Tarmac BLACK ... It's finally Mine!
Jun 15, 2003, 07:43 PM
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Tarmac BLACK ... It's finally Mine!
As some may know I picked up me new Tarmac Black EVO Saturday morning. After being out of town for two days I finally had some quality time with my new toy today so I though I'd pass on some initial impressions. I'll attach a photo even knowing you all know what a black one looks like.
A few facts first:
Ship Date: 6/6, Arrival Date 6/12, Mine 6/14
I had 3.9 miles on it which ironically was also my interest rate.
My insurance went up $89 over my 97 GSX
I have 80 miles now and have had at least 10 people break their necks to see what kind of car it is (although no one has asked yet).
My 6-CD factory stereo didn't arrive yet.
Impressions:
I actuall like how the blue aluminum accessories look in the black car...and so far I'll keep them. I actually like the factory original stuff also. The blue stuff was easy to install, even the dash surround.
The car feels very tight and a tiny bit harsh but I'm sure that is compunded by the fact that I'm taking it so easy on the car.
The transmission feels nice and notchy.
The black looks great.
The hood is almost too light to latch on it's own.
The tires look great even knowing they won't last 10K.
The seats feel like being in your mother's womb and I found a great driving position with the seats, momo wheel and shifter.
I added my Wink mirror fairly easily and topped it with my Escort Passport (damn finding a good ground under the dash was a headache.
The lancer badge came off easily with dental floss. I wish I could say the same for the glue (no I didn't have the 3M adhesive remover). I like it with just the Evolution badge.
I ran into a loaded up Eclipse with a body kit, lowered, wheels, exhaust and turbo work....he initially cam flying up to see what I was....then I saw him reading the Evolution and he promptly backed off and tucked in behind me, unwilling to pull along side. I wouldn't have risked my break in anyway.
What do you all actually do with those two back door thingys? I never had 4 doors before. I guess it's nice to have a rear window breeze without the wind in your face.
I miss cruise control, especially with how hard it is to see the spedometer markings.
The headlight pattern seems odd like theres a notch cut out of the driver side and I see little difference when I adjust the heights...but it seems fun. The high beams are great as are the fogs.
Bugs seem to love the front end of the car.
I decided to warm up cool down religiously and not tach over 3K for at least 1000 miles....overkill maybe but better safe than sorry.
This car feels fun even going slow and I can;t wait to open it up.
Wants:
Cruise control
The factory cannards or an aftermarket spliiter
K&N Filter
winter tires
summer wheels
lug locks
so fars that's it.
A few facts first:
Ship Date: 6/6, Arrival Date 6/12, Mine 6/14
I had 3.9 miles on it which ironically was also my interest rate.
My insurance went up $89 over my 97 GSX
I have 80 miles now and have had at least 10 people break their necks to see what kind of car it is (although no one has asked yet).
My 6-CD factory stereo didn't arrive yet.
Impressions:
I actuall like how the blue aluminum accessories look in the black car...and so far I'll keep them. I actually like the factory original stuff also. The blue stuff was easy to install, even the dash surround.
The car feels very tight and a tiny bit harsh but I'm sure that is compunded by the fact that I'm taking it so easy on the car.
The transmission feels nice and notchy.
The black looks great.
The hood is almost too light to latch on it's own.
The tires look great even knowing they won't last 10K.
The seats feel like being in your mother's womb and I found a great driving position with the seats, momo wheel and shifter.
I added my Wink mirror fairly easily and topped it with my Escort Passport (damn finding a good ground under the dash was a headache.
The lancer badge came off easily with dental floss. I wish I could say the same for the glue (no I didn't have the 3M adhesive remover). I like it with just the Evolution badge.
I ran into a loaded up Eclipse with a body kit, lowered, wheels, exhaust and turbo work....he initially cam flying up to see what I was....then I saw him reading the Evolution and he promptly backed off and tucked in behind me, unwilling to pull along side. I wouldn't have risked my break in anyway.
What do you all actually do with those two back door thingys? I never had 4 doors before. I guess it's nice to have a rear window breeze without the wind in your face.
I miss cruise control, especially with how hard it is to see the spedometer markings.
The headlight pattern seems odd like theres a notch cut out of the driver side and I see little difference when I adjust the heights...but it seems fun. The high beams are great as are the fogs.
Bugs seem to love the front end of the car.
I decided to warm up cool down religiously and not tach over 3K for at least 1000 miles....overkill maybe but better safe than sorry.
This car feels fun even going slow and I can;t wait to open it up.
Wants:
Cruise control
The factory cannards or an aftermarket spliiter
K&N Filter
winter tires
summer wheels
lug locks
so fars that's it.
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Jun 16, 2003, 07:42 AM
#8
Originally posted by spyderx
congrats!
I myself drive a 99 GST with stock T-25. How does your Evo compare to your GSX and did you have turbo upgrade on the Eclipse?
congrats!
I myself drive a 99 GST with stock T-25. How does your Evo compare to your GSX and did you have turbo upgrade on the Eclipse?
