Fellow evolvers,

It's getting close to decision time and I could use some advice. I was just on the verge of evolving from my SUV to an Evo8, when I find out that I'm probably moving. How does this affect my purchase plans? Read on.

I'm getting married this summer, and my fiance wants us to relocate to Orange County (SoCal). The why of that is a long story I won't go into, suffice to say that instead of being five minutes from my workplace like I am now, I'll now be... oh, around 40 miles of freeway distant. She will also be far from her work, so why don't we carpool up the 405 and 110 and I can drop her off in downtown L.A. and then proceed to the westside? (This daily plan is to be executed between the hours of 6-7am).

Now what's dope is my fiance is down with me getting a new car; she knows I've worked my *** off for it, and I've driven the Pathfinder for 6+ years. I'm jonesing for the Evo, but I know that its ride has been described as being somewhere in the spectrum of stiff to punishing. Remember, in this scenario she's riding with me, every day, ~30 miles up and the same back to home (which supposedly will be somewhere in Fountain Valley/Westminster). On the other hand - if I'm not driving my car, I'll be driving her Corolla, which is as light as a feather and feels the road in the seats a sight more that the Pathfinder (1500+ lbs. difference will do that, I guess).

My short list of new car purchases is the Evo8, the IS300, and the BMW 330i. The Evo is so gddmn edgy it wakes me up in the morning. The IS just pimp, but maybe too refined. The beemer would require more $acrifice on my part, but I consider it in the running still.

Considering these three cars from a commuting standpoint (I'm talking ~90 mile roundtrip daily), which do you think has the advantage? They all get similar gas mileage (BMW claims 21/30mpg but I think they're exaggerating), but outside of that factor, each one has its own particular strengths. The Evo8, stock, is an absolute killer. Turbo, AWD... what else do you need? The BMW's got bling in spades and is built like a... like a BMW. IS300's got some bling left in it (seeing way too many around these days though) and frankly is pretty comfortable, but stock it just doesn't perform like I would expect (from judging the book by its cover).

Sigh... Decisions, decisions. Any insights, fellas? Expecially interested in hearing from anybody in SoCal who's making the OC-Westside run on a regular basis. In an Evo8. How's the punishment?

Indebted,

Mitch ---------> evo8282

 

Well, I don't *remember* posting this twice, but apparently that's what happened. Moderators, can you remove one of these before I die of newbie embarrassment?

Mitch

 

If your really serious about your relationship, then take your fiance out on a test drive with you and ask her what her opinion is. This way you get her opinion as opposed to asking us what she'd think.

Even if she says she doesn't care, If she comes back later to complain you can always say "But I took you on a test drive and you said it was OK."

 

i think scooter definitely hit the nail on the head with his comments on the situation.... rocks though

 

actually in regards to your gas mileage for the bmw, the 3 series do get phenom gas mileage. at least 28 highway at 80+ mph. the evo gets b/t 20-22 highway if you run it, with a small tank, that equals short range. if you drive 65-70, you will get 26+, but who drives like that? dunno about the IS. def take your fiance for test drives. i have made numerous 6+ hr drives in my evo and aside from the small tank, it is a blast on the highway.

good luck

 

Well, the four negative things that come to mind for me are 1) The Evo doesn't have cruise control, and 2) You'll struggle to go more than 225 per tankful, 3) if you don't use a fancy commuter cup, the Evo will bounce your coffee pretty hard while sitting in those cup holders, and 4) Those *****in' Advan tires will wear out on you very fast and you will feel cheated that they are so expensive and got worn out in commuter traffic. But that is it on the negative.

On the positive side, you will be in a car that is positively a blast to drive. It is very roomy and comfortable, (firm more than harsh to me). And finally, there is always the weekends and vacations!

