Mitsubishi Colt - The Overshadowed Tuner Hatchback

A 90’s hatchback, full independent suspension, a wide selection of SOHC engines with range-topping DOHC models (which unfortunately were mostly Asian-Market only), horsepower ranges from 75 to 175hp, easy engine swaps from bigger cars of the same manufacturer, racing pedigree and four wheel drive models.

“Wait 4WD? That’s not a 90’s Honda Civic!” You say, and yes you are right.

The Mitsubishi Mirage, or Colt in European and some North American markets is Mitsubishis answer to the widely popular Civic.
Built from 1962 to 2012 in 9 Generations, although the nomenclature leaves out the first three, it was Mitusbishi’s entry to the Kei and Subcompact market.

But today I will mostly focus on the cars built from 1991-2002 or the Generation IV and V Mirage, prices will be sourced from mobile.de.

What is so special?

Both of those are sharing their platforms with the Mitsubishi range of the years, the CB and CJ architecture, which were the base of the Lancer models in the 90s, yes even the Evolution.
Basically, all those car’s chassis are identical up to the B-Pillar, with the changes laying in the rear chassis and roof.

Engine choice

A wide rage of choices was available in the Mk.4:

1.3 12V (4G13), 55 kW (75hp); 03.1992-05.1996
1.5 12V (4G15), 66 kW (90hp), 03.1992–12.1993
1.6 16V (4G92 MVV), 66 kW (90hp), 01.1994-05.1996
1.6 16V (4G92), 83 kW (113hp), 04.1992-05.1996
1.6 16V (4G92 MIVEC), 129 kW (175hp), 04.1992–05.1996 (Japan-only)
1.8 GTi 4WD 16V (4G93), 103 kW (140hp), 04.1992-05.1996

Which was, at least in Europe, limited in the following generation:

1.5 12V (4G15), 66 kW (92hp), (Asia only)
1.3 12V (4G13), 55 kW (75hp), 05.1996-09.2000
1.3 16V (4G13), 60 kW (82hp), 09.2000-09.2003
1.6 16V (4G92), 66 kW (90hp,) 05.1996-09.2000
1.6 16V (4G92), 76 kW (103hp,) 09.2000-09.2003
1.6 1.6 16V (4G92 MIVEC), 129 kW (175hp), 05.1996–09.2003 (Japan only)

All engines came with a 5 speed manual and, excpet the Mivec and GTI models, with a optional 4 speed automatic. From my experience with my 4G13 and 4G92, the engines are fairly slow below 4000RPM, only then the power really comes.
As you can see, most of these will not blow your doors off and if they are fast, they are equally rare and pricey. Nothing a few in-house engine swaps cannot fix.

Mods

As mentioned before, both of the cars share an achitecture with the Lancer, which makes 4G63 and 4G93 swaps comparably easy and common in the scene. As you can see on the pictures, the engine bay of the RHD and LHD versions is only mirrored, and a Lancer Evolution engine feels cozy inside the Mirages engine bay.
If you want to go completely bonkers you can fit an entire Lancer Evolution drivetrain into a 4WD Colt GTI, which is not a Plug and Play or bolt on job, especially if building on a FWD model, but the resulting potential is immense. Such modified Mirages are not uncommon on Rally stages, drag strips and autocross events alike.

Unfortunately, the aftermarket support for the Mirage is not even close to the wide availability of parts for the Honda. Modifying one will be harder if you are not picking some parts from the Lancer aftermarket, but as they are for the most part the same car, aftermarket parts are largely compatible, research and be completely sure before you install aftermarket lancer parts on a mirage.

My recommendations for mods would be a set of sport dampers and springs, or a full coilover-kit in that matter and especially a rear sway bar. From my own experience the cars love corners but might be a little floaty at the limit and rarely when cornering hard the rear does not feel planted.

Aesthetics

As for the aesthetics of the car, just like it’s rival, it lived through the early 2000s ‘tuner wave’, and many at least in my opinion cars have been grossly modified, I would mostly stay clear of those examples but sometimes a real gem of an engine is hidden under the hood.

The front of the cars looks like an attempted copy of the Mk5 Honda Civic, although varying in the rear, which at least on the MkV Colt does not look as appealing as the Civic or the predecessor in that matter. Again, you have the option to fit something from a lancer, why not a complete Evolution front end swap while you are at it?

The interior is spartanic, although the Mk5s 3-spoke steering wheel does add some sporty feel to the car. The base trim 1.3 engines did often not have a tachometer, and counting engine revolutions is made by your ears.

Problems

Colt’s are fairly simple, solid cars.
The biggest issue is rust on the side members and rear wheelwell, sometimes on the flexpipe. Parts are plentiful, the junk yards are full of 90s Mitsubishis. Nevertheless, essential electronics like starters are pricey, for example will an ABS sensor cost around 80€.

Other known problems are rarely noisy rear dampers, and some drivetrain problems like wear on clutches, synchronizers and driveshafts on the ‘high powered’ models. Another issue are the door jamb switches (“60% of the time it works every time”), which are a 10€ and 5 minute fix.

Other than that they are almost bulletproof cars, check for rust, service it on time, which is fairly easy to do yourself, and it will last a lifetime. The engines are extremely reliable, and used in almost every Mitsubishi vehicle of the time, for example a 98’ 1.5 Mirage which covered 997 000 miles or 1,604,515.97 km.

Prices

Convinced? Interested in buying one? A quick check in the classifieds (mobile.de) shows that Colts are priced below comparably powered and equipped Civics, simply because the demand is low.
A well serviced example with 100000 to 130000km will cost you around 1500 to 2500 Euro.

My recommendations are the cars after September 2000, with the updated engines and in GLX trim.
If you, by chance find a GTI, decide fast, otherwise, I will buy it.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your first car, and it should be something different, or are building an autocross weapon and cannot find a Civic that satisfies you, try checking out the always overshadowed underdog alternative.