So I finally got around to test driving an X. I had been by the mitsu dealer before but since I had come in my GF's car, I didn't have my insurance card on me and therefore could not test drive one.

That time the sales guy offered to take us for a spin and I was pretty impressed. I've been contemplating what will be my new car when I decide to purchase one. I am currently driving my 2000 Eclipse GT which I've had now for I guess 8 years.

So fast forward to today. I find some free time and head down to the dealer. First things first, the driver's seat felt pretty good. Everything was laid out pretty well as far as steering wheel position, etc. I'm a pretty tall guy so I was a little concerned here.

So I start her up and get her going. First thing I notice is the clutch. To be frank the clutch pedal was a little disappointing. I was hoping for it to be a little heavier and grab a little earlier, maybe more like a 3000 gt vr4. No big deal though. I thought the shifter felt good, but could have been better. I didn't find myself having any trouble getting the gear I wanted, so I'd say it passes the test.

The steering wheel had a good feel to it, very solid.

Finally I get to a section where I can punch it. As I expected, car doesn't have much power under 2.5k rpm. This is of course pretty typical for a turbo car, but my Eclipse has spoiled me over the years with ample low end torque. Once it gets going though, it goes.

The car seems to maintain a pretty good rate of acceleration once you get it going. I found myself testing the braking quite often as I would easily rush past the posted speed limit.

I did not get a chance to really toss it in some turns, but I did take it around a few good ones. It felt extremely solid. Very confidence inspiring. My Eclipse is horrible around turns, prone to horrible understeer and body roll. I took a few turns at speeds that would have, at best, made me fight to regain control of my Eclipse. The X took them with no problems.

Through this section of my test drive with me periodically dropping it into 2nd or 3rd and racing through a few corners, I noticed my sales guy was trying his best to look calm, but was still holding on for dear life. I felt a little bad for him, but I appreciate him letting me really test the thing out.

Anyway, the X gets an A+ for twisty back roads.

For the last part of the test drive I took it out on I35 for a mile or two. I noticed the car felt very solid at high speed. I merged and let it pull for a bit in 4th and 5th gear and was a little disappointed. But then I noticed I was doing about 90, oops. But I can tell the Evo is not a highway car. The gearing just felt a little weird for high-speed cruising. It could really use a 6 speed transmission.

After the highway cruise we exited and turned back into the dealership. Here are a few final opinions.

I read a lot of stuff on here from previous generation Evo owners. Some like the X, some don't. I've never driven a previous generation so I can't compare. I'm just a guy that wants an exciting car that hasn't even decided what car to get.

The X is a really fun car to drive. It was absolutely great under 65mph or so. Above that it feels perhaps maybe just kinda fun. I was hoping for an M3 like rush at those speeds. But perhaps I was expecting too much. That combined with the lack of low end torque is a little disappointing, but its positives outweigh its negatives.

When I sat back down in my Eclipse I had convinced myself that the X wasn't that fast. But then I found myself bracing for the turbo rush and being extremely disappointed with my car's yawn inducing acceleration.

I still want to get my hands on an STI and a 135, perhaps even a G8 GT if they start to offer one with a manual transmission. But right now I'm having trouble convincing myself not to go buy an X.

 

Very unbiased review!

 

good review. i plan on taking a test drive withing the next month, when i have time to screw around. i own a 07 eclipse gt, a car with a butt load of torque, so i hope i don't feel your dissapointment

 

yeah I agree that the X needs a 6th gear. Having a 5-spd with such short gearing was a strange choice indeed. above 65, the car is a bit too noisy. almost reminds my of my civic w/ a 4.9 fd. For an all out performance car this would have been ok, but it is strange coming from a model with aspirations of going upscale. This is really my biggest concern with the X. Otherwise an excellent car!

 

Thanks for the review. I've yet to drive a X as I'm scared I'll get the bug again.

 

MR for highways drivers be commuters...

And the G8 gt will be offered as a manual later this year ( new motortrend with challenger on cover)

 

I wish my local dealership would let me drive one. I have been there 3 times now, and the last time I took my GTO there and still couldn't drive one.



And yes, the G8 GT w/ 6 speed should be quite the performer.

 

G8 is good option for DD.

 

Awesome looking GTO.

 

Lefty, nice review. Number one, a six-speed tranny would have really made this vehicle. I've had my X for a month and the car feels better now than when I bought it. If you get a chance to throw it around a bit, you will fall in love. A simple test drive will not tell you everything about it.

 

I was concerned about the top gear ratio as well but its the same (or really darn close) to previous models.

Thats trans better be really strong because with gas going up like it is the lack of a sold OD ratio is going to cost....