Hyaenidae

Please don't butcher a perfectly fine CS1... just sell it and go for a CS2 EFI/CS3.

Original

IDK if this applies to @misnad's car but the equivalent for the OEM coolant for my car is Valvoline Zerex: https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/Document/18452/803a8057-fe75-e711-9c10-ac162d889bd3/d5fc71df-0cbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1 The same manufacturer (Valvoline) makes another coolant that says "for all makes and models" but it contains silicates; which, according to my users' manual, should not be used: https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/Document/18452/823b8057-fe75-e711-9c10-ac162d889bd3/4d51a061-0dbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1 So the same popular and reputed manufacturer makes both compatible and incompatible coolants, at least in my case

What does your users manual say? Mine says: MITSUBISHI MOTORS GENUINE SUPER LONG LIFE COOLANT PREMIUM or equivalent* *similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant with long life hybrid organic acid technology. So as long as the manufacturer of the coolant has specified that the coolant is HOAT and doesn't contain silicates, amines, nitrates or borates the coolant is compatible. Example equivalent I've found : https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/Document/18452/803a8057-fe75-e711-9c10-ac162d889bd3/d5fc71df-0cbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1 So see if your manufacturer has specified something similar and if the "bear brand" meets those specifics.

Usually it's the other way around right? (I mean, higher the air pressure is, rougher the ride)

If it's a Toyota or Mitsubishi I suppose you can get it done by the agent; both agents have workshops in Kandy

Nissans are notorious for CVT issues though... I agree CVTs have been around for a while but the latest iteration of Lancer - the CY series - has suffered many CVT related issues (thankfully, agent didn't import the CVT CY to Sri Lanka) https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/lancer-tranny-drivetrain-tech/656040-cvt-transmission-problems.html Interestingly, the manufacturer of that particular transmission is JATCO - one that manufactures transmissions for Nissan. This is not to say the CVT CS1 is prone to failures - It just seems to me that CVTs hasn't caught up to manuals or conventional autos when it comes to ruggedness / resilience.

Congratulations! I third this

Well, CVTs aren't as abuse-proof as manuals or conventional autos, regardless of the brand. You'll have to make sure the car has been well taken care of before buying a CVT (this is true for manuals too but I think you get the point - manuals are more "resistant" when it comes to harsh conditions) But I don't think you'll have to worry about parts availability though, I mean it's not like recon spares are hard to come by - the Mitsubishi agent still supports the CS series so you can let the "dealer take care of all repairs and stuff" as Irage said but the caveat is that brand new parts cost a ton compared to recon parts. That said, a Lancer of this vintage which has been maintained at least to a marginally acceptable level needing a complete replacement or rebuild of the transmission is very, very unlikely.

AFAIK the auto gearbox in CS series is what you call a "manumatic", not CVT. There are two INVECS - II gearboxes, INVECS - II Automatic and Manumatic. We have the Automatics on our CY series, CVT was only available on INVECS - III series. I could be wrong though... @Sampath Gunasekera can give a definitive answer I think

Congrats on your 500th post!

1. @Sampath Gunasekera 's CS1 has an INVECS-II Tiptronic transmission, AFAIK no trouble after 100,000+ kms. 2.

He speaks from his experience (and his preferences) rather than facts Most of his car reviews are for USA market-specific versions of what we have here. I've found John Cadogan a much better car reviewer than Scotty, he is way more entertaining

D7B47FBF

@Sampath Gunasekera had 2 elites, he should know for sure

Can't expect more than that in the city limits. I've been told it does 14-16 under mixed conditions

Very bad combination if you're weight-conscious

So are you set on one of these cars? Because for a 2.0 - 2.2 mil budget I wouldn't consider Japanese cars if I'm trying to save on cash because: - High probability of needing major repairs - Spare parts are hard to come by: have to wander around searching for recon spares - Most Jap cars in this price range are abused to death by now So if I were you I'd be looking at a Perodua Viva 2012+ one for 2.2mil. You'll be able to find one a 1st - 3rd owner car with service records and It still has the agent support too. If you can extend your budget to 2.3-2.4 mil you can go for a 2015+ Axia.

