zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $4,500, How About This 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback For A Daily Driver?
For $4,500, How About This 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback For A Daily Driver?-October 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:58

Today’s Lancer has what is quite possibly one of the most epic—and perhaps least car-appropriate—ad photos ever put on Craigslist. Let’s see if this rare wagon’s price supports the legend.

BMW’s M3 could be considered legendary, well at least the original E30 edition so far. Yesterday’s was representative of that car’s follow up, the E36, and that particular one was orange-ier than a tanned and rested Trump. Unlike Trump’s, that car’s color was claimed to be easily returned to its original Alpine White as it was some form of wrap. It earned a solid 57% Nice Price win despite that present hue, and despite having an odometer suing for overtime pay as well. And, as we say in the biz, that’s a wrap.

Wait come back, there’s still more, including this upon which we have to pass judgement. Okay, let’s get started.

What if you really, really liked the style of Volvo’s boxy wagons, especially their unique devil’s horns, creeping up the sides, tail lights, but also really liked lesser appreciated Japanese brands over those coming out of Sweden, what would you do? Well, you might just go for this Lancer Sportback as it looks Volvo-esque, and in Ralliart from it’s sporty enough to let you pretend you’re in a swingin’ Swede.

Mitsubishi introduced the Lancer in the U.S. in 2001 in replacement of the questionably-named Mirage. Lancer had long been a Chrysler nameplate however they yielded the rights to the name to partner Mitsubishi for use here at that time. Chrysler didn’t need it any more as they had way-cooler names like PT Cruiser.

We got three models of Lancer: a competent but dull sedan, the aforementioned wagon, and the rabid rally-bred Evolution which we all know and fart can. In 2004 a new trim level was added between the dull as dishwater base car and the EVO. That was the Ralliart, which started out with that pretty cool name, one that I consider far better than Lancer as that makes me think of lancer boil. Lancer? I don’t even know her!

In addition to the cool name, the semi-sporty model received a bigger 2.4-litre 4G69 four which was rated at 160-bhp, a 40-pony jump over the lower model’s 2-litre. Sport seats and a stiffer, lowered suspension abetted the car’s sporting pretensions.

This one, in refrigerator white, features those additions, a big, roomy back end, and—are you ready for this—a four-speed automatic transmission sending the power to the front wheels. Wow, did you just hear that? It was like the sound of thousands of balloons all being deflated at once.

Yeah, it’s a slusher. Boo-hoo. I’m over it. After all, the seller positions this as a daily driver, noting that it gets a reasonable if unremarkable 33 mpg on the highway, and has a remote start so you needn’t chilly your willy on cold mornings.

It also comes with a number of add-ons that you might appreciate or think are totally unnecessary. Those include Road Race Motorsport ECU, Timing Box, and an under-drive pulley. Upgraded brakes, an aftermarket air intake, and a new anti-sway bar in back complete the current owner’s mechanical monkey business.

The car has 130,000 miles on the clock, a clean title, and comes with three sets of wheels so it’s a good thing it is a wagon. Apparently there’s even has a fourth set if you’ve got money to burn.

Speaking of money, the price tag on this rare (claimed one of only 200 in the States) Ralliart is $4,500. That gets you an interesting driver that the seller says is in decent shape. And, based on the picture of the car with the Chrysler Crossfire, I’d say it imbues its owners with delusions of grandeur which is good, I guess.

What’s your take on this cool old (yes, 2004 is old) Mistu wagon and that $4,500 price based on its description? Does that seem fair to become a patron of the Ralliarts? Or, is that too much cash for too little sport?

You decide!

Pittsburgh PA , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Tyler Folnsbee for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
At $7,900, Would It Take Wild Horses To Drag You Away From This 1996 Ford Bronco XLT?
At $7,900, Would It Take Wild Horses To Drag You Away From This 1996 Ford Bronco XLT?
The seller of today’s Bronco says its laudable condition is the result of its long being garage kept. We’ll see if that shape, and its price, are enough to let this horse run free. Here’s a bold and brash admission: Cirque du Soleil creeps me out. There I said it!...
Oct 24, 2024
At $13,500, Could This 1997 Saab 9000 CSE 50Yr Edition Make You Want To Party Hearty?
At $13,500, Could This 1997 Saab 9000 CSE 50Yr Edition Make You Want To Party Hearty?
As we all know, old is the traditional gift for a 50th anniversary. Despite that, today’s 9000 anniversary edition is black on black. We’ll just have to see if the real gold comes with the price. Have you ever stopped to consider the fact that stereotypes are most often perpetuated,...
Oct 24, 2024
The Toyota Prius Prime Is Only Good For One Thing
The Toyota Prius Prime Is Only Good For One Thing
Tasty Prius Donuts A charitable description of the ’s performance would call it a “momentum car.” Precious speed must be preserved, because accelerating takes forever. On the other hand, I could not get this car to dip below 50 MPG no matter how hard I flogged it, which is downright...
Oct 24, 2024
The AWD 2018 Kia Stinger GT Will Leave You Begging For A New Ice Age 
The AWD 2018 Kia Stinger GT Will Leave You Begging For A New Ice Age 
The year is 2020. The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed at the poles and the world has mostly frozen over. Everyone is miserable. But you, my friend, you bought an all-wheel drive with winter tires before the Big Switch, and you’re in good shape. You’re also having the time of...
Oct 24, 2024
The Tata Nano Is Way Better Than The World's Cheapest Car Has Any Right To Be
The Tata Nano Is Way Better Than The World's Cheapest Car Has Any Right To Be
I’ve been wanting to drive a , the Indian city car billed as the cheapest car you could buy new, ever since I heard that a brand-new $2,500 car existed. Somehow, though, the Nano has eluded me; , and despite my efforts, I didn’t even get to drive one on...
Oct 24, 2024
The 2018 Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition Is Far More Inspiring Than A Cayman Or Corvette
The 2018 Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition Is Far More Inspiring Than A Cayman Or Corvette
Every moment you’re driving the 2018 Sport 410 GP Edition you are engaged in motorsport, whether you want to be or not. There’s no way to make the steering soft, no setting that removes responsibility from you. If you’re feeling queasy about a takeover of autonomous cars, take a day...
Oct 24, 2024
Copyright 2023-2024 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved