Practical yes, reliable yes, for what it is but not in general. It uses more fuel , more expenxsivr tires, brakes and other consumables than the other Lancer models. It is an expensive daily driver at 44 cents per mile but this can be lowered by using different tires and brake parts. It is not an econo box nor a sports car it is a sports compact. Being a four door with seating for five and a real rear seat, it offers more utility value than any two seater or two door sports coupe. I replaced a Vette with a BMW 325 then went to a 3g Eclipse gt and finally bought the Evo. It does more than any of those previous cars. So far the resale values have held up but its too early to tell what will happend in the long term.

 

Its very practical... but once you modify and make adjustments be ready to run into little issues along the way that need some tinkering to make everything still perfectly smooth.. Mine runs like a champ but it took some fine tuning to get there and be happy with everyday driving..

 

First of all i hope you get one add nother to the EVo crowd !

NE way damn things great for hauling stuff if its just you you can throw allot of **** in this car. Been shoping in it ran out of money before i ran out of space. holds 4 Girls too ! well 6 if u throw em in the trunk

 

Well right now, I've driving a Maxima, which isn't getting all that great mileage anymore (haven't gotten around to changing the o2 sensors), so no, this will not be my first car.

I don't plan on dropping the clutch at 7k (that's foolish )...

Thanks for all the info, and I think you've all helped me to make up my mind

 

Are your parents going to be making you pay everything else? (Gas, mat., insur.) If so, I'd say no, unless you have a good job...other than that, I was in the same boat, only the Evo was my dream car for two years before I graduated, got me a silver '03 2 weeks before school was out...I love it to death for every sort of driving

 

why is it bad to get a BOV? what are some mods that wont void the warranty or something that can easily be swapped out before you take your car in for a checkup or something?

 

First time I drove one hard I was sold. For what its intended to be...the evo is a great car. I would say reliability is not perfect...but good enough. As mentioned before, the only drawbacks in practicality is that the gas mileage isnt great...especially if youre in boost a lot. Also, its definitely not the most comfortable car in the world. Kinda harsh, loud, no cruise control...but people who like performance oriented cars like those characteristics, or at least put up with them as a daily driver. Also expensive to maintain, but the free service that comes with 05's helps a little. All in all...sweet car, no regrets with mine.

 

Pic up the febuary issue of car& driver. They tested an EvoVIII from 0 -over 50,000 miles.
Car still had the stock clutch. No problems

 

Tinted windows perhaps, but even that might be pushing it...

 

Its bad to get a BOV because the ecu will not cope with the air being vented out and the car will stumble/stall. I've heard that the HKS EIDS can solve this, but then your spending money on that, an intake, and a bov for a cool sound and not much HP gain.

 

Haha the Evo is so awesome. One time, I had my sleeping girlfriend in the car, another friend, a small grill with some charcoal, baggage for 4 people (had someone elses baggage cuz their car was too small!), booze for the cottage party, and was going in excess of 140mph at one point (will NEVER do that again) but I think the Evo can do anything. Its very very practical, and my Evo is in perfect condition AND I autocross the car, so if you were to ask me I would say definantly get it.

 

Cheap Fast & reliable pick any 2. If you mod your car do a professional job. (Fast, reliable) Since you say you are going to keep yours mainly stock. I say go for it. the 4g63 is an awesome powerplant. I would buy an 05 if i could do it all over again haha I want that ACD. I find it to be roomy and practical as a daily driver. I dont like driving it all the time as i dont like putting even MORE miles on it but i guess I cant stop haha Its a great car to drive much fun to be had.
-Anthony
03 evo viii
90 tsi

 

this car is not practical by any means but it sure is realable if you dont F with it too much.....This car is more for fun that for daily driver (Although that is what i use for)and be prepaired to spend some cash on all reparis and MTC on the car, and dont forget about the Great gas milage the EVO gets, on top of only being able to put premium in the car.....other than that the car KICKS ARS..

 

So in short of all these posts should he buy the evo is what hes asking

 

95% of the posts say yes, and in a earlier post i think that he had already made up his mind.