Hey everyone, I've finally decided to head down to a local Mitsubishi dealer here in central NJ.. (All Star Mitsubishi) and had the dealer actually ask me if I wanted to take it for a spin. Who would refuse right? Anyway, so we headed down the high way and boy does this thing pick up.. not as much as I expected, but it was really nice. I'm currently the owner of a 2004 Mazda RX-8, and the interior definitly hurts the Lancer bad.. I wasn't very satisfied. Never the less, I'm most likely picking up a 2006 Red MR sometime this month. Without a doubt the RX-8 looks better, feels better, shifts better, and handles better.. but the speed and agression of the Lancer make up for it.

 

The shifting smooths out when the tranny warms up. I've never driven an RX-8, but I can't imagine it handling signficantly better than an Evo 9.

 

Im not sure about the handling wise, these cars were made to race in rally competitions. But anywho glad you get one, and let me be the first one to say; welcome to the community.

 

I wouldn't mind having both cars. They handle a lot differently. The Evo should give you a lot more "real world" (bumps, cracks, rain, etc) handling though because of the drivetrain. Then the torque from boost is just too useful. I agree with you about the lacking interior though. I love the seats, but the panels, dash and instruments could have used a little more work.

 

I guess I'm in the minority...but the Evo interior is really all I need. No extras.

I'm jeaaaalous. Out here..you have to go through the entire buy process up to signing the paper work before you're allowed to test drive. I've only been in an 8.

As for the RX-8..personally? Bleh. Not a fan at all. Either way, glad you got to take one for a spin.

 

i just got the IX MR and i have to say i love it. I like the interior also i dont think it needs anything

 

i've driven a 6spd rx8 in the twiesties, and i own an Evo IX base model now.

IMO the Evo out accelerates, out handles, and just about out perform the rx8 in every single performance category. the only thing the rx8 has over the Evo is a nicer interior (but cramped) and 50/50 weight distribution, which i suppose is advantageous over the Evo on auto-x courses. however the lack of power from the rx8 rotary still inhibits the car from being a dominant force even around cones.

i can see how the OP might think the rx8 handles better: it's cuz the Evo sits so much higher off the ground than the rx8. if the OP pushes the Evo harder through corners and get through the initial nervousness from the "instability" with the Evo's corner entry, then he'll realize just how much grip the Evo has, and what it's capable of in the corners. the rx8 has lower cg and corners flatter, thus creating more confidence for the driver, but that doesn't mean it's goin around a turn faster.

anyhoo, i'mma stfu now, and welcome to the Evo community

 

RX-8 is the perfect example of de-evolution. The Rx-7 was the ****, one of the best cars every. The Rx-8, just lies about power & some stupid doors.

 

The RX-7 cost almost 50k, the RX-8 25k.. der.

 

MSRP for a '95 RX-7 is 37K, not anywhere near 50K.

 

The RX-7 was priced to compete with Porsches, there for the top models went for 50k.

 

The Rx-8 is a compromise between a sports car and a sedan. But yes, a step down for performance. At least Mazda and Nissan actually put cars out after the 90s. Can't say the same for Toyota after making the Supra. They made an awesome car and quit.

 

Exactly!

The handling is much different...my Rx-8 had a basic Racing Beat suspension upgrade (springs, sways, links) and I felt that I could do almost anything in the car. Dead on stable...

The Evo does not feel the way the 8 did, and at first I thought that, crap, what have I gotten myself into. But now that the car is broken in and I can actually drive it, I have 100% more confidence in it's handling. Compared to the 8 it feels "twitchy" at first due to the body roll, light steering, and general understeer, but once you trust it, it's awesome.

The ride is definately "harsher" than the 8; transmitting every little irregularity in the road through directly to you. I think that's the only real advantage the 8 has.

But guess what, the seats are 10x better, sight lines are 10x better (key to WAF), the air conditioner actually works, the crappy stock stereo is better than the Bose in the 8, it has 10x the utility, it's cheap and safe to get to 300+ whp, and it's a freakin' rocket ship in terms of acceleration vs the 8.

It may not be as pretty as the 8, but I think it's nice looking in a pissed off kind of way. I think you'll be very happy with the change, as the pros' outweigh the cons' by a large margin IHMO.

 

Not as much as you expected??? What do you think it's gonna pick up and fly. Seriously that's kind of a shocking statement coming from a RX-8 owner to tell you the truth. RX-8 does not handle better, looks is in the eye of the beholder, and the IX shifts very well, even better than my previous Audi I owned. So I think maybe you should think again about buying an EVO, because if you weren't satisfied with it now, then how do you know you'll be satisfied a year from now. Also stop calling the EVO a Lancer, you haven't even bought the car yet and I already don't like you.

 

+1 couldn't agree more, the RX-8 is just bleh, that's why sells for the car are down nearly 50% from a year ago.