Long time lurker, first time poster.

After biding my time for the entire year, I went ahead and took the plunge and purchased a Rally Red Evo on December 31, taking advantage of year-end close-outs and the eagerness of sales managers to make their yearly quotas. Part of the deal was an agreement to remove the carbon fiber wing, for which I have an appointment with the body shop to do next week. This would be a total removal and filling of the holes and repainting the trunk lid. Of course, my friends have been urging me to keep the wing on, saying the looks of the car will be destroyed without it. I don't necessarily agree (and no, I would prefer this not to be one of those "an Evo isn't an Evo without a large wing" threads), but I have a question for current Evo owners:

Have you ever had a situation where you thought the wing brought you or your car undue attention, be it from police, potential carjackers, other drivers, unsavory individuals, etc.?

In my first couple of days on the streets, my car has gotten so many turned heads (Evos are pretty rare around here) that I almost want to scream "STOP STARING AT ME!" None of this has been malevolent -- most people giving me big grins and thumbs up. I wonder if it is the wing that makes them first notice the car, or maybe something else, like the bright red color?

I know a large wing brings a wary eye from law enforcement, and that potential thieves or just juvenile deliquents might single out the car for closer investigation. Is this true, or am I just being a little too paranoid? I know that visibility is impaired, as a vehicle two carlengths or so behind me at night is very difficult to see as the wing totally blocks the trailing car's headlights.

Perhaps this is much ado about nothing, but I have to say that I feel a bit uncomfortable with all the attention and wonder if removing the wing will mitigate that somewhat.

Any thoughts?

Lee K

 

My experience: Mostly people with regular Lancers notice my Evo and very few others have any clue what this car really is. Even some "enthusiasts".
No cop or other problems

 

I got pulled once and the cop implied that my car was modified. My guess is that the wing is the first thing that caught his attention.

Cabo

 

I think the "Rally Red" will be enough to get you unwanted attention. If you are looking for stealth, get black or silver.

And why would you want a repainted trunk lid with putty filled holes? If you don't want the spoiler, order a car without it. Or just take the car with the spoiler mounted.

 

Congrats on your purchase.

To each his own, if you want to remove the wing go ahead. I'm sure you can find a buyer if you are keeping it.

I'm 29 and I enjoy all the attention the EVO brings, even with my big carbon fiber riced out rally wing. Sure my friend gives me a hard time about it, says the only wing that big should be on an airplane, he's just jealous 'cause my WRX spanked his stang GT, and now he has no chance at all.

I think cops pay no mind , c'mon how many honda's and what not's do you see running around with wings, I for one see them all over the place.

I had an older gentleman checking my car out, I think I startled him a bit, I had just got done shopping walked up to the car opened it with the remote. He looks up and says, "hey isn't this the car Automobile mag voted COY, it's very nice". The one in the mag had a low wing.

Enjoy your car wing or no wing it's still an EVO and people will know.

 

I agree that red is an attention-getter, but I see tons of more mundane cars like Hyundais and Saturns in the same red color and they are universally ignored. It may be the combination of wing and color that does it, though.

I got red because that was my only choice for the car on the lot on December 31. If I had a choice, it would have been silver or white.

I believe the holes will be welded closed and ground down before repainting. I agree, it is in not an optimal solution, but perhaps a small price to pay to somewhat reduced attention? Or am I making way too big a deal about this?

Lee K

 

Good information. I see you are in Raleigh -- I'm in Chapel Hill. Was it a local cop, or State Trooper?

Lee K

 

I think you're overreacting... the carbon wing is a beautiful piece and fairly tightly associated with the identity of the car. The only other production car that I can think of that utilizes CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) is the Porsche Carrera GT, which says a lot about its intent. The fact that the wing actually produces useful downforce at speed weakens the argument for taking it off, not to mention the impact on resale value that removing the wing may have. It's true that you would notice little or no impact when using the car as daily transport, but let's face it- the car is massive overkill for daily transport. Personally, I think you're worried too much about image. When you get the car, 80% of people will find it ridiculous and you'll have to explain yourself anyway. It is especially troublesome when you tell people you spent 30K for it. If you didn't want to stand out, buy an accord.

 

While the wing may cause more attention, I don't think its enough to get rid of it. If you plan on keeping the car stock, ie. no aftermarket exhaust, wheels, bov etc. then i can see justifying taking the wing off unless its something that you really want to do. Point is those aftermarket features will also cause attention, maybe not as much as the spoiler but in one way or another they will. And if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the evo and where did you get it?

 

Sure. Elkins Mitsubishi in Durham, $28,400 with sunroof and CF wing.

Lee K

 

Excellent points. I've always been a low-key guy, not wanting to cause a lot of fuss. I bought the Evo as a true driver's car to use for the sheer joy of driving. I won't race it, won't modify it, and won't show it off -- just enjoy it for what it is. Kind of hard to get that kind of experience with an Accord, though, nice as they are at what they do.

Lee K

 

Just for clarification, I did get pulled because I was speeding. The cop kind of threw in the 'modified car' comment as if to say "HAHA! I caught another ricer!".

I had a good laugh, since my 'modified' car can outrun him. I laughed even more because it is stock.

The cop was a Cary cop. They have become very ****-esque lately. The latest trend is their use of questionable tactics to 'prove' that you are under the influence of...something (when they can't nail you for alcohol).

If you go through Cary -- just don't even bother speeding. It's not worth the risk.

Cabo

 

You can get experience with almost anything but only to a certain level and speed.

 

bro your paranoid!!

#1 the rally red will bring you more attention from the cops than im sure the wing would

#2 i dont think people will F with you car because of the wing

#3 i honestly am one of those persons who thinks the wing makes the car , it just does the finishing touches.

just chill out , dont waste money on taking it off when it looks amazing . you'll be happy in the end you listened to me

 

Lee_K, taking off the wing may be dangerous and unsafe. Do you understand the concept of aerodynamic lift?