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Mitsubishi Lancer CE (1996-2003) has been discontinued. See the Best Sedans.
Part of Mitsubishi Lancer 4.2 
2Mitsubishi Lancer CE

Mitsubishi Lancer CE (1996-2003)

 Verified
2Mitsubishi Lancer CE
4.4

15 reviews

Positive vs Negative
94%6%0%
Build Quality
4.4
Value for Money
5.0
Noise Level
3.4
mandyjane
mandyjane13 posts
  CE

Mitsubishi Lancer Ce Coupe ♥️ – Im car dealer and highly recommend these cars. Very low maintenance and if you need to fix or replace something there's heaps of parts and it's cheap. Very good on fuel and handling. If you want reliability and low maintenance and looks this car is for you. Show details

Dominic N.
Dominic N.VIC3 posts
  CE

Solid 1st car – I hate it because it doesn't at all suit my needs. I want to buy a new car, but am waiting for this one to die first. I have treated it so poorly, spent very little money on it, and spent no time washing or detailing it. The damned thing won't die. I've had it since I was 17, I'm now 22. I've serviced it maybe twice, if that. I drive it short… Read more

distances, I drive it long distances, and it won't bloody die.

If the size of this car suits your needs, and you're on a budget, I could not recommend it more, it will get you from A to B until you are resting on your deathbed, wondering how the engine still turns over.

The one genuine complaint I have is that with mine (4-door 2001 CE), the rear seats don't fold down. Absolute pain. Also no remote locking, so I've locked my keys in the car very often. Make spares.

It has never broken down and even when it has been sick as a dog, it still got me to and from Melbourne (from Bendigo) 4 times in a week.

What I have had to repair/replace: - Bushes that would have already been cooked when I bought it (cheap as chips) - Spark plugs - Tyres - Honestly, not sure because it's been so minor I can't remember

I mean for God's sake, I've driven it up to Byron Bay and Sydney half a dozen times, and even when I had a service done last year, they said the brakes were still at 75% odd. I have never replaced them.

It's a great little go-er, but be warned: if you buy it and decide you will drive it until it dies, that's a greater commitment than marriage.

Tyrone Bandara
Tyrone BandaraQLD28 posts
  CE

Very well built cars – I've had 3 of these cars in the last 11 years. They tick all the boxes of a reliable buzz box. I always end up going back to one of these. Classic 90s japanese car with a simple functional design. Show details

Dave
DaveNSW4 posts
  CE

Reliable, cheap on fuel, economical and sporty – I use my CE Mitsubishi lancer frequently to and from work, long drives down the coast to see family and occasional surfing trip. I have had the car serviced on the due dates with no faults mentioned by my mechanic. It's no v8 but it's perfect for me. I highly recommend this vehicle for the average family. Show details

Katie
KatieSA4 posts
  CE

Affordable luxury – This car has great fuel consumption and is a pleasure to drive. It has so many options that contribute to the overall quality of the vehicle making it feel and drive like a luxury car. At a great price it definitely puts it ahead of the competition. Recommend a test drive if in the market for a new sedan as I’m sure like myself you won’t be disappointed. Show details

Vlad
Vlad
  CE

Reliable Car – I bought Mitsubishi Lancer Limited Edition with about 65,000 kms and sold it at 208,000 and never has let me down very reliable car with good handling, fuel economy and performance, although it was serviced almost every time on time. And never had a bigger service than $1300 when the timing belt was done usually up from $150-$500 depending what needed changing. I would recommend it.  Show details

Raychiiee
RaychiieeQLD9 posts
  CE

A great little car – It's a great little car haven't had any issues with it neither did the previous owner it's a great car to drive it's reliable and very cheap on fuel. It's not overly spacious inside so if installing a car seat it is a bit squishy there's enough leg room but if you have a tall driver or passenger it makes the leg room in the back seat very limited… Read more

also the back seats are slanted towards the back making installation of a car seat difficult and the car seat unstable but overall it's a great car to have and to drive.

Stevos
Stevos2 posts
  CE

Lowered Shockers and springs – Will lowered shockers and springs suited to suit a 1999 lancer CE fit a 2001 lancer CE. Wondering about this as I've been asked if I want an unopened new set but stuck as I'm not 100% if they will fit. Thanks heaps, can't wait for what you all have to say!  Show details

Shaun
Shaun2 posts
  CE

My first glxi, had two gli before – haha, I bought one in very good condition a week back, has done 190ks but was with old couple and is terrific inside and out. Surprisingly auto is fast and responsive with gas pedal and more surprisingly it returned 230kms in $25 fuel. Verified this economy twice and it's awesome. No wonder why so many rally cars have been Mitsubishi's.  Show details

Azza
Azza
  CE

Dependable and low total cost of ownership – We've had a few of these car's as we had a great run with the first two which were purchased new, both of us travel around 1500 - 2000k's a week each for work. The two we purchased new both travelled over 400,000km before trading and we honestly couldn't have been happier, the third we purchased second hand and has now done just over 250,000km.… Read more

Faults are few and far between, it is worth selecting a quality tyre is as they are prone to tyre noise being a cheaper vehicle, headlights don't set the world on fire either. Servicing costs very impressive, other than batteries every few years and a wheel baring we can't recall any unexpected servicing and certainly never a breakdown.

lilypie
lilypie66 posts
  CE

Good – This is a great little car for city driving. Not so great for longer road trips, but if you're looking for something to get you from A to B without costing much and is able to get into even the smallest parking space - the car for you! Great visibility out of all windows and no blind spots. It can be a bit crampy in the back and a car full of… Read more

adults makes the Lancer a bit sluggish. A great city car - easy to get around and park in small spaces & fuel economy is wonderful A bit low on power, crampy in the back seats

mikeo
mikeo4 posts
  CE

Good – Other than an aircon compressor -$1500 - and a disc pad that came loose we have spent nothing other than regular services over 3 examples that we have had. I like that! It gets up & goes every time! We have our 3rd - solid, reliable & economical - 480km on 33 litres from new to now 90,000km. I am tall my wife is short, As such I need front legroom… Read more

& this is one of the reasons we bought & bought & bought - 43 in a row! NVH could be better but is reflected by it's low price - some road noise does come through. A good tyre choice helps make this acceptable but it can be intrusive with a "cheap" tyre.

shian36au
shian36au8 posts
  CE

Excellent – I bought the car a year ago and totally adore it :) Everything totally love it :)

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Dodz77
Dodz772 posts
  CE

OK – Car drive okay, but electric window should be standard for that price (compare to other car in the same market). Suspension at the back start have funny noise after 2 years. I used the car daily and it is easy to maintain and very reliable. Engine quite powerful for those engine size and petrol not to bad for city. Air Conditioning even I put… Read more

in for front only, but still have air come out from the foot. The brake quite good and comes with standard Air Bag safety. Overall, great car to buy at that price, only few minor disadvantage. Model, style, engine power ES model for that price not with Electric Windows

sano2sano
sano2sano2 posts
  CE

Excellent – Very reliable and sturdy, the only problem i have had in 5 years on a 10 year old car is oil usage, it does not leak but it burns a fair amount, the efficiency is not too great but also not too bad I still get 100 km on $9.00 0f petrol @ $1.25 per litre. Good second hand car The automatic gears can tend to stay in a low gear for too long forcing you to accelerate too much to get it to upshift. Show details

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