Seeing as the HKS is being recirculated, I dont see why you would want to change it. I for one have never heard how it sounds being recirculated, only vta. But they hold boost very well, and much more then the stock ix dv. Many have driveability issues. I had issues when I had it on my car, but heard it was much better when it is set up the proper way. All you need to install the stock dv, is the recirc tube/pipe. If your dv will fit the recirc tube/pipe thats on there now, then you are good to go. If not, just go to an auto part store and buy tubing, cut to fit perfectly and be done with it.

I say go for it, if the price is right. You def have a nice Audi, but you wont regret the Evo.

 

+1

I really don't get why Evo owners swap their tails out for the JDM ones. If you have an VIII, then I get it, since it's better than the chrome ones, but the IXs are smoked and match the car better, so why add the orange parts that don't really look good? That JDM stuff is overrated, in my opinion.

And if you do add on the JDM tails, you'd need to get the JDM headlights, otherwise it's not going to match, because it's black (instead of smoked), plus the amber inserts were meant to go together... notice the JDM headlights having the amber at the bottom half of the side of the headlights, which goes with the bottom turn signals being amber, while the USDM headlights have it at the top half, with the bottom being clear which visually flows with the taillights being clear.

Headlights and taillights aside, go for the switch. Seeing how you (OP) had a 400 hp WRX before and you do miss it, you might as well enjoy that kind of performance again, except in a car that is much more capable right out of the box while handling much better. You'll really only miss out on some of the luxury amenities (as the Audi interiors are pretty awesome and are like Bentley interiors when compared to an Evo's), though everything that's really important in an Evo is good... i.e. supportive seats, good steering wheel, etc.

Before my Evo (and the Evo before that), I had a Mercedes-Benz E320, which was a great date car. I don't miss it one bit, and I've actually gotten more compliments from lady friends about the Evo than the Benz... and this is coming from someone who lived in Newport Beach, where a lot of people here have money and are accustomed to more luxurious nameplates.

 

I'm actually hoping to find USDM evo IX tails, but from what I have gathered they are impossible to find unless you hound the classifieds

 

I have faith with the right wheels, I can make this grey evo look as good if not better than my Audi.... I just need to do LOTS more research on sizes that fit without rubbing problems...

Would hope to run an 18x9 with a 235 or 245 tire.... not sure what offset the evo requires to run that size

 

BTW, thank you all very very much. I had no idea how many of you EVO drivers came from a GERMAN car before

 

Honestly if the only thing stopping you from jumping into an S4 instead of this Evo is that you can't quite afford it, then save up a bit, let them depreciate, and then pull the trigger when the timing is right. S4s depreciate pretty nicely and it shouldn't be long until they are well within reach.

 

Your best bet is to try to find an Evo IX owner who has Evo VII taillights... I'm sure a few of them still have their old tails sitting around.

Or you could even just get VII tails. Personally I prefer the IXs over the VIIs, though the VIIs do look nice, ESPECIALLY if you have other external modifications. For some odd reason, the VII tails really fit the car in that situation, especially if you have a JDM rear. I don't know why, haha.

 

The Evolution is the first non-German car I've owned, ever.

Is that's what this is all about, you're looking at the wrong machine. Never mind that the Evo you're thinking about buying seems to have no functional suspension. Likely doesn't matter. Regardless, you'll probably hate the car once the street cred wears off. Good luck.

 

To the OP:

What are your goals with the car?
Do you want to get rid of your Audi only because 'you've always wanted an evo'?
I assume at this point you've already driven an Evo IX and know what sacrifices you're about to make in both directions? That's a considerable change, going from an Audi to an Evo IX since they're such different cars.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

 

No, I'm not strictly about looks. I like my cars to perform as good as they look. I realize that evo probably has Tein S. Techs (which I know are bad springs) They will not remain on the car. I drive canyon roads everyday to work and get my quattro audi sideways probably once a day easy. I like to drive very hard around turns and love throttling out of turns. It makes me enjoy driving. I drive to work around 4am everyday, so I am the only car on the canyon. I am not out messing around in rush hour traffic

I've ridden in 2 evo's, but have yet to drive one. Saturday will be my first experience driving one.

 

There are a set of IX tails for sale on socalevo..just trying to help you out.

To the OP, you should drive a X MR and a IX, some dealerships have them pretty close in price, at least what I have seen in LA.

N

 

ya, I know the evo x's interior is a little better than the IX's. I just cant quite wrap my head around the X's styling. I like the exterior of the IX more. I do however like the seats in the X's more.... crap getting into an evo is so hard to decide on

 

Get a IX. Not saying that the X is bad, but I'd think there are more X owners who wished that they could have a IX than there are IX owners who wished that they had a X.

 

I kinda agree with Deez here but I think it depends on the person what plans they have for their EVO. I think for the OP, a X would be a more "fitting" vehicle as it does have nicer amenities (especially the X MR or 2011 GSR SSL package).

Like someone said a few posts back... once the street creds and new car giddiness wears off, he may not like the car as much. I could be wrong. I went from an e46 M3 to an STI and then an EVO 9... dude what a different world it was.

But I actually ended up liking JDM cars even more especially once I got my 9. I am the happiest now with my WW 8

Disclaimer : I do have a Range Rover Sport SC so I get my Eurotrash Lux fix as well.. so I guess its why I don't miss the M3 or Lexus IS300 I had b4 that.

 

evos the way to go