
Long Term Update 5: 2008 Mitusibishi Lancer Evolution MR
By Ron Kiino
Photography by Julia LaPalme
The Evo recently paid a visit to Todey Mitsubishi in Ventura for its 15,000-mile service, a $308.48 job that included a full inspection, tire rotation, engine air filter replacement, and Mobil 1 full-synthetic oil change. For context, the STI's 15K service, which checked the same boxes, ran $260.94 but did include standard, less expensive oil.
Speaking of petroleum products, the Evo is "hilariously thirsty," says Jurnecka. "Drive around with the trip computer on, and you can get real-time fuel economy along with a continuously adjusting average. Whenever the car is consuming less than 10 mpg, the readout goes blank, so as not to disturb the driver. It's roughly akin to a mother covering her child's eyes during a violent movie scene: The kid knows it's happening, he can hear it, he just can't see it."
| 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR |
| Months/miles in service | 10/14,790 |
| Avg econ/CO2 | 18.1 mpg/1.07 lb/miles |
| Unresolved problems | None |
| Maintenance cost | $537.34 (3-oil change/inspection/rotate tires, replace engine air filter) |
| Normal-wear cost | $808.00 (replace tires) |