Mitsubishi

The short version

Mitsubishi's performance reputation rests on the Lancer Evolution, a rally homologation special that spent a decade fighting Subaru. The Evo used a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive and a chassis developed for competition, and it remains the brand's defining car. The 3000GT and Pajero show different sides of the company: one a technology-heavy grand tourer, the other a serious off-roader.

The problem for buyers is supply. Mitsubishi's UK presence has shrunk, many parts are discontinued, and the specialist network is small. A good Evo is a rewarding car, but it needs a careful owner and a realistic budget.

The models that define the brand

The Lancer Evolution ran from 1992 to 2016 across ten generations. The early cars used the 4G63 engine and a five-speed gearbox, and they are now the most collectable. The Evo IV to VI added more aggressive bodywork and active differentials, and the VI is the model most associated with Tommi Makinen. The VII and VIII moved to a wider platform, and the IX is often regarded as the best of the 4G63 cars.

The Evo X switched to the 4B11T engine and, in some markets, a twin-clutch SST gearbox. It is heavier and more refined than its predecessors, and it is the most usable Evo for daily driving.

UK cars were sold in FQ specifications with escalating power outputs, and the FQ-320 and FQ-340 are the ones most buyers look for. The badge is used loosely in adverts, so the paperwork matters more than the sticker on the boot.

The 3000GT, sold as the GTO in Japan, was a technical flagship with a twin-turbo V6, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and active aerodynamics. It is complex, heavy and expensive to repair.

The Pajero, badged Shogun in the UK, is a proper four-wheel-drive vehicle with a separate chassis on earlier models. The Super Select transmission and the diesel engines are the main ownership considerations.

What it costs to own

A routine service on an Evo typically costs £300 to £600, and the intervals are short enough that owners who use the car hard will spend more. Tyres are £700 to £1,000 a set, and brakes and clutches wear quickly. The AYC and ACD systems need fluid changes and can fail.

A replacement AYC pump can run to £1,000 to £1,800, and a transfer case rebuild is a four-figure job. An engine rebuild on a 4G63 can run to £3,000 to £6,000, and a 4B11T is not cheaper. On the 3000GT, parts are scarce and labour is high because the engine bay is crowded.

Pajero running costs are more modest, but rust repair and injector pump work can still be expensive.

Consumables are the quiet expense. An Evo used on track will go through pads, discs and tyres at a rate that catches owners out, and the Brembo calipers can seize if the car has been standing. A brake refresh can run to £800 or more.

Known weak points

• 4G63: timing belt and balance shaft belt, crankwalk on early cars, lifter noise and boost leaks.
• Evo VIII and IX: AYC pump failure, transfer case whine and six-speed gearbox wear.
• Evo X: SST mechatronic faults, timing chain wear and AYC problems.
• 3000GT: active aero, four-wheel steering, gearbox and parts availability.
• Pajero: chassis and body rust, diesel injector pump wear and Super Select faults.
• Imports: undeclared modifications, JDM ECUs and missing UK paperwork.

What to check before buying

Check the service history and confirm the timing belt has been changed on schedule on any 4G63 car. A compression test and a boost leak test are worthwhile. On an Evo with AYC, listen for pump noise and check for warning lights, because a failed pump is expensive.

Inspect the underside for rust and accident damage. Many Evos have been modified, repaired or imported, so check the chassis number and the paperwork carefully. On a 3000GT, test every electronic system, including the active aero and four-wheel steering.

On a Pajero, check the chassis rails and rear body mounts, and make sure the Super Select system engages all modes. Check the underseal on imported cars, because a fresh coat can hide corrosion, and the rear chassis legs and fuel lines are worth probing.

Market and depreciation

The Evo VI is the strongest collector model, particularly the Tommi Makinen editions. The Evo VIII and IX are firm, and clean, unmodified cars command a premium. The Evo X has depreciated but is now steady, and it is the easiest to live with. The 3000GT is cheap to buy and expensive to keep, and the best cars are worth restoring.

The Pajero has a following, and clean examples are climbing as the off-road scene rediscovers them.

Who it suits

Mitsubishi suits a buyer who wants rally-derived performance and is prepared to source parts from specialists. It also suits an off-road buyer who needs a genuine four-wheel-drive vehicle. It does not suit someone who wants a cheap, low-maintenance performance car.

How this profile was compiled

This profile uses Mitsubishi's published model information, owner reports from the Lancer Register, and current UK market listings. It is a buying guide, not a road test.