Hey guys, my name is Mike. I'm on the fence right now of what to possibly switch to the on the premise that I might need a 4 door soon. My daughter is due late August and my wife and I are incredibly excited. I current own a 2013 VW GTI running an APR K04 kit( http://www.goapr.com/products/turbo_...0_tsi_k04.html) . I'm no stranger to power as this is my second highest hp car (03 GLI VR6T @ 542FWHP/310WHP Mazdaspeed Miata). I am however frustrated with FWD. I've had two rear wheel drive vehicles before my most recent VW and I'm really thinking AWD is a great idea right now (safety and grip). I autocross, track and take the occasional twisty so solid traction is a high priority. I have the following questions for all the owners and also fathers on this page who will hopefully answer:

1. How much room in the rear is available in a X?
1.a. Is it rear facing seat friendly?
2. What is the current threshold of the engine (beyond the rumors I've heard of first builds having weak rods) in regards to torque? (hoping to hear ~500)
3.How is the usual tune (cobb or otherwise) in regards to throttle based mapping (is boost an on or off switch or varied by throttle input (I love this particular feature from most VW tuners))
4. On average what type of MPG's do you see both on and off (being agressive and/or conservative)(loving my 34mpg at my current level but willing to take a hit for a bit more traction)
5. Coming from a fwd platform weighing in at ~3100lbs and putting down ~360hp/~380tq what type of numbers should I hunt for to run a good comparison (I love power to weight ratios and I'm aware in this particular platform that runs against me but I'd still love that pry yourself off the seat feel)
6. How is the ride compared to say an Evo 9 (wasnt terrible for me, but you know how wives can be)
7.Is there any other particular short comings I should be aware of (other than the ACD pump? *hope I got the right acronym*)

Ultimately I am an Evo idiot as you see. I'm not a stranger to having to do my own tuning vs. kit based setups (APR) and I love to get hands dirty.

 

Here's my 2 cents…
Plenty of rear room although you can't fold the rear seats down.
Bone stock I got a tune and put down 330 whp/TQ
my average MPG is 17-19 and I WOT every chance I get. Highway I get around 25
Ride is better than 9 IMO pretty smooth to me
I haven't had any problem with my X at all
Congrats on the baby !

 

Soon to be dad here also. I traded in my 370Z for the Evo.


1 - Plenty of room, 6'3" and I was impressed with the backseat.
2 - Currently getting a safe, reliable tune but not done yet so can't really comment.
3 - Using Cobb AP and I thought OTS maps were good, but i'm getting e-tuned right now.
4 - Not sure for MPG but i'm getting about 9.5L/100km highway and about 11L/100km city.
5 - If I can get to 300whp/300wtq i'll be happy. I just want a safe tune.
6. Never had one.
7. Pump had a 10 year warranty extension if I remember correctly.

No regrets. Do it.

 

IMO, the X is a GREAT family car. you can still have fun but it's more luxurious (relatively speaking) than the VIII/IX.
i towed my son around in my IX forever with no issues and the X seems to have a bit more room inside, IMO.
i think you would be very happy. the good thing about AWD is you don't even need 500whp to have fun.
i say DOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIIT

 

Hi Mike,

I can't comment on the tuning aspects, my '13 MR touring is bone stock. However, it's been a great DD, kid carrier and family car. I sold my S2000 for the Evo shortly before my son was born. Loved that car but the Evo is just as fun. The rear seats don't fold but I can fit the Britax B-agile stroller in the trunk without taking the wheels off just fine (not much else though). Both the Britax infant carrier and Recaro Performance Ride fit just fine rear facing in the back seat. You'll need a towel rolled up to level the Recaro since the rear seats slant back. There's not a ton of leg room in the front passenger seat with the Recaro rear facing but as long as your wife isn't 6 ft you'll be fine. I've never ridden in an Evo 9 but the bilstiens on the MR are smoother than the GSR. Congratulations and good luck on your choice.

 

Its a 4 door with a TON of space in the rear seats. I am 6'2" tall with long *** legs and the back is incredibly roomy/comfortable. The AWD system in the evolution is one of the most advanced, you have to take that into consideration for a family car that will have to be used in all types of the weather and in that case the evo is a tank. The tuning and parts aftermarket is huge and ever growing so you can have any sort of build you want to and be unique at the same time. The handling is superb and the directional changes and preciseness can/will help you get out of some sketchy situations due to other drivers. Its a great vehicle.

 

The X is perfect for this... I've had a rear facing seat (or at least base) since day 2 of owning my Evo X. The only issue is that it is really hard to reach around and search for something, say a pacifier, with the bucket seats.

I have been slowly making changes to the vehicle, and every time I make a change, it feels like I am driving a whole new, more exciting, vehicle. Coming from the FWD world, there are a few minor changes that can make the X a lot more exciting to drive quickly and (relatively) inexpensively - ie. clutch pill removal.

 

I agree with the majority of the comments above.

I have a now 1yr old and we have a RA Sportback and a 15' Evo. Both fit our baby seats well. The EVO has a tiny trunk (think: no full size stroller).

The majority of baby seats fit, no problem:
https://www.cars.com/articles/2012/0...ar-seat-check/

There is no LATCH system for the center seat (you can hook it up but it's not certified for the center position....) so you'll have to go the seatbelt/clip route if you stick the baby there.

