The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportbak is a compelling value on the used market, but that TC-SST transmission is a big question mark. I've been leery of DCTs in general and one from Mitsubishi does not give me the warm fuzzies.
Is there much known about the reliability of these things, either anecdotal or real-world here?
Even aggressive street driving is enough to make them overheat, so they need lots of additional cooling. They need a special oil from Mitsubishi that's madly expensive. That's what I know.
Fluid and filter change was 30k per Mitsubishi, it would be good to have those records.
The transmission will overheat with track use, which can be fixed with a transmission cooler.
Magnus motorsports built a nice example if you're interested in modifying, and the limitations of the platform:
http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/modp-1005-2010-mitsubishi-lancer-ralliart/
If you're looking at "hatches" with a turbo engine and dual clutch trans, have you looked into a GTI? You'd lack the AWD, but prices seem fairly similar between the two on the used market.
In reply to engiekev :
The Golf R is available AWD with DCT, though probably not as cheap as a Lancer Ralliart Sportbak.
With the price difference that I am seeing locally between the Ralliart and an equivalent Golf R or WRX, you could budget a transmission rebuild and still come out ahead.
There are tons of shops that specialize in performance rebuilds of the SST transmission between $2K and $4K (for the 600HP+ rating)
I am always on the hunt for Ralliarts on Craigslist -- sort of hit or miss. I didn't want a MR when I bought my Evo, got a GSR for the joy of rowing my own, and I don't have any personal experience with them. But the Ralliart seems to be an interesting proposition used -- they seem to come at a significant discount compared to a WRX, probably because of transmission fears.
The SST is a Getrag product, and the best technical info I have seen yet on them is from MRT performance in Australia: https://www.mrtperformance.com.au/performance/transmission/sst-trans-code-diagnosis
They have a YouTube playlist detailing common faults and shop serviceable parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8WagMbEcGQ
I think the Ralliart would be a fun rallycross car - narrower track (the Evo X feels big and wide), still AWD turbo power. How many Ralliart sportbacks did they make? Sounds like unicorn status.
I have found more than a few Ralliart Sportbaks out there in casual browsing. IMO the main appeal is their totally abysmal auction value relative to many other interesting hatchbacks. When you have friends who can buy, they are an interesting temptation.
In reply to pointofdeparture :
DCTs are interesting, and my sister has (unfortunately) prooven that they can run for longer in between services with only a reduction in performance. You will feel it tho.
Not sure where these guys are getting that they overheat in daily driving, however.
^That was on EVOs with pros on canyon roads or track work.
The only unfortunate thing about the Getrag DCTs is that Getrag refuses to sell any internal parts or the mechatronics unit (the electro/hydraulic control unit).
SSP and a few others sell upgraded clutches and clutch baskets, and some seals/filters, but other than that, no internals (at least that I or any mechanic or internet forum I've talked to has been able to find).
However, my thought is the internal parts should be more robust considering how DCTs work and that the computer is controlling the changes, vs someone ham fisting shifts and breaking forks and destroying synchros.
In reply to pointofdeparture :
Care to share a few links? Seems they are hard to find searching the usual sites (autotrader, craigslist search, etc.)
The looks are definitely love or hate, but with some better wheels they can look pretty sharp (this one has the Evo X wheels I believe):
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