well its been fun. THe interior is more than I expected. The quality is good enough for me and its seems as if everything is well laid out for easy and quick adjustments. The Recaros are top notch. I own more agressive Recaros in my 240-Z and I definetely prefer these for a daily driver. Any tighter and you're pushing on uncomfortable. Those who *****ed about not getting the JDM seats are probably the same ones that dont care about bone jarring ride, loud exhausts and stickers on there cars (I was one when I was younger ).
Handling. Well, all I can say is goddam!! I own a 1971 240 Z (turbocharged by me), and recently owned a Type- R. The Z was a famous German and V8 killer back in the 70's. Outhandling all but the most expensive cars at the time. The same goes for the type-R, winning the Speedvision challenge 5 years in a row (i think thats correct), beating the likes of 328 and 330 BMW's. Well, I thought it would be difficult to impress me in the handling department. Jesus Christ this thing can handle!!!! I recently took a route were I normally attacked the corners like mad with my other cars. I was 4 wheel drifting the EVO coming out of corners and getting that unique and sick feeling of lateral G's of which I've only experienced in a full racecar (roadcourse car). The speed in corners is about 5-10 mph faster than the type-R, and that car in my hands put down plenty M3's, corvettes, AUdi S4, and other cars in Limerock and Pocono raceway. I cant wait for a track day with this car, I cant see anyone touching me (after getting 10-15 laps of practice). I ran 1:05's with race tires in Limerock with the type-R (stock suspension exept for lower springs), I see doing 1:00-1:02 with the Evo. In low speed cornering you can feel the diffirence weight makes. The EVO doesn't seem to be a great autocross car (could be wrong). A beast in the handling department. Hope kids don't start testing the limits (insurance skyrockets), the speed available is also very dangerous in the wrong hands-- GO TO A DRIVING SCHOOL!!!!!!
The tranny is geared perfectly. No need for a 6 speed, only wasted time shifting. The shifter is were the Evo suffers. All the guys that praise the shifter obviously havent tried a TYPE R. This shifter cant hold a light to a Honda shifter. The gates are notchy and a bit vague. 3 synchros are not helping much for high rpm shifting. I've missed 1-2 upshifts a few times. I hope that miles will help loosen up the tranny. I will also swap the tranny gear oil for Redline Synthetic Oil (great stuff by the way) I think that will go a long way to smooth out the tranny. Compared to any other car (besides type-r,S-2000, miata)the tranny is good.
Power is great-- well up until about 4500 rpms. Then its as if your pulling the car you just walked away from. The drop in boost is so clear and nasty. Top end is dismal. But, the potential is all there and we all know what this engine is capable of. I just wish I didn't have to go out and spend extra money to get what I expected. Hp will come easily, with money that is .
Im breaking in the engine with regular oil, no synthetic. I dropped the oil as soon as I got the car. Now I now many of you might freak, but let me remind you that im a licenced Tech and have plenty of schooling and practice with the building of engines. Its my call on this one. The main reason is putting Mobil 1 in the EVO is to cover there asses. Mobil 1 is one of the best oils ever made, so good that it will cover many ignorant and careless owners mistakes. Not giving a cool down after a hard run, not changing the oil frequently, etc.. Now I now that us enthusiasts will take care or our cars, but so many others wont. Mitsu is not willing to warranty engines for careless customers, therefore their insurance is Mobil 1. Mobil 1 is so slippery that the rings don't get a chance to fully seat in. Eventually after proper break I will switch back to Mobil 1. Again, this is my call.
The brakes are fenominal, but I will wait for the track to see their full potential. Same for the tires.
All around the best car I have driven. Few gripes that will dissapear with time.
If you love sports cars, go no further. If you live to enjoy driving, the EVO is here, have fun!!

 

enjoy...u lucky bastard

 

Nevermind, im dumb

 

ummmm, I dont get it

 

Great Review! Don't know if I would drift it though. Too scared...lol. Maybe on an open track near lots of grass.

 

great review!!1 Finally an objective review showing the plus vs the negatives in stock form. While also comparing all the advantages these pluses have over proven great cars in their own rite.

 

I still don't understand the people that cannot do the 1-2 upshifts??!! Have any of you ever driven an AWD car before?? I bring it up to redline whenever I get on it, and when I shift, it goes right in...! I can't see why you guys are having trouble?? Are you nailing the clutch to the floor? Or are you just feathering the gear change? That only gripe I have is the same as other though.. After the surge of torque is gone, the HP doesn't seem to carry the rest of the RPM's well.. But as we all have heard that is just a chip job away!! Yee haw!!! Where's my 25G??

 

awesome review

 

Sweet review. Thanks! I do want to know what the deal is with the 1-2 shifts. I've also got two DSMs. Neither of them do the 1-2 so poorly as this EVO. I'm kinda disappointed as I expected the triple syncros to really help out. If I try to shift over 7k, forget it. :-( Perhaps a clutch switch based fuel cut will help (as it does with the DSMs), but I'm still left wondering why this tranny is so "special".

Thomas Dorris

 

Are you power/speed shifting? Or are you just shifting normal...letting off the gas a little and shifting a little slower? I think everyone that has had trouble is during fast power shifts...not just high rpm regular shifts. I haven't tried any power shifting yet (still taking it easy for break in) but I don't have any problems with the regular 1-2 shift either.

 

If you let the gas off it shifts fine.. As long as you do it rather slow.. if you try to bang it into 2nd it will grind.. It is about the speed of shift. The syncros are slow..


I have not tried powershifting the evo yet.. don't really plan on it either..



-Zach

 

I believe that I shift fast... I'm able to get best-1.7, usual-1.8 60ft times in both my GSX and WRX... I haven't put the EVO on the track yet though... But I don't SLAM it into gear, either... That's not good for any tranny... Who knows, maybe all the talk about the EVO having weak stock clutches could be the problem.. Maybe an ACT-2600 with street disc will help...

 

It's all workable. I only wondering why I have to work at it *more* with the EVO. I expected the opposite, that's all. The DSM trannies are notorious for crappy shifting, yet I can do a hard 1-2 in either of mine without thinking twice. As long as I keep it under 8k. With the EVO, it's more like 7k. Definitely a difference. Not necessarily horrible, just different and will require some getting use to. Maybe after I have a 150k+ miles under my belt with the EVO it'll seem more second nature.

Thomas Dorris

 

Superz, how many miles will you be using regular oil before switching back to Mobil 1?

 

Hi,

There are a number of experienced DSM'ers providing a wide range of feedback on the transmission. My hunch is that the transmissions may in fact BE be different. How many miles do you have now?

Maybe few of us in the PA, NJ, MD area can get together in the near future and compare the cars. I would like to try your tansmission and you mine.