Hi guys. I've been lurking around the evo forums for a bit, but I've never posted.

I currently drive a VW R32. I really like the car a lot. The interior is fantastic, it doesn't attract the attention of cops and they are so rare that I seem to be the only one in my area...

So here's my problem. The damn thing is heavy as hell and I am desperate for more power, but all available FI kits are pretty expensiveand The NA route is also limited (by price especially).

I love tracking my cars. I will be participating in some auto-x events this summer as well. So obviously, I am starting to consider getting an evo IX.

I do have a few questions:

1) I am sick and tired of all the rattles, clunks, squeeks and various sounds that come out of the R32. How is the fit and finish on the evos? How do they compare to STi's in that department?

2) What type of snow setups do you guys use? Are the stock wheels 17's? Do you prefer to use a seperate wheel tire combo?

3) I need a car that is reliable. I like to drive my cars hard, but at the same time, I don't beat on them I do, however, want to limit visits to the dealership Is the evo IX reliable as a weekend track star/daily driver?

4) Has anyone else made the switch from an R32 to an evo? Can you give me any input on how you think the cars compare??

Thanks in advance

 

You should get the EVO and answer all your questions first hand!

1. Fit and finish is okay... I'd say STi overall is more "refined" than anything else

2. Personal preferences, but do NOT use stock tires... and 17's are stock

3. This car has been around forever, but like any other car, TLC helps it last much longer...

4. Sorry, no clue here

 

fit and finish are decent on the Evo interior. People complain about rattles, but I don't really know, so it's probably an idependent thing. My wing did start to crack at the clear coat, and a piece of if flaked off so I'm a little pissed.

But I use the Evo for driving through snow and it's great. No problems. I also have 74k on mine as I daily drive it and no problems either. Just don't be a douche with your car like a lot of young guys I know who own evos and it will be ok.

 

Thanks for the replies. I know what you mean about some young evo owners being stupid with thier cars Like I said, I need a daily driver that I can drive fast on the weekends. A lot of people have said that evo's are hard to drive around in the city because of the super high boost. Is there any truth to that?

 

No.

 

I can't speak to the IX, but I can to the VIII... (in blue)

1) I am sick and tired of all the rattles, clunks, squeeks and various sounds that come out of the R32. How is the fit and finish on the evos? How do they compare to STi's in that department?
My car does a fair bit of rattling. You will also notice the stiffer suspension. To me, it's kind of an Econobox feeling. Plus the 4G63 is a higher rev engine than many other cars, since it's a 2.0L. I'm not sure what your VW has, but the cabin can get noisy at freeway speeds.

2) What type of snow setups do you guys use? Are the stock wheels 17's? Do you prefer to use a seperate wheel tire combo?
The stock wheels are 17", but they are ultra-performance tires. You cannot use them in cooler temperatures, much less any snow. You will need to have all-seasons or specific winter tires. I would prefer winter tires/rims, if I could afford it. Maybe next year...

3) I need a car that is reliable. I like to drive my cars hard, but at the same time, I don't beat on them I do, however, want to limit visits to the dealership Is the evo IX reliable as a weekend track star/daily driver?
The warranty has to be one of the most talked about/biggest issues with these cars. You can't do (much of) anything without voiding your warranty; you may have a more forgiving dealer where you are, but don't count on it. My opinion is that this really is a solid daily driver, but you may run into Clutch/TCase/Tranny issues the more you track it or launch it.

4) Has anyone else made the switch from an R32 to an evo? Can you give me any input on how you think the cars compare??
Don't know anything about the R32. I went from a 2002 Mitsu Eclipse GS to a 2003 Evo 8, and I don't see many downsides coming to this car, sans cost $$$.

 

I had a BMP R32 and traded her in for a GG EVO 9 MR about a year ago. 5 days ago, I traded my GG EVO 9 MR for a TB EVO 9 MR SE.

The Evo out performs the R32 in all aspect. Only thing I miss on the R32 is the exhaust note, but I do love the sound of a full boosted 4g63 with a Greddy Ti exhaust system. The Evo is also cheaper to mod and get more power out of her. Take a test drive and you will notice the difference.

 

1. Fit and finish, well its nowhere near that of your R32. Just for reference, I love Mitsu products and dislike VW stuff, but Im not blind. The R32 has a very very nice interior. The STi has a nicer interior than the Evo. R32 is better than most. My VIII rattles some, but that sort of thing doesnt bother me. I got the car for performance.

