Some general observations
great write up Chris. When I met you during one of the meets you were down the earth, cool and someone people can easily relate to. Your article and point of view reflects that.
Congrats on the S2000.. sweet combo!!
KJ
karljay.com/cars
Congrats on the S2000.. sweet combo!!
KJ
karljay.com/cars
Originally Posted by Stockfornow...
MalibuJack...typically your posts are good, but this time I have to take issue with a statement you made, about "whiners and babies"
I know how to drive, been driving for over 30 years, 80% or more of that time was on vehicles with a manual tranny (includes some early dirt bike time too) and I absoulutely didn't/don't abuse the EVO. Do I drive aggressively, hell ya, that's why I didn't buy a Camry or Accord.
With that being said, my clutch started slipping at 2k miles (babied it then replaced it at 9k), my brakes shudder (rotors/pads soon at 20K), I had the front end clunk but it went away (go figure), I have the PO300 problem (how was that my fault???) and my driver seat squeaks, I could go on about other general quality issues too, but I think/hope you get the point.
Granted most people post on EVOM because at a minimum they have a question, and at max they have a true problem they need help with. This makes it look like they are whining, when in fact they just need an answer or help. IMO the EVO has more problems than it should for a modern asian-built car. As far as covering costs because it's high performance car, that's crap. Trucks are built to tow, and they can without replacing a clutch every 10k miles.
The EVO is underbuilt and underdesigned for it's advertised purpose. They did this to cut costs, to even have a chance at selling the car to the younger market.
Don't get me wrong, the car performs like no other for the price, but some of us have not been as lucky as this thread starter and some others in this thread.
I wish you continued luck with all of your EVO's, because in mine and many others experiences and opinions you are gonna need it.
I know how to drive, been driving for over 30 years, 80% or more of that time was on vehicles with a manual tranny (includes some early dirt bike time too) and I absoulutely didn't/don't abuse the EVO. Do I drive aggressively, hell ya, that's why I didn't buy a Camry or Accord.
With that being said, my clutch started slipping at 2k miles (babied it then replaced it at 9k), my brakes shudder (rotors/pads soon at 20K), I had the front end clunk but it went away (go figure), I have the PO300 problem (how was that my fault???) and my driver seat squeaks, I could go on about other general quality issues too, but I think/hope you get the point.
Granted most people post on EVOM because at a minimum they have a question, and at max they have a true problem they need help with. This makes it look like they are whining, when in fact they just need an answer or help. IMO the EVO has more problems than it should for a modern asian-built car. As far as covering costs because it's high performance car, that's crap. Trucks are built to tow, and they can without replacing a clutch every 10k miles.
The EVO is underbuilt and underdesigned for it's advertised purpose. They did this to cut costs, to even have a chance at selling the car to the younger market.
Don't get me wrong, the car performs like no other for the price, but some of us have not been as lucky as this thread starter and some others in this thread.
I wish you continued luck with all of your EVO's, because in mine and many others experiences and opinions you are gonna need it.
I disagree 100%. The Evo is extremely over-engineered...wick it up to 22psi and it lives. The brakes surpass those found on much heavier and more powerful vehicles. I can't think of a more rigid car biult for anywhere near the price (except the wrx and STI).
Chris... you da man. If I may add an analogy I wrote on DCEC for those concerned about the "maintenance" and "problems" of the Evo:
- A Toyota would be like your average office worker: Basically eat whatever, go to the doctor every year, wears the same shoes (tires) for years, exercise a little and you can still perform what you need to, but you definitely ain't playing 2 hours of basketball a day.
- Your Cooper [written for a guy trading up from a Cooper] is a athletic guy who eats well, exercises regularly and generally can play ball several times a week if desired, and wears good shoes to play, in general doesn't need a special diet or regimine to maintain, but will get smoked in the 100M by a professional.
The Evo is an olympic athlete. They require much more work to maintain their level of performance than does the average person. Special diet (premium gas/synthetic oil/special fluids, etc.), changing running shoes more often to maintain speed and grip, care in training (not too much launching, slipping, etc.)
In the end, only one of the above will be wearing the gold medal.
- A Toyota would be like your average office worker: Basically eat whatever, go to the doctor every year, wears the same shoes (tires) for years, exercise a little and you can still perform what you need to, but you definitely ain't playing 2 hours of basketball a day.
