test drove an evo x 2010
Our Evo X GSR is the family truckster. It rides nice and is quiet, plus it's comfy and has a nice stereo. It's much much more confortable than my modded VIII. I agree that the X is a great daily car.
Nothing wrong with a RA. Side by side though, the X is so much better looking IMO. I think you guys who poo poo the X for a daily are crazy. I drive my GSR everyday and love it....except the seats get old with the high bolsters. It is quiet, smooth and fast enough. The RA to me always wanted to buck in city traffic. I also prefer the 5 speed now. At first I thought the SST was going to be the way to go, but just figured it would get old and then I would leave it in auto all the time anyway.
I look forward to my drive every day. Be the way, I bought used and spent less than buying a RA so made my decision easy!
I look forward to my drive every day. Be the way, I bought used and spent less than buying a RA so made my decision easy!
. When you have kids you need the extra space for their gear. The small trunk in the X wasn't going to cut it for all the sports and crap my son has going on. Otherwise I'd probably be driving an X with a big cheese eating grin on my face. Don't get me wrong I love my Ralliart but the X GSR would have been the ideal thing for me. Damn kids getting in the way again (just kidding).
I think the only reason (call me stupid) I didn't buy an X was the fact the rear seats didn't go down . When you have kids you need the extra space for their gear. The small trunk in the X wasn't going to cut it for all the sports and crap my son has going on. Otherwise I'd probably be driving an X with a big cheese eating grin on my face. Don't get me wrong I love my Ralliart but the X GSR would have been the ideal thing for me. Damn kids getting in the way again (just kidding).
. When you have kids you need the extra space for their gear. The small trunk in the X wasn't going to cut it for all the sports and crap my son has going on. Otherwise I'd probably be driving an X with a big cheese eating grin on my face. Don't get me wrong I love my Ralliart but the X GSR would have been the ideal thing for me. Damn kids getting in the way again (just kidding). 
Evolved Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 580
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From: UT Austin
test drove the ralliart before.. it has the same AWD from the IX, and the IX was a great handling car, very advanced for its time. however driving the evo is a different experience.. would i be happy with just a RA? yes but the evo is above and beyond handling wise.. you'll never drive a car around 40k with that kind of handling ability.. ever.
Don't get me wrong I really like the ralliart, but even with the AWD from the IX it still doesn't handle all that well. It's a great car, but looking back I shouldn't have jumped the gun and I should have looked for a used GSR, MR, or a clean IX.
At the time of purchase everything was justified. Better gas milage, auto tranny for traffic, wife can drive stick very very well, but hates it, priced around $25k for a brand new car with warranty, etc. So I bought it and now the wife doesn't like driving it because she is afraid she will break it, and doesn't like how it "bucks" when down shifting.
It still is a great looking and fun car to drive, but in the end I'm still left feeling like I'm missing out on something amazing and magical everytime I see an Evo go by. That's just me though.
At the time of purchase everything was justified. Better gas milage, auto tranny for traffic, wife can drive stick very very well, but hates it, priced around $25k for a brand new car with warranty, etc. So I bought it and now the wife doesn't like driving it because she is afraid she will break it, and doesn't like how it "bucks" when down shifting.
It still is a great looking and fun car to drive, but in the end I'm still left feeling like I'm missing out on something amazing and magical everytime I see an Evo go by. That's just me though.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 562
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From: Adelaide, Australia
i looked at an evo before getting the ralliart and have been happy with the choice (hatch & sst for the wife). that being said, there were a few things that i knew were lacking so allocated money to rectify it (namely rims, suspension, brakes & power). this way i can get something that ticks all the boxes, modified to my taste and performs & handles really well
I also test drove an X before making my decision, and the RA is more comfortable imho for a dd, if I had more time to do autocross events and the such then I would have gotten one but I mostly go to work and back.
Outside of the AYC and the S-AWC, there is almost no difference in the drive line between the RA and the EVO. A majority of the difference in handling comes from the EVO's improved suspension geometry, spring rates, dampers, etc.
One could actually argue that the extra handling offered by the AYC is not worth the increase in weight, especially since many Japanese racers (who had the option of AYC on the EVO IXs) elected to go with out in favor of a lighter car.
As one well-respected racer/tuner put it, the RA has one thing the EVO will never have: over 100 less pounds of weight. A majority of that weight difference comes from the AYC. Even with the extra weight reduction, the EVO is a little porker.
One could actually argue that the extra handling offered by the AYC is not worth the increase in weight, especially since many Japanese racers (who had the option of AYC on the EVO IXs) elected to go with out in favor of a lighter car.
As one well-respected racer/tuner put it, the RA has one thing the EVO will never have: over 100 less pounds of weight. A majority of that weight difference comes from the AYC. Even with the extra weight reduction, the EVO is a little porker.