2. The stock tires are some of the best tires in their size. R compound is better, but so are slicks. That isnt saying much. Listen, there is a reason the AO46s cost $250+ at even the tire rack and they are still in low supply.

Id say if you want a fun track car, the STi or Evo is a better choice than the more luxury oriented R32. All three are fun cars though.

 

Great info guys. I am planning to try to get a test drive this coming weekend in CT.

My family is big into cars. As a matter of fact, my mother organizes exotic runs in the tri-state area along with a lot of track days with her friends. I need a car that can keep up. One of my mom's friends just got an evo as his daily driver and he went on a Bear Mountain run. He was running with lambos and ferraris and kept up with no problems...

I'm not knocking the R32 because it is a great car, but I need some more power. I am very hesitant to buy a turbo kit because many people have ran into reliability issues. I will miss the interior a lot though...

So I guess it's a matter of driving one. Although I would like an MR, it's a bit expensive, and I think I will go with the SE hoping that it will kep it's resale value higher. Is it tough to get a test drive, even if you are a serious buyer?

 

The R32 dash is nicer than the Evo's, but personally, I think the rest of the interior is just as nice.

 

squeaks, rattles, etc...are going to be an issue w/ any performance oriented vehicle ie: evo, sti, R32, srt4 etc....

the evo is a fun daily driver and an excellent weekend warrior...long trips could be uncomfortable but get a bmw if you want comfort...lol

the stock rims are 17's w/ advans...get a winter rim/tire combo if it gets extremely cold and snows where you will be driving. The stock advans suck for ice and snow.

Ive ridden in and drove my buddies R32 and in my honest opinion it doesnt compare to any evo Ive been in or driven

get an evo - you'll never look back

 

I hear you bro. I got a ride in my buddies new MR and it was FAST. He wouldn't let me take it out, but let's just say that I was shocked at the performance. I got back into the .:R and it seemed pretty tame in comparison.

 

Id suggest a few things. First, if you are going racing on tracks, the SE is a much better choice. The MR six speed has had reliability issues on the track. Also, why by an Evo if your concerned with resale? Why buy any car for that matter? If your worried about selling it before you buy, its not worth it. For reference, the Evo has good resale value. It is tough to get an Evo test drive, but money talks. Id suggest asking your moms friend for a ride along, or find a dealer with a used Evo. Then formulate your opinion. Also check for Evo owners local to you. Im sure they could give you a ride along.

 

Having tracked both, I will tell you stock for stock, the Evo is much tighter. However, the R32 I drove (hpa prepped) didn't rattle squeak or pop. It was tight as a drum.

As for overall ride quality, I had mine on daily duty for over a year and it was fine, but the minute you change out the suspension, get ready to wear a mouth piece. I was 10K+ depending on where I was tracking, and with the stiffer bars and trunk bracking the car was rough. However, it was tight, not much squeaking, evern after all the upgrades.

However, just to be the devils advocate, for what you would spend on a 9, you could do a nice sc kit and coil-overs, and have a great car already. Just my .02, but I have always loved R32's and GTis.

 

I've driven the '04 R32 several times, and have owned 2 base Subaru Imprezas and my wife has her Evo IX which I drive sometimes.

The first Impreza was squeak- and rattle-free for 5 years before it developed a bad seal around the driver's window. My current 06 Impreza is also squeak- and rattle-free so far (1 year), but these Imprezas have a softer suspension than the STI so that helps.

The Evo rattled from day-1. We should take it to a dealership to fix it, but haven't found the time yet.

The stock tires on the Evo are amazing in the dry, but aren't as good as my old Goodyear Eagle GS-D3 in the wet and all summer tires are unsafe in snow/ice. We got the Dunlop 3D for the Evo, but haven't had the chance to try them in snow or ice yet. They definitely have a much nicer ride with softer sidewalls, but the handling is, of course, night/day vs. the summer tires in the dry.

Normally, I'd recommend the STI for reliability/resale and a better interior, but if you're going to be racing, the Evo might actually be more reliable than any of the others.

Either the Evo or the STI in stock form will at least keep up with most exotics on real-world roads.

With very-low-cost modifications, the Evo can be turned into a real beast!