Mitsubishi Lancer 1995-2000

Class:      Compact

Rivals:     Ford Focus, Volkswagen Bora, Nissan Almera, Opel/Vauxhall Astra

Engines:  Petrol, 1.3i, 1.5 SOHC, 1.6 DOHC, 1.8 DOHC

                Diesel, 2.0

Gearbox: 5 Speed Manual, 4 Speed Auto, 4 Speed Semi-Auto

Layout:   FWD, 4WD

Between its introduction in 1973 and the present day, nearly 7 million Mitsubishi Lancers have been sold spanning ten generations of car.  The seventh generation which ran form 1995 to 2000 was arguably the most popular of the production run, with many clean examples still on our roads today.

The 1.3i was the most popular model sold in Ireland due to its low tax for a decent sized family car.  The engine is high revving and good to go in a car its size and although the suspension is typically soft of a Japanese car, the road handling was quite smooth and positive. 

The Lancer spawned many generations of Rally car, with the Evo V at the hands of Tommi Makinen proving to be the most successful winning 1 WRC constructors title with Tommi himself claiming 4 drivers titles between 1996 and 1999.

The Group N Evos are still a regular sight in the P-WRC as well as the Irish National Championships.

As with most Japanese cars, when looking at 2nd hand models, rust is your biggest enemy.  Check along the sills as well as the bottom of the door skins.  Engine wise they are fairly realible but check for cracks in the manifold and these tend to be a main dealer job only so can work out expensive to buy.  Check for your usual suspension rattles and oil leaks.

The lancer is a decent car, cheap to tax and insure.  They are cheap and easy to modify, per say you can get an Evo front bumper from €150. 

Gary