4 Reasons Why the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is a Future Classic

Already attaining cult status among enthusiasts around the globe, and commonly nicked off the lot by car thieves, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is likely the Japanese manufacturer’s most prominent sports car to date.

Conceived from humble compact underpinnings, the supercar rivalling performer has seen action from being a WRC fully prepared machine, tarmac eating track car, to being the average street racer’s dream platform for mods.

While there are those who may argue that the Subaru WRX is an overall better performer. Be it factually, or just being the stubborn loyalist, one cannot deny that the demise of the Mitsubishi Lancer, certainly brings an end to an era, where the Japanese rally inspired sedan had made waves in ‘Evo’ or ‘pre-Evo’ guise. With this, Subaru loses its often-compared-to street (cred) racer.

The Evolution X has been produced, with examples ranging from 300hp, to models which pushed upward of 400hp. Unlike the previous Evolutions which used an iron blocked 4G63 engine, the Evolution X’s 4B11T engine benefitted from the reduced weight of an aluminium block and working without the need for counter balancing shafts, but with improvements of a stronger timing chain, and a variable-valve timing head (MIVEC).

The demise of the Evolution, is in some way (but not in the same scale) similar to, when Lancia pulled the plug on the legendary Delta Integrale. Even if Mitsubishi, under the management of Nissan were to produce a new “Evo” car, it will likely be something else.

Funny hearing this one huh… Manufacturers are cutting down on sedan production. Already in Europe, for the last few decades, the hatch has slowly but surely taken over the sedan as the car of choice, due to their smaller footprint, meaning that they are easier to manoeuvre around congested European cities. Over in Singapore, the story is a little different. The hatch has of late been seen as a car which is more hip than its sedan counterpart. Additionally the new buzzword is ‘Crossover’. Yes, some manufacturers are even bowing to consumer demands, by producing SUVs and at the same time a Crossover for a similar market segment. Just a look at BMW, with its X5 and X6 range.

In time to come, the sedan might just be a lesser seen car. The all-familiar silhouette of the Evo will simply stand out in a sea of “lunch boxes” or “coupe-lunch boxes”

Additionally, the 5-seater practicality with an excellent functional boot, makes the Lancer a car that you can keep past the ten-year mark, without the wife going loco on you for a lack of usable space etc. The Japanese reliability would also mean that the Evo would fare much better than, say a European rally inspired car over ten years of age.

Really! Locating an Evo 10 in a sea of cars is much harder than locating a WRX (real ones for both by the way, not the poser kind with drum brakes in the rear, and vacuum gauges on the dash).

Firstly, there is a 2.5 and a 2.0 WRX, and were more attainable than the Evo X, the latter being simply more expensive.

It is after all, by all means the last Lancer Evolution (from independent Mitsubishi).

Let’s face it, with the rising prices of cars here, there is no way that most of us would be able to afford a new high performance car. In the market, a 9 year old ‘Evo’ hovers at around $40K+. With COE loans available, a buyer is able to snap up a bargain, and then take up a loan for the COE, to breathe new life into the car, past its 10 years. Supercar performance, (almost) bargain basement pricing. Just be sure to purchase a good example. If you have a private seller, do look into getting the car inspected as well.

Additionally, there are those who may like to own a Nissan R35, but find that the 'Godzilla' which comes in a cup with ice, and Milo powder covering the top more economically viable.

You still get all-wheel drive and handling gizmos to keep you in-place, when flicking the ‘Mitsu’ around… And you get four doors.

But before you get your money out, there is plenty of homework you have to do. Often, a modified example might seem very attractive to you. But you can safely say that all Evolution engines have lived a life of high heat, high pressure and high revs. With this, there could be considerable wear with some, especially from those with extensive modifications.

Engine Stuff
Look out for any slip from the clutch when driving the car (this includes the ones with the SST gearboxes). The engine bay may hold some tell-tale signs that something is wrong, you may want to look for modifications that are done, or signs that something that has been removed, oil leaks where the head joins up with the engine block. Leaks could mean that the engine has not been properly maintained, from beyond just normal oil changes.

Tyre Wear
Get to know the owner if possible. Understanding the line of work the owner is in, or even where he works might give you a clue on why the car tyres wear in a way. I will come to this in a bit. Uneven wear between the left and right side tyres could mean in worse off cases, damage coming from an accident which may have happened in the course of car ownership, which may have changed the suspension geometry. Wear on the inner area could mean that the owner has placed the car in negative camber for intent of better corner taking. But do find out if any of the arms of the car have been changed. Poor quality arms could simply snap under heavy stress. Back to the finding out about the owner, extensive wear on one side of the car could just simply mean extensive driving up or down circular multi-story carpark ramps.

Bad Vibes - Bushings and Engine Mounts
More clunks and murmuring within the passenger cabin? Engine and transmission mountings reduce vibration transference from the engine bay to the rest of the body. Changing these could set you back by a few good hundreds. But this could also be a giveaway that the car overall, may have not been maintained well.
So, while there are the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTi, Ford Focus RS and ST models, Honda Civic Type R and Subaru WRX compact cars floating around, and you will see them reincarnated in one way or another, the Mitsubishi’s Evolution moniker (purely under them) has come to an end.

So friends out there who have owned a Lancer Evolution, or are owners, fee free to share your experiences with us.

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