In New Zealand we have a heap of every version of evo there is but I don't see much about the earlier models on here. So I'm interested to hear about any evo 1 - 6. I have driven every evo except 8 and 10 and IMO they are all great. Evo 1 was a real experience to drive, no electric windows or any over the top accessories, a real driver's car.

So what are your thoughts on the early evos?

 

I'd sell/trade my VIII for a VI Tomi Makinen edition in an instant!

 

Those of us in the US don't really have a chance to see any of the early (pre-VIII) models in person. That being said, I still think the IX is the best looking Evo out of them all. The VI is a badass car through... probably my favorite of the earlier Evo's.

 

Early evo's (1-3) are very similar to DSM (Eclipse/Talon/Laser) here in the states.

 

Very,very nice......




Mine is a GSR and I'm very surprised on how modern it feels.It has everything you need.....power windows,remote locking,auto climate control,anti-lock brakes,etc,etc....

Even at 17 years old I have no problem with it as my daily driver.

"Our" X (it was mine before SHE claimed it one snow storm) corners and brakes better,but the II is close.....straight line the II can hold its own.

 

Car's have become so big over the years.

 

Do the older models feel more "torquey" before boost kicks in?

I always wondered with such light curb weights, what the off boost throttle response feels like. I've never been in anything older than an 8 .

But I did gut my Mustang Cobra down to 2700lbs with a 32 valve 4.6 V8. That thing was a Go-Kart for sure but the solid rear still ruined the fun. I wondered what an Evo of similar weight would feel like.

 

I was looking for one of those when I bought my IX, I wanted one because of the limited numbers. I decided that I would need a newer car than a VI TME in a few years so I may as well get a IX wagon (also built in limited numbers). The TMEs here go for around 20k - 25k NZ$ which is about 16k - 20k US$.

 

The older ones were definitely better off the line than the new ones (if you don't launch). They didn't rely on the turbo for power/torque as much as the new ones. Evo 1 stock is about 12 psi (i think, could even be a little less) compared to IXs which can reach 20 psi without boost controller or tune.

Don't quote me on this but I'm fairly sure the Evo II RS is the lightest homologated 4WD turbo ever mass produced. The other models of early evos didn't go much over 2500lbs, until they built the IV anyway.

 

Yup.Light weight and really nice gear ratios make it feel like it has way more grunt than what it actually does.

Its very nimble.

 

0.7bar stock.

The RS model was just over 2600LBS,the GSR was about 2750LBS(roughly).

 

Wow, 2600 lbs is LIGHT. Most of us have 3000 lbs+ even with weight reduction. I can't imagine how controllable the car would be at that weight.

 

0.7 bar comes out between 10 and 11 psi so it's a bit over half what the newer evos are pushing.

I did quote the wrong weights sorry (converting kg to lb, my bad).

Hopefully coming soon a picture of a 1990 Galant VR4, which we (I'm not sure if any other countries do as well) call an Evo Zero, the evo before there were evos. I'm waiting for a mate to email a pic of his one, which has been modded to 320kw atw (around 430 whp).

 

I've had a ride in an Evo 6.5 TME, and it was pretty great. Even though it has less power than our 7/8/9's, the lighter weight more than made up for it. It felt quicker than my stock 9, at any rate.

 

Insane how light they are for an all wheel drive turbo isn't it?

Thats why I bought one for Targa Newfoundland,proven drivetrain,light weight......