Evo IX - Likes and Dislikes
The IX is the most fun car I have owned. At first I wasn't into the wing either, but it will grow on you. It is functional and looks the least ricey of any aftermarket wing. It's not my daily driver though, so I have a choice to not deal with any shortcomings it may have. For example it's not the greatest long distance car, small fuel tank, lack of cruise control, tighter suspension, shorter gearing, etc. I take my truck for long distance. I get about the same mileage too with my truck as I do with my EVO. 
All in all, it's a sweet car, I'd daily drive one for sure.
One dislike sort of I have with the EVO is the Evom community itself, sometimes. There are some real "special people" on this site. I'd have to say only about 20% of the people on here really know what they are talking about. That's being generous too. As for the rest, some mean well but are misinformed, some are just *** clowns with nothing better to do except be negative, some don't even have EVOs but play it off like they do. Yet it's still a great site. You just got to be skeptical on the information you get here.
Good luck with your decision and welcome to the site.
All in all, it's a sweet car, I'd daily drive one for sure.
One dislike sort of I have with the EVO is the Evom community itself, sometimes. There are some real "special people" on this site. I'd have to say only about 20% of the people on here really know what they are talking about. That's being generous too. As for the rest, some mean well but are misinformed, some are just *** clowns with nothing better to do except be negative, some don't even have EVOs but play it off like they do. Yet it's still a great site. You just got to be skeptical on the information you get here.
Good luck with your decision and welcome to the site.
Oh yeah, one more bad thing: the turn radius! When parking or doing a U-turn, you have to do some planing ahead.
Concerning the ride, it can just be bumpy on anything except for glass smooth road. Also, because the steering is do direct, you have to pay more attention to controlling the steerting; a pot hole can rip the wheel out of you hands. So basically, you don't get to really relax while driving. It's no caddy or lexus!
The lack of cruise control doesn't bother me because I never really used it anyways, even on my thousand mile drives between texas and florida.
Changing the oil is easy, plugs and brakes should be straight forward. It's an inline-4, it's pretty easy to work on
The one bad thing I've read about is undoing the undertray, but I haven't done it yet.
Concerning the ride, it can just be bumpy on anything except for glass smooth road. Also, because the steering is do direct, you have to pay more attention to controlling the steerting; a pot hole can rip the wheel out of you hands. So basically, you don't get to really relax while driving. It's no caddy or lexus!
The lack of cruise control doesn't bother me because I never really used it anyways, even on my thousand mile drives between texas and florida.
Changing the oil is easy, plugs and brakes should be straight forward. It's an inline-4, it's pretty easy to work on
The one bad thing I've read about is undoing the undertray, but I haven't done it yet.
I miss the cruise control on long trips. For some reason with my body height (and my wife has the same problem), your right foot is at an odd angle to keep the car around 70 to 75 MPH on a long boring stretch of highway. If you let the weight of your foot rest on the accelerator, you are going 100 before you know it, and it doesn't feel like it, so it's easy to get busted. Cruise would eliminate this issue for me. After a 3 hour highway drive, my right ankle is SORE.
I imagine it's easily fixed by adding cruise, but I want something that looks factory, not some piece of junk that a stereo shop would install. Anyone know of a good kit?
I imagine it's easily fixed by adding cruise, but I want something that looks factory, not some piece of junk that a stereo shop would install. Anyone know of a good kit?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: San Fernando, CA
I hear ya. I've been a member of numerous car forums and each one has its own "special people". You just develop a thick skin after a while and ignore the negative comments and derrogatory remarks and focus more on the real informative stuff.
One dislike sort of I have with the EVO is the Evom community itself, sometimes. There are some real "special people" on this site. I'd have to say only about 20% of the people on here really know what they are talking about. That's being generous too. As for the rest, some mean well but are misinformed, some are just *** clowns with nothing better to do except be negative, some don't even have EVOs but play it off like they do. Yet it's still a great site. You just got to be skeptical on the information you get here.
Good luck with your decision and welcome to the site.
