SRSport

Anyone had one? I've never seen one except on the TV. As a rival to the WRX with 240bhp I think it looks far more impressive. Available in hatch form as well it is a serious contender for my next family car.

john banks

Small single scroll turbo, softer cams and suspension and lower spec brakes, plus simplified diff arrangements compared to an Evo X IIRC.

This may not matter, but it isn't simply an Evo X with a detuned ECU (unfortunately!)

SRSport

There is a lot more unsprung weight as well compared to the Evo X due to steel being used where the Evo uses alloys. The brakes are also like milk bottle tops when lined up against the Evos multipot Brembos but I've read that the biggest problem with it is being compared to an Evo rather than a normal family car with added poke. To be honest any car that people even start comparing to an Evo is doing pretty well for itself.

Of course if I could afford an Evo X I would buy one but for the same age and milage you are looking at £18k compared to the Ralliarts £10k so its not really a fair comparison.

I would be most interested to know how it measures up to the WRX hatch as this is its main rival. With the WRXs lackluster looks and chocolate engines it needs to be a seriously superior drive to make it a more appealing prospect.

SRSport

The good thing about that is that there are readily available maps that will take it back up to Evo power levels for very little outlay.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

i had one and its a pretty good car, its a wrx version of the evo really.
nice interior and stuff

SRSport

That is a great picture. Ive been looking at prices on the Mitsubishi used car website and the prices between the Evo X and the Ralliart are closer than I thought. The problem for me is that I need the space of a hatch/wagon which is only available with the Ralliart.

SRSport

Tubbytommy, I would be interested to know more about your experience with it. Running costs, any reliability issues, driving compared to the Impreza etc.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Mixed review on this one.

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/archive/mi...alliart-review

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

it was ok.
much better interior and equipment than a wrx hatch impreza and looked better in my opinion.
reliabilty wise no problems but it was nearly new and done 8000 miles.
its no way as fast as an sti impreza and the handling is set up for comfort.

about 30 mpg on a good day,but it was 4wd and dsg box so to be expected.

i quite liked it as it was different and the hatchback was useful and the seats and built in sat nav hard disc stereo was pretty good.

make no mistake though, the evo and ralliart are worlds apart.

SRSport

Im struggling to think of a replacement for my Mercedes B200 Turbo. I will want to get rid of it before next winter comes and have been put off buying anything German as they have such poor reliability. The hatch is the shape Im after and apart from the WRX which In my opinion comes second here, cant think of anything else.

Saying that I need to think about how much extra fuel it will cost me as well as the resale value should petrol prices rise again with something like a Mitsubishi. This is where the German cars claw back some of the expense I would inevitably outlay with putting them right.

john banks

S3?

SRSport

German and a lot more expensive for similar age/milage unfortunately.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

test drive one, its very similar to a wrx hatch impreza.
similar mpg,insurance etc but better interior and equipment and very rare.

SRSport

I do end up going for rare(ish) cars. Ive never seen another B200 Turbo, in fact when I was looking there were only 6 in the country for sale and the total numbers built in manual were around 75! The car before, the Hawkeye R Sport wasnt exactly common and the Ford Cougar V6 was another minority car, so the Ralliart hatch may well be beckoning.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

its a good car but dont get in it expecting it to be like an impreza, my blob sti would destroy it on the road.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

BMW 135i hatch

SRSport

A blob STI would destroy a WRX hatch as well to be fair. Im wondering if its main problem is that it was called a Ralliart. If they gave it an unassuming name such as Lancer LR then people would probably think more of it.

SRSport

Too small, far too expensive.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

its aimed at focus st's and the like.

i would say its faster from launch due to 4wd and as good when moving due to dsg box.

the hatchback is quite usefull too. mpg is pretty crap though

SRSport

Just noticed this Evo X. Within touching distance of my £9K budget. If only they made a hatch version.

SRSport

This is the down side. I have to work out what will likely cost more over the period of ownership. Mitsubishi reliability, poor fuel economy and likely fast depreciation vs the inevitable high repair bills with the German cars.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

reliability is awesome, im not sure the depriciation will be that bad as your getting it a few years old so the scary part has gone.

but mpg is not much better than an impreza but it is a turbo charged 4wd car.

SRSport

The S3 is 4wd and Turbocharged if I recall and that manages very decent economy, well on paper anyway. Why cant the Japanese manage it?