- Your Cooper [written for a guy trading up from a Cooper] is a athletic guy who eats well, exercises regularly and generally can play ball several times a week if desired, and wears good shoes to play, in general doesn't need a special diet or regimine to maintain, but will get smoked in the 100M by a professional.
The Evo is an olympic athlete. They require much more work to maintain their level of performance than does the average person. Special diet (premium gas/synthetic oil/special fluids, etc.), changing running shoes more often to maintain speed and grip, care in training (not too much launching, slipping, etc.)
In the end, only one of the above will be wearing the gold medal.
Good organization skill. Finally in bullet point numbers.
But it still don't explain so much about this car. Guess you have to drive it and sorta get to know the car to understand.
I love when evo's pull up to a show all together. Its' the sickest feeling.
But it still don't explain so much about this car. Guess you have to drive it and sorta get to know the car to understand.
I love when evo's pull up to a show all together. Its' the sickest feeling.
Originally Posted by Stockfornow...
MalibuJack...typically your posts are good, but this time I have to take issue with a statement you made, about "whiners and babies"
I know how to drive, been driving for over 30 years, 80% or more of that time was on vehicles with a manual tranny (includes some early dirt bike time too) and I absoulutely didn't/don't abuse the EVO. Do I drive aggressively, hell ya, that's why I didn't buy a Camry or Accord.
With that being said, my clutch started slipping at 2k miles (babied it then replaced it at 9k), my brakes shudder (rotors/pads soon at 20K), I had the front end clunk but it went away (go figure), I have the PO300 problem (how was that my fault???) and my driver seat squeaks, I could go on about other general quality issues too, but I think/hope you get the point.
Granted most people post on EVOM because at a minimum they have a question, and at max they have a true problem they need help with. This makes it look like they are whining, when in fact they just need an answer or help. IMO the EVO has more problems than it should for a modern asian-built car. As far as covering costs because it's high performance car, that's crap. Trucks are built to tow, and they can without replacing a clutch every 10k miles.
The EVO is underbuilt and underdesigned for it's advertised purpose. They did this to cut costs, to even have a chance at selling the car to the younger market.
Don't get me wrong, the car performs like no other for the price, but some of us have not been as lucky as this thread starter and some others in this thread.
I wish you continued luck with all of your EVO's, because in mine and many others experiences and opinions you are gonna need it.
I know how to drive, been driving for over 30 years, 80% or more of that time was on vehicles with a manual tranny (includes some early dirt bike time too) and I absoulutely didn't/don't abuse the EVO. Do I drive aggressively, hell ya, that's why I didn't buy a Camry or Accord.
With that being said, my clutch started slipping at 2k miles (babied it then replaced it at 9k), my brakes shudder (rotors/pads soon at 20K), I had the front end clunk but it went away (go figure), I have the PO300 problem (how was that my fault???) and my driver seat squeaks, I could go on about other general quality issues too, but I think/hope you get the point.
Granted most people post on EVOM because at a minimum they have a question, and at max they have a true problem they need help with. This makes it look like they are whining, when in fact they just need an answer or help. IMO the EVO has more problems than it should for a modern asian-built car. As far as covering costs because it's high performance car, that's crap. Trucks are built to tow, and they can without replacing a clutch every 10k miles.
The EVO is underbuilt and underdesigned for it's advertised purpose. They did this to cut costs, to even have a chance at selling the car to the younger market.
Don't get me wrong, the car performs like no other for the price, but some of us have not been as lucky as this thread starter and some others in this thread.
I wish you continued luck with all of your EVO's, because in mine and many others experiences and opinions you are gonna need it.
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
Originally Posted by spitfire304
A lot of you are saying you get pulled over a lot. By how your saying it, it doesn't seem like you were pulled over for speeding or any other moving violation. What do the cops cite for a reason why they pulled you over?
I want to know too. Why are you guys being pulled over?
