View Poll Results: -
-
0
0%
-
0
0%
Voters: 0. You may not vote on this poll
Just got, buying, reviewing, thinking about a new Evo [Ultra Hyper Mega MERGE]
Evolved Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: New Bedford, MA
On the fence ...
I've had my '01 Eclipse GT for 3 years now and the lease will be up later this year. No problems, though at the time it was a bit of a compromise. I was young so my credit history was still a bit lacking, and not too many dealers around here were cooperating.
To make a long story short, I went into the local Mitsubishi dealer on a whim to check it out, was the first car dealership that treated me well, gave me $3000 more than anyone else on my trade (which far exceeded the payoff), and I drove off the lot a few days later. They're a great group -- how many other Mitsu/Kia dealerships will pick up your car for service, or wash it "just because".
-----
Stopped in the other day for an oil change, and the lease termination topic came up between me and the GM. My credit score is spectacular now, my insurance is much cheaper (last point made a $1000 difference), and I can afford more or less what I want now, within reason.
Basically he mentioned that to keep me, the franchise more or less can make my last 6 lease payments "dissapear", and there's a $1000 loyalty bonus. Additionally, '03 Evos aren't moving, and he doesn't see a reason why he shouldn't be able to give me one at invoice.
Obviously, this is a nice deal. The dealership is a real stand-up group and I'd like to do business with them again, though I have some reserves on the Evo.
-- I'm really not keen on the street racer look. Sick of cars revving at me now, nevermind with an Evo
-- Not keen on the interior
-- Worried about how 19.5psi boost will affect engine life
-- Worried about long-term depreciation
For the record, the two cars really on my list are the S2000 and 350Z. Granted this is comparing apples, oranges, and bananas, and there are things I love and dislike on every car.
So why the Evo? Potential for an incredible deal, performance that matches or exceeds the other two, roughly the same price and continuing to do business with folks I like.
I know there's a search function, but just trying to get some honest feedback here on
-- Toning down the Evo's looks
-- Livability as a daily driver
-- Quirks/problems/Service Bulletins I should be aware of
Just have that "compromise" feeling again, though I'm sure I'd have it even with the S2000 or 350Z. Probably going to end up test-driving all three of these cars by this weekend's end.
Thanks all.
To make a long story short, I went into the local Mitsubishi dealer on a whim to check it out, was the first car dealership that treated me well, gave me $3000 more than anyone else on my trade (which far exceeded the payoff), and I drove off the lot a few days later. They're a great group -- how many other Mitsu/Kia dealerships will pick up your car for service, or wash it "just because".
-----
Stopped in the other day for an oil change, and the lease termination topic came up between me and the GM. My credit score is spectacular now, my insurance is much cheaper (last point made a $1000 difference), and I can afford more or less what I want now, within reason.
Basically he mentioned that to keep me, the franchise more or less can make my last 6 lease payments "dissapear", and there's a $1000 loyalty bonus. Additionally, '03 Evos aren't moving, and he doesn't see a reason why he shouldn't be able to give me one at invoice.
Obviously, this is a nice deal. The dealership is a real stand-up group and I'd like to do business with them again, though I have some reserves on the Evo.
-- I'm really not keen on the street racer look. Sick of cars revving at me now, nevermind with an Evo
-- Not keen on the interior
-- Worried about how 19.5psi boost will affect engine life
-- Worried about long-term depreciation
For the record, the two cars really on my list are the S2000 and 350Z. Granted this is comparing apples, oranges, and bananas, and there are things I love and dislike on every car.
So why the Evo? Potential for an incredible deal, performance that matches or exceeds the other two, roughly the same price and continuing to do business with folks I like.
I know there's a search function, but just trying to get some honest feedback here on
-- Toning down the Evo's looks
-- Livability as a daily driver
-- Quirks/problems/Service Bulletins I should be aware of
Just have that "compromise" feeling again, though I'm sure I'd have it even with the S2000 or 350Z. Probably going to end up test-driving all three of these cars by this weekend's end.
Thanks all.
Evolving Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest, CA
First Impressions
After reading this forum and others for months, I finally bought an EVO! The car is simply amazing. I traded in my 2002 WRX wagon and the difference is nothing short of astounding. Warning to all WRX drivers who really like to drive: don’t drive an EVO, you’ll have to have one! Here are my first impressions:
Ride: stiff as advertised, but not objectionable, GF didn’t mind a bit.
Steering: quick and responsive, makes the WRX seem sluggish.
