Traded in the RA for an EVO... Impressions after 3 weeks
Traded in the RA for an EVO... Impressions after 3 weeks
So, as I've mentioned before I was able to get a great deal on a used IX SE that I just couldn't pass up. The RA was a great car that treated me very well. It was the first car I ever purchased brand new and in a few ways, I miss it.
Details:
RA:2004 arctic silver, injen CAI, Custom Cat-back exhaust, Joe's UDP, brass underhood shifter bushings, Kartboy shifter base bushings, authority short shifter, RRM rear strut tower brace, aftermarket stereo - alpine deck, k20 Ipod interface, 700W amp driving two twelves in the trunk. Sun & Sound package, 20% tint and 27,418 miles on the clock. Trade in value at the stealership: 8500.00
Evo: 2006 Tarmac Black completely stock 6,500 miles on the clock. Asked 28,000. I talked them down to 2700,00. So after my trade in I was financing around 19,500.
Immediate noticeable differences: I sat much lower in the RA. I really miss that feel. Sitting higher in the Evo is alright, but I felt more stretched out and comfortable in the RA, like part of the car. The tint was also great because I hate people staring into the car at me. For me, it is also much easier to hear the MIVEC cutover in the RA.
On the road, the Evo has a much stiffer ride. if you stay out of boost, its a bit more sluggish than the RA as well. Not that its a slouch, it just bogs a bit - I assume this is due to the vacuum as well as the AWD. Its not much of a concern because boost is *HIGHLY ADDICTIVE*, and not so easy to stay out of...unless I'm trying to save gas. Speaking of gas mileage - I thought the RA got pretty poor mileage for a 4 banger but it has NOTHING on the evo (even if I stay out of boost). Being that premium is getting even more spendy, gas prices are probably one of the things I miss most about driving the RA around.
As far as handling goes, there is no comparison for me. The Evo does everything that I couldn't do in the RA and the Evo makes it feel easy. Throwing it around emigration canyon out here is a dream, and accelerating around long swooping freeway interchanges just brings a huge smile to my face. Although the RA was a great handler, with the stock suspension I felt it had a fairly healthy amount of understeer. New tires helped, but the two cars are simply different animals.
The other thing I miss a lot about the RA is the sleeper element to it. I felt it was an attractive car that didnt grab a lot of attention on the road. In the evo, whether its a redneck pointing and laughing or another import car lover just having a gander, its hard to avoid drawing attention. It was neat at first but I could go for a little less of it. I have considered removing the spoiler to help it hide in the crowd a little more but I kind of feel like the spoiler is a big part of the look of the evo, so I'm keeping it on.
The last thing I miss most about the RA is the community here. There were lots of really helpful friendly people on these forums to help steer you in the right direction and answer your questions patiently. Those types I find a little more rare on the Evo side of things.
Things I don't miss about the RA: When compared to the Evo, there isn't a single thing (besides hearing the MIVEC cutover) that I'd say I prefer about the RA. For the price, it better be that way damnit! I also don't miss the super slim aftermarket support that the RA had. The few shops out there *cough RRM cough* and RPW if you live outside of the states ( I was never able to get a single part from RPW because all of their distributors here don't know how to answer email) were a godsend, and their input was always really helpful.
If I could go back and do it all over again I would. For me, the RA always left a little to be desired on the performance end of things. I loved the way the car handled but I wanted to throw a turbo kit on it after driving my buddies MR. It was a tough call to get rid of the RA because there was a lot of sentimental value in it for me. It was a huge sign of finally gaining my independence, and it was the first car I ever owned that I felt was a representation of me, and how I wanted to be perceived on the road. Just like the evo, i felt like for the money it was the best car in its class.
Anyway, just wanted to share my impressions with you guys. Let me know if you have any questions, or if you wanna just slap me for jumping ship. Best to you all. I will still be around nagging you about this or that.
