2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Article at Automotive.com

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8

Below is an enthusiast article written by the automotive experts at Super Street. New Lancer Evolution 8 To Hit US Shores

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Costs of Ownership

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IntelliChoice Value Rating

The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.

One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.

What is a good car value?

A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.

But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?

For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.

This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)

Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.

Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.

So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.

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Article From Super Street Magazine

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 - News Break

New Lancer Evolution 8 To Hit US Shores / Article provided by: Super Street Magazine

Mitsubishi's AnswerThe year 1992 marked the first time the world witnessed the lightweight, turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, rally-inspired, compact four-door sedan that is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Since then, the Evo series has presented the highest levels of performance, drivability, reliability, and durability on the streets and the track. In the Word Rally Championship (WRC), the Lancer Evolution won the Manufacturer's Championship in 1998 and brought driver Tommi Makinen a record four Driver Championships between 1996 and 1999. On the streets, the Evo exemplifies the overwhelming potential and unsurpassed road performance through its refined exterior, advanced turbocharged engine, and class-topping suspension. Now, February 2003 marks the first time the Evo will be sold at dealerships across the nation-under the badge of Lancer Evolution VIII. It will come equipped with Brembo brakes and Recaro seats, and is expected to retail under $30,000. This much-anticipated vehicle comes with a dynamically aggressive front-end design, characterized by Mitsubishi's trademark Diamond Cut Nose and exclusive multi-lamp headlight units. The engine will have an uncompromising turbocharger and large-capacity intercooler. According to Mitsubishi, "The specification of the Lancer Evolution sedan represents a smarter approach to the sports car theme with a layout that offers more utility and comfort than a coupe." With the much-liked Subaru WRX already established in America, Mitsubishi's answer will certainly raise quite a few eyebrows-this magazine already has with our Evo VII feature in last month's issue.

Hottest Game Of The YearGrand Theft Auto: Vice City features complicated missions, a colorful storyline, and over 100 hours of addictive entertainment-all set in the '80s. This is the latest installment in one of the most widely recognized video game franchises in the world. Set in Vice City, the players go through a mysterious labyrinth filled with deadly consequences and seedy underworld agents. As an essential supplement to the game, BradyGames introduces The Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Official Strategy Guide, which helps gamers get on the fast track to becoming enterprising criminals, including expert tactics that detail what vehicles to drive, where to go, and who to knock off to earn respect and cash. According to David Waybright, publisher of BradyGames, "To say that the release of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is an 'event' would be putting it mildly. We've tried to approach the strategy guide with the passion and innovation that this game deserves." The game and the guide are in stores now.

Hot Wheels-35 And ExpandingMost adult males tend to reflect on their childhood and treasure one line of toys tenfold above the rest-their Hot Wheels collection. What makes us auto enthusiasts different, however, is that we haven't grown out of collecting them. Luckily, Mattel hasn't grown out of creating them either. This year, Hot Wheels looks forward to its 35th anniversary, and celebrations are definitely in order. With plans to roll out all-new versions of shrunken cars under the Highway 35 guise, we'll bear witness to all kinds of inventive items, from the Ultimate Track Set to the World Race games for the PS2, Gamecube, and Game Boy Advance. Although many of the new 1:18- and 1:64-scale Highway 35 Adult Collectibles (Beatnik Bandit, Deora II, etc.) will probably be more interesting to dads and uncles because they commemorate the original hot rod era, rest assured that Hot Wheels is not forgetting about us import fans. The line of die-cast Tunerz vehicles is growing exponentially, and we anticipate some fantastic items to fill up our rooms and offices with this year. In case you're wondering who that elderly gentleman pictured is, that's Mr. Elliot Handler, the guy who created Hot Wheels back in 1968. He made a cameo to celebrate 35 years of miniature automotive greatness, and we were lucky enough to shake hands with him. We give him our highest score-0 0 0 0 0-for rocking.

Information: www.mattel.com.

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