Mitsubishi Evo's, reliable? Other ?'s

Ron3 · 05-20-2006, 13:19

Mitsubishi has a good warranty on paper, 5yr/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, 5yr/unlimited road side assistance, 10yr 100,000 powertrain warranty.

Are they that bad?

I'm getting interested in the Evo IX.

How available are these? I read last year less than 5000 were sold in the US. I certainly wouldn't buy one if the reliability sucked.

Also, where are they made? Are they actually made in Japan or made stateside like most Honda's?

What do people really get for mileage in these? 15mpg? 20mpg?

Never owned a non-domestic before!

Ron3

Rob1035 · 05-21-2006, 21:50

I think that a lot of the reliability problems you'll see stem from modifications. More boost, etc. I have no clue how good they are in stock form

Bushflyr · 05-21-2006, 23:00

Great warranty on paper. But seriously, what kind of loser actually leaves an Evo stock for 5 years? Of course, after you mod it that warranty isn't worth much. OTOH, that engine and drive train will handle a ton of power reliably, so any breakages will be the result of a bad tune or bad driving.

ajkahr · 05-22-2006, 00:01

Put a fart-can on it. You're ready to roll...

I've sat in one. Horrible fit & finish. Cheap plastic everywhere. In a few years, you'll need the aftermarket seats as the stock ones fall apart.

Up Pimp Ze Auto. Get a new GTI...

Ron3 · 05-23-2006, 05:37

Man you can't compare the performance of a GTI against the EVO.

I'm looking for a daily driver/open track car. I've had a few Mustangs in my time and I'm used to cheap interiors and mediocre ride quality.

The stock seats are aftermarket, Recaro's, and everyone raves about them. Seriously, even the WRX STI guy's say they're good for turns and comfortable for trips.

Ron3

Bushflyr · 05-23-2006, 10:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron3
The stock seats are aftermarket, Recaro's, and everyone raves about them. Seriously, even the WRX STI guy's say they're good for turns and comfortable for trips.

Ron3

Of course they do.

Because the STi seats suck. Subaru widened them out to fit the "average" American butt and now everybody with less than a 40" waist sloshes around in them like a bowling ball in a bathtub.

If you want a fun daily driver that you can take to the track the Evo MR is a great car, as are the WRX and STi. However, after taking my Scoob to a couple track days I've come to the conclusion that it's really not worth the risk and wear and tear on my daily driver. At both events cars were significantly damaged and broke expensive parts. These were both "wave by" only events, BTW, so there was no wheel to wheel racing. I came to the conclusion that HPDE's are great fun and very educational, but if I were to make a habit of them a dedicated Miyata tracker was a MUCH better choice. It's WAY cheaper, can be just as fast if not faster, and if I dinged it I wouldn't be stuck pedaling my bike to work. :(

Ron3 · 05-23-2006, 20:32

Sorry to hear your car got damaged. I've done a few open track events and have yet to have any damage done. Well, nothing beyond a minor scuff on the very bottom of the air damn.

What happend to you at these events?

Ron3

Bushflyr · 05-23-2006, 23:30

No, no. Nothing happeded to my car. Beyond shredding the tyres that is. (Which is spendy on an AWD because you've got to replace them as a set and can't rotate directionals side to side)

Other people, however, put their rides into the tire walls and dirt berms to the tune of $50k or so between the lot of them. One thing about the Subaru's is that they tell you when you're getting close to the edge. They don't just snap like a lot of cars.

Ron3 · 05-24-2006, 20:22

Whats this about replacing AWD tires as a set?

I have directional tires now and can only rotate front/rear (unless I want to take the tires off the rims), but I often just buy two new tires at a time. (same tire of course)

Bushflyr · 05-24-2006, 22:05

http://www.subaru.com/common/faq/tech_info.jsp#4

Quote:

4. Do I have to replace all four tires on my AWD Subaru?
All of the tires on your AWD Subaru must be within 1/4 of an inch of rolling circumference (part that touches the road). This is because of our All Wheel Drive System.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=870875 for a full discussion.

Ron3 · 05-27-2006, 14:42

I test drove the Evo and STI.

I like the STI more. I prefer a spartan interior, but the Evo just felt cheap. It also felt dead at low rpms and I didn't like the gearing. The STI gearing was better, the shifter was better, and the clutch felt better. The pedals were also slightly better placed in the STI, but both were good.

