Thank you to all of the individuals who responded to my last thread concerning whether I should trade in my 03 Eclipse GTS for an Evo. The advice given was unanimous - DRIVE IT! Since I had never experienced it firsthand, I took the plunge yesterday. To make a long story short, it was intoxicating. However...

I would be using it as a daily driver (30,000 miles a year on flat two-lane highways). I don't plan on racing or any such thing. I've spent a restless night going over projected cost of ownership, etc. I absolutely do not need this car. It is admittedly less comfortable than my Eclipse, the cabin is noisier, the ride harsher (obviously for the sake of performance), it lacks many of the creature comforts and refinements that I currently have in my Eclipse. And yet, I've been stricken with an all-consuming obsession.

Fresno Mitsubishi has three Wicked Whites on the lot that they're desperate to sell before Jan. 3rd. I was offered one at $1400 below invoice! They'd even be giving up their dealer holdback just to make a sales quota. I'd have to part with a significant amount of cast to make it happen (negative equity in my Eclipse). But I could do it. If anyone would care to let me know what they'd do under these circumstances, it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

if you yhat that this is the car for you go ahead. I have put 49,000 miles on my car in two years and still smile evey time I drive it. I am also 35 so I am not a young guy driving this car. as far as the ride I am ok with it. I dont miss the leather from my 540I that I gave up for the evo or heated seats for that matter.even after two tears with this car it gets more fun evey day.

 

1400 BELOW INVOICE, WOW!!! did it come w/ the SSL package? so it's somewhere around 28T including destination (w/0 SSL)? price wise, i don't think u cld do much better than that, follow ur heart man!! WW is perfect for everyday driving,,,,,but, if u cld leave the dealership w/ that kind of offer, then maybe u don't really like to have one.....hhmmmmmmmmmmm......

 

Believe me, the desire is there. I just have to justify it to myself financially, philosophically, and metaphysically. By the way, would it be unreasonable to expect the same level of reliability with the Evo that I've had with my Eclipse? I have 53,000 absolutely trouble-free miles on my 03 GTS. Am I wrong in assuming that since the Evo is such a high performance car, that even with fanatical babying, it is still more prone to trouble? If there are any high mileage Evo owners out there that have had relatively few problems, let me know. If the wacky clutch issues that seem to pervade message boards are just flukes, that would give me peace of mind. Remember, I'm planning on driving this thing, for the most part, to and from work at 65 mph (very little in-town driving).

Oh, and by the way, the one I looked out was a base Evo III (2005). There were no options or add-ons. I know that it is a wonderful deal.

 

MathGeek, You got it bad....

Always Remember - nobody gets out alive & no one has figured how to take it with them...!

MachC5

 

I know, I know. I could die at any moment, and it's only money. I actually needed to hear that. To hell with fiscal responsibility. Even my wife and kids want me to get it.

 

Hmmm, if you have to think about it, moneywise, better wait a bit...

Since I haven't got my Evo yet, either, I beleive I can talk...

 

Is it an '05 or an '04 with the free maintenance? The resale value was rated the highest of all sedans also. The Evo is a strong reliable car. The clutch is a designed weak link to save other more expensive parts. As long as you don’t do hard launches your clutch should be fine.

The reality is by the time you do manage to waste the clutch you will be so deep into Evo madness that a new clutch will be a desirable upgrade anyway.

The Evo is one or the great cars of the world you will enjoy it. The 4 door supercar.

 

Are you dealing with Joe Ali at Fresno Mitsu? He is a stand up guy. I wish I had bought from him instead of getting ripped off at Modesto Mitsu. I talked to him on numerous occasions and he never applied any pressure. But, I did not want to buy a red one.

BTW...White is the best!

 

Oh yeah, and that is an OUTSTANDING price! If I were you, I would jump on it!

 

the way my wife put, " you work your tail off, and i have had this beetle for 3 yrs almost, so you make the call. we are having this baby, so we NEED four doors. you find the coolest thing with four doors, and go out and buy whatever makes you happy." the evo sits in my garage. i know it seems irresponsible, but the money is well spent, and you will feel great about it. especially at that price. good luck.

 

If you have t think aout it rationally and logically then the Evo is really not the car for you - its an irrational car 100% for sure and it appeals to irrational people (I am a prime example)

Ah - the sheer joy of the irrationality of it all !!!!!!!!


Honestly - I can;t say the Evo is the best option for you - but the car your driving now would bore me to the point of needing hospitilization in a psych ward. Maybe a base WRX makes more sesnse from a numbers point of view with its lower cost of ownership? I dont know - all I do know is the evo suer eats through tires and clucthes like mad - but those who love driving them dont care !

 

Check the insurance. You may be shocked. The whale tail is a cop magnet. consider buying another trunk with a ralliart spoiler.

 

1400 below sounds like a steal, you need to buy that car , get that deal!

 

Having 30k miles a year without cruise, will that bother you?

The EVO is a fine car with very few problems if you don't drive it like an idiot all the time. I have 22k on my stock clutch and it still feels fine. I have read others getting 50k+ on the stock clutch. It really depends on how you drive the car. Other than the clutch you want to look at other maintaince items like tires and brakes, and Mobil 1 oil changes. All very liveable but the EVO does cost more to operate than most cars. Also will you be ready to do a major service around 60k( timing belt and other stuff).

If your working on some type of budget you want to know about these things, are they bad? NO, but hey if the service comes with the car, or you can get them to add it then you might have yourself a deal. The insurance on the EVO isn't much worse than your GTS so in that sense you should be fine.

Best of luck!