Buying 09 Ralliart used

[#1guinfan]

I'm going to be buying a used 09 Ralliart in the next week or two. Comes in rotor glow, with premium pkg, 12k km. Canadian vehicle.
Anyways, just wondering what I need to know about the vehicle, and what I should ask at purchase. I had budgeted for a new 2010 GTS, however the ralliart I have found is far too good a deal to pass up. As a result, I am somewhat under educated about the ralliart - so any info (warranty, part issues, performance, other concerns/suggestions) that can be given would be great.

Also to note, I am only 5'6 - would this be a concern given some of the complaints regarding the racaro seats? Anyone of similar stature have issue with the non-hieght adjusting seats?

And I will be looking into purchase some winter tires/rims, what should I look at that comes at a reasonably low price - i want to limit just how much i spend here so I can get some slick summer treads next may/june.

[odin]

Originally Posted by #1guinfan

I'm going to be buying a used 09 Ralliart in the next week or two. Comes in rotor glow, with premium pkg, 12k km. Canadian vehicle.
Anyways, just wondering what I need to know about the vehicle, and what I should ask at purchase. I had budgeted for a new 2010 GTS, however the ralliart I have found is far too good a deal to pass up. As a result, I am somewhat under educated about the ralliart - so any info (warranty, part issues, performance, other concerns/suggestions) that can be given would be great.

Also to note, I am only 5'6 - would this be a concern given some of the complaints regarding the racaro seats? Anyone of similar stature have issue with the non-hieght adjusting seats?

And I will be looking into purchase some winter tires/rims, what should I look at that comes at a reasonably low price - i want to limit just how much i spend here so I can get some slick summer treads next may/june.

Awesome, man! Congratulations you will be having a great ride!
Well, I just purchased mine (2010 Sportback RA) last Friday and will pick it up from local dealer next week though, so sorry not much info I could offer here... But, I did test drive and the recaro seat is just fine for me and feels great! (I'm 5'5, so you will be fine) The warranty of RA is the same as EvoX which i don't think it's fair at all anyway...other dudes should be providing more info you need. Enjoy ur RA

[RA Glows]

There are a few recalls on the car. the biggest one being the fuel pipe but other then that I haven't had any major/minor parts issues and I have 20,000 miles on my car (DD).


Performance wise if have never been in one of the more stellar sports cars eg. EVO, STI
RX8's and so on then you won't be too happy with the performance on the RA. If you have not driven one of these cars then you will love it. Then again it depends on your motives for buying the car. I think it sizes up next to its competitors pretty well especially in the suspension and AWD.

Theres some nice mods out there that can change the feel of the car read around.

[jkennedy293]

Just prepare yourself with maintenance costs. Per Mitsubishi, every 30,000 just about all the fluids have to be changed. This includes the transfer case, rear diff, and TC-SST. I'm not sure if these are easy do in your driveway, but expect to pay around $300USD or more at the dealership.

[brads09lancerGT]

Congrats. You will love the RA, it is so much fun to drive. Be prepared for a few extra costs compared to the RA. The RA uses premium gasoline(91 or higher but runs best on 94 octane IMO) and gets about 18-27mpg depending on amount of city/h-way driving and how heavy your foot is, so be prepared for quite a bit higher fuel costs then the GTS. Also insurance will be more expensive for the RA over the GTS(mine costs $30/month more for RA). The RA warranty is only 5/3/5 instead of 10/5/5 that u get on the GTS. If u've never driven in the Recaro seats, they might take some getting used to. Some people find them difficult to get in and out of and with the height thing, my better half is only 5'6" and she has no trouble with vision issues. Good luck and post pics when u get it.

BTW where in Canuckistan are u located?

[#1guinfan]

located in southern ontario. Hence the concern about winter tires

brad - did you encounter the fuel pipe recall with your RA? How much do you spend/month on fuel?
Anyone else from the great white north/general area with weather similar that has caused any issues for thier RA?

[laksman91]

^ If you don't mind asking, how much is the car going/selling for?

For winter tires. On a budget: 205-60-16 tires on 16" steelies.

[brads09lancerGT]

Originally Posted by #1guinfan

located in southern ontario. Hence the concern about winter tires

brad - did you encounter the fuel pipe recall with your RA? How much do you spend/month on fuel?
Anyone else from the great white north/general area with weather similar that has caused any issues for thier RA?

I didn't get the fuel pipe recall. It is for cars manufactured before Jan.29/09 and my car was manufactured June 09. I do have to get the AWC reflash but that isn't a big issue. I spend approx $150-200/ month on fuel but that is with mostly h-way driving and only 10 km/h over the speed limit. I got Continental Extreme Winter Contact 205/60R16 on steels last winter. The Conti cost $100 each(or close to) and the steels cost $35 or $40 each can't remember which one. The Continentals were awesome in snow and on ice on my GTS(will be better with AWD I'd assume) and that was with going to the ski hill and on other not well maintaned roads in the winter. I've tried Blizzaks too and they are great too but a little more $$$. Can't say about other tires cause I've only tried the 2. The steels aren't pretty but I didn't want to spend the extra $250 for a cheap set of alloy rims.

[DetroitRA]

Originally Posted by #1guinfan

Anyone else from the great white north/general area with weather similar that has caused any issues for thier RA?

You may want to get the AWC reflash for cold weather environments. It'll help in extreme cold weather conditions drastically, supposidly. TSB # is SC-09-002, if they didn't do it for the RA already.

Originally Posted by laksman91

For winter tires. On a budget: 205-60-16 tires on 16" steelies.

+1.

Also, you could even grab a set of junk yard rims. Just make sure the bolt pattern is 5x114.3. Wheel size is 16x6 to 16x7 for 205/60s

And finally, congrats on the purchase! You'll grow to love the RA like most of us already have . Don't forget to take pictures and contribute them to the corresponding Official *Insert Color Here* threads!

[bobbyt]

Originally Posted by #1guinfan

I'm going to be buying a used 09 Ralliart in the next week or two. Comes in rotor glow, with premium pkg, 12k km. Canadian vehicle.
Anyways, just wondering what I need to know

Get the VIN and run a carfax on Canadian Rotorglows with low kms Back in June I was watching an auction for a salvage title RG with only 10kms on it. I was outbid and it sold to a Quebec bidder. Just a warning to all those in the community. Best of luck.

[brads09lancerGT]

Originally Posted by bobbyt

Get the VIN and run a carfax on Canadian Rotorglows with low kms Back in June I was watching an auction for a salvage title RG with only 10kms on it. I was outbid and it sold to a Quebec bidder. Just a warning to all those in the community. Best of luck.

Lol, 10 kms on it, either the mechanic was trying to have too much fun on the PDI or somebody has the worst luck ever and crashed the car at the dealer entrance.

[xi]

I think he meant 10k kms?

[EricJ@AMS]

I would bet it has 10kms on it. It obviously hasn't even been thru the Pre delivery inspection.

[Taranis]

Yeah that is quite a bit of damage on the one corner. Maybe it rolled off the truck during unloading?

-Taranis

[xi]

So thats what the white tape is...