2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Reviews, Pricing & Specs
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution rave about its outstanding performance, strong handling, and thrilling driving experience. Many love its turbocharged power, all-wheel-drive capability, and rally-inspired design. However, some drivers highlight concerns about high maintenance costs, fuel economy, and a plain interior. Overall, it's viewed as a fun, practical performance car that is great for both daily driving and spirited performance."
Hands down the best car I have ever owned. This car literally makes you feel like you are driving on rails; that's how well it handles. There was never a car that I ran into on a daily basis that I felt I couldn't beat.
June 25, 2008The Evo is a practical way to have the performance of a supercar and the practicality of sedan in a reasonably priced, easy to maintain and usable package. In stock form the car is no slouch, but the iron block 4g63T motor has been overbuilt from the factory to such an extent that in stock form it barely breaks a sweat. To put the strength of the Evo drivetrain in perspective, there are extreme examples of Evo's with stock internals pushing 660hp to the wheels, or around 750hp at the crank on stock internals. With built internals, anywhere between 400 and 1500hp is possible. Performance is about more than just power though. Unless the vehicle can put the power to the pavement, it is nothing more than an expensive burnout machine. The AWD system in an Evo makes sure the power can be put down much more easily, making it possible to get into the power early at an apex and haul ass out of a corner without worrying about power oversteer landing rear end fist into the wall. When it was released in 2003, the Evo had the shortest 60-0 stopping distance (110ft)of any factory production car (tieing with the Ferrari 360 Modena at the time) and lateral grip of 0.95-0.99G on the skidpad. With better tires both of those can be improved significantly in the aftermarket. The steering feel is enhanced by a very short 13:1 ratio steering rack with over 200 additional seam welds compared to the standard Lancer the Evo has an extremely rigid chassis. The car handles very well in stock form and the rigid chassis and great steering set a fantastic platform from which to set upgraded aftermarket suspension. Overall, a very usable, practical, and inexpensive way to go fast and have fun :-)
February 20, 2009I love this car, it handles, looks good, and get's me in a lot of trouble
April 10, 2008What owners say
Hands down the best car I have ever owned. This car literally makes you feel like you are driving on rails; that's how well it handles. There was never a car that I ran into on a daily basis that I felt I couldn't beat.
June 25, 2008The Evo is a practical way to have the performance of a supercar and the practicality of sedan in a reasonably priced, easy to maintain and usable package. In stock form the car is no slouch, but the iron block 4g63T motor has been overbuilt from the factory to such an extent that in stock form it barely breaks a sweat. To put the strength of the Evo drivetrain in perspective, there are extreme examples of Evo's with stock internals pushing 660hp to the wheels, or around 750hp at the crank on stock internals. With built internals, anywhere between 400 and 1500hp is possible. Performance is about more than just power though. Unless the vehicle can put the power to the pavement, it is nothing more than an expensive burnout machine. The AWD system in an Evo makes sure the power can be put down much more easily, making it possible to get into the power early at an apex and haul ass out of a corner without worrying about power oversteer landing rear end fist into the wall. When it was released in 2003, the Evo had the shortest 60-0 stopping distance (110ft)of any factory production car (tieing with the Ferrari 360 Modena at the time) and lateral grip of 0.95-0.99G on the skidpad. With better tires both of those can be improved significantly in the aftermarket. The steering feel is enhanced by a very short 13:1 ratio steering rack with over 200 additional seam welds compared to the standard Lancer the Evo has an extremely rigid chassis. The car handles very well in stock form and the rigid chassis and great steering set a fantastic platform from which to set upgraded aftermarket suspension. Overall, a very usable, practical, and inexpensive way to go fast and have fun :-)
February 20, 2009I love this car, it handles, looks good, and get's me in a lot of trouble
April 10, 2008Performance was amazing! The 4G63 4-cylinder turbo charged engine was a incredible! 271-hp, All- wheel drive, Turbo-charged and inter cooled. I loved everything about this car. This car screamed performance! Nothing on the domestic market could beat it off the line or in acceleration, except its arch-enemy the subaru wrx sti. I topped it out at 157 mph in near stock mode. Gotta Love the Evo. I miss this car so damn much. I'm gonna get another in the not too distant future. Put that on everything.
August 29, 2010What's not to love about this car, fast for the weekend "Events" and able to take the kids to school during the week and get the groceries. This is a high maintenance car and don't expect the insurance to be cheap. Some Insurance companies deny you coverage as soon as they hear the model. (Gieco)
September 10, 2010Awesome acceleration, handling, braking. The ultimate performance car for under 30k
May 11, 2008The fun factor makes it easy to overlook the shortcomings. Love the drive train durability and power, plus TONS of aftermarket support. Don't like the chintzy interior materials that look cheap. Braking comes alive with the right pads. Gas mileage is not good, but is abysmal (5-7mpg) at the track. Tranny is a weak spot - got a 1st-to-2nd grind.
August 23, 2009FQ300 with mitsubishi 30 HP upgrade. Boost improved giving a 0 to 60 MPH time of 4.3 seconds and a 0 to 100 MPH time of just over 11 seconds. Active yaw control gives the car precise and very good control in all normal conditions but the big tyres can be a pain when the black stuff gets a bit slippy with either snow or ice. It pulls like a train in all 6 gears and if you get the changes right there will not be many cars which can keep up with it, especially when it comes to the twisty bits.
January 19, 2009This car is amazing. I love everything about it except for the spoiler blocking the rear view. It's got a great suspension setup although a little harsh for a daily driver and it's very functional with large trunk, four doors and AWD for the winter. It can be easily modified to super car performance specs and gets 20+ mpg. I sold this one but plan on buying a white 05 in a year or so minus the boy racer wing.
March 5, 2008Performance- Acceleration is nasty thanks to 2 step and the tune, braking is also great because i have drilled slotted rotors with brembo calipers, and handling is absolutely awesome since it is all wheel drive with a 80/20 diff. Build Quality- Car is in outstanding shape seeing how it was damn near totaled in Wisconsin a few years ago. Appearance- Styling is great in and out, minor mods inside and full body kit on the outside with Bremmerkraft Wheels. Fun Factor- Overall wouldnt side with any othe vehicle. This car is a great DD and is fun as hell to drive. Also the space is great since it is a sedan.
April 23, 2012Trims & specs
Base MSRP $31,274 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 276 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 10.2 cu ft |
Combined MPG 20 | Drivetrain AWD |
