RE: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II RS: Spotted

[Matt Bird]

rossub said:

Difficult to argue with the price, it’s going to be one of the best ones left worldwide.

Calling the Integrale seller a tool is a bit harsh though

You make a valid point! Should at least buy him a beer before deciding that... Sorted now, apologies.


Matt

[kambites]

Given the way some secondhand car prices have gone recently, I'm surprised these aren't worth more.

[Dr G]

article said:

Why did that go out of fashion again?

Really? We've never had more compact, practical, four-wheel-drive cars available. S3/Golf R have both been (and remain) huge sales successes...

The Japanese fell behind unfortunately; the German cars to everyone except a track day junky drove just as well, looked better, drank less, cost less to run, had interiors from this century, and were priced the same.

[aaron_2000]

gigglebug said:

I don't think the doors are different colours to be honest, it's just that in the one photo there are the reflections of a couple of lights on the rear door.

I am coming from the point of view that both are very similar priced, advertised as unmolested imported JDM four door rally inspired saloons from the same era. Why would that not a valid comparison? Would they have to be exactly the same spec for it to count? It's not like I chose a mid engined sports car from 2007.

Edited by gigglebug on Sunday 7th January 23:37

The Type RA is surely a better comparison?

[Zero7]

gigglebug said:

Zero7 said:

Front and back doors appear to be different colours, and I think comparing a standard wrx to an RS evo is not a good comparison, if it was an early mint Sti the no doubts.

I don't think the doors are different colours to be honest, it's just that in the one photo there are the reflections of a couple of lights on the rear door.

I am coming from the point of view that both are very similar priced, advertised as unmolested imported JDM four door rally inspired saloons from the same era. Why would that not a valid comparison? Would they have to be exactly the same spec for it to count? It's not like I chose a mid engined sports car from 2007.

Edited by gigglebug on Sunday 7th January 23:37

Just from a numbers perspective, RS's were quite limited, whereas the bog standard WRX was produced in large numbers.

[gigglebug]

Zero7 said:

Just from a numbers perspective, RS's were quite limited, whereas the bog standard WRX was produced in large numbers.

Yeah I appreciate that entirely and of course the RS is likely to be the more special of the two but I can't imagine there being that many examples left of either at this point that are both standard and mint.

[TotalControl]

Murphy16 said:

The Evo 4 was my favourite shape, a little softer at the front than the 5 and 6 but still aggressive and purposeful, especially with the orange indicator lamps. Takes me right back to Gran Turismo 1.

Ditto. Looked wonderful to my eyes.

And to think, only a few years ago some were going for £3k.

[Bdevo3]

gigglebug said:

Zero7 said:

Just from a numbers perspective, RS's were quite limited, whereas the bog standard WRX was produced in large numbers.

Yeah I appreciate that entirely and of course the RS is likely to be the more special of the two but I can't imagine there being that many examples left of either at this point that are both standard and mint.

The lancer register says 5000 evo 2 were produced split equally between rs and gsr models 7000 3s produced with same designations.

[R33f]

Decent article, it’s great that the early Evo’s are finally getting some well-deserved recognition, I mean after all they paved the way and till this day are holding their own competitively against the newer models with true rally DNA in its genes, Richard Burns, Group A WRC, championship wins anyone? The early Evo community is alive and kicking with a worldwide fanbase which includes a fair few of us from the UK with fully restored if not immaculate examples. This is a great example of a 2 RS however there are some misconceptions regarding the early Evo 123 RS models, unlike the newer models the early RS’s didn’t really offer anything substantial to choose one over the GSR variants, slightly lighter, a different differential and poverty spec interior all of which can easily be done to an Evo 123 GSR. Point being do not disregard the Evo 123 GSR’s they are an absolute animal of a car, lightweight, nimble, raw 4WD with no computer assisted aids it’s just man and a true Homologation machine on par with the other Group A/B greats. The value of these has slowly but deservedly sky rocketed and it will only rise now that the US market has opened, now is the best time to purchase one, if a GT4 is commanding £10K onwards, expect the earlies to command more. Here’s a statement that will certainly raise eyebrows “if the Evo 123 were officially released in the UK at their launch dates, you wouldn’t be talking about Cosworth’s as much as you do, it ran rings around them standard vs standard, tuned vs tuned”

[gigglebug]

R33f said:

