1980 Mitsubishi Lancer LC Lancer/Celeste review from Australia and New Zealand

Nothing has serious or expensive has ever gone wrong with this car. The head has never been removed. Some of the plastic mounts behind the dash are now becoming brittle, but I've devised a way to fix that.

I have replaced the exhaust system once at 200,000 Km and the rear brake pads once at 150,000 km. I go through a set of front pad about once a year. The clutch was replaced at 210,000km, but it costs me very little. Oh; I had to replace the Uniroyal steel cat tires after a 100,000 km as they started to perish and split at the sidewalls; the tread was fine.

Fun to drive, deceptively fast (the faster it goes the more stable it appears) and totally reliable and economical. Why else would I have kept it for 21 years when other cars have come and gone from my household?

Fuel consumption of 42 mpg is possible and it runs OK on unleaded (better on unleaded premium).

Totally rattle free. Now needs a re-spray as the bonnet (hood) has faded somewhat, but otherwise as good as new. I'm forever running in to people who used to own one and regret selling it; they just couldn't believe their luck would hold and something wouldn't go wrong eventually.

Not a family car; no room for children.