Details:
RA:2004 arctic silver, injen CAI, Custom Cat-back exhaust, Joe's UDP, brass underhood shifter bushings, Kartboy shifter base bushings, authority short shifter, RRM rear strut tower brace, aftermarket stereo - alpine deck, k20 Ipod interface, 700W amp driving two twelves in the trunk. Sun & Sound package, 20% tint and 27,418 miles on the clock. Trade in value at the stealership: 8500.00
Evo: 2006 Tarmac Black completely stock 6,500 miles on the clock. Asked 28,000. I talked them down to 2700,00. So after my trade in I was financing around 19,500.
Immediate noticeable differences: I sat much lower in the RA. I really miss that feel. Sitting higher in the Evo is alright, but I felt more stretched out and comfortable in the RA, like part of the car. The tint was also great because I hate people staring into the car at me. For me, it is also much easier to hear the MIVEC cutover in the RA.
On the road, the Evo has a much stiffer ride. if you stay out of boost, its a bit more sluggish than the RA as well. Not that its a slouch, it just bogs a bit - I assume this is due to the vacuum as well as the AWD. Its not much of a concern because boost is *HIGHLY ADDICTIVE*, and not so easy to stay out of...unless I'm trying to save gas. Speaking of gas mileage - I thought the RA got pretty poor mileage for a 4 banger but it has NOTHING on the evo (even if I stay out of boost). Being that premium is getting even more spendy, gas prices are probably one of the things I miss most about driving the RA around.
As far as handling goes, there is no comparison for me. The Evo does everything that I couldn't do in the RA and the Evo makes it feel easy. Throwing it around emigration canyon out here is a dream, and accelerating around long swooping freeway interchanges just brings a huge smile to my face. Although the RA was a great handler, with the stock suspension I felt it had a fairly healthy amount of understeer. New tires helped, but the two cars are simply different animals.
The other thing I miss a lot about the RA is the sleeper element to it. I felt it was an attractive car that didnt grab a lot of attention on the road. In the evo, whether its a redneck pointing and laughing or another import car lover just having a gander, its hard to avoid drawing attention. It was neat at first but I could go for a little less of it. I have considered removing the spoiler to help it hide in the crowd a little more but I kind of feel like the spoiler is a big part of the look of the evo, so I'm keeping it on.
The last thing I miss most about the RA is the community here. There were lots of really helpful friendly people on these forums to help steer you in the right direction and answer your questions patiently. Those types I find a little more rare on the Evo side of things.
Things I don't miss about the RA: When compared to the Evo, there isn't a single thing (besides hearing the MIVEC cutover) that I'd say I prefer about the RA. For the price, it better be that way damnit! I also don't miss the super slim aftermarket support that the RA had. The few shops out there *cough RRM cough* and RPW if you live outside of the states ( I was never able to get a single part from RPW because all of their distributors here don't know how to answer email) were a godsend, and their input was always really helpful.
If I could go back and do it all over again I would. For me, the RA always left a little to be desired on the performance end of things. I loved the way the car handled but I wanted to throw a turbo kit on it after driving my buddies MR. It was a tough call to get rid of the RA because there was a lot of sentimental value in it for me. It was a huge sign of finally gaining my independence, and it was the first car I ever owned that I felt was a representation of me, and how I wanted to be perceived on the road. Just like the evo, i felt like for the money it was the best car in its class.
Anyway, just wanted to share my impressions with you guys. Let me know if you have any questions, or if you wanna just slap me for jumping ship. Best to you all. I will still be around nagging you about this or that.
The last thing I miss most about the RA is the community here. There were lots of really helpful friendly people on these forums to help steer you in the right direction and answer your questions patiently. Those types I find a little more rare on the Evo side of things.
Thats true about that, you ask a simple question, instead of giving you an answer, you get some smart a$$ comment. Seen that way too many times.
Good luck with the new ride.
my friend
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JESUS.... another ralliart going to the darkside. Seems they are dropping like flies. boozeup you are one of the OG ralliart guys. lol. It really seems all the old school ralliart guys are buying evo's now a days. I think all thats left is me, Dangerous dan, and Eclipse2lancer and thats all the regular oldschool forum guys switching over....
Well I am glad you are happy. I know what you mean when u say the ralliart is your first car, and it really describes you out on the road. Everybody in my area knows me and my car, and if i want to get rid of it for a black evo, its gonna be like im selling apart of myself. I know exactly how you feel. My first car, its my baby, its me. But i think you made the right choice. Give it a few months and your butt will be molded into that seat like you had it for years.