Decent article, it’s great that the early Evo’s are finally getting some well-deserved recognition, I mean after all they paved the way and till this day are holding their own competitively against the newer models with true rally DNA in its genes, Richard Burns, Group A WRC, championship wins anyone? The early Evo community is alive and kicking with a worldwide fanbase which includes a fair few of us from the UK with fully restored if not immaculate examples. This is a great example of a 2 RS however there are some misconceptions regarding the early Evo 123 RS models, unlike the newer models the early RS’s didn’t really offer anything substantial to choose one over the GSR variants, slightly lighter, a different differential and poverty spec interior all of which can easily be done to an Evo 123 GSR. Point being do not disregard the Evo 123 GSR’s they are an absolute animal of a car, lightweight, nimble, raw 4WD with no computer assisted aids it’s just man and a true Homologation machine on par with the other Group A/B greats. The value of these has slowly but deservedly sky rocketed and it will only rise now that the US market has opened, now is the best time to purchase one, if a GT4 is commanding £10K onwards, expect the earlies to command more. Here’s a statement that will certainly raise eyebrows “if the Evo 123 were officially released in the UK at their launch dates, you wouldn’t be talking about Cosworth’s as much as you do, it ran rings around them standard vs standard, tuned vs tuned”

Nice info, thanks. The only thing I slightly begrudge about the rising costs of anything remotely interesting, from hatches right up to Hypercars, is highlighted with the car below. It's interested me for a quite a while, and has been available for a quite a while, and even though it's clearly not selling it's purchase price is rising! If it wasn't going to sell at 9K why would it at nearly 11K?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Teggers]

R33f - I couldn't have said it better! I was lucky enough (or right place right time!!) to pick up my Evo 2 GSR a few years ago when I changed my 200sx for a "sensible" 4 door saloon when baby #2 was confirmed. Its mostly factory standard but I will own up to a few small mods - ALL proper JDM branded and period correct apart from the Carbotech brake pads and Toyo rubber!

It makes me grin like a lunatic every time I drive it - especially with someone thinks because its an "L" plate, it will be slow

I'm currently collecting parts for a spot of preventative maintenance so it hopefully lasts another 20+ years!

[james28]

Nice write up undervalued compared to the competition.Even with today's metal 15k is a great price and unlikely to lose a single penny.If I didn't own a mint 6 would give a call

[loudlashadjuster]

Teggers said:

R33f - I couldn't have said it better! I was lucky enough (or right place right time!!) to pick up my Evo 2 GSR a few years ago when I changed my 200sx for a "sensible" 4 door saloon when baby #2 was confirmed. Its mostly factory standard but I will own up to a few small mods - ALL proper JDM branded and period correct apart from the Carbotech brake pads and Toyo rubber!

It makes me grin like a lunatic every time I drive it - especially with someone thinks because its an "L" plate, it will be slow

I'm currently collecting parts for a spot of preventative maintenance so it hopefully lasts another 20+ years!

Make sure the usual suspect bits are solid - sills, suspension mounts, boot floor, and particularly the roof (they rust like billyo!) - and there's no reason why it won't.

[Teggers]

loudlashadjuster said:

Make sure the usual suspect bits are solid - sills, suspension mounts, boot floor, and particularly the roof (they rust like billyo!) - and there's no reason why it won't.

Oh, trust me on this - they are The only tinworm I can find is under the bootseal around the latch. That and a small amount of surface rust on the underside. That will shortly all be gone and protected against any further incursion. And a LOT of polybushes. Some of the rubber ones are still original!

[Gazzor]

Teggers said:

R33f - I couldn't have said it better! I was lucky enough (or right place right time!!) to pick up my Evo 2 GSR a few years ago when I changed my 200sx for a "sensible" 4 door saloon when baby #2 was confirmed. Its mostly factory standard but I will own up to a few small mods - ALL proper JDM branded and period correct apart from the Carbotech brake pads and Toyo rubber!

It makes me grin like a lunatic every time I drive it - especially with someone thinks because its an "L" plate, it will be slow

I'm currently collecting parts for a spot of preventative maintenance so it hopefully lasts another 20+ years!

Glad to hear it's still going strong I still have the widebody 3 here and a 9 and I still prefer the 3

[stephen-84ogy]

loudlashadjuster said:

Make sure the usual suspect bits are solid - sills, suspension mounts, boot floor, and particularly the roof (they rust like billyo!) - and there's no reason why it won't.

This is a jap import and has been in the uk just over a year. It’s absolutely a1. Sold it today near the asking price. One of the best examples left in the world.
It’s come out of my collection of RS evos

[aaron_2000]

stephen-84ogy said:

This is a jap import and has been in the uk just over a year. It’s absolutely a1. Sold it today near the asking price. One of the best examples left in the world.
It’s come out of my collection of RS evos

Very nice example. Not sure if you've driven a Type RA Impreza, but if so, how do they compare?

[Teggers]

Gazzor said:

Glad to hear it's still going strong I still have the widebody 3 here and a 9 and I still prefer the 3

Doooooood! Nice to hear from you! Yes, still going well. SORN'd at the mo while I get it restored (see, do bits when I have the time!) But it will come back better than ever with a few choice period-correct tweaks. Including a Mines ECU, Advan rally and dirt trial wheels and a few other tasty bits. Nothing irreversible though.

Although I've always wanted a 4 spotlight bonnet pod... Might have to get a spare bonnet for that!

Did you ever get the wagon you mentioned back then?

Edited by Teggers on Friday 19th January 22:11