Looking to buy a CJ lancer...

lancer1993

lancer1993

Active Member
LOL I've seen some bad CJ drivers around here... but now I'm thinking of becoming one of them.

My CC coupe is becoming more and more annoying, need suspension work and I have a shopping list of mods I'd love to do when I can afford them and now its deciding to dump a heap of oil on the driveway overnight. So I'm not sure if it's worth spending more money and time on.

Anyway I've seen some early CJs going for $6-7k for the base model, just wondering if it's worth spending double that on a newer VRX badge with the bigger motor?

My pref list is for the 2.4 manual in sedan, and white... in that order. I can live with any color and a hatch but really want the manual and bigger engine.

I'm on the Sunshine coast.
 
Re: What are some common problems with lancers?

lancer1993 said:
LOL I've seen some bad CJ drivers around here... but now I'm thinking of becoming one of them.

My CC coupe.....
.
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After that point is irrelevant.



CJs are an awesome car. My only suggestion is maybe look at an LX or VRX as the goodies on those aren't as easily retrofitted as on older cars such as the CE or CH. It'll also save hassle if you want to eventually go double din headunit etc. Not to mention alloy wheels and the all important spoiler - if you're into that. Regardless they're a very solid car and good fun to cruise around in. Like Ryan said, check for unusual noises, suspension knocks etc and a good service history is most important. GL and let us know what you purchase!
 
CJ's are boringgggggg. They are good cars but they have 0 personality and life to them.

Also there are no 2.4L under 10k in QLD
 
 
Re: What are some common problems with lancers?

Ralliart is the ONLY auto box I'd buy, otherwise a manual for me!

Hugh-CE said:
lancer1993 said:
LOL I've seen some bad CJ drivers around here... but now I'm thinking of becoming one of them.

My CC coupe.....
.
Click to expand...
After that point is irrelevant.
Click to expand...
Because I drive a CC coupe ;)

CJs are an awesome car. My only suggestion is maybe look at an LX or VRX as the goodies on those aren't as easily retrofitted as on older cars such as the CE or CH. It'll also save hassle if you want to eventually go double din headunit etc. Not to mention alloy wheels and the all important spoiler - if you're into that.
Click to expand...
Do you mean they are harder to do like a double DIN in the VRX, I thought you just need a replacement surround bit to make them fit?
Sound system mods would be on my list, maybe wheels and soilers depending what they have. But first thing is a couple of cans of yellow on the brakes. ;)
I have noticed a lot of the parts are easier to get and often cheaper than the CC.

Regardless they're a very solid car and good fun to cruise around in. Like Ryan said, check for unusual noises, suspension knocks etc and a good service history is most important. GL and let us know what you purchase!
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Far from buying anything yet, first is to find out exactly what went wrong in the engine. Then a nice talk with a friendly bank before I can even start looking.

Might be able to manage about $100pw so maybe $13k or so. Would be nice to stretch it out to a Ralliart.
 
ralliart would be the way to go n my opinion, althouhg auto it would feel like an upgrade not a characterless heap like a regular CJ
 
Hugh-CE said:
Wtf happened to OP?!
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I split this into a new topic as it doesn't really have anything to do with common CJ Lancer problems (and got side tracked before I could post this)...
----------------------------
Things to keep in mind with the ES compared to the VRX:
*Interior is not as nice (plastic door handles, no map light, seats arent as good as VRX, plastic steering wheel, etc)
*No climate control aircon
*No auto lights and wipers
*Soft suspension (doesn't handle as well)
*Steel rims vs alloys
*No front air dams, side skirts and spoiler
*No steering wheel audio controls
*No bluetooth
*No privacy glass

Probably more that I have missed. You've then obviously got the VR and special editions that they did which fit somewhere between the ES and VRX in terms of appointment....

As for the 2L vs 2.4L, the 2.4L does supposedly have a bit more low to mid torque which would make it a bit more effortless accelerating around town but it does come at the cost of fuel economy. If you are wringing the neck out of it and keeping the revs up high during a spirited drive then I believe there isn't a huge difference between the 2L and 2.4L. Personally I would look for an MY08 2L VRX. Haven't looked lately but around $10k should be possible.
 
Thanks for the split, I didn't want to start (another) pointless thread.

Also thanks for the advice, I like the VRX has loads of toys over the ES. Kinda a shame they dropped it now in their current Lancer model range.

I guess the big thing is to have it checked and make sure the timing belt and other parts have been replaced on time.
When it comes to fuel usage I'm amazed they aren't more efficient, I know the CJ has more weight to lug around than my CC but around town mine is no worse off and it's 21 years old.
 
lancer1993 said:
Also thanks for the advice, I like the VRX has loads of toys over the ES. Kinda a shame they dropped it now in their current Lancer model range.

I guess the big thing is to have it checked and make sure the timing belt and other parts have been replaced on time.
When it comes to fuel usage I'm amazed they aren't more efficient, I know the CJ has more weight to lug around than my CC but around town mine is no worse off and it's 21 years old.
Click to expand...

Oh knew I had forgotten something, the early model CJ ES didn't have side and side curtain air bags...

The 4B11 and 4B12 motors have a timing chain and unless there is excessive noise it won't need replacing.

The CJs have a good extra 300-400kg extra weight, wider wheels, bigger body and not to mention more power. Anyways the fuel economy isn't that bad in the CJ, the 2.4L CHs used more from memory.
 
I can't believe how much they want for the new GSR hatch, about double what you can pay for a 4yo VRX.

The Ralliart are a nice idea at not much more than a good VRX but OMG it cost 4x as much to insure and you're lugging around 50% more weight than a CC at some 1500kg plus 10lt ore 100km is way more fuel for all that AWD fun.

rigby said:
CJ's are boringgggggg. They are good cars but they have 0 personality and life to them.
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Same can be said for stock CCs or just about any Lancer.
Maybe I looked in the mirror and realized I'm not 20yo any more.
Look I love my CC but I need to draw a line in the sand as to when it's not worth continuing with when I'm not looking at doing something like you have done.
Like I said nothing is set in stone yet, first I'll see what the oil leak is then decide if it's worth fixing, putting in the other engine or getting something newer.
I will miss the nice compact coupe, the CJ is some 30cm longer. And until I can afford a cat-back I'd have to live with a boring exhaust note.
 
Like that gold one with racing stripes?

I'd prefer something stock... thats the curse of doing mods, you may love them but it can make a car hard to sell.
 
I was looking very seriously at getting a Ralliart not long ago but there seem to be a lot of owners with broken TC-SST gearboxes. They cost a buttload to fix and even maintenance on a good one costs a lot. There are still good ones around obviously but it was too risky for me.
 
A Ralliart I saw on carsales.com.au had it's GB replaced along with a bunch of other work, yes they are expensive to run and repair.

I guess part of them being boring comes for traction control you can't truly, even though they have a switch.

I hate CVT transmissions, driven a new Pulsar with on, always feels like the clutch is slipping.
The flappy paddles in the Ralliart is probably more gimmick, adds weight and expense, nice for a test drive or on the tract, with the choice to switch to auto when stuck in city traffic.
Give me a manual any day, if I miss a gear or don't change down soon enough I know it's my fault and not the car.

If I go for this will all depend on what they find in my CCs engine, and what financing I can get. I'm willing to travel into Brisbane to get the right CJ.
 
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