So I've lived in Brooklyn NY for two years now, from Ohio. Love it to death. Before I moved, I did a few track days in my IX, and haven't since moving for financial reasons. Now I'm sitting good, and would love to return to tracking my car a few times per year. My girlfriend and I share the evo in Brooklyn. I'm out of town working a lot, such as now I've been gone for 9 weeks, and she drives the car a few times per week with our dog (takes him to the dog park every other day). She recently drove from NYC to Miami to visit me, and we drove home together, and on that 1,300 mile journey I thought "man an X would be nice right now".

I used to have this plan to just gut it and make it a track car, but that's not realistic right now since I'd have to rent a garage space plus have an additional DD, which don't feel like having in Brooklyn. So I'm thinking maybe it'd be a good idea to get an X, because it's a more suitable DD than my IX is. I know they're heavier but obviously the X is proven to be quite a good track car, but like I said it'll probably see the track 3 times per year if I have the time.

So, keep my IX and make it the dual purpose DD/doggie transporter, or get an X because it's a bit more mature but still a good weekend track monster?

 

Seems like you will need somebody who has a X to help you there. I would say if u keep your 9 very reliable due to long trips and your are not overly uncomfortable in it then i would see keep what you have. You may be dissapointed if you get a X and the long trips are not as comfortable for you

 

ultimately, performance of both cars track-wise is very similar, mod-dependent.. evo x livability from what i've seen is greatly exaggerated unless you're looking at the dual clutch. the only thing the X has is cruise control.. but rear leg room and trunk room are terrible, no rear wiper..

in any case, how are you considering dd/livability when u want it to be a track car? in terms of what? ie, are u gonna get coilovers, etc

 

Well it's had Tein Super Street coilovers on it for the three years I've had it. The two track days I did were on those coils, and since then I've enjoyed the hell out of just about every kind of weather on them, and the car sat for stints of 6 months in the past two years as well. So, I might do one more day with these coils and then get something else.

But hypothetically, I'm trying to determine the best solution. As the plan was to always put a four point roll bar in w/ harness' but with the doggie always being driven around, I don't want to do that, and I know the harness bar is no safer (however easily removable for those specific weekends). Beyond that, like I said, suspension, brakes, and track wheels.

 

i'd contact gtworx about the coilovers, and i'd get bushings too - hold off on the sway bar and use to adjust to your style, and def def def #1 most important for usdm evo8/9 is modding the rear diff since we didn't get ayc - check the thread.

evo x was dominant on the track thanks to gates08 x, but 9s with modded rear diffs have proven their worth - https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/mo...nationals.html

and

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/mo...nationals.html

2 years in a row now!

 

i think keeping the ix is an obvious decision.

i don't know your financial position and what "sitting good" means. you mentioned having financial troubles in the past, so maybe jumping in a newer car might not be a smart choice.

4 point roll bar and harness? are you planning on doing trackdays or race competitively? those are useless parts for someone doing a few trackdays a year. you'll have a hefty bill just keeping up with wear/tear maintenance of doing trackdays.

 

I've never owned an 8/9, but I used to have a 08 GG X. I sold that and bought a jeep.... worst ****ing idea I've ever had. I am now selling my Jeep and looking for another X lol. I miss it a lot. As long as you put the right suspension on it, its very comfortable to drive.

 

I can't believe you sold your X, I loved that thing. From Cincy btw, I believe we've met.

 

Yea I remember who you are. Don't worry I should have another X within the next couple months.

 

I used to have an 8, would do very long trips in it including trips to GA from MI there and back in one day. A trip to the tail of the dragon from MI.
Never had a more comfortable ride (The 8 had stock recaros, stance coilovers on 255/35r18 tires on Rota P45r 18x9.5" wheels).

Then the next year I drove in my friends X-MR for many way shorter trips and it made my back hurt pretty bad, made me more tired after 3 hours than mine after 20h.

The 8 was tracked every now and then. Wasn't terrible.

 

The x is no more track friendly or road worthy that your car. The thing is heavy (over 450lbs more) and drives no more smooth than your 9, just has a better int layout and a tad bit quieter(road noise). And the 4g63 is a much more proven platform and mods are a little cheaper for yours too. Use the spare money and just buy another car for your girl and more mods for your 9

 

i'm a big 9 supporter (u can check the ix vs x thread) but the x is in no way 450 lbs heavier.. at least stock for stock its like 3263 vs ~ 34-3500#s

 

keep what you have save money this economy sucks and is not getting any better. Get some mods on your 9 and its will be like a brand new car again. Besides why start all over on monthly payments again that 500-600 you will be paying can go into some nice basic engine mods and put your 9 on a different level all over again

 

yeah all comments are taken with much thought. I'm now at the point where my IX is needing some TLC finally which is discouraging but must be fixed. ICP's are ETS and three years old so they're rusty, I've had 5th gear grind for almost two years which I can avoid if I just let the rpm's fall and then shift, but someday it must be fixed. Also, my girlfriend tells me she can't start the car without jumping it and the battery's a year old. So can't wait to figure that out when I get home in a month.

 

it kiiinda sounds like you're a little bit itching for a new car - in that case i say go for it honestly. you'll be happier