bullfrg

iTrader: (42)

I had a 2-dr SE-R which I loved, but after having a son it became a real pain loading him in and out. After putting up with it for a year I decided I needed to get a 4 door and started looking into what I might want to get. Looked and drove a number of cars and when I looked at the Evo I decided it fit my needs and after driving it I had to have one. My son loves the Evo and my wife likes the power but not the "bouncy" ride.

Ludikraut

iTrader: (17)

Siberian,

To answer your questions and concerns:
1. Should you buy an Evo? YES

2. Is it a driver's car? YES, it's the best driver's car I've ever driven. Like yourself, I enjoy this car much better on a nice lonesome, twisty road ... although carving up traffic on interstates is hella fun too. Drag racing ... this car is not meant to be that, and anyone that drag races this car is missing the point IMNSHO.

3. Too much car, etc? Not really. It may take a little while to get used to ... I've had mine for a month now and am only now starting to comfortably get to the point where I can push the envelope of what the Evo can do. However, the Evo is a car that demands the driver's attention ... so no reaching for that coffee or probing of nasal passages while driving fast. Heck, even reaching for the stereo can be hazardous, when you're navigating on ramps at 85+, hehe.

4. Hideous instrument cluster replacement: search forums for CombatCQB ... he's putting together an excellent replacement.

5. Do you ever find you feel like you're constantly working to keep a rein on it? Sigh... you just nailed it on the head. THAT is a daily battle. There are a lot of instances where I take a corner at what I thought was a good speed, but it's like the car is laughing at me and after I exit the corner I realize that I could have done that a LOT faster. IMO this car requires a lot of self-control to drive on public roads... or really good traffic-court lawyers

6. 10/100,000 warranty - according to my dealer the 10/100,000 is for all 2004 mitsus. However, that was easy for them to say, since all they had were 2003 Evos. FWIW, in my opinion, if you're going to buy this car, then ask yourself if you would still buy it if it came with NO warranty. Personally I don't really expect to get much of anything out of Mitsu's warranty and would think twice ... hard before I'd let a mitsubishi dealer tech work on it. I already know I'm going to mod the car and I do so with the understanding that I will most likely void any kind of warranty that I had to begin with. But that's ok with me. I bought the car with the understanding that it's going to cost $$$ to maintain. Being able to get what amounts to 'super car' performance at $30K easily offsets the maintenance costs for me. I looked up the maintenance schedule and costs of an Audi RS6 last year .. it's f***ing astronomical, not to mention that I can buy 3 Evo's for the price of one RS6.

Hope that answers some of your concerns. The only other thing I can say is that having gotten an Evo about a month ago, I am kicking myself for not having gotten one sooner.

Kayaalp

iTrader: (1)

Well, that's pretty much the big downside. Some cars (the Porsche 996 C4S and E46 M3 come to mind) feel just as good tooling around town at 2500 rpm as they do pusing their rev limiters. The Evo is not one of those cars! It feels pretty unexciting until it's up on boost...so it takes a lot of self control to keep from ripping it up every chance you get.

But once the road opens up or you get out on the track, there's not another car I'd rather be driving. I was at a track event just this past Saturday. I lapped 996 C4's and Audi S4's in just about every session (20 min). I was passed only a single time the whole day (approx 160 min of tracktime) and that was by a Porsche GT3 driven by one of the cheif instructors of the local PCA chapter. This car can really handle!

Emre

evilution8

iTrader: (18)

i love this car more every time i drive it. slow or fast, traffic or no traffic, highway or twisties. the sounds are amazing. the notchy shifting, the clunking of the trans when you get it in gear, hahaha. get yourself a cone filter and you hear stock BOV, air coming, and turbo spooling. amazing machine. i throw this car through turns like a MF, take on ramps and off ramps at triple digits and the car seems to say come on ***** you can do better than that!!!!

