CharadeSpots: Thinking about Trek (Now available for sale!)

Good day.

Thinking of Trek again. As my family now wants to upgrade to either a continential or a MPV, Trek is now available for sale to test the market. We're currently not in a hurry to sell hence I'm only posting about its availability here, so just in case you're seriously interested, feel free to drop a message.

Looking around 38k MYR for it currently. We have spent close to 5 digits in repair and restore work, and I would say that the car is a pretty solid 9/10 in mechanical condition, 9/10 in cosmetic condition. Exterior could use paint touchups, and in my phototaking session I wasn't able to arrange a wash beforehand.

The Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo-R is likely the best performance bargain in this price range that works as an all-rounder. While other sports-oriented cars have 3-door or sedan body types, this is the best body style for practicality as a SUV/Wagon, with performance to match. The 5-speed Tiptronic semi-automatic transmission is sufficient for the car, and features a manual sport mode if you want more driver engagement.

This also is very much a budget Lancer Evolution, with the exact same powertrain as the Lancer Evolution 7 GTA model. You still get the same 4G63T powertrain, however without the Evolution AYC 4WD, only a standard 4WD system. However, it is possible and a common modification to upgrade the internals to match that of a Lancer Evolution, or beyond. If that is what you fancy, this car is a good starting point.

Trek is mechanically stock, down to the factory ECU and internals. The muffler is a Ralliart lookalike, but I have not verified if it is a real Ralliart exhaust. The radiator is a SARD item, but the rest of the internals are stock, safe for being repainted (Valve cover, rocker cover and intercooler cover). Loads of mechanical parts have been replaced due to wear & tear, including a majority of engine and cooling hoses, transmission, engine mounts, ECU, air filter, and more.

The interior is well-maintained, there is no blemishes or tears. The interior does not have any creaks or rattles, and is more than capable of comfortably housing occupants and load, even at max capacity. The factory seats are well bolstered and surprisingly so given its appearance, I would say it does a better job than my Lotus Elan seats. Aircon is very solid, can thoroughly withstand the hot weather. The compressor was changed very recently as well.

The steering wheel has a cover done by a previous owner, as is the exterior. Trek by chassis code is originally black, but it has been repainted white. The exterior stickers were also done by the previous owner.

The gauge cluster has been replaced before and there is now an aftermarket android player installed into the car. Both the speedometer and infotainment readings work together, solving a common issue with this model when installing a player where the speedometer would not be functional. Outside of phone holders and other accessories, all that is additional is a boost gauge.

Trek is a 2004 produced vehicle, and has a 2005 and beyond trunklid. I believe the taillights are from a 2003. It is only a normal Turbo-R, but it has the Ralliart front and rear lip and sideskirts, a simple but huge change in transforming the look of the car.

The wheels are aftermarket and were replaced ~6 months ago, as is the tyres too, now a set of Toyo Proxes CR1.

The car does not complain with spirited driving; the driving dynamics, tyre grip and brakes all work together and the Airtrek is overall very composed and stable, in cornering and straights. As the Airtrek Turbo-R is more of a sports SUV, the ride comfort isn't as flush and bouncy as a newer car, but it isn't overly crashy.

It goes very well, and for a stock powertrain, very nimble. With an officially claimed 6.5s 0-100 acceleration run, this may be one of the quickest cars you can enter into at this price range, especially at a stock level, if you aren't comfortable with buying a pre-modified car. It does attract attention too from what I've seen, both enthusiasts and otherwise.

If you are looking to modify though, these have a decent aftermarket scene, having a surprising amount of bodykits available to it, plus Ralliart bits and pieces. Manual conversions are a thing for these, and the 4G63T here is just as capable as that of a Lancer Evolution.

Transparency about known problems:

- Steering wheel buttons do not seem to work, even in sport

- Surface rust on the front passenger doorjam

- Android Player lacks RAM, best used with only audio

Otherwise, this car is honestly a keeper. The last few bits can be done and Trek will drive with no problems. It admittedly hasn't been a trouble-free ownership experience but all of the experienced problems and scares have been ironed out with long-term restoration work, and more likely than not it will not give problems for major issues for a good while. I'm reluctant to offload this since there isn't another model that is as versatile as it, holding people, holding groceries, furniture, delivery.

If you're keen on this, do drop me a message on Instagram!

This post is a subpost of the earlier Penang entry series, linked here: Penang: December 2024: Entry 4 (4/4)

Nerdy details and more model trivia below:

Details:

Chassis code: JMYLYCU2W######## / 4G63KK####

Manufactured: 07/2004

Registered: 10/2004

Trim color: 06X

Frame color: X42B

Paint: X42 (Now repainted white)

Intended market: Export (Likely Hong Kong market)

4G63T Powertrain details (Airtrek vs equivalent Evo):