The 1.6 litre Lancer GLX (2005 - 2008) is the most reliable (i.e. least problematic) car in the last 15 years! That is pretty amazing.
The Mitsubishi Lancer is a low-powered, three-box Japanese saloon. Yes, it does have an evil twin, in the form of the Evo, but it's the standard granddad-friendly one that delivers the dependability which makes it the most reliable car Warranty Direct has ever seen. (Warranty Direct, 21 November 2012)
We almost bought this car 4 years ago but in the end, we went for the 1.5 litre Lancer EX which has more leg room and a Mivec DOHC engine for S$10,000 more.
What brought us to Cycle & Carriage's showroom back then was really the 1.6 litre Lancer GLX because they were having a sale and the car was being offered for $40+K, inclusive of COE.
$40+K? Yes! Pre-owned? Nope. Brand new from Cycle & Carriage! Now? I don't dare to check how much it now costs!
Buying pre-owned would make more money sense and for anyone who is looking for a compact pre-owned car that is high on reliability, a 1.6 litre Lancer EX built from 2005 to 2008 would seem like a good choice if we believe the report.
You might also want to arm yourself with useful knowledge before buying a used car. Be a savvy buyer and not be smoked by car salesmen! See:
Used Car Buying Guide: Guide to Inspecting and Buying a Used Car
Related posts:
1. Category A COE hits record!
2. Quick, buy a new car cheaper!
3. A new car for $75,000?
4. Buying a car now?
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18 comments:
Hi AK,
This post is so timely! I'm thinking of buying a second hand car within these 2 months. Thought of getting a Renault Megane from the same period. I like the olive/dark green or black one. Looks presentable and pretty enough.
Hmmm...don't know about performance and safety ratings though. I'm a bimbo. Looks matters more! So, won't consider a Lancer. :P
Endrene
Hi Endrene,
The Lancer GLX does look rather dated! Haha..
As for the Renaults, we have never had good experience with them. We had 2 Renaults before and they were rather temperamental.
Let me dig out the link to the article I based my blog post on. I meant to put a hyperlink in my blog post but I must have overlooked.
Here it is:
Most reliable car of the last 15 years.
Oh dear, like that cannot buy Renault Megane oredi lor? Hmmm...
Shall go SG carmart website later to start reading reviews of the car and maybe look out for something else that is cheap, good, and nice looking!
Thanks a lot for sharing your opinion on Renault. :)
Hi AK
I own this same lancer for a good 8 years and just do a trade in for my hydunai elantra 5 months ago. And yes I really agree, it didn't give me much problem:) But if I remember correctly, the price tag for it was like $72k back then:(
Hi Endrene,
I could have just poisoned the well. Haha.. Each brand has its issues with certain models. For example, the Merc has issues too and its more reliable model is the E class.
For Mazda, the most reliable models are actually the 2 which is what I am driving now and, surprise, the MX-5. These are followed by the 3 and the 6. All rank high on reliability. You might want to consider a Mazda but I could be bias. ;p
You are also very safe with Toyota and Honda cars apparently.
Hi Kim,
In Singapore, 3 or 4 years ago would have been the best time to get a car in recent memory. We paid $60K for the Lancer EX then.
Of course, by the time I got my current Mazda2 ($71k) just slightly more than 2 years ago, things were already beginning to change.
We chose the 1.5 EX over the 1.6 GLX really because the former has a more powerful DOHC engine despite being lower in capacity. The 1.6 has a SOHC engine and a bit of drag but like the article said if we drive like grand daddies, we won't know the difference! ;p
Hopefully, with higher number of cars with COE expiring in 2014/2015, COE prices would come down a bit. Of course, much depends on the economy as well.
Too bad I am not rich enough to afford a car. With car COEs being the level they are now, I can't even afford a 2nd hand car.
Public Transport is reasonably reliable though, except for the occasional hiccup, so no complaints.
Hi AK
I drive a 2006 version of the car :)
bought second hand in 2010 Dec for $36500.
