Ditching MK6 GTI for Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart???

[booya]

Have a look at this comparison which says it all about the GTI compared to boy-racer cars. I like the last category where they asked people at the pub which car they liked best based on STYLE!!!

YouTube - Ford Focus RS v Renaultsport Megane R26R v VW Golf GTI

[REXman]

But thats what i mean, the above test is compared to a FOCUS RS, different league to the Normal Ralliart. EVO yeah sure its got the performance to even shake up the R good and proper.

Back tot he Ralliart though, its got good running gear, but it cumbersome and it just didnt equate to the hi po package everyone thought it would be. It sluggish. And I know the GTI does 0-100 in 6.5secs.. the Ralliart has not done that in any review I have read. So its not going to beat it in a straight line either.

Then you have the classy factor and the interior of the Golf GTI to consider.. which has been repeatedley reported as punching above its weight.

Cant compare, but then again thats why there out the door at =<$40k

Definitely drive them, Take a MY10 WRX for a wrap to.

[MkVIGTI]

I've also driven the Ralliart before going with my GTI. Being a big Evo fan myself I quite like the Mitsubishi as well. It is also much more affordable considering the options I wanted. The car drove pulled quite hard with plenty of power once the boost kicks in (~3000rpm). Personally I didn't mind the interior either, not as bad as some made it sound like and better than the Rexy's IMO. What I didn't like about the Ralliart is the fact that it is based on a VRX's platform and not the Evo's. The GTI however,is simply a cut above these two and as an everyday car, it is the most complete package.

[Sharkie]

Not sure where REXman gets his figures from as hes far more optimistic in some cases (WRX) and pessimistic Ralliart) in others and nobody has tested a WRX in 5-5.5s .... LOL .... but ...

Wheels have done the following tests ...

0-100
Ralliart 6.2s (Jan 09)
Ralliart Sportback 6.3s (Dec 08 )
WRX MY08 (169kw) 6.4s (Oct 07)
WRX MY10 Sedan (195kw) 5.9s (Jan 09)
WRX STI 6.1s (Apr 08 )
WRX STI SPEC R 5.6s (Dec 09)
GTI DSG 6.9s (Feb 10)


Motor have done the following in tests:
0-100
Ralliart Sportback 6.1s (Jan 09)
Ralliart 6.1s (Aug 09)
WRX MY08 (169kw) 6.2s (Nov 07)
WRX MY10 195kw 5.8s (Sep 09)
STI SPEC R 5.4s (Sep 08 )
EVOI X 5.6s (Sep 08 )
GTI DSG 6.5s (Jan 10)

[Beaker]

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

I assume that's aimed at the fact that I was complaing the GTI was a bit slow compared to my Falcon?
a) The Falcon is a much better car then the Lancer
b) The Lancer is marginaly quicker then a GTI, the car I have been used to for the past three years is in a different league in a straight line.
I did say in my reply I'd consider (in fact I did) an EVO or a Rex as an alternative, but not the Ralliart.

[irossiter]

