This thread will most likely eventually contain a comprehensive review of the Evo X, impressions of driving it 2000 miles in three days, and photographs, but I'm stuck in an airplane right now, so bear with me while I have my fun typing a long, nonsensical introduction.

It is a little past noon Central time, and I'm in the sky over Nashville, Tennessee. The Southwest Airlines jet I'm flying on is in a steep bank, and I'm a little crosseyed while typing this. I've arranged to fly out to Orange County and Costa Mesa to ultimately arrive at South Coast Mitsubishi to pick up an Evo X.

I wasn't immediate on my decision for an Evo X purchase. In fact, I am still questioning it a bit. A good friend of mine, Paul, said I have a bad case of automotive turret syndrome. He's probably right. This will be my third Evo. I've had a 550HP 30R Evo VIII, an Electric Blue IX with full exhaust and flash, and then departed to BMW world for a bit in the form of a 335i.

That last car confused me. The fit and finish was a lot higher than what I was used to on the IX. It was quieter than anything I've ever driven, and it had oodles of low end torque that would make the 4G63 blush. That car was a lease, and I wanted out of it because I felt like it was a bad choice and I was throwing money down the drain. Fortunately, I found a guy to assume the lease about a month and a half ago, and all was well. I had decided to get a 135i, because it was lighter, had bigger brakes, less expensive, and looked to be a little more in the direction of fun. There were a couple of things that really sucked about the 135i, though. First of all, its a coupe, and I have a two year old daughter. According to guys on 1addicts that have already taken delivery, back seat access without power seats is a pain in the butt. Its some kind of ratcheting system that takes forever. The second thing that sucks about the BMW is that even though its RWD, it has an open differential. This means welcome to peg leg burnouts, no nice slides, only brake assist and a power cut to the engine when traction is in short supply. Read: Lame. The power defeat is defeatable, but the new brake assist is not.

Anyway, fast forward to last week. I test drove a Lancer GTS at my local dealership to get a feel of the chassis. And it was really good. There is still a bit of a low rent interior feel to the GTS, especially compared to the BMW, but there is a marked improvement over the Evo IX. This also holds true for its new super stiff chassis; the GTS just felt screwed together better than the IX.

Well, I'm taking a chance. I'm going to California to drive one, and if I like it, I'm taking it home. 2011 miles across the country. And I'll post everything about it right here in this thread.

 

2:11pm CST 38000 feet, a fair amount of turbulence, and a whole lot of boredom. I guess I'd better man up, because this flight is going to be cake compared to that drive home.

4:03pm CST Finally able to post this from the Phoenix airport. I am getting on a connection flight to Orange County/Santa Ana, and Sam from South Coast is picking me up at the airport. Hopefully the next update will have pics.

 

welp, in December I did 1800 miles two days. (colorado to central FL)It's not so bad...then again I did have a cute girl in the passenger seat.

anyways, good luck. what color did you get?

 

Farthest I've got for a car was up to WI, so good luck...and yes, pics plz!

 

well..... this should be interesting.. Evo road trip ftw!!

 

Noize, are you sure they have a car for you to test drive?

 

2K miles in the first 3 days....yikes. I'm still under 10K on my '06 evo!

 

lol that would suck if they diddnt.


cant wait to see your pics, and first impressions review

 

waiting for pics

 

You got quite a journey ahead of you, I only flew from NorCal to SoCal to pickup mine from South Coast as well on 1/19. 400 mile drive in one evening. Car is broken in and at 600 miles i changed the oil, it's ready to be run hard. You plan on getting the oil changed at 500 miles or so?

 

sounds liek a good trip

 

Noize, i can't wait for you to rock out with your X out. i eagerly await your impressions of the first couple hundred miles.

rock on bro!

 

Damn 2K already!But at least you broke the car in!

 

hehe, couldnt wait till the Hallmark mitsu gets one by end of this week?
I know Im gonna wait till end of this summer to buy a new car but its driving me crazy!!
wow, I hope you buy the Evo X !!! yeah!!
have a safe trip back to nashville, I look forward to hear your impression on driving the Evo x

 

Hallmark won't sell you one at invoice like Sam at Southcoast will.

I'm in Orange County at my friend John's house. I've taken one picture so far, but its just John and I acting stupid. (I'm the one on the left).

Its raining like crap here, which sucks. I'll take more pictures tomorrow when its light outside and if it stops pouring.



The car is an Octane Blue GSR with the SSS package. We're either going to drive out tonight and get started for about 5 hours or leave at the crack of dawn.

I love the car so far, but I've put only 14 miles on it. I'll have lots more impressions once I get out of California.