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Test Drove Evo X tonight...

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Old 07-09-2008, 12:42 AM
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Test Drove Evo X tonight...

I don't own an 8. I have been lurking here for a while - as I have test driven the 8 and really liked it. I've been cross shopping a lot of sporty cars - s2000, used boxsters, etc. i'm looking for something fun and sporty.

I test drove a GSR model - the 5 speed. I was expecting to be blown away by how "cool" or how fast it was. I was somewhat let down.

It didn't feel as fast as I had expected. maybe it is fast, but it is deceptive? it did not blow me away as "really" fast.

i got to take a few turns in it and it cleary is a nice handling car. sprung stiffly. you could feel many of the bumps in the road - and it was responsive to steering inputs... but it had a cheapy feel to it.

the engine sound was really bad. it was noisy and buzzy. if you've drien an s2k - it was kidna like that.

one thing i am drawn to with the 8 is the sound of themotor and the smoothness. another car I LOVE is the boxster. if you think the 8 sounds good, run through teh gears in a boxster with the top down. it sounds amazing. the EVO sounded buzzy and annoying. kind of droning in a way. not classy sounding at all.

overall, one of my tests is to test drive it, tell the salesguy i want to think about it and then go home. and see if i'm still thinking about the car and have that "gotta have it" sensation.

after getting home, i was not all that impressed. fast or not, great bang for the buck or not - it just didn't make me think I wanted to buy it. granted the car is a bit boy racerish looking - not as much as the evo IX - but still F&F to an extent - albeit in a bit more aggressive way - so maybe it's the look of the car turning me off as well... i'm 36, professional..and not trying to be a F&F kind of a driver...

also, the power noticeably dropped off in the higher rpms. it pulled hard at 3k and held it to about 6k - somewhere in there, and then it seemed to fall flat. a lot of turbo cars do that.. it's annoying.

the 8 pulls hard to redline..and VTEC cars..and the boxster do the same.

anyway. you aren't missing a whole lot if you don't have one.

it is obviously faster than an rx8 and you could fit 3 people in the back - BUT I wouldnt' recommend putting 3 back here. in a jam you could cram 3 little kids back there, but despite the fact that it has 3 seatbelts back there - it's really just a 2+2. the rear seats are pretty tight.

Last edited by 23109VC; 07-09-2008 at 12:53 AM.
Old 07-09-2008, 12:50 AM
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interesting. thanks for the write up
Old 07-09-2008, 12:59 AM
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I've been wanting to test drive it as well, but havn't gotten around to it. Nice write up.
Old 07-09-2008, 01:02 AM
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sounds like you're more of a NA person than anything else, you like the linear buildup of power and you like the power near redline.

so keep looking at NA cars then.
Old 07-09-2008, 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
sounds like you're more of a NA person than anything else, you like the linear buildup of power and you like the power near redline.

so keep looking at NA cars then.
that's not necessarily true. I tested the sti and had similar feelings, though I couldnt exactly push it. I know it was fast, but I honestly think I have more fun in the 8, and would choose an evo over the sti anyways (no real reason... like the looks and just more biased towards the evo for some reason). That being said, I've driven a turbo FC.... absolutely loved it. Just depends on the car and how it's set up really.

Nice write up, I've been wanting to test the evo since I tested the sti but havnt managed to get around to that... mitsubishi dealers are a bit further away than the subaru dealer was.
Old 07-09-2008, 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 23109VC
I don't own an 8. I have been lurking here for a while - as I have test driven the 8 and really liked it. I've been cross shopping a lot of sporty cars - s2000, used boxsters, etc. i'm looking for something fun and sporty.

I test drove a GSR model - the 5 speed. I was expecting to be blown away by how "cool" or how fast it was. I was somewhat let down.

It didn't feel as fast as I had expected. maybe it is fast, but it is deceptive? it did not blow me away as "really" fast.

i got to take a few turns in it and it cleary is a nice handling car. sprung stiffly. you could feel many of the bumps in the road - and it was responsive to steering inputs... but it had a cheapy feel to it.

the engine sound was really bad. it was noisy and buzzy. if you've drien an s2k - it was kidna like that.

one thing i am drawn to with the 8 is the sound of themotor and the smoothness. another car I LOVE is the boxster. if you think the 8 sounds good, run through teh gears in a boxster with the top down. it sounds amazing. the EVO sounded buzzy and annoying. kind of droning in a way. not classy sounding at all.

overall, one of my tests is to test drive it, tell the salesguy i want to think about it and then go home. and see if i'm still thinking about the car and have that "gotta have it" sensation.

after getting home, i was not all that impressed. fast or not, great bang for the buck or not - it just didn't make me think I wanted to buy it. granted the car is a bit boy racerish looking - not as much as the evo IX - but still F&F to an extent - albeit in a bit more aggressive way - so maybe it's the look of the car turning me off as well... i'm 36, professional..and not trying to be a F&F kind of a driver...