My girlfriend has a new Lancer Activ (spec'd up base model) and it looks very nice at a glance but when you sit inside one you realise where all of the money has been saved. Probably one of the worst issues with the car you notice by simply shutting the doors, oh my God, the horrible tinny empty clang!! Compare that to a quality Golf. That issues seems to some up the rest of the car for me. I could go on about the nice looking but hard cheap feeling plastics and the horrible cheap feel of the indicator stalks, buttons and knobs. The dash layout has tried to replicate a Mazda 3 +/- a Golf and looks very plain, unless you get the satnav. The central display in the dash looks terribly cheap and amateurish.The carpets and seat trim is cheap. It is also very noisy. I am totally biased of course as I own a Mk5 GTI and my Mk 6 is arriving in 4 weeks time but I have owned at least 14 cars (I think) over the years and appreciate the European quality (discounting my Pug 306GTI6!!) and driving experience compared with Japanese cars. Dad had an STI that could blow a Porsche off into the weeds but it had the nastiest interior and the ride was absolutely atrocious. He bought a GTI after driving mine!! He also never stops raving about the fuel economy as well. There is a good reason why the Golf range and particularly the GTI have been winning local and international awards for the last 5+ years. The resale value is a significant issue as well. You just can't compare a Japanese car to VW resale.
It always comes down to what YOU want as others have said. The Mitsubishi has fixed price servicing and great warranty. Free road side assist is included (also VW though). The Ralliart is probably more "fun" to drive because it is less refined than the Golf. What I love about the GTI is that when I'm tired it is still so easy to drive (manual) and I can't kick back with the seat heaters on! I'm such an old man! But I can also fang it down the Great Ocean Road when I'm in the mood. Brilliant alrounder, nothing can compare to it (mmmm...did someone say Golf R....). Ralliart (the company) has just gone under in Japan but Mitsubishi Australia are still keeping the Ralliart going (just not a separate tuner to Mitsubishi any more) and I'm sure that will affect resale value as well. If they drop the Ralliart name it certainly will. I think losing the mistique of world rally champs like the Subi WRX has affected sales (both no longer compete).
Remember at the end of the day it's YOUR decision, bugger what anyone else says! Drive both again! You can't lose either way.

[nikamichi]

The Ralliart is not a bad vehicle, but needs tyres and shocks as a minimum to get it to handle and grip okay, and ideally tyres, wheels, Bilsteins and springs to handle at its optimum.

I considered it, but the thought of spending $8k on upgrading a new car rather defeated the point for me, so I ordered a GTI instead.

[Transporter]

At least with WRX you get better drive train and better build quality car. But if you drive mainly in the city where you can't use all that speed and performance of the WRX then Golf is much better suited. I drive Subaru cars from 1992 and currently still have 1999 Forester and the new model Forester is far cry from the old one if you look at the handling and interior look and feel.
I looked at the new Forester and bought Tiguan, which is in the different league.

[REXman]

Not sure where REXman gets his figures from as hes far more optimistic in some cases (WRX) and pessimistic Ralliart) in others and nobody has tested a WRX in 5-5.5s .... LOL .... but ...

Wheels have done the following tests ...

0-100
Ralliart 6.2s (Jan 09)
Ralliart Sportback 6.3s (Dec 08 )
WRX MY08 (169kw) 6.4s (Oct 07)
WRX MY10 Sedan (195kw) 5.9s (Jan 09)
WRX STI 6.1s (Apr 08 )
WRX STI SPEC R 5.6s (Dec 09)
GTI DSG 6.9s (Feb 10)


Motor have done the following in tests:
0-100
Ralliart Sportback 6.1s (Jan 09)
Ralliart 6.1s (Aug 09)
WRX MY08 (169kw) 6.2s (Nov 07)
WRX MY10 195kw 5.8s (Sep 09)
STI SPEC R 5.4s (Sep 08 )
EVOI X 5.6s (Sep 08 )
GTI DSG 6.5s (Jan 10)

OK.. So Tiguan Sports.. where do I get my figures from? So you have found 2 sources.. and I was correct. GTI is 6.5 secs. Correct.

WRX (MY09 onwards as I have said) you have it listed as 5.9. Thats fine. I'll have a look for some sources.. this thing does a mid 13 quarter and this is fact and it does mid 5s 0-100.

As for the ralliart, you say 6.1-6.2.. This source Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Road Test - Next Car Pty Ltd - 4th June, 2009 says 6.3.

The other source http://www.caradvice.com.au/21781/20...-sedan-review/ says 7.1.

I read the shoot out tuner edition of wheels/motor and it said clearly that Ralliart lacked the get up and go, but with a flash tune, it made up some ground on the much faster WRX 3G with 195kw which with a tune, will cane the ralliart anyway.

