That was a very honest review, and I agree with you on all points. The way the car is tuned from the factory, it is anemic before the turbo starts boosting and the top-end is very weak. A few cheap mods change that though. The brakes also need to be broken in before they start acting normal. I was confused on my first test drive when the brakes barely worked either, but rest assured, they are world class.

 

Well even if I do decide to get an MR, I don't see being able to secure one for decent money until the end of this year at the very earliest. Apparently the first "wave" are spoken for...

If I won't go for an MR, it won't be until next year that we'll sell the A4. - Sorry...

If you want to purchase now, try the Audiworld.com classifieds if you want a well maintained example. You should find anything from stock to crazy fast ones over there...


adc

 

If you want something more refined and torquey...less laggy get a sti
But if you want a razor sharp handling car that responds extremely well to mods and has the aftermarket support of 10+ years get an evo

 

first welcome , very nice review but actually I havent seen soooo many negative comments about the evo in one post And how come all the magz only had 1 bad thing to say? small fuel tank

I know people dont like to hear this but I have to say it,,,I dont think this is the right car for you, you found more negative things about the car than positive. If you have the money to pay for a $30k test drive, then buy it.
If you are not so sure maybe you should go test drive another car.

whatever you do, good luck and enjoy shopping

 

If comfort is important to you, the EVO is not for you. My last car was a heavily modded N/A 350Z that had a superlight flywheel, racing clutch, and racing limited slip differential, which all made the car a real challenge to drive on the street, but it didn't bother me at all. My new stock EVO RS is a luxury ride compared to the Z (but it won't be after I start modding it).

 

hey adc, seriously go try out the Subaru STi. This is objective (or is it subjective?) but I like the way the evo looks, but the STi has a lot smoother power delivery. It sure as hell feels slower when it comes to steering response tho, but who am I to say. Go give the STi a shot and post back.

 

I went from a 540i to the Evo, and I didn't think the brakes felt all that great either; not the same pedal feel, the STOP RIGHT NOW response.

But wait until you get them broken in and have to slow down a bunch and turn at the same time- the Evo brakes are simply AMAZING. I thought they were inferior until I mistook a hairpin on a mountain curve (sheer drop off to the left, no extra charge) for a gentle bend. They made a believer out of me. My biggest problem is learning to press on them late and hard enough; every time I drive I seem to go deeper and deeper into the turn.

 

I went from a 2001 A4 quattro, the whole deal, to an EVO and I dont regret it at all. This is a drivers car, it is not to impress girls or to get people to envy you in it. This car is strictly for the pleasure gland I have noticed. I cant stop smiling since I got it. Sure I like the smoothness and lack of interior noise of the Audi but I would rather have the car than the lack f car I had with the Audi.

 

Yeah this car is like a ***** cat compared to my old supra.

 

I agree with all the details in your review. I just got my car and it definitely is not a luxury vehicle. I'm already getting sqeeks from the passenger A-pillar, which I will have checked. The only major gripe I have is the shifter gates are just not spaced out well enough for me. 1st and 3rd seems too close that I somehow put it in 3rd even though I'm trying to get it in 1st. No grinding but it just bogs down the car. The STi has a better feel when shifting, I don't feel like I'm grinding the gates or synchros on it, as with my Evo. Not sure if a short shifter or better bushing and fluid will help that, but that's basically my only "problem" with the car. Overall I'm still enjoying it very much!

Another thing though, coming from an Impreza RS, I do miss the Boxer engine sound... The Evo just doesn't have that nice tone to it.

 

Redline in 3rd with 280 miles on the odometer, I don't remember that being part of the recommended break-in proceedures, but it's been awhile, I could be wrong

 

Hey, the STi has 10+ years of development in its engine too

Seriously, I would recommend you drive an 05 STi and an 05 Evo. No sense in giving up all the driveline improvements in the Evo for a few grand...they just cost to much to add on (front lsd, ACD). The 05 STi is much better, suspension and steering response-wise) than an 04, so make sure it's a new one.

 

Always nice to get OBJECTIVE information. I thought the responses would be the typical "rah rah sis boom bah" cheerleading.

 

Not the 2.5 liter found in the sti, its relatively new

 

Those brembos were stronger than my E36M3! They didn't start working until 1000miles since most of the miles were freeway driven. The BMW does have lighter pedal but no feel.