insurance on an eclipse (coupe) is more expensive than a an evo (4 doors). i don't know how the insurance does it but that's what it is, i have both cars.

 

although Al is somewhat right in that the evo is quite impractical, i find it much more practical then either of my previous daily drivers. both my previous DD cars were two door, one was a 2+2 coup (944) and the other was a 4 seater (VW GTI). both of those cars were more impractical then the EVO is. i use my daily. it is a great car for the simple reason of having 4 doors. when at work, my coworkers and i can all pile in very comfortably and go out for lunch. additionally, if you living anywhere were snow is an issue, the AWD will be a blessing while your eclipse will get stuck much easier (i know cali never gets snow, but maybe if you go on vacation in the mountains or something). if you drive 30k miles a year, i would imagine the cruise control would be a desireable option that as someone mentioned your not going to get with the evo.

last, as everyone is saying, the cost of the evo is very deceving. if you want to stick with the advans i think they run like 200 a tire and they are an extremely fast wearing tire. of course you can always go with some khumos or other korean made tire for 1/2 the price. oil changes are more then normal cars with the mobil one. i heard horror stories of the brake pads when they need to be replaced, but i think the horror stories were made becuse people are morons and go to the dealer and ask for new pads (i.e. 3x markup).

also, the evo eats gas really quickly. unless your not driving in boost ever, you gas mileage will suck. i started off at 300+ per tank and it has slowly gotten worse and my last tank i was down to 220 miles (and other then the occasional on/off ramp fun and highway surges, i drive very conservatively).

 

If I knew I was going to be putting 30K+ miles on a car a year, the Evo is the last car I would want to do it in. No cruise, eats up tires and has a small gas tank. Sure you could switch the tires out, but that somewhat defeats the purpose, and I don't think there are too many high mileage tires for that size. Plus, as you already know and are finding out with your Eclipse - you are depreciating your car faster then you can pay on it, unless you're putting down 20% and financing for like 36 months. But since you're talking about negative equity I sense that is not the case. Despite the Evos high resale value, most people in the market for the car are going to want one with low miles - so that is going to make it difficult to get out of the car if life and circumstances make that a necessity. I'd double up on my Eclipse payments, or sell it now, get some $2000 beater to pile miles on and get the Evo for the weekend ride.

 

Hey whatever makes you happy. Come friday afternoon I can't wait to take my Evo out. I don't get to use it during the week because of work

 

This is my opinion and my opinion only, but if you are really trying to justify it, then you already know what the answer should be.

 

Although it's going to cost you more money, if you do that kind of mileage annually you may want to look at an Evo MR. It has a 6 spd, with a taller top gear for more relaxed highway cruising, potentially better mileage. Also, the bilstein suspension rides a little better. The resale on an MR is likely to be even better. As for reliability, if you truly drive the way you say, you will zero reliability issues with clutch, transfer case, etc. that you see on the boards. let me put it in perspective for you, an evo is still cheaper, and gets better mileage than a loaded minivan (the ultimate of "responsible" family vehicles).

 

Thanks for all of your input.

 

Interestingly, I have not had any brake pad issues yet and I hev about 22,000 hard miles on my evo - I did change the rotors for the more light weight Baer ones

As far as maintenance costs go - the Evo is no bargain - you have to run Mobil 1 oil - the clutch will not last long if you drive it hard and the tires of course will wear fast and if you live in a winter area you will need a speperate set for the winter

Basically - if you have the Evo bug like I do then you'll drive an evo no matter what the cost - even if your running VP Import at almost $20 a gallon as fuel becuase ALL you care about is max performance - cost and rational invetment wise you dont care you just want a Evo b/c its the best

If I had invested all the money I spent on my WRX and my EVO and all my other cars into some financial investment I would prob be ready for retirement at this point instead of trying to figure out a way to gather enough money for my next Evo motor

If I needed a car for commuting 30,000 miles a year I would buy a used 2002 WRX - its a great machine and it has a lot less maintenance costs asscoiated with it. Plus its very pleasant and forgving as a daily driver

 

If you have to make sense on buying an Evo maybe it's not for you. The Evo isn't going to make sense or have the comfort of a Cady. The car is made for the driver that wants performance and lots of it for a good price. If you're not sure about getting one than don't cause the things that you might not like now might become a big issue later. As far as reliability goes, if you service it properly and take care of it it will be fine. The bottom line is that the car isn't made for everyone.

 

Being a mathgeek I'm sure you have run all the numbers. If it is going to put you at a financial disadvantage I would wait till you are in a better position, say end of 05. If you are getting it at $1400 under invoice and it is still going to put you in a bind then that is a problem. It is always best to separate emotions from financial matters!

 

Yeah you got a point, although what is his Eclipse gonna be worth after the new Eclipse comes out? The EVO will hold a better resale and if he thinks he can handle the disadvantage than I would trade up to the EVO.

 

To me seperating emotions and Evos is kind of like stopping to consider the consiqeunces before you recieve a BJ from Paris Hilton - at that moment I am not thinking about very many rational thoughts of you get my drift ! I think the rational thoughts wouldn't start until after I busted a nut. Of course I am hardly the most rational guy when it comes to my Evo or hot looking women and both have landed me in my own share of misery

Kind of like asking a alcholic for advise on how to go off the wagon

 

Shortly after I heard the Evo came to the US, I went to the dealership and looked at them. Shortly after, I test drove one and absolutely knew I wanted the car. Then my wife test drove it and fell in love w/ it too. We technically didn't need the car and really didn't need a new car period, but the Evo is just an amazing car. We could afford the car and all that comes w/ the car, and now we own the car. We figured you only live once and this may be the only time we can have a car like this (no kids at the time, but we currently have one on the way). So we have a '03 WW Evo sitting in the garage. If I had to go back and do it again, I wouldn't hesitate.

Everytime I drive the car, I either have a huge grin on my face or scare the crap out of myself (gotta love it). I have almost 13K miles on the Advan's, but they need to be replaced by summer. If you can afford it and truly want it, I say get it.

 

The reason they are giving you that price is because they are stealing your trade and making it up on the financing.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

 

Al,

I would have to agree with you as I too am generally rational with the exception of my EVO. When I first purchased it I swore I would leave it stock, that lasted about 3 weeks. I just didn't want him to get into a situation where he dug himself into a hole and then later had to sell the EVO due to financial distress. Imagine the pain of going from a crisp new EVO to some econobox beater.