Ditching MK6 GTI for Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart???

[G-rig]

I tend to agree, a lancer isn't really a good base car to start with, although wouldn't mind an EVO.

[Tim]

It all depends on what you want from a car. Drive them both and see which one makes you smile.

I think where the Golf excels is in its competence right across the board. Unfortunately that leads to a "jack of all trades, master of none" situation.

[Karlosovic]

I know not everyone thinks like me, but to be honest - what's a few horsepower here and there?
Unless you're buying the car for the track/, it doesnt matter.
I mean... we're not talking about a Prius Vs an Evo here... we're talking about two cars that often get compared for performance, which means it's close enough that it won't make any difference to a real person in the real world
They're both spirited cars, but neither is a supercar
Pretty much the same amount of fun can be had in either.

Worry instead about features, quality, comfort and style
Do you like the interior?
Does one have power windows/not?
How's the stereo?
Do one feel like a 3rd grade craft project?

These things will make much more difference to you on a day-to-day basis

IMHO, the ralliart is a respectable car, but it wastes points in areas that don't mean much to me
Value for money - I find the build, quality and comfort of the VW wins

But that's just me

I think where the Golf excels is in its competence right across the board. Unfortunately that leads to a "jack of all trades, master of none" situation.

I agree. Rather than 'jack of all trades, master of none' - I tend to think it's the perfect balance of those things at this price point

[Lima]

10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling - The Oatmeal

[Beaker]

I'm a huge Mitsubishi fan, I've rallied them for years, so the following is hard for me to say.

But if you buy a Lancer Ralliart over a GTI, you are nuts - a Rex maybe, a proper EVO yes, but I thought the Lancer Ralliart was the biggest heap of rubbish I'd ever driven when I test drove it earlier this year.

[hazamatic]

I'm a huge Mitsubishi fan, I've rallied them for years, so the following is hard for me to say.

But if you buy a Lancer Ralliart over a GTI, you are nuts - a Rex maybe, a proper EVO yes, but I thought the Lancer Ralliart was the biggest heap of rubbish I'd ever driven when I test drove it earlier this year.

What's wrong with it? It looks good on paper. The only complaint I've heard is the interior isn't that great.

[Corey_R]

Many cars are good on paper!

[Beaker]

What's wrong with it? It looks good on paper. The only complaint I've heard is the interior isn't that great.

It's not as quick as it should with EVO VI gear under it (apparently). It understeers like a pig and to get anything close to neutral handling in it you have to be far more commited then I was willing to be on the street. The lag is attrocious, the DSG is really rough and unreffined. There are things I just shook my head at (open the boot and look at how much the body flexes around the gas strut to see what I mean). The fit and finish is really poor.

Without a word of a lie if I'd bought one I'd have been stepping backwards from the VR4 road car I had in the late 90s.

Don't take my word for it, go take one for a drive. I honestly believe that the Lancer Ralliart is an embaressment to the EVO which while a bit rough in places IS a genuine legendary car.

[hazamatic]

Hmm interesting.

I might just go take one for a test drive while waiting for my GTI to arrive. Before reading this tread I thought the ralliart was just a normal lancer with a body kit. But if it is as bad as you say it is (I kind of hope it is, haha), I made the right decision in getting the GTI!.

[Lima]

I don't understand Beaker, the Ralliart has more power. IT HAS TO BE BETTER!11!!1~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Karlosovic]

10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling - The Oatmeal

great site..... but who was that directed at?

[Sharkie]

The Ralliart will always be faster than the GTI .... if thats what you ultimately want then go for it ....

The GTI will always be classier and more upmarket than the Ralliart ... again, if thats what you want then thats what you get.

2 completely different type cars aimed at completely different markets ....

[giddleberry]

The Ralliart will always be faster than the GTI .... if thats what you ultimately want then go for it ....

The GTI will always be classier and more upmarket than the Ralliart ... again, if thats what you want then thats what you get.

2 completely different type cars aimed at completely different markets ....

Well get an R then... Best of both worlds

[macchina]

I think the biggest difference between the 2 cars is refinement. The GTI is a car that can just as easily be used on a day to day basis as it can on a sprint around the best hidden roads in the country.
I know that the Ralliart cannot be used as easiliy on a day to day basis as it is noiser, has an inferior interior and suffers from serious turbo lag according to most reviews I have read.

But at the end of the day you have to be happy with your choice and live with the car, not the other members of this forum.

Good luck with your decision!

[flappa]

2 completely different type cars aimed at completely different markets ....

Dont know why you think they are so far apart ?

On a thread a while back on Why you chose the GTI , most said they had compared the GTI with the Ralliart Lancer, WRX, Mazda MPS, And XR5.

Seems to me while techincally different (AWD v FWD), they all play in the same market space.

For my money, I loved the look of the Lancer but as others mentioned, I found the build quality ordinary, the ride ordinary and the power delivery VERY ordinary.