Good luck with your decision and welcome to the site.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: San Fernando, CA
I'm not sure why Mitsu thinks that Evo drivers will NEVER need cruise control but I guess not having one is one of the definition of a true performance machine (got me). However, I'm used to not having one anyway. My daily beater's c/c doesn't work anymore either. I do have a bad right knee and driving for a long long period of time doesn't help. It's a good reason to stop, stretch, and get some snacks in between long drives. :-D
I miss the cruise control on long trips. For some reason with my body height (and my wife has the same problem), your right foot is at an odd angle to keep the car around 70 to 75 MPH on a long boring stretch of highway. If you let the weight of your foot rest on the accelerator, you are going 100 before you know it, and it doesn't feel like it, so it's easy to get busted. Cruise would eliminate this issue for me. After a 3 hour highway drive, my right ankle is SORE.
I imagine it's easily fixed by adding cruise, but I want something that looks factory, not some piece of junk that a stereo shop would install. Anyone know of a good kit?
I imagine it's easily fixed by adding cruise, but I want something that looks factory, not some piece of junk that a stereo shop would install. Anyone know of a good kit?
x2
Where do you live? I get all sorts of people flying by me at speeds well in excess of the limit b/c they're mad my rice burner got away from them at the light without me even trying. Oh and they always like to cut me off right where lanes merge. After cruising comfortably 1 car behind me the whole time 
Tons of people try to prove their a badass b/c they see the wing and think the car is a joke, what's funny is it's usually adults who know nothing about the car and not kids in riced out cars b/c they actually have a clue what an evo is.
I'm takin that damn thing off this summer and hopefully putting in some nice waterproof plugs (just in case I ever want to put it back on) It's not like you'll notice them on a black car unless you're inspecting it anyways.
x2 on this, the acknowledgement of other evo drivers is similar to that of bikers.
Where do you live? I get all sorts of people flying by me at speeds well in excess of the limit b/c they're mad my rice burner got away from them at the light without me even trying. Oh and they always like to cut me off right where lanes merge. After cruising comfortably 1 car behind me the whole time Tons of people try to prove their a badass b/c they see the wing and think the car is a joke, what's funny is it's usually adults who know nothing about the car and not kids in riced out cars b/c they actually have a clue what an evo is.I'm takin that damn thing off this summer and hopefully putting in some nice waterproof plugs (just in case I ever want to put it back on) It's not like you'll notice them on a black car unless you're inspecting it anyways.
Likes:
1. The power. My brother has an LS1 GTO and I'm pretty sure it would keep up with my IX MR pretty well, especially from a roll, but the feel of the turbo kicking you in the *** is like nothing else. And apparently TBE, tune, MBC, and a filter will get it well over 300 awhp. It certainly doesn't hurt that AMS is right in my backyard either. Also, the fact that the IX is the last Evo powered by the 4G63, which has been powering every Evo since the very first one and is one of THE legendary tuner engines.
2. The steering, which is like nothing else. I can't help but think it isn't as tight as the first day I got it 2 months ago, but that may be because I was driving my mom's Durango every day for 2 years beforehand, so the Evo's steering felt unbelievable at first. Maybe I've just gotten used to it, or maybe I need an allignment. Who knows?
3. The seats. They're pretty much the first thing people mention when I give them a ride in the car, and I have little wonder why. They're wonderfully supportive and look great too.
4. The HIDs. Seeing them go from purple to blue to white every time I turn them on never fails to put a smile on my face. Have gotten a few comments on them as well.\
5. The AWD. I didn't have cash for proper winter tires when I bought thecar, but I cannot wait to take it out late at night after one of our snowstorms next winter once I've bought some. There are cars out there that can take the Evo, no doubt about it. There are few, however, who can do it in rain or snow.
6. The styling. It isn't for everyone, but I genuinely think it's a good looking car stock and can be very good looking with the right parts. Lowered a bit, yellow fogs, JDM IX rear bumper, VII tail lights and I'll be in business.
7. The attention. I feel a bit guilty saying it, but I don't mind the attention at all. I obviously love seeing another Evo (and even a few STis thus far) flash his high-beams at me, but the negative attention is almost as rewarding. Seeing cops do a 180 in their seats when I pass or having random, middle-aged people in family sedans induce wheelspin at red lights in an attempt to teach me a lesson or something always puts a smile on my face. There's a time to drive fast and a time to drive smart. The latter applies for the vast majority of the time, and so long as I know I'm not giving the other person a reason to assume I'm a dip****, the attention is fine by me.
