At $23,000, Is This 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX MR A Memorable Ride?

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Hey guys and gals, do you remember Mitsubishi? No? Well check out today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Evo IX and see if that jogs your memory. In fact, let’s see if its price makes you want to come running.

One of the foundational conceits for any true car enthusiast is that “Miata is always the answer.” Well, I’m here to tell you, my friends, that’s all bogus. You see, when the question is “how should I spend my $26,995 automotively, the answer does not come up 1990 V8-powered, Ferrari aping custom Miata. At least that was the response that 67-percent of you gave yesterday. That resulted in the custom but seemingly too costly Mazda dropping in a Crack Pipe loss, and now I don’t know what to think.

Back in the day, when parents wanted to lull their offspring to sleep they would read to them a bedtime story, perhaps something like Goodnight Moon or Everyone Poops. These days all a mom or dad needs to do to ensure a quick trip to slumberland is to read their kid the spec sheet for any modern Mitsubishi product. “The 2018 Mirage comes with a 78-horsepower naturally aspirated four cylinder engine and has an available CVT trans… (thud) zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Advertisement

See, it even puts me to sleep.

This wasn’t always the case with Mitsubishi’s wares. Today’s Mitsubishi lineup may be a laughing stock, but not all that long ago some of them were true-bred rally stock.

Advertisement

Here’s one of those now! This 2006 Lancer Evo IX MR represents what’s probably the most balls-out audacious embodiment of the Evo ethos. The following Evo X model, which ran from 2008 to 2015 had a lot of its rough edges knocked off and simply wasn’t as likely to get you arrested or engender an impromptu underlip tattoo in its honor.

Just as example of how sad Mitsubishi has become here in the states, their Website is still promoting the goddamn 2015 Evolution. Come on guys, the party’s over. Go home.

Advertisement

You could go home in this seemingly righteous Evo IX. The Graphite Grey over charcoal four door is described in its ad as being totally stock. This being the top of the line MR edition, it sports six cogs in its gearbox, a Bilstein shock at each corner, and forged BBS alloys in each and every wheel wheel well, save the one for the spare. It being an Evo IX it also has every bump, wart, and wing that model made famous. This is an aggressive, and some might say excessively styled auto, so if it’s a sleeper you’re after, you need not apply here.

The bodywork on the 81K car is said to be clean but evidencing minor flaws here and there, typical of a car that gets used but not abused. There’s no rust on the car, nor any accidents in its history.

Advertisement

Under the vastly vented hood lies Mitsubishi’s 4G63 DOHC four. This 2-litre rabid badger of an engine was good from the factory for 286 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of Chubby Checker’s favorite dance move.

This one is said to benefit from a timing belt and water pump refresh just 11K ago. The ad says that compression is still good and that the engine’s gearbox roommate shifts smoothly. A cone filter takes over the role of the factory air box, but everything else looks as it should.

Advertisement

Inside, there are high-backed Recaro buckets in front, bright trim on the pedals, and faux carbon fiber on the dash. The shift knob has been updated to something red, and there’s an aftermarket stereo with a pop-off faceplate to frustrate the thieves.

Advertisement

Everything save for the passenger seat looks to be in fine fettle. That navigator’s position seems to have suffered a stain from a spill or maybe someone pissing themselves with excitement. Whichever, I’d recommend something to clean that up.

Overall you likely couldn’t ask for a cleaner example, nor one that’s better presented in its ad. The seller hits all of the car’s high points and seems to pretty honest in his description. Kudos on both points. Now, we’ll have to see how he does in his pricing acumen. The seller is asking $23,000 for the car, and discloses that he’s not interested in trades, so you’ll just have to hold onto those magic beans.

Advertisement

What’s your take on this last of the interesting Mitsubishis and that $23,000 price tag to share that interest? Does that seem fair to you? Or, at that price, do you not believe in this Evolution?

You decide!

Advertisement

No Sleep ‘til Brooklyn, NY Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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