Until recently (3 weeks ago to be exact), I had never owned a "fun" car. My previous rides had all been need-based due to things like money, interior size, etc. About the closest thing to fun I had owned was a little Jeep Comanche pickup with 4sp manual, but it was bought based on the need to haul stuff.

But 3wks ago I got a new Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart w/5sp manual. I took delivery on Sat. and that Monday my wife and I drove it from here in South West Ala. to Austin, TX. We did it in 12 hrs. (I drove all the way and if it wasn't for her bladder and the need to gas up we wouldn't have stopped.) No driver fatigue, great in curves and turns, smooth at high speeds. I've finally realized that I've simply been too pratical in my adult life. Rural, bumpy backroads that I used to dread in my grandma car (2000 Mitsu Galant) are now my favorite routes. My teenage boys can't believe I got a version of the car first seen in the US on a video game.