Seats: very comfortable and supportive all around, better than WRX.
Instruments: um, when will manufacturers understand that gauges should be black on white and nothing else? Tach is hard to read and needs to sweep more than 50% of the dial.
Pedals: pretty good, the clutch engagement is better than WRX, but the clutch pedal is too low. It would be nice if it was an inch higher off the carpet.
Steering wheel: feels fantastic, another MOMO beauty.
Shifter: better feel than WRX, I haven’t missed a shift yet, but the cheap leather knob has got to go.
Carbon fiber spoiler: I tried to get the car without the wing, but could not find a white one anywhere. I may take it off, but it sort of grows on you. Up close it is really a piece of art, puts the STI to shame.
Tires: can you say Velcro? These babies stick and stick some more, plus they are absolutely quiet.
Turbo whoosh: addictive!
Handling: I’m still breaking it in, but I couldn’t resist the urge to run one of my favorite canyon loops. Big Tujunga-Angeles Forest Hwy-Aliso-Soledad-Sand-Little Tujunga canyons. What a ride! Even keeping it below 4000 – 5000 rpm’s the car pulled hard, stuck like glue and was easy to drive fast. Where the WRX would plow the EVO just turns and goes. Even the one time I had all four tires sliding sideways it was very balanced and totally controllable. Like the WRX, you drive with your right foot, gotta love AWD!
Dealers: I did my shopping on the internet and can highly recommend two dealers in Southern California. Tom at Huntington Beach Mitsubishi and Russ in Santa Monica, both guys were great and I got a good deal. Too bad I couldn’t buy one from each. $29,684 OTD w/spoiler.
I can’t wait to break it in and really push it hard. I think I fall into the West Coast tuner school of thought and will be hitting up Works and Vishnu for some serious go fast stuff. See you on the back roads … John
Ride: stiff as advertised, but not objectionable, GF didn’t mind a bit.
Steering: quick and responsive, makes the WRX seem sluggish.
Seats: very comfortable and supportive all around, better than WRX.
Instruments: um, when will manufacturers understand that gauges should be black on white and nothing else? Tach is hard to read and needs to sweep more than 50% of the dial.
Pedals: pretty good, the clutch engagement is better than WRX, but the clutch pedal is too low. It would be nice if it was an inch higher off the carpet.
Steering wheel: feels fantastic, another MOMO beauty.
Shifter: better feel than WRX, I haven’t missed a shift yet, but the cheap leather knob has got to go.
Carbon fiber spoiler: I tried to get the car without the wing, but could not find a white one anywhere. I may take it off, but it sort of grows on you. Up close it is really a piece of art, puts the STI to shame.
Tires: can you say Velcro? These babies stick and stick some more, plus they are absolutely quiet.
Turbo whoosh: addictive!
Handling: I’m still breaking it in, but I couldn’t resist the urge to run one of my favorite canyon loops. Big Tujunga-Angeles Forest Hwy-Aliso-Soledad-Sand-Little Tujunga canyons. What a ride! Even keeping it below 4000 – 5000 rpm’s the car pulled hard, stuck like glue and was easy to drive fast. Where the WRX would plow the EVO just turns and goes. Even the one time I had all four tires sliding sideways it was very balanced and totally controllable. Like the WRX, you drive with your right foot, gotta love AWD!
Dealers: I did my shopping on the internet and can highly recommend two dealers in Southern California. Tom at Huntington Beach Mitsubishi and Russ in Santa Monica, both guys were great and I got a good deal. Too bad I couldn’t buy one from each. $29,684 OTD w/spoiler.
I can’t wait to break it in and really push it hard. I think I fall into the West Coast tuner school of thought and will be hitting up Works and Vishnu for some serious go fast stuff. See you on the back roads … John
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Finally Test Drove the Evo!!!
I'm in the market for a car right now.. Either the STI or Evo, not surprising. Anyway I was finally able to test drive an Evo at the dealership.
It was Tarmac Black with cf spoiler, no sunroof. I came in with their Ad for an Evo at $27988 w/ cf spoiler + sunroof and I told them I wanted one without a sunroof. The one in the Ad was red and was the one that they let ppl test drive so it had over 100 miles. After showing them I was serious about the purchase they let me test drive the Black one that had only 10 miles.
I sat in the car and felt the Recaros. Very nice. The dash plastic looks a bit cheap and seems easily scratchable (like my celica). My overall impression of the interior is that it felt like an economy car, except for the seats and steering wheel. The stereo was nothing spectacular. Pretty normal.
