I test drove an Evo IX MR this afternoon. I know it handles well and is fast (although it wasn't as fast as I thought it would be), so the main purpose of the test drive was to get a feel for the daily driveability.

- I found the engine to be suitably docile off boost to make it easy to drive in traffic.

- Seating position and controls seemed to be good.

- Brakes were a bit loud (I don't understand this).

- Suspension was firm and seemed fine on relatively smooth roads. Didn't get to drive on any rougher roads, so I'm wondering if anyone has opinions here. Are there any coilover sets that will provide better damping response for daily driveability?

- Tires were pretty noisy. Is this typical of the Advans?

If anyone is using their Evo IX MR as a daily driver, how do you like it?

 

I drive mine everyday. Had it since Mid December (Evo IX MR) and have a little over 4,000 miles on it. Love driving it and it's much more civilized than my 04 RS was......Brakes squeak just like the RS did when it was new. Advans are not quite tires but stick like glue. Suspension is actually a little softer than the RS was, the Bilsteins are very nice. All in all, considering the performance that is always there ready to be unleashed, the car is very friendly.

my .02

Tony

 

I would have to agree completely. I have had my MR since early October and it is a wonderful daily driver.

 

I have a IX MR and it is a blast to drive.

It is a bit stiff (if the roads are bad), but is an amazing car. It really depends what you are used to, but I would say it makes a pretty decent daily driver, an amazing weekend rocket, and one hell of race-car like kid shuttle....

Also, it is quite fast. Bone stock it should keep with a 911 and with a few minor mods can take a GT3 ....

 

I've been driving a 2006 MR for a little over a month. For a performance car, I think the ride is just fine. Just don't try to drink coffee while driving over modestly bumpy roads.

 

i love my IX MR i have had it since November.............3k on it now and i love it. great for daily driving and the flagship of i traded my VIII GSR for it and i will never go back

 

It really all depends on what you can tolerate as a daily driver. For most people an Evo of any type isn't a very good daily driver, then there are people pushing 500whp with race tuned suspension and driving back and forth to work in it...

 

I have a IX not a MR. I bought in 11/3/05. three months later I have 9,800 miles on it. Yeah, I drive a lot b/c I have meetings all over the place.

Monday I drove from West Los Angeles to Temecula, Temecula to Riverside, Riverside to Palm Springs and Palm Springs back to LA. Totaled about 380 miles with some in city driving.

Here are the things I've found about driving evos a lot.

1. Sound dampening/road noise not very good. Hey its a race car, what do you expect. For me it was tough b/c I need to talk on the cell phone. Solved with a good headset.
2. Gas mileage is ok. Hey its a race car...
3. visibility is fantastic
4. Engine power is fantastic
5. suspension (although on the MR the bilsteins are different) is fine, firm but fine.
6. Car requires a great deal of attention to drive. In other cars (BMW, Merc, 350Z) its easier to "cruise" on freeways. The razor sharp handling of the Evo requires a bit more attention.
7. cargo space is great, trunk is good size.
8. Recaro buckets are great.

Overall its a very tolerable sports car for long distance driving. More comfortable than my 350z for sure. But it is a sports car, make no mistake.

 

It makes a great daily driver. Sure, it's a bit rough, but plenty of power and a blast to drive

 

I agree that wasnt as fast as I thought , prperly bcoz lag is not obvious
comparing to DSM 's huge lag

I think suspension is fine , but steering feedback may be too much for daily driving , properly changing tires will stable it , afterall advan is not a good choice as commuter's tires

 

I wouldn't mind driving one daily.

 

not a 9 but an 8
daily driver and its fine

go check out the new sti if you want a better daily driver

 

i have an 8 mr (which if anythingwould be worse than a 9) and its perfect for a DD....



also --> I wasn't at all impressed when i first test drove my evo8. I was kinda sad, thought it would be faster. It definitely picks up some grunt when you break it in and drive it HARD all the way to redline through the gears.

 

I have a EVO 9 MR for about 1 mount now, its pretty decent for daily driving.

The interior noise is loud compared to my VW R32, shifter is notchy, gas mileage is not that great and everyone is always trying to race or rev at me. Overall I have no regret in getting the EVO 9 MR. I just can't wait to break-in the motor and start moding

 

I drive my Evo IX (not an MR ) daily and i love it, no problems at all