How about a person 5' 4". Them front seats look like they would swallow a short person.

 

Ok, that was the last picture. Now for my review of the car.

Summary: Although I didn't get to drive it , I have to say that this car can be summed up in a few words: Comfortable, Practical, Powerful.

I used to own a Mitsu 3000GT VR4 Spyder. Great car, but had some reliability problems. Got rid of it, got a 2001 BMW 330i. I loved the Mitsu, it was friggin awesome. Love the Bimmer just as much though.
I am not biased towards either the STi or the Evo. I would like to test each one and then make a better review but unfortunately the STi is not available yet. I -have- driven a WRX though, on many occasions.
I was skeptical about the Evo. I was hoping the car was so built on performance that they left the fit and finish at the bottom of the list. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The dash materials were made of hard plastic, but to my surprise, did not creak or anything when I pushed on it or banged on it. The steering wheel was definately smaller than I am used to, but it will be ok after driving for a while and getting used to it. The shifter was very smooth, close-ratio, and it didn't feel clunky or notchy. Mind you, this was with the car turned off. I would assume that it would feel mostly the same with the car on. Clutch seemed reasonably light and easy to press.
As for interior comfort, the seats are VERY NICE. I am 6'0", 310 pounds, and I fit in there VERY well. I had plenty of room at all angles. It was a little hard for me to reach the seatback angle adjuster knob, which was the crank-type. A smaller driver would definately be wrapped up in these seats, but that's a very good thing. Another good thing is that there is PLENTY of back-seat space. I put the drivers seat where I would have it, and jumped in the back. No problem at all. It definately has way more back seat room than the WRX. The only complaint I have with the rear seats is that it feels like you are angled down when you sit. It could be because the rear seats are VERY cushy, and you sink in a little when you sit. Or maybe my fat butt just pushed the seat down and made me feel like I was angled down. The rear seats weren't the most comfortable I've sat in, but I would expect them to be pretty bearable. There is more than enough room for two me-sized adults back there. There was plenty of room, from the shoulders to the rump.
I didn't get a chance to hear the stereo.
The trunk was really big. The rear seats do NOT fold down, but the trunk space was more than enough for the average user.
The brembo brakes were impressive to see in person. The caliper is literally millimeters away from the rim, it's that close.
The headlights were HID, of course, and here's a cool thing. The headlight angle can be adjusted from -inside- the cabin. You spin a little dial up and down and the headlights will adjust up an down by an electric motor. So I guess if you are somewhere where you want more light down in front of the car, you can move the headlights down. Or if you want the headlights up a little more, you can point them up a little.


So this Lancer was more than I expected. I expected interior quality to be sacrificed somewhat. It was...to an extent, but it was sufficient. That's should be a compliment coming from me, seeing as I drive a BMW everyday.

Enjoy your Evolutions everybody. I had a lot of fun just sitting in it. But I won't drive one until I can find one for MSRP, AND get my
Bimmer paid off.

 

i always assumed close-ratio meant the gear ratios were close..not the gates.

-K

 

er..............notice the diff on the odometer? i thought it should has the tarmac, gravel and snow setting and stuff? and it should say evolution but how come it says lancer

 

Well, I guess you are right about the word "close ratio". The shifter gates were very close, and precise. It didn't feel like a WRX shifter, which felt like I was going to break the thing. The Evo shifter is very solid.

 

great to hear. i'm sure there is a much better feel shifting one with the shift knob not stolen (my only experiences shifting through them thar gates).

great write-up on the back seat stuff, etc. it almost feels like a totally great side-benefit that the room in the rear looks and feels as voluminous as it does, esp compared to some of the 4-doors i've sat in in recent years. i remember the IS feeling more squished in the back than some coupes...

-K

 

the EVO is so pure bred JDM! its weird seeing it in the US showroom! lol...i love how put our USDM lancer front turn signal housings as the EVOs reverse housing!

 

It still may be a squeeze in the back for three average-sized adults, but it will be better than a WRX or similar small car.

 

im getting silver too but last night i was doubting my decision and was thinking about the weightless white color but now i am reassured

 

Haha... yes, the back of the IS300 is very cramped compared to some coupes.

The stock intercooler shows through a lot more than I remembered... cool.

 

Hailz!
I just went to the Auburn Valley Mitsu website and found this:



"the 2003 Lancer Evolution VIII is here NOW !



The latest incarnation of the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has just arrived! This car is a no compromises road rocket!
* 271 HP 2.0 Liter 4-cylinder 16-valve twin turbo/intercooler
* Super Active Yaw Control
* 17" Einke Wheels
* Recaro leather bucket seats
* Electronically controlled center differential
* Brembro braking system "

How many errors can we find here?

 

I would get them to re word the twin turbo. Try twin scroll turbo.

 

HAHA...I noticed that too. They are definately . I was going to tell them, but I forgot. I swear that dealership sucks so bad though, from sales to service. I would never buy a car there again.

 

Im six feet tall and I have been in a Jap spec Evo 7. I usually drive with the seats pretty much far back and when my seat was adjusted I hopped in the back seat and had plenty of room. I would say the room in the back is not bad. Definatly has more room than the new 3 series or C-class. Every time I get in these small european cars and have the seats adjusted to my liking I dont get much space in the rear seats. I think its the recaros that make it less thick.

At the LA auto show I played with the Evo 8 and the interior is almost identical to the Evo 7 jap spec but the interior looks so much cheaper. Its hard to say what exatcly it was but feeling the doors and controls I for sure know it was not built like the 7. The A/C buttons and switches definately was ****ty compared to the 7. I would fork out more $$ and get the full blown jap spec Evo with all the stuff thats suppose to come with it and be different from everyone just my opinion

 

Damn!! Silver does look nice on the evo

Guess it doesn't matter what color you get....just about any of the colors look good on the evo

Good Luck to everyone!!