The salesman pulled it out of the lot and he drove it to the gas station to get gas. On the way to the gas station I immediately noticed how stiff the suspension was. Every little bump in the road could be felt. I thought about how passengers would feel if they rode in my car and I decided it wasn't a car you'd take on road trips, or snowboarding.
After we gassed up I got into the driver seat. I knob to adjust the reclining position is a little annoying but expected for race seats. The view of the back is pretty good, alot better than my Celica. The small steering wheel felt good, kinda like a video game. As I got onto the road, the clutch took a little getting used to. I have an ACT Street clutch on my car and it engages very close to the floor. The clutch on the Evo engages kind of high, I think even higher than the stock Celica clutch.
Once I got the feel for it I started to push the car. I love the sound of the engine and the turbo spooling. It sounds so sweet. I've never owned a turbo car but I've driven my friend's Jetta 1.8T chipped and this car just blows that away (I know its hardly a comparison). There was a noticeable lag before the turbo actually kicked in but when it did I was pushed to the back of the seat. I kept hitting red lights so everytime I just got ready to take off. The dealer was like "take it easy.."
The shifter feels pretty stiff. The throws are short but sometimes I found myself in 3rd gear when I was trying to go from a stop. This would take some getting used to.
I was only able to take one corner but I could feel the car take it with ease. It felt really planted to the ground, very much like a kart. It even felt stiffer than the B&G Race coilovers I had in my Celica. I could see this as being an amazing track car.
In the end I really like it. If I planned to have two cars I would definitely pick this up. But as a daily driver it just seems a little too harsh.
When we went back in to talk about price I was able to talk it down to $200 under invoice. A pretty awesome price! But I wasn't ready to buy it, and I still want to test drive the STI. From what I've heard, the STI makes a better daily driver, which might be a better car for me.
Exterior =
Interior =
Seats =
Power = :
Handling =
Reliability =
Price =
It was Tarmac Black with cf spoiler, no sunroof. I came in with their Ad for an Evo at $27988 w/ cf spoiler + sunroof and I told them I wanted one without a sunroof. The one in the Ad was red and was the one that they let ppl test drive so it had over 100 miles. After showing them I was serious about the purchase they let me test drive the Black one that had only 10 miles.
I sat in the car and felt the Recaros. Very nice. The dash plastic looks a bit cheap and seems easily scratchable (like my celica). My overall impression of the interior is that it felt like an economy car, except for the seats and steering wheel. The stereo was nothing spectacular. Pretty normal.
The salesman pulled it out of the lot and he drove it to the gas station to get gas. On the way to the gas station I immediately noticed how stiff the suspension was. Every little bump in the road could be felt. I thought about how passengers would feel if they rode in my car and I decided it wasn't a car you'd take on road trips, or snowboarding.
After we gassed up I got into the driver seat. I knob to adjust the reclining position is a little annoying but expected for race seats. The view of the back is pretty good, alot better than my Celica. The small steering wheel felt good, kinda like a video game. As I got onto the road, the clutch took a little getting used to. I have an ACT Street clutch on my car and it engages very close to the floor. The clutch on the Evo engages kind of high, I think even higher than the stock Celica clutch.
Once I got the feel for it I started to push the car. I love the sound of the engine and the turbo spooling. It sounds so sweet. I've never owned a turbo car but I've driven my friend's Jetta 1.8T chipped and this car just blows that away (I know its hardly a comparison). There was a noticeable lag before the turbo actually kicked in but when it did I was pushed to the back of the seat. I kept hitting red lights so everytime I just got ready to take off. The dealer was like "take it easy.."
The shifter feels pretty stiff. The throws are short but sometimes I found myself in 3rd gear when I was trying to go from a stop. This would take some getting used to.
I was only able to take one corner but I could feel the car take it with ease. It felt really planted to the ground, very much like a kart. It even felt stiffer than the B&G Race coilovers I had in my Celica. I could see this as being an amazing track car.
In the end I really like it. If I planned to have two cars I would definitely pick this up. But as a daily driver it just seems a little too harsh.
When we went back in to talk about price I was able to talk it down to $200 under invoice. A pretty awesome price! But I wasn't ready to buy it, and I still want to test drive the STI. From what I've heard, the STI makes a better daily driver, which might be a better car for me.
Exterior =
Interior =
Seats =
Power = :
Handling =
Reliability =
Price =
