In tight economic times, you may be told to simplify your spending - find the things that you can live without and you're off to a good start. Sure you could overspend and have a little more fun, but you may pay for it in the end.

The dilemma for most is that we still have to get to work, the grocery store and to drop the kids off at school (sometimes all three on the same trip). Finding a nice balance can be a little difficult.

Search for a used Mitsubishi Lancer

The Mitsubishi Lancer that was to arrive in town was the Evo. An over the top road rocket that was sure to put a smile on my face. But as fate would have it, that was not to be and a GTS came in its place.

While it's not the Lighting fast Evo, the GTS still packs enough features to make the driving experience pleasant. If you're looking for a vehicle that stands out, look no farther than this car.

The Lancer still has that great shark-like nose and a profile that keeps It from blending into the compact scenery. The GTS also features 18-inch alloy wheels and cosmetic enhancements with side sills and an extended front bumper.

Power is decent from the 2.4-litre four banger and combined with the five-speed manual, it puts out 168 horsepower and 167 lb.-ft. of torque. It's not a rocket by any means, but it will get the job done.

Inside, the cabin layout is simple with nice silver accents throughout. Climate control dials are large and easy to use, buttons and knobs attached to the audio system are a good size and gauges are bright and easy to pick up at a glance.

The driver also gets treated to a leather-wrapped shifter knob and leather-wrapped steering wheel complete with mounted audio controls.

Standard amenities include manual folding, remote, power adjustable outside mirrors; power door locks and windows (with driver one-touch down); power glass sunroof; two, 12-volt power outlets and FAST-key entry and starting system.

The seats are comfortable and provide decent support for the driver and passengers alike.

The only concern would be the rear seats, where leg room could be an issue for larger bodies. For my kids I could tell that they had to manoeuvre their bodies to get in their booster seats and then had to adjust their legs ever so slightly to find a comfortable seated position.

Like most kids, if you provide enough distractions you won't hear too many complaints except when you just happen to take a trip to one too many stores. But that could happen in any car.

The entire family receives the benefit of a safe interior with six airbags ready to deploy at a moment's need.

Riding in the Lancer GTS is quiet, with little road noise creeping into the cabin. The GTS is packaged with sport-tuned independent suspension and handles bumps and curves with responsive steering and smooth cornering.

The great thing about the Lancer is its looks. You can't deny that Mitsubishi designed a winner with this car. For those wishing for a little excitement in their driving lives, this may not be the car for you, but if all you need is to get from point A to point B, then this may be the car for you.

With plenty of features and decent performance and fuel economy, you might want to think about standing out with the Lancer.