Wife says: NO STI! We test-drove a regular WRX last year and she found the tinny, light, rattling doors very unsettling (this was just after a friend had been T-boned). She doesn't feel it would be safe for me, or the baby - and I tend to agree with her. BTW, I had my baby seat fitted in the back at the end of the test drive and the fit was perfect. Big score on points with the wife .

STI is out.

But I will have to try out an 05, even if not an MR. I found the shifting to perfectly ok in the 03, so if the MR improves on that, so much the better. But it makes sense to try out the new drivetrain in the new Evos.

One more thing, I am not looking for any luxury items - leather and NAV do absolutely nothing for me. If it has a radio, AC and cloth seats, it's good for me (both the A4 and the 330 have cloth seats and we LOVE them). The only thing that irritates me is buzziness - but maybe I could get used to that as well.

Oh well, time to beg and cajole to get another test drive...

adc

 

Wife can't be bothered with these pesky technical details, and who am I to correct her? The way I figured they will have a hard time selling that car - it has been sitting on the lot being abused for more than 1 year - maybe close to 2 years.

Whoever buys that car will surely know these things...

Now if I do get another test drive for an 05, I'll be very respectful of the car, now that I got a feel for the more hardcore performance aspects.

I'm not sure about Evos in particular, but I never respect the manufacturer recommendations precisely. I always redlined my new cars at least a few times during the break-in, and never had any troubles with the engines. I think of it as setting the correct expectations for the car, so it knows what will be asked of it .

adc

 

There is Nothing wrong with this car. Its like driving a formula one race car and complaining about the ride quality. This car focuses on performance and then every day driveability. Very reliable car dont get me wrong, but it begs to be driven.

 

In all honesty if you drive an Evo for about a year like I did, Then drive an Sti for the first time after that, you would never even consider the STI. Its like a sharp steak knife compared to a butter knife

 

Funny you should say that, the WRX/STi has much better crash ratings than the EVO. Don't trust me? do a search .... eg: try www.iihs.org
One thing to remember, the impreza RS, WRX, STi use that same chasis. The regular Lancer (which has decent crash rating) and EVO do not. You have a baby, I thought you might want base your decision on "FACTs" because life is no joking matter. Sorry to say but I still found your review subjective, ie based on your opinions.

 

Thank you for your reminder. I checked the site suggested and found that Lancer and WRX have similar frontal crash ratings (Good). They haven't been tested for side-crashes - so much for facts I guess...

Absolutely no data about the STI or the Evo. Although I fail to see how it would be so different from WRX/Lancer, the floor plan, bulkheads etc I think are shared. If anything, I understand the Evo body is stiffer (extra welding).

But do yourself a favor and compare the doors on a WRX with the ones on an Evo. If you can trust them (WRX) to save you from death, then you're a much more trusting person than I am. I fail to see how a lighter door without an upper frame can be better - but then of course I'm not a structural engineer.

As to my review, of course it was subjective. I only wanted to know if other people have noticed some of the same things as I did, and to get some answers. If you don't agree with my observations, I have no problem with that.

Happy motoring,

adc

 

Good to see some honest impressions of the car. I've never driven an STi but if the shifting mechanism is anything like a standard WRX I wouldn't be impressed. I've driven 10 year old Cavaliers that had better feedback than the Subaru and I'm not being sarcastic at all. The Evolution's shifter has great feedback but it is a bit notchy in my opinion. I managed to have a go at a late model Porsche and it had the most fantastic feel ever. Felt like everything was coated in Teflon with no rubber parts whatsoever. Very positive engagement with very little resistance. They've obviously refined the unit to near perfection.

The Evolution's engine and driveline are very noisy but it is part of the car's character. I still get goosebumps hearing the synchros whine or hear the rock-crusher transfer case do it's work. Typically I keep the car out of the high boost range and it behaves like any other economy car but knowing I can unleash a quick burst of speed is awesome in traffic. Even makes driving to work fun.

Steering and road feedback, to me, are the high points of this vehicle. It's so precise and razor sharp it's hard to fault it. I only hope it stays sharp as the car ages. The Advans are probably in the top 5 OEM tires of all time, just make sure you've got them warmed before any shenanigans. The Brembos are a little tricky but the more I drive the car I realize you have to abuse them to use them properly. 3 or 4 quick hard stabs to warm them makes a world of difference. The brakes cold do give the impression of glazed parts but the harder you use them the better they get. As for the progressive nature of the brakes I prefer it. It's easier to modulate in my opinion than a more "on-off" style system.

I could not have asked for more in a car especially at this price point. Even if there were more creature comforts I'm not sure I would want them. There is something to be said for an involved driving experience. The more I drive this car the more noises start to turn into music, tramming turns into a connection to the road, and sedan styling turns into stealth.

