2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: Fueling Up

I know this place - Donut Fair is in Carmichael, a burb near Sacramento. They are good.

I came very close to buying a Lancer last month. Really a neat car, I totally dig the looks of the GTS with the 18" wheels and aero kit. Some really nice features. But a number of factors tipped the scale in favor of my new Mazda3. And watching the gas mileage of this long termer further confirms my decision. I suppose I might have done better than the Edmunds car since I don't have any long steep grades in north Texas, and tend to obey the speed limit. But still, 26.5 is just not impressive at all for a compact car, I used to get that out of our old minivan.

I have some friends from Rocklin, and my fiancee is from Sacramento and knows Carmichael. She says you should have gone to Gunther's Ice Cream.
 
That gas mileage isn't that impressive. You guys must really have lead feet.

ahightower:
 
When I read your comment comparing to the Mazda 3, I decided to look up some basic comparative info....length, width, weight, etc between the 3 and my Lancer GTS. I did this because I have spent time in both cars, and I really feel like the Lancer GTS feels a lot larger than the 3 both inside and out. Assuming that the facts would support my gut feeling, I was fired up to write about how the Lancer shouldn't be considered a compact and it is in fact a good size vechicle thereby justifying slightly weak fuel consumptuion.
 
To my surprise, the Lancer and the 3 are almost identical in all dimensions and weights, so there goes the technical basis of my comment.
 
That being said, and I don't know if anyone at Edmunds can comment on it, I really do feel like the Lancer gives of a bigger vibe than the 3....I'm 6'2, 230 and I squeeze into the 3 whereas the Lancer has ample room, for example.
 
Either way, I agree that the fuel mileage is poorer than the rest of the class, but for me, the looks and the fact that I don't see another Lancer every 10 seconds (read: mazda 3s are everywhere) makes up for the fuel consumption.

The Lancer did feel roomier to me. The dash was set farther away, and the center console didn't intrude on my right knee. But I just couldn't get comfortable as the steering wheel didn't telescope, and the shifter felt just a little too far away. No doubt the Lancer's back seat felt roomier, but I won't need the back seat that often. The Mazda3 is a little "cozy" up front (I'm also 6'2", and okay, 230 is close enough...), but there's just enough leg room, and the driving position with the steering wheel and shifter is very good. As I stated, there were a number of considerations. I decided the ride was just a little harsh on the GTS with the 18" wheels, and replacement tires were going to be relatively pricey. Plus while I dig the side skirts and front airdam, that rear wing has got to go. An Evo can back it up, but the regular Lancer is writing checks it can't cash. I had almost decided on an ES in that awesome blue color, but my Mazda3i Touring seemed like a better value for the money when I was offered just below invoice price. Plus the Mazda engine felt a little more powerful and refined. There are a lot of 3's on the road, and it's due to be redesigned next year, so I know my car won't stand out, but it's still an attractive little car after all these years, and seems to be holding its value well. It was a close call. I do admire the styling of the Lancer and that you don't see them everywhere. The Ralliart should be really cool when it comes out.

Never heard of Donut fair but the worlds best donut shop is Tim Hortons. :)

If you happen to be in the Azusa/Glendora area late at night, hit up Donut Man on Alosta Ave/Route 66. It's open 24 hours a day and the donuts are freshly made at night. The tiger tails are the best. Its the late-night snack run of choice at my university.

stovt001, GMR is dangerous now (e.g., people getting carjacked)! No more touge for you! j/k

If you're ever in the Austin area, check out Round Rock Donuts. They are the best EVER times infinity!
http://www.roundrockdonuts.com/
 
In fact, I'm moved to order some for you guys. Since I imagine most of you won't be there for the holidays, I'll wait until January. Can I get an address?

The Lancer looks great in this picture. Mitsu fine-tuned the trims at least in Canada. They introduced the SE trim which is basically the ES with the wing, fogs, skirts and sunroof for the "wing" crowd. The GTS will soon receive the 2.4L which should give it the much needed boost in power to somehow back up the sporty appearance and suspension tuning. I just wish Mitsu would get rid of the CVT at least in the GTS and replace it with the 6-speed A/T found in the Outlander. The manual should be OK though. It would’ve been nice for the wing to be a delete option on the GTS too, but in the end it’s a design element more than a performance enhancement.
I still think the Mazda3 is a better overall car than the Lancer, but the Lancer is a nice car too.

I still don't get why this car only gets 28 MPG highway. That is foul for an economy car. For what it is, and the power it has, it should get well into the mid-30's MPG on the highway.
 
If you buy this car for the fuel economy, you're wasting your money. And if you're not buying the car for the fuel economy, you're wasting your money anyway as there are better economy cars that are more fun to drive and get better mileage (Mini Cooper, Mazda3 and Saturn Astra come to mind).

"If you buy this car for the fuel economy, you're wasting your money. And if you're not buying the car for the fuel economy, you're wasting your money anyway as there are better economy cars that are more fun to drive and get better mileage (Mini Cooper, Mazda3 and Saturn Astra come to mind)."
 
In Canada, the Mini Cooper and the Astra are not comparable pricewise to the Lancer. As for "fun to drive", I would say between cars like the Lancer and the 3 thats probably a personal preference.
 
btw, proof read your statements....you say if you're not buying it for fuel economy, there are cars with better mileage? whoopsy......
 
Thanks for the unbiased contribution :P

Brain fart. Don't be a smart a$$.

My reply was in keeping with the tone you set in your original post, it had nothing to do with being smart.