite good fun to drive. Whilst it's no Evo VI, it nevertheless has that same feeling of handling on its tiptoes and utilising every last available horsepower to propel itself up the road. A rest to 60mph time of ten seconds flat underlines this, although the 1.6-litre engine feels very breathy above 85mph. Not breathy like Marilyn Monroe singing to JFK, more like something from a schools anti-smoking educational video. Expect a combined fuel consumption of around 35mpg if driven sensibly, although the sweet gearchange and willing engine encourage pedal to the metal progress. In Malaysia, a popular project is to fit the engine from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III into this body. Apparently it slots straight in and makes for a wicked Q-car. Suddenly a Subaru Impreza WRX estate looks decidedly pricey!
Used Mitsubishi Lancer for sale

Buying a Mitsubishi Lancer

This is a bit of a difficult one, as there's not too much to worry about, which is excellent news for you. So, provided you're buying a car with full service history, you shouldn't be in for any nasty shocks but check that the electric windows, locks and door mirrors all work and that the air conditioner produces chilled air – fixing such items can be pricey.
Used Mitsubishi Lancer for sale

Mitsubishi Lancer Typical Pricing

Thinking that the Lancer Estate's values could be buoyed up by the sprinkling of Lancer Evo series credibility? Then think again. Used buyers are a hard headed bunch, and the Lancer Estate has been judged by the market and found guilty of being a bigger bargain used than it was when new. Considering Mitsubishi's generous three year unlimited mileage warranty, six year anti-corrosion perforation warranty and three-year pan-European recovery service, the £2,500 you'll pay for a 2000 W plate Lancer Estate looks the gift horse side of inexpensive. If you're after an economical, reliable, nearly new estate, bargains don't get much better than this.
Used Mitsubishi Lancer for sale

Mitsubishi Lancer Parts

(approx based on a 2000 Lancer Estate) A clutch assembly is around £185 and an exhaust system about £430. Allow £35 or so for front brake pads, whilst an alternator is about £200 and a starter motor around £370. Ouch. A replacement headlamp is a similarly punitive £350 and a catalytic converter retails at around £300.
Used Mitsubishi Lancer for sale