also, the power noticeably dropped off in the higher rpms. it pulled hard at 3k and held it to about 6k - somewhere in there, and then it seemed to fall flat. a lot of turbo cars do that.. it's annoying.

the 8 pulls hard to redline..and VTEC cars..and the boxster do the same.

anyway. you aren't missing a whole lot if you don't have one.

it is obviously faster than an rx8 and you could fit 3 people in the back - BUT I wouldnt' recommend putting 3 back here. in a jam you could cram 3 little kids back there, but despite the fact that it has 3 seatbelts back there - it's really just a 2+2. the rear seats are pretty tight.
You definitely will not get a rotary like power band from a turbo car but I actually like that "kick in the pants" feel you get when you hit boost. The sound as you mentioned is what a very restrictive and muffled I4 car sounds like, I personally liked it as it sounded like a jet , but now I got a 3 in TBE and it sounds way better.

Mitsubishi took a step away from the boy racer look and added a somewhat Euro-Japanese "F*CK U" look. Looks are very subjective but we can all agree that it looks better than the 08 STi.
I dont understand what the "cheapy feel" that your referring to is....the interior? Or the overall handling...
Funny how you mention the rear seats are tiny and its like a 2+2, I fit 3 medium sized guys (*points to Atilla* you fit snugly) back there no prob. Its way roomier than it looks!

Overall if you didn't like it then its OK! Like the Rx8, its in its own niche market. Maybe next time you stop by I can show you how this car actually feels with a small amount of bolt ons...
Old 07-09-2008, 02:16 AM
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pshhh expected of AWD trash.
Old 07-09-2008, 02:21 AM
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I own an EvoX, it's just a different car. As to the interior being cheap, I noticed the pedals feel like they potentially will snap off. As far as acceleration, it's quick but slower than what my 8 does thanks to a turbo. What I was most impressed with was playing with the launch control, and launching a little here and there. (*chirp errrrrrrrrrrrrrr......) Didn't care much for the seating position. High speed cornering was impressive! Overall the 8 is a much better driver's car in my opinion.
Old 07-09-2008, 02:28 AM
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If you think the New EVO's interior is cheap, you need to sit in the previous version. The new EVO feels like a Maybach compared to the plastic fantastic older EVOs.
Different strokes for different folks. Some like the EVO, some like the RX-8. Hey I just read about a guy who likes computer hard drives and CF card reader in his car too. Maybe it comes with a camera attached to grille.
Old 07-09-2008, 02:31 AM
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Originally Posted by ShinkaTeen
pshhh expected of AWD trash.
LOL
Old 07-09-2008, 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by legendkurado
I own an EvoX, it's just a different car. As to the interior being cheap, I noticed the pedals feel like they potentially will snap off. As far as acceleration, it's quick but slower than what my 8 does thanks to a turbo. What I was most impressed with was playing with the launch control, and launching a little here and there. (*chirp errrrrrrrrrrrrrr......) Didn't care much for the seating position. High speed cornering was impressive! Overall the 8 is a much better driver's car in my opinion.
Legend what happened to you eight?!?!
Old 07-09-2008, 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by delhi
If you think the New EVO's interior is cheap, you need to sit in the previous version. The new EVO feels like a Maybach compared to the plastic fantastic older EVOs.
Different strokes for different folks. Some like the EVO, some like the RX-8. Hey I just read about a guy who likes computer hard drives and CF card reader in his car too. Maybe it comes with a camera attached to grille.


Nice writeup, not planning on replacing the eight except with another rotary, but still good to keep tabs on what else is going in the auto world.
Old 07-09-2008, 09:46 AM
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looks like an evo-x and much cheaper

Old 07-09-2008, 09:56 AM
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Legend what happened to you eight?!?!
He has a brand new Evo X with almost no miles on it and an RX-8.

I've driven a friends evo with lots of work and while fast I've been in faster. I wish they made it look more like a car (remember the AWD eclipses and talons back in the day).
Old 07-09-2008, 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Aznxkaiser
You definitely will not get a rotary like power band from a turbo car but I actually like that "kick in the pants" feel you get when you hit boost. The sound as you mentioned is what a very restrictive and muffled I4 car sounds like, I personally liked it as it sounded like a jet , but now I got a 3 in TBE and it sounds way better.

Mitsubishi took a step away from the boy racer look and added a somewhat Euro-Japanese "F*CK U" look. Looks are very subjective but we can all agree that it looks better than the 08 STi.
I dont understand what the "cheapy feel" that your referring to is....the interior? Or the overall handling...
Funny how you mention the rear seats are tiny and its like a 2+2, I fit 3 medium sized guys (*points to Atilla* you fit snugly) back there no prob. Its way roomier than it looks!