 

Mitch,

I regularly drive my Evo 8 on the 375 mile highway trip between New York City and Montreal. The ride is just fine on the highway. The Evo feels really planted and well-damped at highway speeds. The suspension stiffness/harshness isn't an issue on smooth roads (like highways). But it does become an issue on uneven, pothole-filled city streets. If you'll be doing freeway driving, there's nothing to worry about.

The only real downside from the passenger perspective is that the car is so hyperactive and fun to throw around...they can get carsick! I'm not joking. The ride can be pretty jerky for a passenger since all the controls are so hypersensitive. Whenever I have other people in the car, I really need to consciously think about being smooth. It takes some discipline to short shift and granny the car, but that's the only way most passengers will be comfortable.

A car like the 330i or IS300 doesn't have the power, braking torque, or steering sharpness that the Evo has...so they're much gentler on passengers. The Evo is an edgy ride unless you can control yourself...

 

smogrunner i i have made two long road trip in my evo one about 2000 miles round trip and the other about 1200 and have averaged about 260 miles to the tank..... and no i am not driving like a grandmother i was going 80+ the whole road trip with a few very high speed bursts on open highways at 2 a.m.

 

if your mostly a commuter, you wont need to put on the sticky summer advan tires... instead go for something less expensive.. your issue is abit of speed but mostly highway cruising anywayz

 

11,000 miles in 4 months, the majority by far highway.

I'd like better gas mileage, but I love driving it closer to 'at-speed'... some don't like the stiffer ride. I'm happy to be moderating the throttle with my foot instead of the cruise these days as well. However, I'm glad I have a detector when my foot's gotten the better of me for a few miles.

By all means, get your Evo!

 

I commute 80 miles a day in my EVO on crappy Pennsylvania highways! No problems here. Yea the ride is stiff, yea it sucks filling up 2-3 times a week, but hey this isn't a luxury car. BTW, my wife refuses to ride ANYWHERE in the EVO because the seats are uncomfortable and it rides too rough... Her loss! Take your woman for a test drive before you buy if you value your relationship.

 

If you're looking at the BMW 330i, how about the Infiniti G35 sedan?
Isn't the IS300 due for a redesign for MY2005?
There is a hybrid Accord V6 coming out late this year, if you want to save a lot on gas.
The redesigned 2005 Volve S40 is coming out soon.

 

I never thought that the ride was punishing when it was stock. maybe not as smooth as a BMW but punishing would be an overstatement IMO. If you don't mind shifting in standstill traffic, go with the Evo, I would recommend it.

The 405 and the 110 in the morning commute can be pretty hellacious. and in the afternoons, it is worse. When I drove My Evo from FL (purchase location) to SoCal (home, sweet home) I hit the 405 at about 430 pm and I was hell, especially with the evo's non-synchro'd first gear. (second gear was a trooper that day ) But for our beautiful backroad mountain roads, accept no substitute.

Scooby is absolutely right tho, If your fiance is that much of an important factor in this car purchase, you should confer with her. Women in relationships tend to get veto power over the damndest things

Best of luck choosing
-Phrostie

 

I would never try to talk anyone who loves driving out of an evo purchase. It really is as good as everyone says it is. But in your circumstance you might consider your alternatives. I had the reverse of your commute for a year and a half, and it broke me. Spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. I had to go over the hill from Encino to the Santa Monica Airport, and the only thing that made it barable was a cozy ride. (At the time, a Saab 93SE). Driving the evo in that much start-stop traffic is going to make you crazypants. You'll want to step on it SO BADLY but wont be able to. I'm a saabhead from way back, so would also suggest that you test drive a Saab 93 sports sedan, the Vector model. Its cozy, and extremely fun to drive. Not Evo level fun, but fun.

Good luck man! Sounds like life is going well for ya. Take advantage of the excuse and test drive everything you can get your hands on.

 

SCOOBY????

Look at my profile man, I drive an Evo, not a Subaru.

Name is Scooter.

Thanks for the agreement on the relationship thing though. Your better half is more important than any car. But if you have a really great mate then she'll let you have your Evo (like mine did.)