Nice write up Chris,
I remember few weeks ago someone said damn! thats an ugly interior and look at this steering wheel, sometimes i just ignore conversation like this because i know this guy/girl dosnt know jack shi*T about EVO's, or Rally look, interior is made simple for one good reason - old school. I got almost 20K on my car still stock clutch and stock tires i got no problem with the car ( i change the oil every 3000-3500 miles) also check the oil levels just like the maintanance book says - do i baby the car? hell no but i dont beat on the car eveyday like do dounts or drop the clutch from 6000 rpms every day when ever i hit red light. I dont think i will go to the track with this car because i don't care iam happy with my Stage 1+ mods and i would like to own this car for quite some time. I dont care even about A/C ( i use it when its humid outside 90+ ) and about cruise control who cares
i never used that in previous cars i owned... later
I remember few weeks ago someone said damn! thats an ugly interior and look at this steering wheel, sometimes i just ignore conversation like this because i know this guy/girl dosnt know jack shi*T about EVO's, or Rally look, interior is made simple for one good reason - old school. I got almost 20K on my car still stock clutch and stock tires i got no problem with the car ( i change the oil every 3000-3500 miles) also check the oil levels just like the maintanance book says - do i baby the car? hell no but i dont beat on the car eveyday like do dounts or drop the clutch from 6000 rpms every day when ever i hit red light. I dont think i will go to the track with this car because i don't care iam happy with my Stage 1+ mods and i would like to own this car for quite some time. I dont care even about A/C ( i use it when its humid outside 90+ ) and about cruise control who cares
i never used that in previous cars i owned... later
Evolving Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: RPV, CA
Originally Posted by Stockfornow...
MalibuJack...typically your posts are good, but this time I have to take issue with a statement you made, about "whiners and babies"
I know how to drive, been driving for over 30 years, 80% or more of that time was on vehicles with a manual tranny (includes some early dirt bike time too) and I absoulutely didn't/don't abuse the EVO. Do I drive aggressively, hell ya, that's why I didn't buy a Camry or Accord.
With that being said, my clutch started slipping at 2k miles (babied it then replaced it at 9k), my brakes shudder (rotors/pads soon at 20K), I had the front end clunk but it went away (go figure), I have the PO300 problem (how was that my fault???) and my driver seat squeaks, I could go on about other general quality issues too, but I think/hope you get the point.
Granted most people post on EVOM because at a minimum they have a question, and at max they have a true problem they need help with. This makes it look like they are whining, when in fact they just need an answer or help. IMO the EVO has more problems than it should for a modern asian-built car. As far as covering costs because it's high performance car, that's crap. Trucks are built to tow, and they can without replacing a clutch every 10k miles.
The EVO is underbuilt and underdesigned for it's advertised purpose. They did this to cut costs, to even have a chance at selling the car to the younger market.
Don't get me wrong, the car performs like no other for the price, but some of us have not been as lucky as this thread starter and some others in this thread.
I wish you continued luck with all of your EVO's, because in mine and many others experiences and opinions you are gonna need it.
I know how to drive, been driving for over 30 years, 80% or more of that time was on vehicles with a manual tranny (includes some early dirt bike time too) and I absoulutely didn't/don't abuse the EVO. Do I drive aggressively, hell ya, that's why I didn't buy a Camry or Accord.
With that being said, my clutch started slipping at 2k miles (babied it then replaced it at 9k), my brakes shudder (rotors/pads soon at 20K), I had the front end clunk but it went away (go figure), I have the PO300 problem (how was that my fault???) and my driver seat squeaks, I could go on about other general quality issues too, but I think/hope you get the point.
Granted most people post on EVOM because at a minimum they have a question, and at max they have a true problem they need help with. This makes it look like they are whining, when in fact they just need an answer or help. IMO the EVO has more problems than it should for a modern asian-built car. As far as covering costs because it's high performance car, that's crap. Trucks are built to tow, and they can without replacing a clutch every 10k miles.
The EVO is underbuilt and underdesigned for it's advertised purpose. They did this to cut costs, to even have a chance at selling the car to the younger market.
Don't get me wrong, the car performs like no other for the price, but some of us have not been as lucky as this thread starter and some others in this thread.
I wish you continued luck with all of your EVO's, because in mine and many others experiences and opinions you are gonna need it.
You make it sound like the Evo is worse than other cars that you have driven but in reality you are only a small percentage that falls within accepted quality control statistics...enjoy the good things about the car...or sell it...
Brent
nice post chris.... I only have 3k on my car so I'm not going to say anything about long term reliability, but man, all i can say is that I agree that 70% of the evo owners out there don't come on to this board UNTIL they have a problem and need to complain to someone! Evo is great.... driving it makes my day every single time.....
