Deslock

I did read your posts and I agreed with much of what you wrote. However, this...
...is misleading. Being based on an economy platform has inherent disadvantages, but Mitsu's engineers have worked wonders with the EVO and it drives like no other econobox. However, what really prompted my first post (and what I should've initially quoted) was this:
The EVO is widely and often praised for its handling and braking abilities.

StewC625

I'll agree that it would be a great track handler, and if I were looking to buy a race car, it certainly would be in the consideration set, although I'd probably want a pure rear driver than an all-wheeler so you can rotate the car with the throttle in tight turns - gain a lot of time that way.

But man, to live with this car daily would suck.

I chatted up the driver of an EVO at an SCCA autocross on labor day weekend (he came over to check out my RX-8 ... ), and he said that he loves track driving it but hates it most other times because the performance is so extreme and the car is so rough-edged.

Which is entirely my point.

Guess I was off a bit on the "straight line speed" comment, although you listen to any comments from anyone but car magazines and all they talk about is the 1/4 mile capabilities of the car.

Don't forget that this thread was started by a guy considering an -8 as well as the EVO and WRX. Such different cars - if all he wants is "go fast at all costs" then sure, go with the EVO - because the "costs" are plenty:

- nasty NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) from the engine and drivetrain
- peaky performance curve - dead dog off boost and an f-16 with afterburners on boost
- rock hard ride
- Terrible straightline tracking on real world roads (tramlining)
- "Janet Reno meets JC Whitney" styling

As I said, if the only thing you care about is extreme performance, then, it's probably the car for you. I wouldn't take one if it were free.

OK, well, I would take it if it were free, but then I'd sell it and bank the money, after I had a chance to thrash it for a day on the race track.

Stew

Ike

While I disagree with a lot of what you say, I agree with this to a point. I took my final testdrives on my search for a new car yesterday and I drove my WRX, then testdrove an Evo, then drove my WRX to the Subaru dealer, then tested the STi. While it would not suck to have the Evo as a daily driver I decided the ride quality would bug me sometimes. I drove away thinking my mildly modded WRX was a better daily driver.

StewC625

It is an awesomely high powered car with amazing capabilities - about the only thing left of the original lancer is that Janet Reno sheetmetal.

But in the same way that I wouldn't want to drive an open-wheeled race car on the expressway, I wouldn't want to live with that thing either.

Now the RX-8? That's a daily grin-fest that you can absolutely live with.

Ike, the thing that drove me the craziest was the tramlining. That car has no idea where straight-ahead is ... it was so fussy at 80 mph on the expressway here in Chicago that I knew there was no way in hell I'd be able to live with it.

Actually, that's what killed the Mini Cooper S for me as well - it tramlines all over as well - must be a front-drive bias chassis (which, though the EVO is allwheel, the chassis and suspension geometry was initially designed for front drive) combined with low-profile wide tires. Also, what I think exacerbates the tramlining (and I notice this on my -8 as well) is track width. The truck ruts on the highway are about two feet wider than the track width, and so if you have one side centered in the truck rut, the other side is "climbing the wall" of the opposite rut. My minivan doesn't do this because it's running in the flat part of the bottom of the ruts. The EVO and Mini (and to some extent the -8), all hunt around the ruts because one side or the other is always "climbing the slope" at the edge of the rut.

Live is not all about the race track. If I could afford an EVO just for autocrossing ... hmm ... NAW, I'd still rather have an -8 or an FD for that.

Ike

I can fully attest that the Evo tramlines due to the near R compound tires it has moreso than any other reason. In most cars if a car does that it's usually a result of the tires. The Evo I drove yesterday had high performance all seasons and it was perfectly fine. Also the chassis and suspension of the regular Lancer and the Evo have virtually nothing in common

cas2themoe

Ike you have problems, I SAID the EVO is Fast *** Hell. Everyone knows that. But when it comes down to looks, the Evo is ugly as $hit. Maybe you misunderstood me again, as a performance package yes the EVO is a Beast! But I have my opinion and take is as you want. Just like I don't think the STI is all that good looking BUT it is better looking than the EVO. Speed, Power and Handling, the EVO and STI are your best bet money wise. But for a total package, don't even count on it being one of those two. Many will take my side with that. Like I say "There's an *** for every seat". Take that how you want to.

Ike

Looks are subjective, I don't think there's much to be misunderstood in a statement like "The EVO does not offer anything but power".

Elara

guys, QUIT with the arguing. Geez.

cas2themoe

Sorry I said Power instead of Performace. Forgot whos watching for everyones mistakes(Ike), so he can take advantage of them. Looks are Subjective? To what? Some one who has taste and someone that doesnt? How could you even state that looks are subjective on the EVO. Itss no where near a good looking car. ITS UGLY! Come on Elara you have judgement, what do you think? Ugly.... thought so, lol. Ok I'm done..................................

rx8wannahave

Keep in mind...that the Evo get's like 18/25 and that is virtually identical to the 8. It might have more range....let me shut up, and go research...LOL...researching...researching...

Click Me for Evo fuel economy

OK, I was close...it's more like 19/26 but the range is about the same. :p

StewC625

Who on earth would buy an EVO (or an RX-8 for that matter) for fuel economy?

I'm with cas2themoe here on the EVO's looks. I stick by my statement "It looks like a refugee from the JC Whitney catalog. That thing is uglier than Janet Reno."

I'm not a fan of the WRX's styling but at least it looks more put together and less "JC Whitney". Subies have always had their own "quirky styling" (need proof? how about the XT or the SVX? Weird, strange, somewhat cool ...).

StewC625

Who on earth would buy an EVO (or an RX-8 for that matter) for fuel economy?

I'm with cas2themoe here on the EVO's looks. I stick by my statement "It looks like a refugee from the JC Whitney catalog. That thing is uglier than Janet Reno."

I'm not a fan of the WRX's styling but at least it looks more put together and less "JC Whitney". Subies have always had their own "quirky styling" (need proof? how about the XT or the SVX? Weird, strange, somewhat cool ...).

Ike

I've always liked Subarus quirky styling, I loved the XT, SVT, and the Brat when I was younger. I didn't care for the Evo's looks when I first saw it, it has grown on me and after driving it a couple times I think it looks great. You guys seem to forget that there are plenty of people out there that think the RX-8 is ugly as well.

StewC625

Just no one in this forum, which curiously is named ...

RX8CLUB.COM

not

www.people_who_have_invested_$30000_in_an_ugly_ass _winged_up_economy_car.com

Far be it for me to point out the obvious, Ike.