New modus transportatus

[Nunyas]

Those of you who browse the MG forum probably already know that my 1976 MGB daily driver (and only car) was "totaled" a couple of weeks ago. I had nearly gotten the car to a state that I would have called "perfection". It lacked 3 major items, new dash pad, new soft top, and new paint. Having gotten the car that close, it was disheartening to have it ripped away from me in the few short milliseconds of the accident. After all the work, blood, sweat, and tears that I put into the car I just don't have the desire to pick up another LBC right away and start working on it. So, I've resigned myself to driving something "new", and decided to only window shop for LBCs that tickle my fancy until I have better provisions to keeping one.

On to the point of my post...

I've purchased a "Graphite Grey" 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS w/ 5 spd Manual transmission for my daily driver. I rode in the CVT equipped car and it was decidedly appalling compared to the manual. For a FWD car, it handles quite nicely, but I doubt it'll come close to how my B was handling prior to its demise.

It'll never be a true replacement for the B, but it still manages to put a grin on my face (though not quite as big as the ones I got with the B) while driving.

Here's a "stock" photo of the car:

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Mitsu's are good stock. The wife has an '03 Montero Sport, and while the ride can be a bit harsh in the back seat, overall we're pleased (just paid it off, too! :G).

Keep us posted as to how it fares.

 

[sparkydave]

Nice ride! Like the color.

 

[drooartz]

I like the look of those new Lancers. Hope it works out well for you.

 

[aeronca65t]

Nice!

I raced a ~Grey Mitsu~ (Colt)in the mid-80s. It was bulletproof.

It may be hard to admit, but many of us need a "normal" daily-driver first...especially if there is a significant commute (mine's a Miata).
Gotta be able to get to work! Otherwise, you won't *have* any money for an LBC. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

G'luck with it!

 

[Nunyas]

was just going through the documentation that comes with the car... 7500 miles before the first service interval...

 

[drooartz]

Modern cars do have some benefits... even my decidedly lo-tech Hyundai is pretty much wash-and-wear.

 

[DrEntropy]

Downright scary. Mitsuwooshy! Pro'lly be able to run it for decades if ya choose to.

Whatta ya gonna do now, with all that free time, Rob?!?! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

 

[Nunyas]

I'm thinking I might start counting the strands in my carpet...

oops better get started!

 

[GregW]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Whatta ya gonna do now, with all that free time, Rob?!?! [/QUOTE]
You could always finish your 3D model of the B.

 

[kennypinkerton]

Looks nice. Does it have the flappy paddle shifter? Did you ever get the MGB back, or did the insurance company keep it?

 

[Nunyas]

I had/have the option to buy it back, but I have no place to put it....


I bought the 5spd manual. I skipped the "Paddle Shifter" version because it is a CVT, and the paddles are there for ... what I deem to be "poser" use, I.E. those that don't know how to shift to pretend they're shifting. Plus, I really didn't like how the CVT felt prior to driving the 5spd. That and a lot less HP get to the wheels in a CVT than it does in the 5spd.

 

[Nunyas]

I've got more driving time with the car. Mostly 'daily use' driving.

Oh yeah, the 5spd is considered (even by Mitsu) to be the "tried and true" transmission and the more sturdy unit.

An interesting fact I found out about the CVT transmission, it is "NOT serviceable" by any of the dealerships/service depts. So, basically the CVT trannies are disposable... well... maybe not. Most likely what happens is the 'broken' unit gets sent back to the factory to be rebuilt.

While on the subject of transmissions. I liked the feel of the MGB shifter more. It was less 'springy' feeling, and felt a little more precise. I think the throws are about the same, though the Mitsu might be slightly longer (feels like I'm reaching for the glove box when I go to 5th). The positioning of the MGB shifter is MUCH better IMO. I'm still getting used to dropping my hand down to knee level to grab the shifter, and not being able to touch the shifter and the wheel at the same time with my right hand.

Another thing I've noticed; while I had minor issues with the pedals being almost too close in the MGB, the Mitsu's pedals are too far apart for the heel-toe movements that I'm use to. The pedals are spaced so far apart, I think I actually have to use my heel and toe to hit both. Plus, the throttle is positioned lower than the brake when both are at rest. So, that makes foot work a lot different for me.

The Mitsu isn't as exciting as the MGB, but it does have it's perks... I can have more than 1 passenger at a time in the car. And the trunk is fricken HUGE. I can fit in there comfortably, and I can put two of my Asian lady friends in there with room to spare :thumbsup: Also, if I haul something too big for the trunk the back seats fold down for additional room.

Another thing I don't really like, I'm sitting HIGH in this car. I feel like I'm almost eye-to-eye with a lot of mini-vans I'm not, really, but it feels like it.

Fuel economy is better than it was in the MGB, but not nearly as good as I thought. The best I've managed so far is 20MPG. That's better than the 16 average in the city I got in the MGB, but still not that great. Maybe I just have too much lead in my right shoe or maybe I just spend too much time idling at lights or something...

One interesting thing I noticed the other day is the engine in this Mitsu has a certain quality to sound to it running that is very MGB'ish. It runs a LOT quieter, but it still has a very sewing machine quality to the sound it makes at idle. It kind of gives the car some "character" that most of us like to have in our cars but find most new cars lacking.

The exhaust is too quiet though. I like to have some sound coming from the back of the car. I like to know I'm driving a car that has a proper engine in it. The exhaust is completely silent... I don't like that...

 

[GregW]

And the trunk is fricken HUGE. I can fit in there comfortably, and I can put two of my Asian lady friends in there with room to spare :thumbsup: ...

Next time the three of you are in the trunk, get some photos.

 

[kennypinkerton]

Sounds like you're having some fun learning your new car. Mistu's do have a slightly spongey shifter to them (did in my old eagle talon/eclipse anyway). I do agree that a classic manual transmission is the way to go on most modern 4 cylinder cars (or even some v-6's). I didn't know the flappy paddle shift car was a CVT. Good choice staying away from those.

I noticed the high sitting position while riding in my sister's ford focus. Practically mini-van like. and definately weird for such a small car.

I'm sure you could get a nice cat-back exhaust system that'd up the volume some. Just be careful of taking advise from the internet about which one to get - some people actually like that angry bumblebee in a coffee can sound that comes from those $50 auction site mufflers.

 

[Nunyas]

yeah... I know... I'd rather not drive around sounding like I have a kazoo orchestra following me everywhere...

 

[GregW]

Magnaflow baby!

 

[Nunyas]

funny you mention that. I've been eyeballing an 'axle back' that happens to use a Magnaflow muffler

 

[Camshaft]

funny you mention that. I've been eyeballing an 'axle back' that happens to use a Magnaflow muffler

I always liked the subdued sound of the Magnapack mufflers.

 

[GregW]

Hi Rob,
I think I posted this video over in the MG forum a while back, but in case you didn't see it (or I'm on crack) here is my Healey with the small dual Magnaflows. I like the sound much better than Flowmasters.

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