Sports cars in top shape with low mileage are always in short supply, which makes them sought-after items for collectors and enthusiasts. You can rest assured people will be ready to pay a lot to get their hands on them.
With its rally pedigree and insane cornering potential the Lancer Evolution IX MR is definitely one of those cars. But who could possibly imagine one would sell for over $100,000 on the free market?
Californian dealership South Beach Mitsubishi started an eBay listing, offering a brand new metallic gray Evolution IX MR for a starting price of $15,000. At less than half of the car’s MSRP, that represented quite a bargain, right?
But the bidders were ready to pay more. Far more. The interest for the car was so high that within a single day the offers climbed past $60,000! That was only the beginning, as would-be owners pushed the price past the six-digit mark only two days later. By the time the bidding war ended, the car sold for over $135,000!
Naturally, the car in question was in perfect shape. According to the odometer, it has travelled just nine miles — or less than one a year, on average. The Evo has never been registered, nor driven on public roads. The dealership allegedly bought the car 10 years ago and kept it safe hoping it would someday pay off.
Well, South Beach Mitsubishi guessed right. If we consider the car was worth approximately $35,000 when it first came out, this trade brought an amazing 390% increase in value!
In spite of its factory-like condition, it’s hard not to conclude the car was overpriced. The good news is that the owner will soon be enjoying the sort of exceptional performance only a rally-based machine like the Evolution can deliver.
The Evolution IX MR (Mitsubishi Racing) was a special edition of the “regular” Evolution, taking advantage of a lower ride height, 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, and improved gearbox. The MR is generally considered to be the best and most desirable model of the Evo IX family.
Hopefully the car won’t remain in garage for another 10 years, because a beast like this needs to be driven.
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