All the debate over the past 6 months about the new Evo X has been dizzying at times. So many opinions on both sides of the fence. Now that we have just about all the information (no gosh darn MSRP yet ), I'll give you my thoughts and we can all go from there.

So, to answer the title of the thread. I guess it depends on your viewpoint on cars. If you're an Evo purist, than the Evo X might feel like the end of the world to you. If you're not focused solely on raw performance, then the new Evo X is a pretty nice car. All depends on which lense from which you view it. I've found myself on both sides of the argument at times. I'm more of an Evo purist, so I'm more often on the hater side of the equation, but I can also appreciate a lot of what the new X offers. But, over the months the Evo X has grown on me. Would I buy it? No. Doesn't mean I hate it and the car has a lot of good things going for it

Exterior styling is an upgrade from the "econo-box with a big wing" styling of the VIII & IX. Don't get me wrong, I love my IX and I actually like the styling because it is so unique. But, the X is a better looking car

Interior styling is also a huge upgrade. While it still has cheap plastics, the layout is better and flows much nicer. All the upgraded electronics are nice and are required to stay in business these days. While I wouldn't exactly need all of them, many consumers expect them to be available in just about any car these days. So, makes sense to offer them in the Evo X

Handling for the X so far has proven to be an upgrade despite all the extra weight. The skidpad numbers are at supercar levels...right where they should be with an Evo

Braking for the X has also proven to be an upgrade. Stopping shorter than the IX with all that extra weight is no small task. Nicely done Mitsu

Weight is a bit out of control. We all realize they needed to add the new safety equipment, but the car still weighs too much. Considering other all-new cars are coming out and weighing the same, or less, than their previous generation (see the new STI and 2009 Mazda6 as examples), Mitsu should have been able to keep weight similar to the IX. They didn't and not much we can do unless you're making it a dedicated track car and you gut the interior

Power is probably the biggest point of contention. Minimal power gains over the IX, and slower straightline acceleration and track times than the IX. Mostly due to the portliness of the X's overall design, the hp/tq figures just seem to be a tad on the low side. Do you think anyone would really complain about this car if the power was at a level to give equal performance numbers to the IX? Hopefully aftermarket mods can make up for this factory power deficiency. You really shouldn't have to go aftermarket to match your predecessor, but it's what we have to deal with. You'll be able to make the X plenty fast for more than 90% of Evo X owners

Putting the SST in the Evo X has been debated to death. I will say that I'm not a fan of semi-manuals/autos like the SST. I prefer that 3rd pedal and the engagement of doing it myself. I will give Mitsu credit for not putting in your typical slushbox auto. At least it's a performance-oriented tranny

Option packages are a little wacky. They could have done a better job of making different options available. For example, not everyone who wants an MR wants the SST...so make the manual available on the MR. Maybe that will happen on the 2009 Evo X

Pricing. While we don't have official MSRP information, we've got enough resources (even a Mitsu video) all saying the same thing. $34K base GSR. $39K base MR. I think this might be the biggest mistake on Mitsu's part because it puts the price of this car dangerously close to luxury cars like the 135i, 335i, IS350, G35, A4, etc. etc. As great as the car is, if you're not a car fanatic and already know what an Evo is, and your shopping one of these luxury cars, it's going to be an uphill battle (on ice) for Mitsu to convince that shopper to come check out the Evo X. Time will tell. I foresee the first few months selling out because hot new cars usually do. But, after that I wouldn't be surprised to see incentives on the Evo (which never happened before) and being able to buy the Evo X at invoice price (which did happen on the VIII and IX...I bought my IX for invoice)

So, when you add it all up...is the Evo X really that bad? Not at all. That's why all the reviews in the magazines have been positive. Mitsu is betting the future of the company on the success of this car. Let's hope the gambles they've made in refinement, performance and pricing pay off so we'll continue to have future generations of Evos.

My $.02. Well, with how long this is, I guess it's more like $.03

 

nobody has one yet so sit back and relax and well await those reviews from people who buy them..

 

^ +1 , i have the faith in it.

 

I'm getting my MR despite the negativity.....The Evo evolved, and people don't like change, it's simple why people don't like it despite it being a newer more modern car that's worth your 40k.

 

if the X had 320hp, im pretty sure a few people would still hate on it "bc it doesnt have a 4g63"

 

this is true alot of the people on this board have been screwing around with the 4g63 since 1990, it has a cult fallowing

 

Bottom Line

You can't please everyone

It doesn't matter what you come out with. There will always be a whiner/ complainer etc..

I am sure the X will hold its ground on the streets like any of the other evos

I myself don't feel tenths will make a difference.

 

My main complaint... this car doesn't have more power to offset weight gain.

The death of the 4G63 is very understandable, but damn... at least pump out more power in this thing

Everything else seems nice, still holding out how much niceness the SST will be tho news of launch control is also a downer

 

Remember its not all about looks, although nothing wrong there. the money is in the R&D and the new technology- which cant always be seen by looking at shiney lights and paint color.

 

4G63 = dont fix it if it aint broken.

So out of all these post only 3 of you have an EVO as of right now? right? And to me it looks like the ones who do have them are up in the air about it.

If you have a VIII or a IX you would understand the negtivity.

I am keeping my IX

 

I've got an IS350 and I'm getting an X. So, they've swayed me.

 

EXACTLY how I feel and why i'm coughing up 40k for a new MR

 

Uhhh i had an 8 so i know how the EVO feels, my close friend also has a 9 MR, i know how great those evos are.

It doesn't mean i am going to hate and write the X off because of a couple of reviews.

I don't buy cars with others oppinions i create my own once i DRIVE it.

The majority of the haters on here hasn't even set foot in one yet they drill the X like it sucks

Oh and i forgot to mention.... I am not buying an X btw so in no way am i defending it through fanboyism i just think the car deserves a chance since it probably has potential

 

I see a lot of people complain about the power of the X and the lack of it, but I see it just as bunch of lame excuses and an opportunity to say something that might sound smart. I still drive my DSM with over 1/4 million miles on it and I love it every day! In its best days it was running at around 320 HP in the street and close to 400 in the race trim. Then I retired it 5+ years ago I dropped the power to around 250 and the car is still more then enough for the regular street duty! You can still get in the trouble if you are not careful, but mostly you can push it as hard as it can go without any problems! And it is still a lot of fun! Compared to the 300+ HP trim it is much nicer to live with it every day!

And that is what I do with the car and I bet you all that most of the guys that do complain about the power level of the X are doing the same thing - daily driving their cars!! So, from that point of view new EVO has more then enough power for the daily duty and then some. Sure, it is not at the level of the EVO 9, but at least that is the easiest thing to fix with these cars!! The thing is that most owners of the existing EVOs didn't modify them at all and they are just enjoying what they have. Still, lot of guys do like to complain about this and most of those complains are worth only increment of your post counter - if that is worth any!

To add one more thing about the original post! Very nicely done! You hit all the points pretty well and right on the spot! I enjoyed reading it! Well done!


Fedja

 

As has been stated many times:
Once you see them on the lot, test drive one if you can. If they won't let you test drive one, wait for someone else to buy one and bum a ride/drive. Make your own opinion once you have driven it. Your opinion is what matters most .