Overall if you didn't like it then its OK! Like the Rx8, its in its own niche market. Maybe next time you stop by I can show you how this car actually feels with a small amount of bolt ons...
YES we all know....
Old 07-09-2008, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by HeavyMetal699
He has a brand new Evo X with almost no miles on it and an RX-8.

I've driven a friends evo with lots of work and while fast I've been in faster. I wish they made it look more like a car (remember the AWD eclipses and talons back in the day).
hence my post above yours... they are boxy and ugly.. remind me of a Honda CRX, Subaru WRX... uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuglyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy :\
Old 07-09-2008, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
sounds like you're more of a NA person than anything else, you like the linear buildup of power and you like the power near redline.

so keep looking at NA cars then.
No, the car isn't setup very nicely.

Get a GT3071R type turbo on the RX-8, and you'll feel it pulling all the way without any let off. The torque will of course decline in the upper rpms, but no more than a NA rx-8.

The MS3 is famous for power dropping off after midrpm... but they've managed to resolve it with aftermarket modifications.
Old 07-09-2008, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by AJ's Shinka
Legend what happened to you eight?!?!
I still have it in the garage when the x is parked outisde ;p I own the evoX because I cosigned for my cousin's fiancee. They had problems and I ended up owning the car.
Old 07-09-2008, 04:09 PM
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Boxster was one of my alternatives to RX-8

I have a friend who was going to sell me his "S" for 26. I considered it but it had too many miles on it and cars in Hawaii take a beating with the salt air. I got the RX-8 for a lot less but I will probably own a Porsche as my next car.
Old 07-09-2008, 04:17 PM
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Thanks for the write up. Your review basically sums up my feelings towards the new STi I test drove a while back.
Old 07-09-2008, 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 12oclock
Ya I actually wanted an EVO before i got my 8. EVO's are basically good in 2 departments: handling and modding. Other than that the STI blows it away in every aspect. The interior of EVO's isn't that much nicer than a saturn either. When I posted about getting an 8 at one of the EVO forums they started flaming about the low torque of the 8 until I brought up the interior of the EVO, lol, that shut them up quick.
I can't believe your whining over the INTERIOR of the evo. Ask any damn evo owner if they give 2 pennies about the interior! Once your start making actual power from basic cheap bolt ons you start to realize what really matters in an evo... So if your saying that the Evo > STi in handling and mods then lol I guess subaru failed?

Hasn't anyone taken a REAL test drive? Like around some twisties? All this crap about "ZOMG INTERIOR IZ FAIL" and "OLD DSM TEH BETTTAR!!1" is really disappointing coming from you guys...
Old 07-09-2008, 11:50 PM
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^yes KAISER we know your car is nice...
Old 07-09-2008, 11:53 PM
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Different strokes for different folks. That's all i have to say.
Old 07-09-2008, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 23109VC
I don't own an 8. I have been lurking here for a while - as I have test driven the 8 and really liked it. I've been cross shopping a lot of sporty cars - s2000, used boxsters, etc. i'm looking for something fun and sporty.

I test drove a GSR model - the 5 speed. I was expecting to be blown away by how "cool" or how fast it was. I was somewhat let down.

It didn't feel as fast as I had expected. maybe it is fast, but it is deceptive? it did not blow me away as "really" fast.

i got to take a few turns in it and it cleary is a nice handling car. sprung stiffly. you could feel many of the bumps in the road - and it was responsive to steering inputs... but it had a cheapy feel to it.

the engine sound was really bad. it was noisy and buzzy. if you've drien an s2k - it was kidna like that.

one thing i am drawn to with the 8 is the sound of themotor and the smoothness. another car I LOVE is the boxster. if you think the 8 sounds good, run through teh gears in a boxster with the top down. it sounds amazing. the EVO sounded buzzy and annoying. kind of droning in a way. not classy sounding at all.

overall, one of my tests is to test drive it, tell the salesguy i want to think about it and then go home. and see if i'm still thinking about the car and have that "gotta have it" sensation.

after getting home, i was not all that impressed. fast or not, great bang for the buck or not - it just didn't make me think I wanted to buy it. granted the car is a bit boy racerish looking - not as much as the evo IX - but still F&F to an extent - albeit in a bit more aggressive way - so maybe it's the look of the car turning me off as well... i'm 36, professional..and not trying to be a F&F kind of a driver...

also, the power noticeably dropped off in the higher rpms. it pulled hard at 3k and held it to about 6k - somewhere in there, and then it seemed to fall flat. a lot of turbo cars do that.. it's annoying.

the 8 pulls hard to redline..and VTEC cars..and the boxster do the same.

anyway. you aren't missing a whole lot if you don't have one.

it is obviously faster than an rx8 and you could fit 3 people in the back - BUT I wouldnt' recommend putting 3 back here. in a jam you could cram 3 little kids back there, but despite the fact that it has 3 seatbelts back there - it's really just a 2+2. the rear seats are pretty tight.

my buddy test drove it too and said the "exact" same **** you wrote up.

I love being an 8 owner


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