A Fond Farewell to a Rallying Legend

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution broke onto the scene in 1992 to great reception for its high-performance sports car abilities. Known commonly as the EVO by its huge following, the car defined an era of rallying, car tuning and car modification like no other.

In a statement earlier this year, Mitsubishi announced an end to the manufacturing of the legendary model, with no plans to introduce a successor. Let’s look at some of the highlights of this iconic machine throughout the years.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was one of many cars in the early 90s that were targeted at bringing all of the thrills and excitement of a sports car to the general public. With a retail price that fitted in with many similar 4-door sedans, the EVO bridged the gap between much more expensive performance sedans found in Europe with the exciting new look and feel of the growing tuning movement in Japan.

From Humble Beginnings, a Legend is Born

The Mitsubishi EVO started out as a highly tuned version of Mitsubishi’s Galant VR-4 model with its turbocharged 20.L engine and AWD drive train making the grade. Available in both GSR and RS variants, with the latter being stripped of many features including electric windows, anti-lock brakes, and steel wheels to make it 70KG lighter than its counterpart.

The evolution continued along its successful stint as an affordable performance car, with entry into the world rally championship to prove its worthiness as a true performance beast. With multiple championships came an even greater following in the tuning and car modification market to create an icon in the making throughout the rest of the world.

Revolutionary Improvements to a Classic Chassis

With the introduction of the EVO IV, the brand, image and iconic nature of the Mitsubishi car had firmly tightened its grip amongst motoring enthusiasts. Mitsubishi introduced a number of technological improvements in the car, including an active YAW control, a two different LSD units, an 180-degree turn of the engine to give greater balance to the vehicle, as well as improving power throughout the car.

The Affordable Supercar for the Masses

With the introduction of the EVO VIII Mitsubishi really found its target audience. Sales of the car were at an all-time high, and models were quickly being sold out as soon as production was complete.

With more changes made to increase the power of the engine, finely tuned brake systems, a suspension overhaul and improved aerodynamic and weight differences meant the new EVO VIII had delved into the realm of supercar speeds.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is the tenth and final installment of the most popular and iconic cars of the past decade. A fitting tribute to one of the most talked about cars in the rallying scene, and a true legend when it comes to tuning and “modding”. The final installment of the EVO legend may have come to an end, but the legend will continue for years to come.

5 Key Tips on Choosing the Perfect Mitsubishi Dealership

Buying a new car can often be one of the most frustrating tasks in modern times – enough to drive you round the bend. With so many new and used cars to choose from, finding the ideal Mitsubishi car to suit your needs may be the least of your worries. Finding affordable financing options as well as warranty and servicing plans will play a key role in finding the perfect Mitsubishi dealership. Melbourne is home to one of the best Mitsubishi car dealers in the continent, so setting a standard that others can only follow gives you a baseline of quality to look out for.

1. The Initial Cost Factor

We are all after an affordable car to run, but it is the initial outlay of costs that makes purchasing a new car feel daunting. Financing comes in to save the day, with multiple options available over the course of a short period of time or for a few years to come. Whilst finding a loan at your bank might be harder than it used to be, choosing a financing package at your local Mitsubishi dealership could offer you a great Mitsubishi finance deal.

Once you have paid the initial deposit, you will be able to sign a financing agreement that allows you to pay for your vehicle over a number of months or even years. Most dealers offer several different financing options to choose from, giving you a chance to shop around after getting a quote. The perfect dealership will be able to offer you multiple financing options with added extras and upgrades on the more worthwhile deals.

2. The Range Of Cars On Offer

It may well be a great way to bring in customers by specialising in one particular model of car, but real choice comes from a range. Choosing a Mitsubishi dealership that offers a range of new and used Mitsubishi cars, as well as a facility for upgrades, repairs and service is a great start. Whilst you may think that a smaller dealer may be able to offer a more personalised service, the larger dealerships can offer a much greater choice all-around.

3. An Official Licensed Dealership

Buying a new or used Mitsubishi car from an officially licensed Mitsubishi dealership has many benefits attached to it. Not only are you guaranteed that regular services and repairs that may need to be carried out in the future are going to be of high quality, official Mitsubishi dealerships can offer a range of Mitsubishi spare parts that are made specifically for each part needed. The parts you buy will fit perfectly, and will often carry a warranty or guarantee for the parts and labour.

4. Local Service, Friendly Staff And Superior Knowledge

Many people choose to buy their car from a local dealership because of that simple fact: they are local. Local folk is more likely to understand the needs of the surrounding areas better, the types of vehicles that are popular as well as understanding the economy of the local area. Financing options may be geographically based to not allow the local community to be priced out of the car market.

5. The Deals Of The Day

Whilst friendly service and a great range of cars to choose from may be a factor that changes your mind, stand-out deals play a big role in finding a great price on your new car. As long as you read all of the small print and understand the financing options available to you, some of those great deals can be found all across the country. Keep an eye out for extended warranty and guarantees, as well as all-inclusive parts and service packages to keep you on the road and enjoying your new car.