I remember that offer you mentioned and told my dad to get the car but he din like the shape.
It's nvr given me problems and I'm happy with it.
Hi MW,
The prices are simply out of this world now. Whenever I tell my overseas friends the prices of cars here, their reactions are quite amusing. ;p
Anyone who bought a car 3 or 4 years ago would be quite pleased today. :)
Hi Don Jerome,
So, it has been a very reliable car for you too. :)
Yes, that special offer by C&C was really attractive. Unfortunately, the shape of the car is a bit uninspiring. I agree. Haha..
You got a good price on your car. Low depreciation too, I would guess. Hmmm.. $36.5k for a 4 year old car back then. I paid $71k for a new car. Without looking at the OMV of the car, I think you got a better deal. ;)
Hi AK,
My Merc C180 about 2 years liao, so far ok la
EY, happy shopping!
Happy weekend to all;p
Hi JJ,
A 2010 C180? That is my dream car! Really! I am serious. All my friends know this... Can I be your friend? Hahaha... kidding! ;p
I was wondering whether to splurge and get one when I bought my Mazda2 back then. Decided not to. Sigh.
Anyway, friends who have this car told me it is OK to buy new but not pre-owned. Too much electronic stuff and the problems come 3 years later, I was told... but it is such a handsome car. :)
Hi AK,
I have set eyes on the Volkswagen Beetle 1.6A. Not exactly that good value for money as compared with many cheaper options but my heart says 'buy'. :P
Probably going for a test drive next weekend if I have time. Anyway, I'm not in such a hurry to get a car.
Hope you aren't gonna tell me this one is temperamental too? Hahaha.
Cheers,
Endrene
Hi Endrene,
VW has good engines. :)
The Beetle is a lifestyle car like the Mini. Have to pay a premium for lifestyle cars.
Don't let pragmatic me influence your decision. Really, don't. Otherwise, you could end up with the 1.6 Lancer GLX! ;p
Hi AK,
No, no, no. No 1.6 Lancer GLX okie! I'd rather go for a COE car. :P
The pragmatic me says buy the Renault Megane 1.6 registered in 2006. Good value for money and looks not too bad. But my heart flutters when I see the VW Beetle Cabriolet 2.0 in pale yellow/cream. Can't bear to take it home as the depreciation is some $11K-$12K a year! I like the Citroen DS4 too. But depreciation is even higher. So the compromise is the VW Beetle 1.6 registered in 2006 or 2007. Haven't really made up my mind yet.
Not sure the pragmatic me or the materialistic me will win this time. :D
Thanks for affirming that VW has good engines. That's what I thought too. :)
Cheers,
Endrene
Hi Endrene,
Well, I did a quick search and I believe that the depreciation on a 2007 1.6 Beetle is some $300 more per month compared to a 2007 1.6 Lancer. That is quite a bit of money.
The Beetle (Apr 07)
http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=298067&DL=1063
The Lancer (Sep 07) http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=307159&DL=2506
OK, I shall keep my peace. ;p
Hi AK,
I gotto hand it to you. Wow, you go as far as substantiating your point with research and statistics? Hmm... I shall keep my peace too! LOL~
BTW, the Renault Megane is an even better deal than Lancer. Yearly depreciation is around $4.5K. I would save around half the cost. This morning, I bumped into my neighbour who used to drive a Renault Megane. Told me he had owned 3 Renaults and they served him pretty well. He mentioned that he was probably lucky. So, that's why I'm not sure if I want to bet on my luck.
Well as for the additional $300-$400 each month that I would have to pay for the VW Beetle, I'll use my increment to fund it. Okie right? Hahaha.
Cheers,
Endrene
Hi Endrene,
If you could get a 2007 Megane with an annual depreciation of only $4.5k, it does sound like a good deal! However, you gotta wonder why Renaults seem to have rather low resale values too. ;p
Wah, you have an increment and so much too! Jealous...
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