I couldn't really toss them around on test drives of course but I know both cars handle very well. I did get a chance to turn the Evo hard and it felt real good, and as I rolled into the throttle as I could have entered faster, the car understeered pretty bad. But thats most street cars do so I won't hold that against it.

Both cars were very quiet above about 35mph, when road noise drowned out engine/exahust noise. When I would hear the engines though, the STI sounded better to me. Both are too quiet though.

The seats in both cars were good. The Evo used more grippy materials and it wrapped around me more, though that could become annoying since these side bolsters aren't adjustable. The STI seats were just fine. Rear seat room was the same, and so were the trunks. The EVO just felt like a $20,000 car not a $35000 car.

I definatly preffered the STI, but the wing would have to go!

Still not sure if I'm buying one of these though, I need to mull it over a couple months, maybe drive it again.

Just thought I'd pass my opinion on these two cars along.

Ron3

Ron3 · 05-27-2006, 14:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Bushflyr
http://www.subaru.com/common/faq/tech_info.jsp#4

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=870875 for a full discussion.

Thanks!

xj4play · 06-01-2006, 15:23

Ive been dealing with the same decision. Turns out that one of the guys in my jeep club builds rally cars. Even though he races an EVO he said out of the box performance the STI is the way to go. So thats what i decided on. Now the hard part is selling 2 of the cars i dont drive.

kawalerzysta · 06-04-2006, 03:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron3
I
I definatly preffered the STI, but the wing would have to go!

Ron3

Your car have arrived, 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Limited.
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview....mmand=overview
(go to preview for 2007 on left side)
There will be only 800 of them made, so hurry up (and yes, there is no rear wing).
More info here
http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-200...TI-Limited.htm

Ron3 · 06-05-2006, 19:44

Yea I saw that! Only problem is, it costs even more!

And, has a sunroof.

(Extra weight, leaks, squeaks)

After driving the STI and the Evo, they just don't have the power I'm used to. (Not tellin' what I drive now)

I want handling and power so I'm currently looking at used Corvettes.

Ron3

Bushflyr · 06-05-2006, 20:08

Wow, I'm impressed. Throw up a pic of your current ride ya' gamy bastich. A stock STi or EVO is pretty quick, but straight line acceleration isn't what they're built for. They're rally cars. They're designed to handle well and put what power they do have to the ground in crappy conditions. If you're looking for a drag car 2wd is the only way to go. Here's a pic of my current drool ride. Almost the same weight/power ratio as a McLaren F1 (4.5lb/hp) and it only costs ~$40K.

Bushflyr · 06-05-2006, 20:12

PS. Here's a pic of my current toy for motivation.

Ron3 · 06-05-2006, 20:15

What the heck is that?

I want power and handling in a daily driver. I've been open tracking too. A used Corvette has the performance I want at a fair price. Wish the quality wasn't typical chevy but thats where they cut some pennies.

So, what is that little red car?

Ron3 · 06-05-2006, 20:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Bushflyr
PS. Here's a pic of my current toy for motivation.

I like that little car! Good combo of handling, power, quality and utility. And price.

Ron3

Bushflyr · 06-05-2006, 22:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron3
What the heck is that?

I want power and handling in a daily driver. I've been open tracking too. A used Corvette has the performance I want at a fair price. Wish the quality wasn't typical chevy but thats where they cut some pennies.

So, what is that little red car?

Factory Five GTM. $20k for the kit and you supply a donor 'Vette. HERE'S the main page.

Ron3 · 06-08-2006, 17:53

Ah!

I've seen factory five kits for Mustangs, didn't know they had them for vette's, cool!

Ron3

waktasz · 06-12-2006, 18:46

Do eeeet!

Ron3 · 06-13-2006, 19:29

Nice pics!

STI's are cool, I love the shifter and pedal arrangement the most! Nice car. I enjoyed driving it, but for $33000 I'd rather have a an '03 Corvette Z06 with 25,000 miles on it. Handling AND power!

Ron3

waktasz · 06-13-2006, 23:05

If I lived in Florida I might agree with you but I wouldn't be able to drive a Vette year round up here. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to drive another non-AWD car again after this...it's so much easier to put power down to the road.

Ron3 · 06-14-2006, 15:33

We get our share of rain!