Jun 16, 2003, 09:32 AM
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Thanks to everyone.
Deisel. Yes for now Tarmac owns ME. I'm being careful where I park and checking on it at lunch time...I guess I'll get over that.
Shiny...you bet. I was very pleased with the dealership wax shop and how it came out. I thought I'd end up detailng it myself right out of the dealership but they did a great job. I did polish up where I removed the Lancer badge but that's it.
As far as the GSX...I had a semi-stock 97 GSX (Black of course). It was loaded, even had the factory LSD. The GSX feels heavier even though the weight is close. I think it's the EVO's stiffer suspension that makes it feel lighter and certainly stiffer. The GSX felt softer. The EVO feels taller compared to the low slung GSX. Both have a huge black wing in your mirror and without my racing Wink mirror it would be a pain. The GSX had a few more luxuries (cruise, 10-CD changer, homelink, alarm...) but the EVO will certainly be faster (after break-in) in every way. I know if you ask me a year from now I'll still have never opened the back doors so having a 4-door is a little wierd. The 5-speed on the EVO is much nicer and as much as the GSX had great brakes nothing out-stops the EVO....again I'll know more after break-in. The gauges on the GSX are nicer but we'll see. It just may take some getting used to. I still think without cruise control and with the tiny spedometer on the EVO it's hard to maintain an accurate speed.
My CF wing looks perfect, no bubbles and on the black car it looks amazing and subtle.
The car looks and feels great. I've seen a number of heads turn, including our local police. Fortunately I was NOT speeding and the truck passing me WAS but when I saw the lights I did quickly look at the spedo and look again to be sure.
So far it's a great car although I did get one of my tires muddy this morning so I'm a little bummed....yes Deisel it still owns ME.
Deisel. Yes for now Tarmac owns ME. I'm being careful where I park and checking on it at lunch time...I guess I'll get over that.
Shiny...you bet. I was very pleased with the dealership wax shop and how it came out. I thought I'd end up detailng it myself right out of the dealership but they did a great job. I did polish up where I removed the Lancer badge but that's it.
As far as the GSX...I had a semi-stock 97 GSX (Black of course). It was loaded, even had the factory LSD. The GSX feels heavier even though the weight is close. I think it's the EVO's stiffer suspension that makes it feel lighter and certainly stiffer. The GSX felt softer. The EVO feels taller compared to the low slung GSX. Both have a huge black wing in your mirror and without my racing Wink mirror it would be a pain. The GSX had a few more luxuries (cruise, 10-CD changer, homelink, alarm...) but the EVO will certainly be faster (after break-in) in every way. I know if you ask me a year from now I'll still have never opened the back doors so having a 4-door is a little wierd. The 5-speed on the EVO is much nicer and as much as the GSX had great brakes nothing out-stops the EVO....again I'll know more after break-in. The gauges on the GSX are nicer but we'll see. It just may take some getting used to. I still think without cruise control and with the tiny spedometer on the EVO it's hard to maintain an accurate speed.
My CF wing looks perfect, no bubbles and on the black car it looks amazing and subtle.
The car looks and feels great. I've seen a number of heads turn, including our local police. Fortunately I was NOT speeding and the truck passing me WAS but when I saw the lights I did quickly look at the spedo and look again to be sure.
So far it's a great car although I did get one of my tires muddy this morning so I'm a little bummed....yes Deisel it still owns ME.
Jun 17, 2003, 08:47 PM
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Shipping block
Looking at your pic I could swear that your Shipping blocks are still installed on your front suspension. Hence the Paris Dakkar look 
Does your ride seem unusually hard???
Does your ride seem unusually hard???
Jun 18, 2003, 05:17 AM
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I'll check again but I think it's because in the photo it is parked on a hill with the back end on the downhill side. The shipping blocks are black rubber spacers in the springs right???
I did find after the photo that they had the tire pressures unusually high (45 psi all around)!!!
I did find after the photo that they had the tire pressures unusually high (45 psi all around)!!!
Jun 18, 2003, 05:27 AM
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Originally posted by wmcorcor
I did find after the photo that they had the tire pressures unusually high (45 psi all around)!!!
I did find after the photo that they had the tire pressures unusually high (45 psi all around)!!!
Jun 18, 2003, 05:31 AM
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Yes I thought the tires felt stiff and after getting it home I checked and it was at 49 hot so I cooled them for a few hours and found them at 45. I brought them down to normal and the car feels much better.
I guess they think if they leave them at 50 you'll burn them up quicker and buy new ones....I guess some people do buy tires from the dealer?!?!
I guess they think if they leave them at 50 you'll burn them up quicker and buy new ones....I guess some people do buy tires from the dealer?!?!
Jun 18, 2003, 09:35 AM
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I checked at lunch and I see no spacers.....I saw a photo but someone remind me. I should be able to see a black rubber block in the spring by looking in the wheel wells if they did leave them in??
I think it's just the hill it was parked on for the photo.
I think it's just the hill it was parked on for the photo.