PH buying guide: Mitsubishi Evo VI
Best Evo ever? The VI is in with a shout - here's how to buy a beaut
It wasn't until the launch of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, more commonly referred to as the Evo VI GSR, that the Japanese firm entered the consciousness of all but the keenest enthusiasts. Even then, the majority of Evo VIs entering the UK were grey import cars, with only a handful brought in and sold with warranty through a small number Ralliart dealers.
Search for Mitsubishi Evo VIs here
With a price tag of £30,995 when it officially went on sale in the UK at the beginning of 1999, the Evo VI proved a performance bargain. With a modestly claimed 276hp from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, permanent four-wheel drive with Active Yaw Control that gave physics-defying handling and a practical four-door body, the Evo immediately gave Subaru a bloody nose. It also helped the Evo VI could crack 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds and head on to 150mph rather than the 112mph limited top speed of many Japanese import models.
The Evo VI's candle burned brightly for a mere two years before being replaced in March 2001 by the Evo VII. For many, the Evo VI remains the iconic pinnacle of Mitsubishi Evo design for its style, aggression and usability. It's also quite simple to extract considerably more power from it, making it popular with tuners and track day addicts.
As well as the standard Evo VI, Mitsubishi launched the Tommi Makinen special edition, available with an optional sticker pack to give the car a similar appearance to the four-time WRC champion's rally car. There were also RS, RS2, RS Sprint and Extreme limited edition models, and some other exotic editions not officially sold in the UK.
Still hugely popular and fast attaining classic status, the Mitsubishi Evo VI can be bought for as little as £5,000. For a perfect example of one of the 26 Extreme models built, you'll need £20,000, but half that will bag a good Evo VI that will be worth hanging on to. We'll concentrate on the Evo VI GSR and Tommi Makinen Edition models here as they are the most plentiful in the UK.
Owner's view:
"I think the handling is the stand out feature, with the complex 4WD system always giving you confidence in all road conditions, but it really is a well rounded package - brakes, handling, power, driver involvement, quality of gearshift, practicality - all are first rate and I'm sure the Evo VI would easily hold it's own against modern day rivals."
Adam Hamlet
Buying guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling Chassis
Body
Interior
Search for Mitsubishi Evo VIs here
Question for those running them, are they really 20-something mpg cars?
Just because some absolute nobber fabricates a extortionate figure plucked from their own little dream world, don't think for a second its worth that much.
Lancer Register Buying Guide
I just wish there was an equivalent Impreza STI guide.
Just because some absolute nobber fabricates a extortionate figure plucked from their own little dream world, don't think for a second its worth that much.
I averaged 30.5 on a run from Lancaster to Spa via Hull-Zeebrugge a couple of years ago.
The only problem is, all Evos are difficult to drive slow so more often than not, your MPG is only just in double figures
I averaged 30.5 on a run from Lancaster to Spa via Hull-Zeebrugge a couple of years ago.
The only problem is, all Evos are difficult to drive slow so more often than not, your MPG is only just in double figures
I averaged 30.5 on a run from Lancaster to Spa via Hull-Zeebrugge a couple of years ago.
The only problem is, all Evos are difficult to drive slow so more often than not, your MPG is only just in double figures
Also, good guide, I love my VI
Question for those running them, are they really 20-something mpg cars?
If the price comes down any more, they are in the danger of falling into the realms of the cheap scoobie and falling into the hands of the barrow bow and chav brigade (reputation then severely tarnished), so sincerely hope they hold up in price
4.5k servicing is mainly oil changes, easily DIY.
The lash adjusters aren't actually an issue in that they'll not cause any damage, other than to your pride as you start it up and it ticks away like something James Bond would try to defuse. Standard parts could suffer the same problem in as few as a few thousand miles following replacement, but aftermarket adjusters with a wider oil path should cure this once and for all. My experience may be getting a bit out of date now though as I recall some talk a few years ago that the standard Mitsubishi parts had been redesigned to prevent occurrence? Best to check on the MLR.
There are various theories behind the 'warped' discs, my own opinon is that it is instigated by a build up of pad material on the disc due to lack of 'proper' use (some MLR members spent a lot of time and money confirming this!). More agressive pads can prevent, but not cure, this. Stay away from crap like EBC [colour] Stuff though; Carbotechs did the business for me.
30MPG is an absolute 'stay off the boost' max, 22-25MPG realistic if you're not hooning it about and you'll easily see low teens if you're in a hurry. A remap will liberate more power, eliminate flat spots and provide a useful 3-6MPG improvement so this can pay for itself very quickly.
If older Evos are any guide then rust will be about your biggest issue with a VI. There can be amazing differences bewteen two ostensibly similar cars due to their provenance and usage so the advice about checking for hidden rot should not be ignored.
Best thing about a VI (or any Evo, really) - Accessible performance, all day, every day.
Worst thing about a VI (or any Evo, really) - Folk will assume you're a knuckle dragging, mouth breathing dangerous dog owner.
Note that the last point only applied after about 2007 as the motorsport/engineering enthusiasts became outnumbered by the UFC/tattoo enthusiasts. Shame, as this rather took the shine off what used to be a true motorsport icon.
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