8. It's an Evo! It might be snobby of me, but the knowledge of what the car represents makes me feel nice and toasty inside. Watching clips of the original Audi Sport Quattro or current WRC events and knowing that that is what spawned my car is just a great thought. There is no form of motorsport more demanding, and the Evo is among the biggest names in it. The car makes no attempt to hide what it is. The spoiler makes sure of that. As mentioned in #7, there are plainly people out there who have no respect for the car because they have no idea what it is. But whether or not they like it, true car enthusiasts respect it because of just what it can do in the right hands.
Dislikes:
1. No cruise control. The cruise control in the Durango has spoiled me when it comes to long trips, and (useless as it may be for a fair amount of Evo drivers, I'm sure) I really wish Mitsu had put cruise control in. The STi has it, after all.
2. The gearing. I understand that it's a performance car, but I'm not entirely sure it needs to be geared quite so aggressively. I'm almost always in 5th or 6th when cruising on the street, let alone on the highway, and I HATE having to cruise at 3,000 rpm on the highway in 6th just to keep up with traffic. I always imagined taking long, random road trips once I got the car, but the gearing and lack of cruise control have pretty much turned me off from that idea. It would be great if someone made a significantly taller 6th gear for the MR, so 1-5 could stay the same for acceleration but 6th would be ideal for highway cruising at 80 mph or so. Hell, I'd even be willing to make each and every gear a bit taller if it helped on the highway.
3. Unless you're interested in an MR, you can skip this one. The whole 4th-gear-getting-torn-to-shreds-while-road-racing issue. Though only a few cases of it have occurred, I hate the idea of having paid a premium (well, I didn't, but I would have if I bought it new) for a "Mitsubishi Racing" version of the Evo only to find out that the 6-speed cannot cope with nearly the same amount of stress as can the 5-speed when it comes to road racing. I take solace in the fact that there are lots of Evo owners out there who don't road race and would prefer the 6-speed on the street, so hopefully I'll be able to swap transmissions with someone if I ever want to start road racing seriously.
4. My 3rd gear is notchy. I've been lucky enough so far to say that I can't call it grinding, but getting into 3rd is noticeably louder most of the time than getting into any other gear. It's more a clunk/scrape than a grind, but it's there for sure. I believe I've read that it's a syncro issue, so hopefully I can get it fixed under warranty next time I go to the dealership.
5. Mitsubishi's warranty policy. I know you have to pay to play, but I don't like the thought of having my entire car voided if I install a catback exhaust in order to help me shift/downshift better by being able to hear what the car is doing.
6. The leather bolsters on the seats are wrinkled where I have to climb over them to get into the car. The alcantra inserts also accumulates dirt extremely easily.
7. The paint. I've only noticed one tiny little chip on my bumper thus far, but the car only has 5,000 miles on it, so go figure. I'm considering getting a clear-bra installed on the bumper.
8. The fuel economy. Then again, the Bugatti Veyron gets something like 4 mpg, so it's pointless to complain about a performance car's fuel economy. I could have bought a Prius if I wanted something hugely economical.
That's all I can think of for now.
Overall verdict: I LOVE THIS CAR! Yeah, it has some issues, but what doesn't? The likes far outweigh the dislikes.
1. The power. My brother has an LS1 GTO and I'm pretty sure it would keep up with my IX MR pretty well, especially from a roll, but the feel of the turbo kicking you in the *** is like nothing else. And apparently TBE, tune, MBC, and a filter will get it well over 300 awhp. It certainly doesn't hurt that AMS is right in my backyard either. Also, the fact that the IX is the last Evo powered by the 4G63, which has been powering every Evo since the very first one and is one of THE legendary tuner engines.
2. The steering, which is like nothing else. I can't help but think it isn't as tight as the first day I got it 2 months ago, but that may be because I was driving my mom's Durango every day for 2 years beforehand, so the Evo's steering felt unbelievable at first. Maybe I've just gotten used to it, or maybe I need an allignment. Who knows?
