Thankfully, we drove the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer before California’s Winter From Hell officially took effect. Escaping the eventual ravages of snow, ice, and generally lousy weather experienced during the winter of 2007, Mitsubishi paired us up with a variety of ES and GTS models for some highway and twisty back road cruising around Santa Barbara. Ample seat time afforded us the opportunity to evaluate the Lancer on lengthy stretches of the 101 freeway, and a pre-determined route made sure we tasted the GTS’s sport-tuned suspension. All the while, the sun shone down on us and kept the roads clean and dry.