 

If you like the brake feel, try testing out a 350Z (Track).

The Evo is set up for a very long pedal stroke and a lot of effort. 0-100% takes a lot of movement and a lot of effort, versus the Z, which has a shorter stroke and decreased effort/higher brake sensitivity.

It really depends on your style.

The clutch engagement point is also very high on the Evo.

 

like other ppl said......this is a very honest review on the EVO.

anyway, I can tell you I was a bit disapointed on the Evo's Brembo when I first pick up the car......but after about 2~300 miles break-in the brake pad....it feel much better. The oem brake pad is a weak point on the whole brake system....I just changed it to the DS2500 and it feel even better.

if you like to do some track driving, I think the EVO can give you a great time....it is a car which you can drive really fast and easy on the control.....a little non-panic steering correction can bring the car back easy if you overdrive it a bit.

Since you are driving Audi and BMW......i can tell you the interior on the EVO is no match to them, it even worst than a Camry or Accord (IMO) but we all know the evo is not about luxury so it is no big deal to me.

 

I think that you're looking in the wrong direction, this car requires a certain type of focus. It's not a car setup for 'easy' driving like a BMW. The car is remarkably stiff, has knife-edge handling, and brakes that require a strong foot.

I drive the EVO on the road likes it's on autox or roadrace, and that's the only way it likes to be driven.

Putting around the highway or side streets you won't find any pleasure in this car.

I don't think also that the MR will solve your dilemna, your description of the car is at it is.
It's stiff, it's harsh, it's knife edge handling, and it's slingshot acceleration... if you don't like this don't buy the car.

 

it's a $30000 AWD, rally-inspired car. take it for what it is. if the noise of the tranny or engine is gonna bug you that much, you might want to get a lexus or stick with bmw.

 

I can comment on a few points:

As others have stated, the brake feel gets much more linear as they break in. I too was underwhelmed when the car was new, but 8,000 miles later, they are truly impressive.

The Evo's back seat space is remarkable, especially for such a small sedan. Since you have to schlep a kid around, I don't think you'll find a more roomy back seat in a comparison between Evo competitors, especially the STi. It's also more roomy than E46 BMWs and Audi A4s.

I see comments all that time about the noise and harshness of the Evo being so objectionable. I drive my car all the time, to and from work, to the grocery store, take my kids to school and countless sporting events, and the car is just fine. It's certainly not a Lexus inside, but sometimes reading this forum it makes you think that the Evo is like driving a dump truck. It isn't. A lot of the noise comes from the Advans, which is a characteristic of ultra-performance rubber. Drop to an all-season tire like the Pirelli Zero Nero or Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and the most objectionable noise goes away. You still hear the engine and turbo spool up, and the exhaust growls in a non-ricey way, and the transmission whines. That's all the part of the experience of driving.

 

for me, I had to remedy a few things with my car.

First, the tires-phenominal Advans. I put PS2's on for better wet traction.

Two-Pedal Placement. I ordered a set of sparco grips (which are terrible because the rubber "nubs" that are there constantly fall out and get lost). The gas pedal allowed me to mount it on top of the plastic stock pedal, raising it up a solid 2".

Three-Floor mats. Went with the 2F 2F style and got diamond plate, durable, easy to clean and looks good enough.

Four-Brake pads and steel lines. Best mod yet.

Five-More power, boost contoller, air filter, BOV and an AFC with the exhaust coming soon.

Six-Clutch. I bought a cusco carbon and stainless line, kartboy shifter and bushings and a HEAVY shift knob.

Now, its damn near perfect, minus the deficit of 300 horse power (I want 550), nice body kit, CCW wheels, race rubber etc etc etc


DOllar for dollar, this car has more potential than any car I dreamed of as a youngin'. Buy it and get back to us. HAHA, nice write up BTW.

 

Yes, the engine is relatively new. The research into the EJ series is...ancient.

The EJ25 isn't much of a leap from the EJ20 for most tuners, and certainly not for the engineers at SoA. They are just as conscious of the problems with big bore engines and high dynamic compression as anyone else involved.

 

those recommended engine break in proceedures are a joke in my opinion. on engines i build, we break them in on the dyno. redlining it during a test drive isn't going to harm the engine. when engines are freshly built the cylinder walls have a fresh hone, and that helps break the rings in. Revving the engine up high takes advantage of the hone while its still fresh.

This might not make that much difference for you EVO owners since your engine is turbocharged, as even with less than optimal ring seal your engines still make power, but when doing a naturally aspirated engine this is critical. That's how most people who know break in the motorcycle engines. From what I've seen if you break in an engine like a little ***** the engine isn't as strong as a rough break in.

The only reason I see not to redline the car right away is to let the clutch break in, but that usually happens within the first 100 miles.