The test drive was the best and most fun I've ever been on.

However, when we returned to the dealership, the salesman left the car running, in order to "cool it down." Is this normal for Evos? Am I going to have to leave my car running for a few minutes every time I park it? If so, that would be extremely annoying.

Secondly, I live in Minnesota, so pretty soon after buying it I'll have to deal with snow and ice. Do I need smaller wheels as well as winter tires or will tires be good enough?

Thirdly, during the test drive, I forgot to turn on the stereo. How is it?

 

usually a minute is fine.

 

Idling down is normal for any turbocharged engine.

So far, I've only seen the same size wheels with winter tires for sale for the Evolution. They are available, and it's wise to get them if you plan on putting your Evo through the ice and snow.

The stereo, well, just be happy you actually got a stereo from the factory. It's not great, but it does okay for being factory.

 

The best thing to do is get a turbo timer, that way you don't have wait around for the car to "cool down". The turbo timer will take car of it for you.

 

Can't you use the stock wheels for both winter and summer tires?

 

Not if you leave in Minnesota you can't.

 

If you plan on buying an Evo and you don't want to wait during the cool down time you could look into turbo timers. As far as the tires/wheels goes you will have to get winter or all seasons. You cannot get wheels that are smaller than 17" for the Evo because the front brakes (rotor and caliper) are too big for a smaller wheel.

 

Sorry Moki97, didn't mean to post the same information twice. Watching football slows posting time.

 

It's all good!

 

Yes, you can use the same wheels, but you've GOT to swap the tires. The stock Advans are purely summer rubber. I'd recommend the Continental ContiExtremeContact tire. Decent price, well received performance with past customers. I encourage you to buy this tire unless you feel the need for studs. If so, you're on your own.

 

Thats what I meet. my mistake...Thanks Chopdaddy

 

The time depends on how much you've been heating the turbo. If you get a boost gauge, you can start timing from when you go off boost. For example, I rarely need to wait at all, once I find a parking spot at work. (Trolling for a spot doesn't heat the turbo.)

But after a high speed run down the freeway, I give it at least two to three minutes.

I've also gotten in the habit of waiting for the electric fans to cycle off before shutdown. (But that's just because the 328 tends to cook the battery if you let the heat just soak out of the radiator.)

You could put all season tires on the stock rims, but for a Minnesota winter, you might prefer dedicated winter tires. If you go the winter/summer route, it's better to have two sets of rims, as well. It saves the cost -- and risk of rim damage -- in having the tires remounted twice a year. And you can swap wheels at home.

Stereo? Stereo? This car has a stereo?

 

My wife wants to know.

 

So how much time after you go off boost?

 

The car stereo is OK. I personally think the car stereo is better than my old 99 honda accord v6.
But I think a lot of Evo owner at this forum swap out the stereo for a better one. It still better than spending $1.5k for a stereo on the STI.