Advice On Choosing Between A New And A Used Car

When in the market to buy a new Mitsubishi car, you should always shop around to get the best deal. Whilst new cars come with very attractive warranties and guarantees, when you factor in the depreciation value year on year, you may find that you will be able to get better value for money by buying a Mitsubishi used car. The question on whether you should buy new or used can be narrowed down to factors including your budget, upgrades as well as insurance and tax.

The benefits found in buying a new car can include the warranty of your vehicle, which depending on which car you choose may last up to ten years or a set amount of mileage driven. Many dealers can offer discounts on upgrades to get you an in-car entertainment package, alloy wheels or bespoke interiors. Added to the benefits of a long warranty and a guarantee on parts and labor, new cars offer the latest in technology and a host of other features.

Finance Packages On New Cars

One of the best features of buying a new car is that you get the latest safety requirements. Many vehicle models get upgrades and changes made to their safety features, meaning a newer car may be a safer option in the long run. Another great feature that many dealerships will offer you with a finance package that meets your budget.

Chadstone Mitsubishi offers great Mitsubishi finance deals that allow you to spread your payments over extended periods of time. This is a great way to finance your new car and allows your budget to stretch a little further than if purchasing with a one-off payment.

Buying a used car has its own particular perks and benefits and whilst you may only be able to find last year’s model, the depreciation in the price of modern cars means that there are huge bargains to be found. Many used car dealerships also offer warranties to ensure that your used car is in tip top condition and is protected against any issues you may have down the road.

Used Cars And Unbeatable Deals

Used cars also have the benefit of being able to pick up a higher tier model with all of the added packages for cheaper than a lower tier vehicle without these extras. This makes for great savings when it comes to upgrading your car later. Many used cars have had careful previous owners ensuring that you can choose a car with a relatively low mileage that is in great condition.

Whether you choose to buy a Mitsubishi used car and take advantage of the added feature packages for a cheaper price, or choose a Mitsubishi new car from reputable Mitsubishi car dealers such as Chadstone Mitsubishi and take advantage of their great Mitsubishi finance options, you are sure to get a great deal either way. Shop around and find the latest deals and do your research on the latest used car prices. Compare the market and you are sure to find a great deal on the car of your dreams.

Tips for Buying Genuine Mitsubishi Spare Parts

When you find out that there is a problem with your car most people tend to go down the easy route and take it into a dealership for inspection and repairs, but taking the time to source genuine Mitsubishi spare parts yourself can save you a small fortune in the long run.  Not only can you save on labour costs, but you will also learn to know your car better, understand the benefits of regular inspections and keep your vehicle in good working order.

Why Buy Genuine Spare Parts?

Buying genuine Mitsubishi parts is a sure-fire way to ensure that you are getting not only value for money in the long run, but to also ensure that fitting, repairs and future inspections can be made without issue. The quality of parts is also an important factor, and by purchasing genuine Mitsubishi parts you can ensure that there is a minimum risk of the parts being faulty, as the manufacturer will employ stricter quality standards to pass inspection. Many non-genuine parts may be of lesser quality and more prone to faults.

Not only will buying genuine parts benefit the longevity of your vehicle, but genuine parts are also easier to fit. Many third party parts can be problematic to fit and whilst it may resolve the issues with your vehicle, genuine parts are made specifically for the task at hand and are designed to be an exact fit. Third party spare parts may also affect the durability and reliability of your vehicle in the long run, which is why it is highly recommended to fit genuine parts to continue the performance and reliability that genuine manufacturer parts can provide.

Where To Find Appropriate Spare Parts?

A manufacturer approved garage is the best place to source the parts you require, and often offer excellent value for money for fitting and repairs. The majority of genuine parts will come with a warranty or guarantee that nearly always outstrips any other offers given with non-genuine parts and garages that are not manufacturer approved.

If you need to find genuine Mitsubishi parts, Melbourne based supplier Chadstone Mitsubishi should be your first port of call. Specialising in Mitsubishi parts and accessories for over 27 years, Chadstone Mitsubishi is one of the largest Mitsubishi spare parts suppliers in Australia and offers a huge range of parts and accessories for repair, modification and personalisation of your vehicle. With a wide range of genuine and brand new Mitsubishi parts on offer, each part is backed by a 12 month/20,000km guarantee when fitted at your service. This is in addition to purchasing accessories, which fitted to your new car at the point of purchasing come with a 3 year/130,000km.

So when searching for genuine Mitsubishi spare parts for your car in Melbourne, take the time to ensure that the parts you are buying are genuine and new, avoid third party parts and accessories to ensure the quality of the product, and fit Mitsubishi original spare parts that come with a guarantee or warranty. Use a manufacturer approved service or fitting centre to ensure inspection and fitting are performed professionally and benefit from the reliability, durability and safe, guaranteed parts that an officially approved spare parts supplier can offer you.