Now that some of you have owned your Evo's for longer than a week and some of your initial enthusiasm may have settled ever so slightly, are any of you feeling anything minor that even comes close to resembling buyers remorse? I am now approximately 2 weeks away from owning mine, and while I'm TERRIBLY excited at the prospect, I will admit that some of the recent threads have clouded my enthusiasm ever so very very slightly. While I hope to (and will find a way somehow) have my car tuned, other than adding bolt on items, I am in no way an adept tuner and I'm also not sure who in my area IS. Just give me your COMPLETELY HONEST impressions thus far; positive and negative. Thanks!

 

I am still 100% happy with mine. Sure, I hear things now that I didn't hear at first, probably overlooked them. Nothing major, but different car noises for a different car.

 

Well I have about 300 miles on mine and I get a huge everytime I drive the thing. Everything from the feeling to the sound of the exhaust and turbo whine is pure music. I don't have any rattles or other odd sounds from my car but I recall someone saying it's mostly in the cold the sounds occured. I live in San Diego so it's not really a problem here. The car still feels very lively and has plenty of power. I'm going to do a full review of the post break in period in the car including hopefully a trip to the track for some 1/4 mi. testing. I was hoping to do it this weekend BUT according to the weather gods it's supposed to come down hard this weekend. Our final storm hopefully that will hit us. So to sum it up the car is an absolute joy and worth every penny. Oh yeah one thing I've noticed is that the steering seems much less twitchy now that's it broken in a little bit. Either that or I'm used to it. Drives silk smooth so far.

 

I feel it would be helpful if mods can create a forum to list and discuss warranty issues, i.e. minor/major problems with your Evo.

 

The only problem I've had is the armrest upholstery has come unglued. BUT I've had the car over a week, and it still feel like the "enthusiast's perfect car". Autocross season starts here next weekend, so I'm really jazzed about taking it out around the cones.

Sometimes the AWD system makes "different" noises like when I'm starting out lightly from a stop -- the clutch chirps a little, or the driveline "clanks", but I understand that all of this is normal sounds found on a car with this performance caliber. The quick steering, and relatively smooth ride compared to the superior handling is amazing. When I hear that turbo spool-up and pull hard, I remind myself that the Evo was a great investment. NO regrets at all. I had been waiting a long time, and it's finally here. It was actually more than I anticipated.

Evo2003.5

 

I smell a lot of rubber.. Or something.. There is a smell to my car.. Like Mechinical smell.. maybe the engine or something.. But i drive my car and baby it.. Does anyone have the same smell i'm talking about???

 

clutch?

 

i smell it in the morning after i go to sleep.. and my lancer smells like plastic and rubber

 

I feel exactly the same way!!!

I have gone as far as contacting my Subaru dealer, I am told I can get their first car. (MRSP).

I have no doubts in my mind that the car is absolutely amazing. However after seeing the results of the dynos I have lost some of the excitement. I know that I can modify the car, But I most likely wont. Hell, If I need to pay extra money to make the car faster and risk my original warranty I am better off pay the extra money towards the STi.

Anybody here also feeling the same way?

Thanks,

 

Mine has the same odor. Especially the first day of driving it, and currently if it has been run hard. Most brand new cars have a burning smell as the exhaust components heat-up initially. I think since the turbo creates so much heat, new engine components are "burning-in", and is normal for this kind of car. The "Heat Extraction Vent" on the hood is supposed to keep things cooler. Probably after a month or more of driving, the burnt smell should subside. I've found that this car does so many different "odd" items, that are indeed perfectly normal.

-Evo2003.5

 

No I can't say I feel the same way. I could never imagine myself buying an Evo based on its horsepower number, no matter how good or bad. I am buying this car for its handling, since I can take any car and give it horsepower. If you just want some straight line stuff you are better to buy a base WRX and mod it some and still save money over the EVO or STI.
For what reason are you buying a car? If the Evo showing a possible 20 hp (which honestly is quite minimal) difference from what is expected, can turn you away from it, why would you think the STI is for you either. If you want 20 HP you are better off buying a Mustang than either of these rally cars. These cars are designed for the turns, and they just have a side benefit of having some nice hp too. On either car 20 hp can be gained without voiding any warranty or probably adding any parts.
They are both awesome cars, but to switch opinion so fast based on 20 hp indicates you are not really sure what you are looking for, or even if you want to get either of the cars.
Also you might wait for a test on the STI just to be sure it will indeed it will be the EVO butt kicking machine everyone is so sure of.

 

I agree with all the positive comments on this post but have one reality check. The gearing is definently for a road course (4:53, I think), even with the .7 overdrive. My drive to the office is 80% highway and at 70mph the motor is buzzing at 3000rpms. I'd say the average traffic speed is closer to 80 and I seem to spend a lot of time watching the tach. I know in Japan they offer a 4:111 gear for the EVO. I may have this installed to feel a little more comfortable if I plan on driving highway speeds alot. This shouldn't hurt performance because turbo cars like pulling through a higher gear. Anyone else feel this way?

 

One word, RALLIART

All dealer installed and warrantied they take the thought out of aftermarket modifcation. A rumored chip, and yes warrantied, that will boost the evo into the 350 crank hp range, cat back exhaust and downpipe...

 

I always have buyers remorse...... the only thing i can tell that might be trouble with the evo are the seats. My leggs are pretty big, that means my butt isnt tiny either, (but not huge).

When i drive i can really feel the seats bitting into my outer thighs, and the side bulsters hit on my kidneys pretty firm. O well if it bothers me more and more i think i can get out of this car without being too upside down.
But for now im digging it,,,,,,,, its a big difference from the 4x4 truck I was driving prior to this evo8.

 

Yeah but if they ever release the info on that damn chip I'll be much happier!!!