And Ill finish with my favourite source, MRT which work on both types of cars mind you so no bias here.. its in regard to the WRX winning Bang For Buck competition.. MRT Performance - Subaru, Mazda And Mitsubishi Performance Tuning Experts - MY09 WRX wins Motor BFYB 2009

If you read on it says something along the lines of "RUNS RINGS AROUND THE RALLIART".. i found that not too hard to decipher.. honestly champion I have been into these cars, modifying them etc for over 12 years now religiously.. GET your facts straight.

[REXman]

And here is the DATA actually recorded from Eastern Creek, when the WRX MY09 came out, driven by professionals. There is a video of it (which I have seen as may have others).

WRX MY09 1/4 mile in 13.27

0-100 in 5.31...

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX, Bites Back - (Australia)

Cheers

Heres the video of the WRX smashing the 1/4 mile..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rswL0k9npSQ

And heres an independant comparison between the Ralliart and a WRX..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx1qqBrVbYA

Cheers again

[MkVIGTI]

And here is the DATA actually recorded from Eastern Creek, when the WRX MY09 came out, driven by professionals. There is a video of it (which I have seen as may have others).

WRX MY09 1/4 mile in 13.27

0-100 in 5.31...

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX, Bites Back - (Australia)

Cheers

Heres the video of the WRX smashing the 1/4 mile..

YouTube - CarAdvice.com.au - Subaru Impreza WRX - '08 WRX vs '09 WRX Drag Strip Run

And heres an independant comparison between the Ralliart and a WRX..

YouTube - WRX Takes On Ralliart: Subaru vs. Mitsubishi

Cheers again

Wow the ralliart does 0-60mph in 5.8 secs!? I knew it was quicker than the GTI but 1 sec quicker? Won't be dragging either of these without a tune...

[REXman]

Wow the ralliart does 0-60mph in 5.8 secs!? I knew it was quicker than the GTI but 1 sec quicker? Won't be dragging either of these without a tune...

Hey it does go alright thats for sure.

But you'll find that 0-60 is not 0-100km's (more like 62mph = 100km/h).

So thats how they get those really low times for the WRX MY09 of around 5.0 secs flat (some reported as low as 4.8. Its not 0-100.

You see, for instance in the STI 6 speed gearbox, 2nd gear does not stretch to 100km/h, but it does hit 60mph. So that 3rd gear change affects the 0-100 time greatly (maybe half a second).

Where the GTI time is a genuine 0-100 time. And it does it without a 4WD launch, whicih is very impressive for what it is!!

PS congrats on receiving your car!! Must be great driving it.

[GTICam]

Interesting thread. I remember, years ago when both Wheels and Motor tested a black WRX from Subaru and achieved 13 point something quarters. They acclaimed the car for it's awesome power and stunning 400m time. When Fast Fours and Rotories borrowed they same car (later) they smelled a rat, and found that the "stock" press Subie was running significantly more boost... FF&R asked Subie Australia what was going on, but Subie was at a loss as to why this particular car was running so much boost. My point is the figures that you see in magazines are not necessarily indicitive of the cars that you and I buy.

[REXman]

I never heard of that but, Yeah thats a fair call and I wouldnt doubt that that particular car had that done.

I can tell you that I had a MY03 WRX that ran a stock 13.83 with me driving at eastern creek raceway. I then pulled a 13.69 with just a unichip installed from croydon racing developments in Sydney. i can only talk from experience.

I think wheels rated it at 13.98 and subaru claimed 14.01 on this model. (1/4 mile).

I also know someone on rexnet, that actually clocked a 13.78 in a stock MY03 also. again real world experience.

Im not sure then what the GTI would actually pull, as it got given a quoted time of 6.5 in one mag. And in the other mag.. I am pretty sure it lists the 6.9 sec time, but could this be the manufacturer's claims as they do this from time to time until they update the times with a real world time, when they finally get round to testing it.

[Beaker]

It's not unusual for some manufactuers to 'stack the deck' slightly Holden have been busted providing 'slightly hot' press cars before.