There ain't no Sri Lankan who isn't a Sambola fan

Thanks for the responses, everyone. @K.o.N.o.S @Crosswind Couldn't find a battery shop which carries Yuasa or Global... Only choices I have are Exide, Amaron, and Lucas. Battery shop guys swear left and right that Amaron battery returns are practically zero and they've never had complaints of battery explosion, which is my biggest worry. The Exide 65Ah battery could be fitted by removing the battery tray (suggested by the battery shop) which I don't think is a good idea. The purpose of the tray I think is to prevent possible fluid spills reaching the metal parts of the engine bay, the battery could be fitted with the battery holder without the tray in place. Not going to do it anyway. I can feel the starter motor straining to start the engine so I'm going to replace the battery today evening before it takes the starter motor with it. Finally decided to take a chance and go for the Amaron 55D23L. Here's hoping the Amaron battery won't bathe my engine bay with sulfuric acid. I'll seriously consider castrating the owner of the battery shop if that happens.

IKR? Except for the rank amateur paint job on the rear bumper, everything looks awesome af.

All CS2s are not GDI, CS2 EFI versions are as reliable as CS1 and CS3 versions Refer to this thread: http://www.elakiri.lk/forum/showpost.php?p=24037798&postcount=1

So gents, my OEM factory fitted Hitachi battery seems to be on its last legs... cold starts are slightly hesitant, not as crisp as I'm used to; the fuel level gauge takes a few seconds to read the level; the voltage drops below 9 when cranking. No problemmo. I'll just buy a new one before OEM one totally craps out so I have a replacement, right? Having read this thread beforehand imagine my horror when I see that the battery code says its a "55D23L" in other words, 55Din Low profile. Holy car gods, I'm gonna get stuck with Amaron! Made a visit to the battery shop and it is confirmed, my battery tray doesn't support the Exide 65Ah battery which is 10inch long. The only one that fits is the Amaron 55D23L 60Ah battery (OEM one was 60Ah too). Exide one costs 15500/= , Amaron one costs 17500/=. They would buy back my exhausted battery for 1500/=. Is there anything I could do besides buying the Amaron one? On the plus side, their Amaron 55D23L battery stock is only a month old, made in 2019/06. Exide one doesn't have a manufactured date. Warranty for the Amaron battery is 24 months + 12 months added warranty which I suspect the discount period @Crosswind mentioned. Exide one has a warranty of 18 months. @K.o.N.o.S @Davy @trinity

You already know what I'm gonna go with if I'm the OP Huge lancer fan because once you own one you are hooked. Even if you enjoy far sportier and comfier cars that is one car that has the ability to secure its place in your heart. It's the newest car in OP's list, and all CS1 and CS3s were imported brand new. Although, finding one that has been well taken care of is gonna be somewhat of a challenge because the kind of owners who take well care of the car wouldn't sell it easily; yesterday I saw a Lancer advertised for sale that has been run 190,000kms and it was the 1st owner who was selling the car! The ad said the car was maintained by the agent throughout, it looked like an absolute minter. that, and the small number of imports means a long wait for a decent one to pop on adverts. The agent for Mitsubishi is quite agreeable. They don't charge exorbitant "service charges", have quite reasonable prices when it comes to consumables (oils, filters, that kind of stuff - spare parts too, when compared with other agents) they don't push you unnecessary repairs, let you be near the car when they're working on it if you want to, has an islandwide network of workshops. They're quite good when it comes to service recalls too, I had mine called in for a minor recall once, I remember cars sold in 2005 being recalled in 2016. It's reliable as much as any Japanese car out there, it's a time-tested and proven car under harsh Sri Lankan driving conditions. The deciding factor is how the car has been taken care of. I've seen many CS1 cars that were absolute minters, like Sampath's CS1 and the CS1 I found for a fellow autolanka member . If you can find a similar CS2 or a CS3 you'll have no reliability issues. Fuel economy wise, it's similar to any non-hybrid sedan in 1500CC-1600CC range. All in all, my 2 cents is, go for the Lancer if you can find one that has been reasonably taken care of.

Well the A15 is quite comfy compared to the VIOS, so there is that