2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo with 461 miles sold for $161k on Bring a Trailer

There are a handful of cars that will forever be considered Japanese legends. Regardless of which you consider to be the greatest, there is no arguing that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has a spot in the proverbial Hall of Fame.

Spanning ten generations full of rally and racing pedigree, the Lancer Evolution was essentially the other option if you were looking for a rally-inspired road car but a Subaru WRX was not your speed.

The Evolution IX was the beginning of the end for cool Mitsubishis
The Evolution IX launched in the US in April of 2005 as the next-to-last iteration of the lineup. It was powered by a 2.0 L 4G63 turbocharger inline 4 engine putting out 287 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. Several variants were spawned in addition to the regular Evo IX, one of which was the Mitsubishi Racing (MR for short).

Originally introduced on the Evo VIII, the MR edition was the raciest of them all. Despite using the same engine with the same power output, the Evo IX MR benefitted from a 6-speed transmission, Bilstein shocks, seven-spoke BBS wheels, aluminum roof, hood, and front fenders, a special gauge pack, HID headlights with integrated fog lights, vortex generators, front brake cooling ducts, and custom MR badging.

A low-mileage Evolution IX MR took Bring a Trailer by storm
Being the most special edition sold in the US, it was only a matter of time until low-mileage, preserved examples hit the market. On December 1st, a 461-mile 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR sold on Bring a Trailer for $161,000. In addition to the MR package, this particular example was also optioned with the Zero Lift Kit which added a rear spoiler wickerbill, a front air dam, and front brake air guides.

The Bring a Trailer listing offers no information as to why this car sat or what maintenance, other than an oil and battery change, was performed. It reportedly holds a Planned Non-Operation title, so it was likely a case of a collector purchasing it and keeping it in storage until it appreciated. Even the warning stickers on the glovebox are still attached!

Final thoughts 
Six figures for an Evo is a wild price. It goes to show that the most limited edition examples of any car will sell for a crazy amount of money to someone who appreciates their value. A 130-mile Honda S2000 CR sold recently for $170,000 so this is by no means a rare occurrence.

Let's hope its new owner will actually drive the car and enjoy it the way it was meant to. I am never against someone making money but I will always be against cars sitting in someone's collection gathering dust. Don't even get me started on the Brunei Royal Family Collection.