I have a 96 maxima (great car) - for my next car I looked at S2000 and RX8 (torqueless wonders with good looks); G35 (sedan decent; coupe better than decent) liked the 350, but think I want a back seat. Then I drove an EVO VIII - ABSOLUTELY no comparsion. My dealer says he can sell white on (wing and no sunroof) for invoice - $28,200 + tax/title - no other fees. He says I need to let him know by Tuesday am to get his $1,600 incentive.

1. Is this a good price?
2. Will it really be more expensive for me if I wait a few months?
3. May want to see if 6spd/cruise control is for 2004 (want it
as a daily driver, and I do some road trips.
4. Is this car more reliable than other cars (traditionally average)
5. Should I check out the STI before I buy (don't like the looks as much, but better reliability - more power, but EVO has plenty)?
6. Is the sunroof nice, and how much does it add to the price?

Sorry for long post - help with any of these would be muy appreciated.

 

The sunroof as an option is $750

 

1. I think anytime you can get a car at invoice you're doing good.

2. There must be some sort of incentive out to these dealerships to sell these cars because all of the sudden, they're all taking away there 1000-5000 dollar mark-ups and selling at or near invoice. How long that will last? I dunno, but the answer to that question will answer your question.

3. I, too, would like cruise control. I think I understand *why* they left that option off but I use cruise control a lot to keep me from speeding, and it's easy to do with this car! Everyone talks about 6 speed, but I believes it's overhyped. I personally don't think the car needs 6 speed, the lower 3 gears are geared perfect and it's a damn good shifter. Personal preference I guess.

4. More reliable? I had a 97 Eclipse GS-T. The only problem I had with it was the 2nd day I owned it the sunroof got locked up (bad track). 4 years later and 60,000 miles down the road, it still ran and looked as it did the day I bought it with no problems in between those times. That sounds pretty reliable to me.

5. Subaru makes a good car, there's no doubt. Check out the STi, and like I did, you'll probably come back to the EVO. Every magazine article I've read has picked EVO as the winner - not by much, but winner nonetheless. The EVO looks better, has almost the same HP/Torque and with little modification can match the Subies power.

6. Sticker on sunroof, $750, invoice price on it, $653. I guess it's nice to have if you're into that sort of thing. I personally see it as something to possibly go bad, something that adds more weight to the car (35lbs isn't much, but it's more weight damnit!), something that takes up some of my priceless headroom (I'm 6'2), and something that probably ever-so-slightly takes away from the rigidity of the frame of the car. All of these reasons are really nit-picky reasons not to get one and it really comes down to whether or not you wanna forecast the weather or not by looking through your roof.

 

Thanks for the info: I think I will go with the EVO; I'm a little concerned about the image I will get for driving it (I'm a physician), but after driving it for 2 days I don't care anymore. Main issue now is he wants me to buy by Tuesday to get the incentive - can't offer same price after. I'm still unsure whether I can decide by that time. I'm not sure if I want the white one he has or a red or grey, and not sure about the sunroof. I may say I'll buy if I can't swap for a different color; or pay now and wait for the color/option I want.

 

if you dont care about trade in value the evo is great. i was told by two mitsu dealer in two states ,that the trade in value of my 600 mile not even month old evo is 20,000. ouch!!

 

I'm sure that's just a starting lowball offer. If you were to buy another car, it'd be more negotiable.

Regarding your purchase, go for it . The image of the car is awkward. Try picking up your kids at daycare parked next to all the minivans and SUV's.

1. Price is great. Check out Edmund's TMV price.
2. Not sure, but more than likely
3. 6spd is overrated, but an aftermarket cruise can be installed. I highly doubt you'd see a 6spd until the next generation comes out (if at all).
4. Reliability is probably dependent on driver.
5. You should check out all other cars in this price range, but figure out what you exactly want first?
6. I've always loved sunroofs, but I'm a open air person (softtop Jeep).

 

Starting next week, I'll be dropping my daughter off at Kindergarten each day in the Evo.

Let the soccer moms think what they want.

 

I went from a loaded '97 Maxima to an Evo. I thought I would miss the leather, auto climate control, cruise control, Bose, but I don't. Well I guess I missed the Bose because I put in a new stereo system, but the other items I can do without. I looked at a lot of cars, but all of them seemed to make some compromise on the driving experience, which I did not want. My 2nd choice was a 350Z, but after driving a Miata (no space) the backseat and usuable trunk looked really attractive. You get used to the wing

 

why would it be more expensive?

 

Its not a bad price...and if you actually did any research on the car and you are still interested in it, just get it....you know you want it, you will not be sorry!!!!!!

 

The car is amazing. It drives better than anything I've ever had. Just make sure you use high quality car care products. The paint quality is not the best and needs a little more TLC than some other paints. I had lots of swirls in my black paint (maybe due to using a chamois). I took it to a detailer and he got rid of them all. Make sure you use a wash mit, high quality wash and waxes, and microfiber cloth for drying.

 

Thanks for all the detailed information - this site is incredible - checked out a G35 site, and it was nowhere near this good. They want about $37,000 for G35 coupe (my second choice). I will probably re-drive the 350 and try the STI before I buy, but I'm leaning heavy toward the EVO. Sounds like the clutch is the biggest problem (I've got a heavy foot by most standards, but probably not by EVO drivers' standards) - how bad is the insurance? (I'm 36 with an excellent record). When I took the EVO home for 2 days - I got excited every time I walked up to it - was like an eager puppy wanting to go for a run.

Thanks again

 

It's best to call your agent, but it should be about the same as any other sports car in that price range. I don't don't pay much more than my '97 Maxima.