New DD (the least jalop/oppo car I've ever owned).

"Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh" (andymcbradleigh)
11/30/2013 at 15:31 • Filed to: None

1997 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 GLXi (not the car pictured, mine has painted bumpers and stuff)

A few weeks ago it became clear to me that my trusty steed (DD) for the last 5 years needed so much work I no longer could justify spending money on it, I really liked that poor 1997 Civic so it was a sad day..

The problem is that I'm unemployed right now and I don't have tons of money. I could spend about 15k NOK (2500 USD) and it's not easy to find a car that's actually driveable here in Norway for that amount. BUT, I know a guy who's a Toyota Dealer, so I gave him a call.. And wouldn't you know it, he had a '97 Lancer for sale but he wanted 25k NOK (4200 USD) for it and that was more than I could afford.

So I asked him if he had anything cheaper, not more than 15k NOK.. He thought about it a few seconds and told me that I could have the Lancer for 15K, but that he would not replace the broken bulbs or fill up the tank for that price. SO for the price of a tank of gas (100 USD), and a few light bulbs (10 USD) I got the car for 10K less than it said on the sticker. I have GREAT friends.

And that's how I suddenly became the owner of one of the most boring cars in the world, in a HIDEOUS burgundy metallic to boot.

There are a few nice things about it though, it's a GLXi, so it has: Electric and heated mirrors, electric windows, and heated seats. It also has a hitch, and for some insane reason I can tow 1000kg behind this tiny little car.

TLDR: I needed new car, is brokes, has gudz friend who owns dealership and is super nice. Got car cheap, but car is ugly and boring.

DISCUSSION (10)

Dunnik > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
11/30/2013 at 16:00

Oh well, to paraphrase the Rolling Stones, you can't always get the car you want, but you get the car you need. Heated mirrors and seats are certainly nice features to have in Norway. You could have gotten a more Jalop-worthy ride, but you'd freeze your ass off.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Dunnik
11/30/2013 at 16:10

I'll probably never use the heat in the seat unless it's colder than -30 celsius, I hardly ever freeze. But the heated mirrors have already become a favourite feature :)

And it's a wagon, it's been ten years since I owned a wagon and I've missed having space for both 3-4 passengers AND luggage.

RacecaR > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
11/30/2013 at 17:47

Nice wagon!
If you are looking for things to do to it (modification-wise), check out mirageforums.net. The lancer was a Mirage here in the states. But, like everything else, the world got more variety than we did.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > RacecaR
11/30/2013 at 18:07

Thanks :)

But I won't modify it, I'll install a better stereo and that's it.

RacecaR > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
11/30/2013 at 19:14

Well we also have general maintenance info, service manuals, and pretty much any thing that goes along with Mirage/Lancers. Just in case you need that sort of thing. We have been around for about 12 or 13 years.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > RacecaR
11/30/2013 at 19:21

Don't get me wrong, I'll take a look, I'm just going to leave the car stock. Well, mostly.. needs an extra pair of high beams, and I probably need to raise the car a bit since I'm having problems driving in/out of my driveway. You wouldn't happen to know if the springs on the awd version was longer?

RacecaR > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
11/30/2013 at 22:51

Sorry I do not know much on the non-USDM versions. :-/

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > RacecaR
11/30/2013 at 22:56

No worries mate :) It's just hard to find stuff on the interwebz about my car, wikipedia claims the production of the wagon got shut down in '95 :P

RacecaR > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
11/30/2013 at 23:00

That's why we created the site so many years ago. Haha!

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > RacecaR
11/30/2013 at 23:02

I'll just visit my local Mitsu dealer on monday I guess... I need to find out how to remove the factory radio in it anyway :P