Unfortunately, a lot of people equate driving fast (boosting, faster cornering: for which the evo was bred to do) to abusing this car (harsh launches, harsh/inproper gear changes, repeatedly pounding off the limit, etc) ..... which is definitely not the case! This in fact is, is my opinion why the car is getting a bad rap.... I'm not saying that faster driving doesn't do more wear on components than grandma driving, but this is definitely DIFFERENT from ABUSING the car.
Hopefully drivers know the difference when they're driving the evo, because when they don't, stuff breaks.....
Unfortunately, a lot of people equate driving fast (boosting, faster cornering: for which the evo was bred to do) to abusing this car (harsh launches, harsh/inproper gear changes, repeatedly pounding off the limit, etc) ..... which is definitely not the case! This in fact is, is my opinion why the car is getting a bad rap.... I'm not saying that faster driving doesn't do more wear on components than grandma driving, but this is definitely DIFFERENT from ABUSING the car.
Hopefully drivers know the difference when they're driving the evo, because when they don't, stuff breaks.....
Last edited by Buckkaaaa!!; Jul 21, 2004 at 12:05 PM.
Chris,
Nice write up ... the north texas evo club is putting a website together, would you mind if I "quote" this post on that site ?
You'll find it very different in DFW ... Make sure you get hooked up with the local evo club if you get down this way. My car gets noticed and its nothing "exotic" in comparison to others I've seen in the show & shine sub-forum. I've actually caused an accident; some guy in a truck was too busy watching me pull up to notice he hadn't stopped completely and he bumped the car in front of it.
I get people pulling up to me regularly and making the "roll down your window ..." sign, they got questions ... I got answers.
Now on the downside, the local constabulary tends to like shining their lidar/radar at us ... but on the upside, the scoopies get it as well.
dave
Nice write up ... the north texas evo club is putting a website together, would you mind if I "quote" this post on that site ?
Originally Posted by MalibuJack
I'll be relocating to Texas some time in the next year, Probably the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, I wonder how different an experience it'll be..
I get people pulling up to me regularly and making the "roll down your window ..." sign, they got questions ... I got answers.
Now on the downside, the local constabulary tends to like shining their lidar/radar at us ... but on the upside, the scoopies get it as well.
dave
To answer about the pullovers by the police, I think it's because there is a lot of "anti-rice" sentiment. Most cops assume Evos are some tarted-up ride like a lot of Civics and Integras, so they figure a punk-*** is driving it. However, once you get pulled over and they see that 90% of Evo owners don't fit the bill, they have to come up with BS to write you for.
I've been stopped for "that big coffee-can looking thing" (my muffler), for my tint (on Easter!!!!), etc. A couple of times I've been stopped and told to "be careful" (ie I did nothing wrong). A few rare times, I've had police come over and check out my car and compliment me on it.
The reason I didn't go into too much detail about the car itself is that there are tons of magazine articles, webpages, etc. about the Evo itself. I wanted to express what owning an Evo for a while has been like. From the responses I've read, it looks like most of you out there are enjoying it as much as I am!
I've been stopped for "that big coffee-can looking thing" (my muffler), for my tint (on Easter!!!!), etc. A couple of times I've been stopped and told to "be careful" (ie I did nothing wrong). A few rare times, I've had police come over and check out my car and compliment me on it.
The reason I didn't go into too much detail about the car itself is that there are tons of magazine articles, webpages, etc. about the Evo itself. I wanted to express what owning an Evo for a while has been like. From the responses I've read, it looks like most of you out there are enjoying it as much as I am!
I definitely agree that the EVO has been a great car. I have also owned my EVO since April of 03. So far, it has not given me any big issues (knock on wood). A squeek here and a rattle there, that's all. As far as maintenance cost, I didn't think it is too bad. I have done my routine oil changes and did a 15k mile service when I was at 15k and that's it. I am still on the original tires now at almost 18k. I am planning to take it to 20k before changing them. If you race it or drive it hard a lot, of course you are going to have to change things a lot sooner than if you are just driving it, just like any other car. In regard to the attention, luckily after all these times, I haven't gotten a lot. A few looks here and there from the ricers but rarely anyone will even try to initiate a race. As far as cops, have not even gotten followed by a cop (knock on wood again). So yea, to me it has been a wonderful car.