We have the Sportback for grocery trips and whatnot and the stroller, bags, etc. all fit fine. The Evo fits the baby and bags and is ok for most things. I just couldn't recommend one as an only car for parents.

 

If you need to haul stuff occasionally and need cargo space,buy an STI over an Evo this is the only reason I would buy one over an Evo,if the rear seats folded down ok but they don't so STI and I'm no scooby fan.

 

Although you may not want to hear this at this point, but I think the right car for you is a Nissan GT-R. I read the forums and go to events, and from what I learn, people are having tremendous issues building a reliable Evo passing 350wtq. All reliable Evo X's I know are only making around 325whp and 340wtq. Any potentially reliable build passing these numbers costs so much (in terms of the build itself and maintenance/repair) that you will be better off by just selling the car and get a GT-R.

For your 500wtq with "solid traction" expectation, an Evo is just the wrong car.

Now for your questions,

1. Rear leg room is the same as a Lancer. That is, plenty comfortable for kids at the age of 10 or younger.

1a. Yes, rear facing seats fit, although I think front facing seats are the coolest:


2. 350wtq. For reliable 500wtq, Viper or GT-R please.

3. If I understand this correctly, the boost varies by throttle angle. I don't think it can be set on/off, because of how strong the boost is. That way, the car could accelerate in a scary manner once you step down the pedal.

4. For my stock GSR, 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway if I drive normally, 15 mpg spiritedly, or 6~8 mpg very spiritedly (e.g. autocross, HPDE).

5. A stock Evo is already on a diet. You cannot do much with weight reduction before stripping the interior.

For a K04 Mk.6 GTI, the most comparable Evo would be a full bolt-on (intake, intercooler, exhaust) one with the turbo upgraded to MHI TF06-18K, making about 430whp and 350wtq. Then again, I'm not sure if you are okay with the repair/maintenance cost of an Evo like that and driving another DD while the Evo is at the shop.

6. Evo X rides better than the Evo IX, similar to WRX STI. I daily drive mine and never find the ride to be an issue. I do find, however, the road noise (from stock tires) and the exhaust drone to be big issues. I have got some Michelins and the road noise is greatly reduced. For the drone, I have Dynamat SuperLite on the trunk floor and it reduces the drone for about 5 decibels. Then again, for long distance, I would still get active noise cancelling earphones for your passengers (so they can sleep) on top of the Dynamat:


7. In order of importance:

- Thin factory paint (clear bra and mud flaps)
- Fuel pressure regulator hose popping off under boost (clamp it or tie it)
- 2008-2013 model year: fuel pump relay (replace with a reliable one)
- Incorrect wheel alignment from the factory (get an alignment)
- Insufficient anti-rust protection (undercoating)
- 5MT models: plastic (WTF Mitsubishi?) clutch master cylinder (replace with an aluminium one during your first clutch change)
- Fuel starvation during left-hand turns (install a surge tank before going to autocross/track)
- Plastic (WTF Mitsubishi?) valve cover melting at high temperature if modified (replace with an aluminium one)
- 5MT models: bad shifter bushings and right-hand drive oriented shifter (Kracka's Ultimater Shifter Package if immaculate driving experience is desired)
- 5MT models: notchy 3rd gear synchronizer (rebuild at Jack's Transmission or Sheptrans if immaculate driving experience is desired)
- Differential pin lubrication at race-track speeds (rebuild at Jack's Transmission or Sheptrans)
- No sliding armrest (get a sliding armrest)
- Too easy to steal (get aftermarket anti-theft)

At last, congratz with the kid and peace and happiness to your family!!

 

1. Plenty of rear seat room, definitely more than a 3 series or Focus.
1.a. Yes, but your passenger may not be comfortable with their seat all the way forward (pending on your car seat size).
4. I average around 16 city, 21 mixed/highway.
6. Much better than a 9, but it's still a rough ride.

 

Haha, I actually had both at the same time and I thought I'd keep the Z to be my "summer" car but it just gathered dust so I got rid of it. I put 30K miles on it the first year I owned it.

The Evo is really the only car I need and with my first baby due in two weeks, my biggest problem is red or black Recaro's

 

I owned a '99 eclipse until a surprise deer incident. I was dating a girl with two kids so I was getting a sedan for sure. so its the 4 of us. Her and I with an 8yr old and a 5 yr old. we now engaged with a 3rd on the way. she drives an '07 Mazda 6 and swapping what car we take isn't dependant how much room there is for the kids. The truck is very small but we still can go camping in it. we are keeping the evo and she's trading heres in for and outlander or similar mazda/kia.

I get around 22mpg, tuning is easy with Cobb or OpenECU EcuFlash. You'll get that pry yourself off the seat feel for sure.

Research for the quietest exhaust too.

 

I'll need to try this... I like my drone but the kiddies don't.

 

Hahaha this thing is so effective!! I used to be skeptical about it when the Subie guys told me Dynamat can eliminate the drone. Thus I was planning to have the whole car (roof, doors, front lower firewall, and trunk floor; Dynamat on Evo's cabin floor and trunk lid has no effect on drone) Dynamat'ed, and first Dynamat'ed my trunk floor to see how it would be like.

It turned out it reduced about 5 decibels of the drone and the cabin became almost too quiet for an Evo. Now I don't think I need Dynamat for the rest of the car and I am looking for a louder exhaust.