Is the Mitsubishi Lancer still worth buying as a first car?

Yes — but only in the right situation. A Mitsubishi Lancer can still be a decent first car if you find a clean, well-maintained used example at a good price and you’re okay buying an older car. Since the Lancer has been out of production in North America since 2017, any one you’re shopping for will be used and dated compared with newer compact cars.

Why it can make sense:

• Usually cheaper than many comparable Civic or Corolla listings
• Simple enough to live with if you want basic transportation
• Some trims offered all-wheel drive, which can be helpful in snow
• The styling is still more aggressive than many economy cars

Main drawbacks:

• You’re buying an older design, so safety tech and infotainment will be behind newer cars
• Reliability depends heavily on maintenance history
• Late-model Lancers often used a CVT automatic, so transmission condition and service history matter a lot
• Ride quality, cabin materials, and road noise are not as good as many rivals

My take:

• Good buy if: it’s inexpensive, has a clean service history, passes inspection, and you mainly want basic transportation
• Skip it if: you want the lowest-risk first car, modern safety tech, or the best long-term resale value

For a first car, I’d usually rank a well-kept Corolla, Civic, Mazda3, or similar compact higher. But if the Lancer is significantly cheaper and checks out mechanically, it can still be worth buying.

Before buying, get an independent pre-purchase inspection and specifically ask them to check the transmission, suspension, brakes, and for signs of accident damage.