I currently own a 2001.5 S4. It's reasonably modded. The issue I have with AWD is it tends to lead to a car that pushes in a corner. Most of what I have read about the EVO states that its nuetral except at the very limit or in VERY tight corners. With lift oversteer always there, as in most any AWD car.

I think mostly the 60/40 weight distro of the EVO has me a bit concerned in that it might be artificially balanced via suspension tuning. Obviously I can't really get a good feel for this in a dealer test drive, so I'm a bit hesitant. I realize that the EVO is faster on a street course, I'm just not sure if it'll be more entertaining to drive an said course.

 

It isn't being marked up now in 80% of the country. It won't be next year either. The hype has gone down.

 

Having driven many RWD sports cars on the street and tracks, I can tell you the Evo is much better.

The ability to go from understeer to oversteer with simple throttle manipulation is incredible. You start to understeer (push), just lift off the throttle a little, then when you start to oversteer (loose), get back on the throttle and the rear end plants and off you go.

It's just perfectly balanced.

 

Solutions:

Put a rear strut brace in, change the anti-roll bars to larger ones. This will solve the understeer. Also, a good set of coilovers will cancel the (pretty heavy) body roll.

As for the weight, I am planning on relocating the battery to the trunk and changing the front clip (including the 50kg crash bar). That should make it closer to 55/45.

 

my only negative on the evo are the seats. you can feel how Recaro made them special for fat Americans, which is nice if you're fat but not so nice if you're normal size.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I appologize for not using the search, I will be sure to use it now. So pretty much what I am hearing is that it is a reliable car? If so that is all I really wanted to know. I am totally in love with this car but my only concern is reliability since I drive alot for work. Well, thanks for the info

 

Have you all seen the 350Z with supercharger installed ($5k for unit). It smoked a new M3 SMGII on video.

My .02 is the EVO is the way to go vs. the Z and thats just my preference. We can argue handling this and acceleration that all day long.

 

You also forgot the con on the 350 = no back seat , no LSD as for quality it is on a luxuary basis more than anything. I was in the same place you are right now about 2 weeks ago. And now that I have my EVO I have no regrets whatsoever. Also the look of the EVO will grow on you. Although from the bat one of the main reasons i got the evo was handling, performace, price , and the looks. But everyone has his own opionon. I was goning to first go for the 350 Z, but i wasnt feeling it . I would rather have an S2000 than the Z.Sti was to boxy and the wing looked rely funcky and no stereo (wut the hell). RX-8 was never an option to me , it just looked to fugly for me. But what rely decides what car you are gonna buy is either for looks of the car or performance.

But good luck on your choices I am sure you will chose wisely,
Thxs for reading my rants and raves,
Dan

BTW the EVO

 

compared to 350z evo quality is worse, but driving an evo is fun
personally i dont like 350z, its slow and sluggish, but probably better for daily driving