Hi guys, I'm planning to buy an Evo to replace my current car and having decided that I don't want an Evo X, I was wondering which Evo I should get. Stuck between either the 8 or the 9 as I don't want anything older. Just wondering on the differences that may make one better (If any) before I decide. Thanks in advance.

 

IXs have MIVEC on the intake side and a larger turbo. Looks are subjective. IX Enkeis are slightly lighter. IX wing is lighter, VIII wing is full CF. An VIII would be cheaper, IX would be newer. Early VIIIs don't have ACD. VERY early VIIIs have a (useless IMO) intercooler sprayer.

 

Clean IX's are fetching a premium these days. But if you don't mind paying the extra $, the IX is the way to go (Mivec, better looking front bumper, and nicer seats).

 

As nemsin said, the 9 is the way to go since it has ACD and MIVEC if you're looking at it from a performance stand point. The 9 front bumper also looks better, and it has nicer seats (just the material).


However, if you just want an Evo for the sake of having an Evo, any clean example of the car will do you fine. If you find a 2005 8, it will have the ACD, but no mivec. Arguably, an 03-04 without ACD and without MIVEC would be a little more reliable as the ACD and MIVEC stuff does occasionally have problems in the 2005 8 and the 9's.

 

my evo 8 all 92k miles so far i have only encountered a bad map and maf sensor.

 

If you have the money a 9, if you don't a 8

 

Thanks for the replies, I'll be looking for an Evo 9 then.

 

yea i say if you can get a IX. just do your research when you find one before you drop the $$$

 

I'll sell you mine for the best of both worlds. 03 VIII with the seats, lights, wheels, engine and transmission from a IX. Mivec is there and the acd has been deleted.

 

If you just want an Evo and aren't worried about extracting every bit of performance, buy an VIII and save a ton of money.
A guy I know has one and our autocross times are really close. Unless you are a hard core racer, you will probably never notice the difference. If you are, you will hate the VIIIs open front diff.

 

I agree, at first I wanted a 9, but then found an 8, which I ended up getting. I've had her for almost two years now, and I must say, having an Evo is IMHO amazing. Maybe one day I'll be able to get the seats out of a 9, but the Recaros found in an 8 are also really nice.

 

FWIW, i went from IX to VIII seats. I personally prefer the VIII seats because they feel more firm. My IX seats looked cool, but they were kinda soft and a little harder to keep clean. Just my opinion, though.

 

Tbh, I didn't even think about that. One big thing that I was afraid of was the leather on them cracking. Thanks for the info on that. I'll always love that leathery smell in a car though.

 

I don't remember them ever smelling like leather. I assume it's real, though LOL.
128k miles with no cracking and plenty soft..

 

Well, as everyone knows, "X" is a cooler letter than "V". Also, the little snubby piece in the middle of the bumper above the intercooler on 8s always bugged me. Glad they just opened it up on the 9. For those very superficial reasons, 9 got my vote.