The EVO in NO way compares to an S4. That is a luxury performance car. If you are looking for something like that the EVO is NOT for you. This car will be loud and the ride will be harsh. This is not a cruiser. It's not a german sedan and shouldn't be compared to one. If you want something like that and want to save some money buy a VW Jetta VR6. Those are sweet cars that are also comfortable and much cheaper than an S4. Or buy a 2000-2001 S4 (I6 Turbo) which can be had for about the price of an evo and is more true to the spirit of an S4 than this year's model (V8 NA). You should be able to get one with the warranty still intact too.

Bottom line is if you care more about appearances and comfort than performance, you should shop elsewhere.

 

Jeez, I honestly don't see how a lot of you are affording this car, but if you can, it's cool. I make 70k+ per year and I've been saving for over a year for a down payment (almost 10k), and still don't think it's just a walk in the park for me to go buy this car. While I can most assuredly afford it, I don't think there's any WAY I could afford it with even half of my income. Fully financed (assuming no down payment and average apr for average credit rating), people can expect to have roughly $600 per month on a 6 year loan, not to mention the ***-raping on insurance if you're younger than 25. Good luck to all of you and fill me in on how you budget . I'm not doubting you, just curious.

 

I'll be getting the yellow high spoiler and no sunroof

I'm in the airforce and take home$48,000 after taxes including my wifes part time job. I already have the fiances for my evo 72months $30,000 @ 4.9 %
I also own my house so i don't have any rent. If anybody want's the evo @Msrp I can give u my number one spot at the dealers i'm locked in at. I have a blue high spoiler with sunroof and yellow same options.

 

Behold, my story of woe:

I drive a 1998 Honda Civic EX, and my insurance is $1350/6mo (full with $1000col/$500comp deductables.) This compares to $1750 that was quoted from 8 other companies, so I'm pretty happy about it. I live in CA (specifically @ 4000 ft in El Dorado county) in a no/low crime area and the car is in a garage every night. I am 21 years old. My insurance cost is more than the car payment.

I can not even FATHOM the kind of insurance costs that would be associated with an EVO/STi/<insert car that goes fast>. The cost of living in CA is immense; but like another user said, these variables change dramatically depending on where you live.

 

Like stated before people in certain parts of the US don't need to make big money. My 25k a year would be roughly 45-50 a year 3 hours north of me. It's all where you live, hell a 25k a year job here in illinois, in cali would prolly be over 50k. People ya'll need to stop worrying about how other people and how they can afford it. Also, quit worring how the car looks....if you hate it and think it is too ricey then don't buy the damn thing!!!

I make roughly 24-25k my wife makes about 42k a year...in the middle of the midwest...that is a very good living for this area. I don't want to sound like I am bragging but I am more trying to show that 65-70k a year in the good ole small town midwest is very good. Hell my house payment is only 700 (80,000) a month for a very nice house....go to chicago or new york area 250,000 at least for the same size house. I think ya'll get the picture. It is also in how you spend your money also. I don't over indulge in other things...this car is my main priority right now so I have no social life really either. But that is a sacrafice i am willing to make...to get the car i have been waitng for, for about 5 1/2 years.

 

If you can buy a new Evo, go for it! Affording one may be a different story. I'll never forget my first new car buying experience. I just finished college and was shopping around for a 92 Talon Tsi AWD. I had a good paying job and was ready to put down 50% on the car. Everywhere I went, dealers would give me the cold shoulder and infer that there was no way a person my age could afford this type of car. Who were they to say if I could afford this car or not? They just assumed by my age that I was some punk who wanted to finance a new car out his a$$. Unfortunately, insurance on this car was around $1300 6/months even with my clean driving record. Rather than double monthly payments with a turbo car, I went with the NA model that had much lower rates.

I could have still bought the Tsi but it all came down to affordability and *I* decided on that. It all worked out in the end though because I was able to pay off the 92 Talon in just 3 years and then I upgraded to a 97 Tsi AWD with lower insurance since I was over 25 at the time. I then paid off the 97 in just 2 years because of the cheaper insurance rates and the fact that I had no car payments for a few years prior. Right now I'm ready to sell a totally paid off car with 3 years of savings in the bank to boot.
If I learned anything from this it is that if you don't get in over your head on a new car, you'll be more than ready to move on the next 'hot' car if you so desire. One other thing, if you haven't done so, sign up for a defensive driving course in your area. It's a good way to knock a chunk off of your insurance. For me, I save 10% a year because of it.

 

27... put down a $1000 deposit and dealer is charging $840 over MSRP. I get a silver car from the first alotment and the last digits on the VIN are SA30104905. I've been dealing with Levis Mitsubishi in Baton Rouge, LA and they have been very fair and professional.

 

Ok, I'm 37, make blah-blah (plenty) and don't spend money on crap 'cuz I don't really care to impress materialists with my brand of clothing or my Rolex. So, yeah...I suppose I can afford it. As for the wing...times change, keep up or get out...wings are getting to be totally norm and I don't care too much what people think so I guess I cringe a little at looking like a punk but not enough to take it off. I value the thing as I'll be using it.

 

I'm 34. The wing is beyond a doubt the worst thing about the EVO. That said I'm certainly going to get the big wing.

I guess I would have prefered more of a sleeper but the small wing looks horrible IMO. I live in the Midwest so I may be too impatient with the delivery date, or more likely, not willing to pay over MSRP. In that case I'll shop for something that has cruise but still hauls! I did recently test drive a G35 coupe which I liked a lot, just not sure if I like it $5000 more. However the price difference is moot if dick dealer are asking over sticker. The dealer should be happy for your business and hope to build loyalty not try to rape you because he think he can.

 

Cordwood,

Why are you on this forum? Have you ever looked at an evo 4,5,6,6.5,7. They all had an aggressive "riced" stance. This car is meant for DRIVING. SCCA, road racing, drag racing or whatever you like.

Who cares if the soccer mom thinks you look like a ricer when you drop your kids off at practice? (kids would enjoy the ride) Is image really that important? ???

The car has never changed it has always been a "statement" a statement for PERFORMANCE.

You are the typical keep up with the jones BORING middle class joker who can't be an individual. Go buy an M3 or A4 for 45K. Then you can have some sort of performance vehicle and be civilized.

In addition, I work with many who retired early and were BORED. Also know those who saved all their life and DIED with all this money in the bank. Was it worth saving all that time?

This car isn't for you, it is a car that needs to be driven HARD.

 

Do what you want it's your car. I'm going to make this car look however I want it too look like, rice is defined in my book as all show no go, the last part doesn't apply to this car. So do what you want. I'm 18, I'm putting 500 as a deposit and using my current car as a down payment, don't worry about where I get my money because everyone asks how I pay for my car and I hate that, I don't make money illegally I work like everyone else.

 

i'm 20, have my deposit down, first in line for the Tarmac Black EVO coming April 23 here in orlando... can't wait