SterlingEvo

iTrader: (5)

I think enough's been said, but:

For me, a "Driver's Car" means a car that is truly an extension of the driver. No other car I've driven gives so much feedback and allows the driver to immediately respond to that feedback. I'd also say that the lack of huge low end power is an advantage for me in traffic. If you're inching forward in bumper to bumper, you don't have that huge surge every time you touch the throttle. It's a much more controllable power. But then if you need to pass, downshift and you're gone. As far as on the lonely twisties, there are few cars better equipped to run. You almost feel like you're obligated to take winding exits at 60mph.

gtr

iTrader: (6)

I consider the evo as the best street/track car. But if your looking for a drivers car i'd look into an elise. That probably will be the best handling car in the US

eclipsegs2k1

I agree with alot of the posters on here, but I enjoy everything about this car. It is definitely a drivers car in the purest form. By the way, I'm 18 and I haven't drag raced on the street or on the track nor have I done any road racing, but I enjoy the car everyday.

Racer RS X

iTrader: (6)

My Evo is my daily driver. I have used it for tasks from weekend trips, to trips to the grocery store. The other weekend I used it to help move, stuffed it with small funiture, cloths, electronics, and everything else I could fit into it. There are times that I do not think about the beast that the car is, because it is easier to use around town than my 99 Civic Si and my 2002 RSX. The car is just perfect for cuising around. There are times that I will drive the Evo through tight areas, such as parking lots, side walks, under fountains and walking areas (did not notice I did it until it was too late). It is amazing how easy the Evo makes things. It feels like a very small car it times. On the flip side my Evo, even though the engine is almost stock, has Tien H-Tech Springs (for now, front struts are going), and all the Cusco bars. So it is fun in the mountains.

Lee_K

I had the same exact questions about the Evo before I purchased one last December. I had nearly convinced myself that a better and more rational choice would be a Mazda RX-8 and came this close (holds fingers a millimeter apart) to buying one. But I just couldn't do it, despite all the rave reviews for the rotary wonder. Now, five months later, I couldn't be happier with my decision and everytime I look at an RX-8 I just smile and say how thankful I am that I didn't go with one of them. I mean, it's a nice car, but the Evo -- for me -- is so much superior in the things that I value.

I bought the Evo because of its reputation as a pure driving car. I'm not interested in stoplight drag racing. I'm not interested in the Fast and Furious scene. I replaced my tail lights with JDM units and even removed the Carbon Fiber wing, all to avoid unwanted attention. I know what I drive: I don't have to advertise it. The car delights me every time I get into it and I smile every time I get out and stop to look at it as I'm walking away at the end of the trip.

The Evo is best described as a barely broken thoroughbred horse: fleet of foot, more than a little rough around the edges, beautiful to look at, and entertaining as all get out. The exhiliaration in driving it comes from all the little things that are hard to define but add up to more than the sum of the parts: the grip of the tires, the telepathic steering, the Recaro seats, the great driving postion and outward visibility, the instant throttle response, the awe-inspiring braking. All of these define the Evo, and all of these make up for a very satisfying driving experience for those that appreciate it. Note that not everyone would agree. For some, floating on a cloud of air surrounded by rich Corinthian leather is the way to go. For others, a stiffly suspended and turbocharged all-wheel drive sedan is the answer. The Evo isn't for everybody, but I submit that for people that realy care about the driving experience -- I mean, really care -- the Evo is one of a just a handful of cars that deliver the goods.

Lee K

AWD 20T

I too had the same question, and it is now answered thanks to all of your help guys. Enjoy!

siberian

Some of these replies are just bringing tears to my eyes... wow.

I don't remember reading such passion about a new car since... well, when the NSX debuted.

Back then, I remember bumper stickers and buttons appearing, saying "God drives an NSX."

If that's true, it's only because satan took the Evo, lol...

It really is an EVIL little machine...

Ludikraut

iTrader: (17)

Hahaha, yep. And that's why my license plate is: EVL EVO 8

OnlineAlias

Damn, when did everyone on the forum get unbiased, well spoken and intelligent? Did that come with the software upgrade?

Proud to say I know who Markko Martin is and I have never seen Fast and the Furious....

erikgj

iTrader: (2)

One of the best descriptions of the car I have heard. Can I quote you?

Axis of Evo

iTrader: (3)

Check out any magazine and they'll tell you that it is one of the best driver's cars out there. EVO magazine from England said that the Evo is more of a hard edge purpose built driver's car than the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche GT3, the only cars it said were fit to test against it. Automobile and Sport Compact Car both named it Car of the Year.

Me - I traded my Boxster for the Evo because it was an amazing driver's car, pure and simple.