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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally

A Serious Threat to Old Guard Eco-Powers

When I returned from my first ever TestFest in the fall, it was difficult to put the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ into perspective. For three days I was in literal perpetual motion, driving 2003 model vehicles over and through eastern backroads, and on and, ahem, off the raceway.

BMW Z4. Nissan 350Z. Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG. Audi A4 Cabriolet. Acura NSX. 50th Anniversary Corvette. And on and on it went at the annual event that sees manufacturers provide the cars, keys

After three straight days of driving the latest 2003 cars, technical figures and numbers started to blur together. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and gas to an insatiable automotive press corps.

After 72 hours of driving, eating, driving, sleeping, driving, talking about driving then driving some more, the technical figures and numbers

The sporty Lancer OZ Rally edition, priced at just over $15,000, should appeal to enthusiasts and young buyers alike. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

began to overshadow, in my humble estimation, the most important number in the buying publics mind: the number with the dollar sign at the front.

The aforementioned dream list of vehicles alone rings up a half-million dollar sticker price, give or take 20 thousand here or there. Ask the esteemed members of our panel to ante up

The OZ editions rally inspired exterior look carries over into the interior, with brushed metal accents and a race-inspired steering wheel. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

for the high-powered pony ride, and youd have a shorter lineup than at a Panthers-Thrasher hockey game. Put another way, by the time said scribes would have enough money under the mattress to buy one of these luxury vehicles, the Ballard Fuel Cell will be regarded as a crude piece of inefficient technology.

So forgive my enthusiasm for the Lancer. Base priced at around $14,000 and change, the sporty four-door sedan offers good value for money, particularly

The "reliable" 2.0-L 16-valve four-cylinder engine produces 120-hp, which may be lacking in hilly areas. (Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

if you go for the OZ trim level ($15,857 - $17,767). A mid-level LS ($16,147) rounds out the 2003 Lancer stable, but other than the otherworldly $28,987 EVO it is the rally-inspired OZ rendition that should appeal to young buyers.

Since its inception the Lancer has gone through six major makeovers and dominated hundreds of rally car competitions in its near three decades of existence.

The OZ version pays tribute to that rally heritage in a number of ways, the most obvious being the front and rear bumper extensions, side air dams, rear spoiler and 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Inside,

The little four-cylinder is suprisingly fun to drive, with fairly direct steering and limited body roll. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

the OZ model features brushed metal finish trim and a race-inspired steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake trim package.

More importantly, the OZ model lets buyers opt for stand-alone ABS and is the only 2003 Lancer that offers an optional power sunroof.

The sole powerplant available is a 2.0-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder. Its 120 horsepower does an admirable job, though Id expect that hauling four adults up and over some hilly passes might strain the four-banger a bit.

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