2010 Ralliart Sportback Test Drive

kyooch · Oct 16, 2009, 06:39 PM

2010 Ralliart Sportback

This was a black 2010 that was on the dealer lot. Checking out the trunk space, etc the car is really perfect for a daily driver. Sticker was around 30k with the navigation.

Honestly I loved every single thing about it except the transmission! No offense of course, this is just preference. Tried all the different modes, etc. In manual mode I thought the up and down flicks would have been instant.. but they weren't. They lagged maybe a half second behind the time I flicked the paddle, but maybe I was doing something wrong.. but I was under the impression that it would be like video game quick up and down shifts. Is this right?

I loved the color lcd, etc. all the new amenities compared to my Evo IX, it's a great daily driver. Just would have loved it to have came in manual.

Few other things worth noting that I'll add (I didn't go into too much depth earlier, worried I was going to get flamed about not liking the tranny):

- bluetooth had a little difficulty hearing me
- can leave your keys in your pocket!
- love that you can drop the seats by pulling those levers in the trunk
- Rear seats nearly fold flat, very good cargo capacity anyway
- Rear seating is actually spacious when I put it into my driving position (5'10-11, but I sit pretty close)
- Materials lining the doors felt a little cheap, compared to the evo anyway but nothing I really care to complain of.
- Engine response surprisingly quick, no turbo lag at all (compared to a IX, 380whp stock turbo).
- Gauges and color LCD screen are great! I love the LCD, the start up with the Mitsu symbol, all the little messages it gives, fuel economy, to the see ya message.
- transmission not as quick/responsive as I'd heard it would be

RA173 · Oct 16, 2009, 06:42 PM

did you drive it in manual and sport mode?

kyooch · Oct 16, 2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RA173

did you drive it in manual and sport mode?

Yes -

To double check, manual mode is when I shift it over to the left from D, correct?

boondoc · Oct 16, 2009, 06:50 PM

Simple review but u are right about the shifting. When i use the paddles it shifts faster and smoother, i have no idea why. It really is a nice option if you haul things around alot, that back area is huge with the seats down. Speaking of that i like the snazzy lever for the seats.

lostirc · Oct 16, 2009, 06:55 PM

Not sure if you did this but there is a little up/down switch under the transmission shifter. Make sure its running in sport mode or the shifts will be pretty slow

kyooch · Oct 16, 2009, 06:59 PM

So it should be in sport mode even when you're running in manual mode?

bossssman38 · Oct 16, 2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyooch

Yes -

To double check, manual mode is when I shift it over to the left from D, correct?

Yes. But like lostirc said, if it's in normal mode the shifts will be slow. Next time run it in sport mode and there will be a huge difference

RA173 · Oct 17, 2009, 10:38 AM

like everyone said, sport mode and paddle shifting (steering wheel) will net net you the fastest shifts

billyboy1 · Oct 17, 2009, 03:38 PM

even on sports mode, the shifts could be faster though...

but I love my sportback though - so practical and so much zip

kyooch · Oct 17, 2009, 04:07 PM

Thanks for the honesty!
Yea my impressions were that this was largely an automatic, even with the sport shifts and such. What I've heard that this was like a super transmission, a manual tranny with instant shifts when you flick, a la gran turismo.

Though I was disappointed in that regard, I truly enjoyed the car. Quite peppy, I thought, but when magazine reviews compared it amongst its peers they said it was slower than most. Im planning on driving the mazdaspeed3 again soon, as well as the wrx, sti, maybe 09 outback 2.5xt in manual

ralliartblitz · Oct 17, 2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyooch

So it should be in sport mode even when you're running in manual mode?

By default it is in normal, if you put it in sport mode the shifts dramatically speed up. You cannot shift faster in a manual than with a TC-SST. It is like lightning.

lostirc · Oct 17, 2009, 05:14 PM

I agree, I've driven manual up until this car. This was the transmission that got me to switch over. If you're noticing any kind of shift lag while in sport mode you must have a defective transmission.

RA173 · Oct 17, 2009, 07:10 PM

the fastest shifts are also at wot maybe not at partial throttle

boondoc · Oct 17, 2009, 08:57 PM

^ agree

20si06 · Oct 17, 2009, 09:54 PM

I thought the cheap interior materials would bother me, but after a month and a half I can honestly say I haven't thought twice about them.