Imported JDM 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV

A white 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV arriving at and leaving Cars and Coffee at Finish Line Auto Club. Introduced in 1996 and based on the latest Lancer platform, the Evolution (Evo) IV is powered by a 2.0-liter 4G63T four-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger and is equipped with Mitsubishi's Active Yaw Control (AYC) torque transferring system. This JDM example was imported to the United States by Toprank International Vehicle Importers and was listed for sale for $34,995.

Mitsubishi may currently have one of the least interesting lineups of any automaker, but that was certainly not the case in the '90s. The Lancer Evolution nameplate was a legendary one and when "Need for Speed: Underground 2" was released in 2004, many players (including myself) naturally considered the Lancer their weapon of choice. Of course, at the time there was much hype surrounding the model since Mitsubishi had just recently introduced both the Lancer nameplate and the Evolution (VIII) to the U.S. market for the first time. As expected, the Evo was hit among performance sedan buyers and continued to be a highly desirable car until the geniuses at Mitsubishi decided to axe it after 2015 to focus on, well, products that generate far less interest and excitement. And look at where the company is now.

Sure, you can now buy one of many used Evo VIIIs, IXs, and Xs on the market for a very reasonable price. But the eyes of the most hardcore enthusiasts are set on not what can easily be found at a dealership or a used car auction, but rather the forbidden fruit that helped make the nameplate the legend that it had become, even if it requires going through the complicated and expensive process of having it imported from Japan and legally registered here in the States. This Evo IV was listed for sale when I saw it, and I'm sure it has already found a home now with a lucky JDM enthusiast. Sure, it may not be as coveted or highly valued as contemporary Nissan Skyline GT-Rs. But with those cars now becoming increasingly common sights at car meets, it will certainly be a welcome surprise wherever it goes!

Would you choose this Lancer Evolution over a contemporary Skyline GT-R? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!