Well, it's been almost a month now, and I've put a really wonderful 2.5k miles on the EVO. I won't try and make this like all the other reviews people have done. I just wanted to share some thoughts after having spent some time in the EVO.

First off - this thing hauls ***. I know it's been said before, but at the risk of sounding redundant, it truly does haul ***. I took my dad for a ride in it shortly after it was broken in, and he was absolutely thrilled. In his opinion, it pulled harder and smoother than his Cobra. That was about the best praise a father could give his son (heheheh)

Second - this thing handles INSANE. I have a buddy who has driven great handling cars (Lotus Elan, track tuned E30, E36) and he was wowed by the grip on this thing. He commented that the EVO felt much like his E30 - without the harsh edges (those that are familiar with the E30 will know...).

Third - the EVO is actually a fairly comfortable daily driver. I've driven it around quite a bit in the last few weeks - fully loaded with friends, as well as empty and alone. Four adults fit fairly comfortably in the car (not as comfortably as in say, a Suburban) with sufficient space, and adequate headroom. I'm not sure I could convince four adults to head off to Vegas with me in the car, but I have no problem loading up for jaunts around town. As for driving solo - my work commute has never been this fun. The EVO replaced my 2000 Eclipse GT, and despite some initial concerns regarding the interior quality, I've not looked back. Visibility is improved, as is pretty much everything else. The Recaros are comfortable enough that I don't find myself missing the leather power seats of the Eclipse.

Finally - I drove my wife's Cooper S last night, and was amazed at how different it now felt. Before I purchased the EVO, I went down to a local dealer to buy a Track 350Z. After an extended test drive, I was disappointed by the car's dynamics. The power, while bountiful, wasn't a rush. The handling, while very good, didn't compare to the Cooper S. The overall feel of the car didn't provide what I refer to as the 'WOW' factor. If I'm going to spend that much money on a car, it needs to make me go 'WOW'. The MINI did, the Z didn't. I purchased the EVO because one magazine in particular referrred to it as a larger (slightly) version of the MINI. Well, after having driven the EVO exclusively for the last few weeks, last night's MINI drive was a bit of a surprise. The 6 speed felt a little slushy with the gates spread far apart. The beautiful notchy feel of the Getrag tranny felt loose and inaccurate compared to the EVO. Don't get me wrong - the MINI is an incredible vehicle, but the EVO has just surpassed so many of my expectations that I don't think I could ever go back.

Rants - very few. I purchased a sports car with the expectations that it would deliver. My suspension is not harsh - it is tight. My tranny is not notchy - it is accurate. My steering is not twitchy - it's precise. My gas mileage is not bad - is abominable (maybe not THAT bad, but I average 200 miles per tank - same as the European EVO VII I saw reviewed a couple years back). There are a few rattles that I will either investigate personally, or have the dealership evaluate. The rattles (two of 'em) really don't bother me all that much as it only takes a couple revs of the engine, or a crank of the volume to drown those out. The wing was a MUST GO item that I have since decided to keep. It was a little too ricey initially, but friends, and forum members alike have convinced me that it is a part of the car's heritage and has been earned by it's performance like a badge of honor.

Public Response - Pretty much the same as everyone else on the forums. I have had very little recognition on the streets of Orange County. When folks (young and old alike) recognize the car, I get all kinds of responses from simple thumbs up, to shouts and screams that they have finally seen an EVO on the streets (that was in Hacienda Heights, actually). Those that don't recognize, just tool on by as if they haven't just passed (yes passed, I stick to the limit - usually) one of the finest works of engineering art to exit the Land of the Rising Sun.

Well, that's my take on things - I hope the trend continues. I experienced a little trepidation in purchasing another Miss *****y after some issues with the Eclipse, but I have not been let down yet. All I need now is a CARB approved cat back, an ECU, and an intake and I'll be set for a while...

Until then, I'll leave you with the same SEG ($h!t Eating Grin) that I usually wear when I get to drive my EVO

-Josh

 

WTF, 200 miles to the tank? Are you filling at a 1/4 tank or something? Even with track time and hard driving every other day I'm getting 19-20mpg. About 250-260 miles to the tank. And that's with about a gallon of gas left in the tank or more sometimes. You must have a leak or something.

 

He must be going WOT all the time or something, while the car has a 18-26MPG range, it'll dip down to the low teens if pushed hard.

 

There DOES seem to be some strange sort of affinity between my pedal and the metal.

Seriously though, I tend to cruise on the freeway in 4th, not 5th. I'm sure if I were to hit 5th, mileage would increase - but then I wouldn't be sitting in the peak of the powerband. It takes a sec or tool for 5th to pull, but no time at all for 4th (at freeway speeds anyways). I'm going to fill up today, reset the odo, and see what happens if I behave...

 

I get about 220-230 to the tank... Unless I get on it then it's about 200.. Which is quite a lot... I love it more everytime I get into it... How many of you go outside just to look at it, even if you're not going anywhere?!! I certainly do...

 

Shoot, i am still getting 14-16mpg in town.. pretty much no highway driving..


I am sure i will get better mileage after a while though..

 

how many gallons is the US EVO gas tank?

 

14 Gallons

 

When mine gets here we will see....it better be this week!!

 

Were in Orance County are you? Were you at Hof's hut this morning eating in Irvine? THere was a black one parked there.

 

I just broke 600 miles on mine and the car was fun before the break in. Unfortunately I only get just shy of 200 miles between refueling but it's probably mostly due to the amount of traffic that I seem to keep running into in this area.

 

Not me at Hof's Hut. There's another Black Evo in Irvine. I've only run into him once on Bake - right after he got his car. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to catch up with him on Sunday at RRM.

-Josh

 

Thanks for the review! I'm in much the same boat as you are. I'm a currently driving a AWD Talon and looking for another daily driver. The Evo seem like it would be a great car the things I worry about are everyday driveability, interior quality, and maintenance. I would get a aftermarket cruise control installed as well as auto dim mirror. Then performance up grades later.

Thanks!

 

If you drive like grandma fairly consistently, by this I mean staying between 2000-4000 RPM, it's quite possible to get closer to 300 miles to the tank. If you get on it then yes it seems like 200-220 miles to the tank is about right. I've gotten almost 265 out of a tank so far.....once, and I had about 2 gallons left.

 

At this point, I'll trade the thrill of acceleration for a measly 60 miles. I try to drive at (or around) the speed limit - I just like to get there as fast as possible. There's not much chance of me getting 300 miles out of a tank anytime soon

-Josh