I didn't take the E86 off the road in the end (it's actually in this photo hidden by my Mitusbishi, parked on the pavement behind it), but the Lancer Sport 2.0 Estate is the official daily again.
I reckon it has probably depreciated at around £50 a year over the ten years I have owned it (and most of that is due to dings), and is currently sat on a touch under 80k miles (I think it averaged about 6k a year before I got it, and 3k a year since.
Absolutely love the car, precisely because it's practical and I don't need to worry about it. Feels weird driving it after 5 months of Z4... suspension is sloppy, clutch feels really light, whilst its fast enough for normal use it is SLOW. The seats are unimpressive and I can't adjust the drivers seat to how I want it (a touch of lean back).
I fear I have fallen into the trap that capitalism constantly sets us - I have allowed myself to enjoy something I did not need (the Z4) and it has made me appreciate less a car I love and have never had an issue with!
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You have certainly had your moneys worth out of the Lancer. My wife would much prefer me to adopt a similar strategy as your’s.