Gratz on your purchase, but i hope to see you around these forums. LIke i said, your one of the OG guys here lol. You gotta keep it real for us lol. Let us know some of the victories you get w/ the evo, and make it a 2.3 liter soon!
Maybe i'll be the next guy to switch to the darkside of the Diamond.
Well I am glad you are happy. I know what you mean when u say the ralliart is your first car, and it really describes you out on the road. Everybody in my area knows me and my car, and if i want to get rid of it for a black evo, its gonna be like im selling apart of myself. I know exactly how you feel. My first car, its my baby, its me. But i think you made the right choice. Give it a few months and your butt will be molded into that seat like you had it for years.
Gratz on your purchase, but i hope to see you around these forums. LIke i said, your one of the OG guys here lol. You gotta keep it real for us lol. Let us know some of the victories you get w/ the evo, and make it a 2.3 liter soon!
Maybe i'll be the next guy to switch to the darkside of the Diamond.
As Evos become cheaper it's easier for us to upgrade. 
If it weren't for the amount of miles I drive, I'd be upgrading to an Evo by now, too. It's likely, though, when my Ralliart is paid off (this year) that I'll be looking to buy an "old" Evo (03/04) as a weekend/summer fun car and keep the RA as a DD.
If it weren't for the amount of miles I drive, I'd be upgrading to an Evo by now, too. It's likely, though, when my Ralliart is paid off (this year) that I'll be looking to buy an "old" Evo (03/04) as a weekend/summer fun car and keep the RA as a DD.
Evos are nice and all but i perfer my RA over it. That is just me though. 
Evos are worse on gas plus their insurance is insane for CALI. 
Congrats on the EVO thou. Hope you enjoy it.
Evos are worse on gas plus their insurance is insane for CALI. Congrats on the EVO thou. Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for all the kind words guys. You really are one of the most supportive and friendly groups around. I will be around for sure...I have too many questions not too! As far as the comment on insurance goes... Get this - it went DOWN 18 bucks a month because its a newer year! 
I'll be posting up pics when the weather gets nice for long enough for me to get it clean and take some decent shots.
RoLSD, thanks for the support man, you were one of my big inspirations for wanting to get the RA boosted so badly. I wish you lived out here man, I'd love to offer you a ride in mine for a ride in yours. I personally think its only a matter of time before you're on the same boat. Whatever you end up doing though, I know you won't be half assin' it. EoLSD = wouldn't be happy until he crests 500 awhp
I'll be posting up pics when the weather gets nice for long enough for me to get it clean and take some decent shots.
RoLSD, thanks for the support man, you were one of my big inspirations for wanting to get the RA boosted so badly. I wish you lived out here man, I'd love to offer you a ride in mine for a ride in yours. I personally think its only a matter of time before you're on the same boat. Whatever you end up doing though, I know you won't be half assin' it. EoLSD = wouldn't be happy until he crests 500 awhp
I love it but the aftermarket support is just not there.
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From: Hillsboro, OR
As Evos become cheaper it's easier for us to upgrade. If it weren't for the amount of miles I drive, I'd be upgrading to an Evo by now, too. It's likely, though, when my Ralliart is paid off (this year) that I'll be looking to buy an "old" Evo (03/04) as a weekend/summer fun car and keep the RA as a DD.
If it weren't for the amount of miles I drive, I'd be upgrading to an Evo by now, too. It's likely, though, when my Ralliart is paid off (this year) that I'll be looking to buy an "old" Evo (03/04) as a weekend/summer fun car and keep the RA as a DD.I'm glad people post up the "thoughts" on upgrading into Evo's. I'm loving my RA. By far my most prized automobile to date. It really makes me feel like I'm driving and the sleeper aspect is pure entertainment. However, it does feel much to be desired. The aftermarket department for this car is highly lacking. I think the bummer is that in comparison for me to mod the car to be what I want...I could save and afford an evo. I do love this car and within the year of getting it payed off I will be uprgrading into an Evo as well. However, it will be such a hard thing to do as I'm in love with my RA. haha.