Well, finally got around to driving it. Just want to say that the folks at Baierl Mitsubishi were good and my salesman, Ed, was very nice. I was expecting him to hastle me and deny me a test drive, but he didnt.

After stepping into it with the engine running, I almost couldn't tell that it was on. I'm not used to having to check the tach to make sure the car is turned on - it was freakin' silent. The clutch pedal felt really funky. It was really long and really vague. I just took a guess where the catch point was and off we went.

Acceleration: Pretty disappointing. Not gonna sugar-coat that - it felt slow. The powerband was so linear that you could have told me it was n/a and i'd believe you. I suppose the linear powerband is nice, but its not what i'm used to and i think I'd miss that turbo punch in the kidneys - it cetainly does add to the civility factor though. As lacking as I thought the power was, I mentally prepared myself for it. To note: my girlfriend (~120lbs)and the salesman (~200lbs) were also in the car, so i'm sure it wouldnt have been quite as bad if it were just me.

Handling: I had a chance to take it around some twisties - super impressed. The amount of grip was ridiculous and there seemed to be less body roll than my IX. I really tried to push it and drove it at a level that would have been straining my IX, but the car acted like i wasnt even pushing it at all. Just like the magazines have been saying, you turn the wheel and the car just figures the rest out. I was mad at myself though, because I was trying to figure out why I couldnt powerslide it at all - stupid traction control was on . So tail happy funny was not quite achieved, but getting an idea about the rigidity and flat cornering abilities of the car was great. This was easily the most desirable aspect of this car.

Steering: Good, just not quite as good as the IX. It was just as direct, but not quite as quick/sharp. A barely noticeable gripe. Still don't like the steering wheels as much.

Braking: Very solid and much better than my IX. Although, I have not changed the pads or rotors on my IX in 40,000+ miles, so i'm sure that is one reason it seemed so good to me. Either way, very solid and stops quickly. The massive brembos/rotors brake as good as they look.

Overall: Much more satisfied with this car than I thought I would be. It feels like a very subdued, civilized IX. Almost like a Camry on steroids. It is far too quiet and smooth, but I guess thats the point. Honestly though, comparing the X and the IX is almost like apples and oranges. They really are that different from eachother, yet they are both fun and enjoyable at the same time - just for different reasons. If I had a X, it would be my modded daily driver (the acceleration would have to be fixed). The IX would probably be relegated to the drag strip/autoXing. I still love my IX's rawness and brutality, but I officially like the X for its strengths.

 

Thanks for sharing. The accel a lot of people said that the feeling is gone, the accel is actually still there. A bit smoother of a ride I guess. I still think the powerband is rough as hell past 5k...meh. Maybe you didn't go that high.

 

Good review but come on "like a camry on steroids" it's so much better than that....

 

I award you no points for originality. You do not pass go. You do not collect $200.00.

 

Yea, that comparison sucked monkey *****.

 

I commend your ability to write a first hand review on an Evo forum that doesnt just give undeserved stroke jobs to everyone. Evidentaly, you anger others who arent ready to hear anything but praises for their new poster-child.

BTW, we have seen several "X"s that cant break 200whp on a Mustang, prob due to a funky factory mapping issue or ??? I'm sure there is a beast inside waiting to come out but it is not ready to come out and play while stock, as you noted.....

 

Nothing wrong with a review, may just be nice to hear something that hasn't been beaten into the ground already. Find me one review here which falls within the negative category that doesn't say the exact same thing. The only thing it seems to be lacking this far is a mention of the "obvious detriment caused by excessive weight." I'm sure that will follow with some other comments. This should probably just be moved over to the mega IX vs X thread.

 

I honestly could not really notice the weight. I didnt get to do any real transitions, but it handled really well for how weighted down it was. As the one guy said about the powerband, above 5000rpm it does seem to lose steam. My IX in stock form used to pull like hell to 7grand and beyond. This was more like, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it...shift!

Sorry if this review was much like the others, but I know there are still many like me who are in love with the IX, yet still want to know what a X is like. I've kind of developed a reputation from those on this forum that labeled me as a hater because I was critical of the X's specs from the start. There is still much I do not like, but the suspension/handling/rigidity improvements are more than enough for me to at least be impressed with. I would probably really like it if I could hear the motor/exhaust and if it had more ***** - nothing that wont be fixed with the aftermarket. Its certainly got potential.

Oh, and compared to the IX's tin-can-on-wheels feel; it is similar to a camry on 'roids (i'm not saying its a camry - chill out; just that it is that quiet and civilized).

 

Honest review? I never tasted IX. X is the best car i ever owned and love it so much that almost going on road-rage especially on the highway. After 600 miles i got to push it a little and this thing flys like a go-cart and glued to the road The brakes are amazing!

Now that i know how the X is I will test drive my friend's IX to see what everyone talking about accel. Is it really that difference?

 

I love my IX and I have yet to drive a X, so I can't say much other than I really like the way it looks. I know you meant no harm but these posts are flame bait. I mean, I bit hehe

 

^^Yes. Even with mods it feels different. They put down good power on a dyno but they just dont have the feeling of snapping your head back like the IX's.

 

^ I am going to drive 1 this weekend and find out.

 

What's the point of test driving a car with a pre-disposition and bias against it?

That makes this whole review pointless. If an X lover drove the same car he say better things because of his bias towards the car.

 

I think everyone test drives a car with a bias, good or bad, no point being harsh about that on the OP. I am glad the OP is impressed with the X! If the OP were a real hater, he would have written a lot more non-sense hate comments, like "The car is fugly, and the the 9's interior is a lot better!"

 

^Yea, I guess your right....