3. The seats. They're pretty much the first thing people mention when I give them a ride in the car, and I have little wonder why. They're wonderfully supportive and look great too.
4. The HIDs. Seeing them go from purple to blue to white every time I turn them on never fails to put a smile on my face. Have gotten a few comments on them as well.\
5. The AWD. I didn't have cash for proper winter tires when I bought thecar, but I cannot wait to take it out late at night after one of our snowstorms next winter once I've bought some. There are cars out there that can take the Evo, no doubt about it. There are few, however, who can do it in rain or snow.
6. The styling. It isn't for everyone, but I genuinely think it's a good looking car stock and can be very good looking with the right parts. Lowered a bit, yellow fogs, JDM IX rear bumper, VII tail lights and I'll be in business.
7. The attention. I feel a bit guilty saying it, but I don't mind the attention at all. I obviously love seeing another Evo (and even a few STis thus far) flash his high-beams at me, but the negative attention is almost as rewarding. Seeing cops do a 180 in their seats when I pass or having random, middle-aged people in family sedans induce wheelspin at red lights in an attempt to teach me a lesson or something always puts a smile on my face. There's a time to drive fast and a time to drive smart. The latter applies for the vast majority of the time, and so long as I know I'm not giving the other person a reason to assume I'm a dip****, the attention is fine by me.
8. It's an Evo! It might be snobby of me, but the knowledge of what the car represents makes me feel nice and toasty inside. Watching clips of the original Audi Sport Quattro or current WRC events and knowing that that is what spawned my car is just a great thought. There is no form of motorsport more demanding, and the Evo is among the biggest names in it. The car makes no attempt to hide what it is. The spoiler makes sure of that. As mentioned in #7, there are plainly people out there who have no respect for the car because they have no idea what it is. But whether or not they like it, true car enthusiasts respect it because of just what it can do in the right hands.
Dislikes:
1. No cruise control. The cruise control in the Durango has spoiled me when it comes to long trips, and (useless as it may be for a fair amount of Evo drivers, I'm sure) I really wish Mitsu had put cruise control in. The STi has it, after all.
2. The gearing. I understand that it's a performance car, but I'm not entirely sure it needs to be geared quite so aggressively. I'm almost always in 5th or 6th when cruising on the street, let alone on the highway, and I HATE having to cruise at 3,000 rpm on the highway in 6th just to keep up with traffic. I always imagined taking long, random road trips once I got the car, but the gearing and lack of cruise control have pretty much turned me off from that idea. It would be great if someone made a significantly taller 6th gear for the MR, so 1-5 could stay the same for acceleration but 6th would be ideal for highway cruising at 80 mph or so. Hell, I'd even be willing to make each and every gear a bit taller if it helped on the highway.
3. Unless you're interested in an MR, you can skip this one. The whole 4th-gear-getting-torn-to-shreds-while-road-racing issue. Though only a few cases of it have occurred, I hate the idea of having paid a premium (well, I didn't, but I would have if I bought it new) for a "Mitsubishi Racing" version of the Evo only to find out that the 6-speed cannot cope with nearly the same amount of stress as can the 5-speed when it comes to road racing. I take solace in the fact that there are lots of Evo owners out there who don't road race and would prefer the 6-speed on the street, so hopefully I'll be able to swap transmissions with someone if I ever want to start road racing seriously.
4. My 3rd gear is notchy. I've been lucky enough so far to say that I can't call it grinding, but getting into 3rd is noticeably louder most of the time than getting into any other gear. It's more a clunk/scrape than a grind, but it's there for sure. I believe I've read that it's a syncro issue, so hopefully I can get it fixed under warranty next time I go to the dealership.
5. Mitsubishi's warranty policy. I know you have to pay to play, but I don't like the thought of having my entire car voided if I install a catback exhaust in order to help me shift/downshift better by being able to hear what the car is doing.
6. The leather bolsters on the seats are wrinkled where I have to climb over them to get into the car. The alcantra inserts also accumulates dirt extremely easily.
7. The paint. I've only noticed one tiny little chip on my bumper thus far, but the car only has 5,000 miles on it, so go figure. I'm considering getting a clear-bra installed on the bumper.
8. The fuel economy. Then again, the Bugatti Veyron gets something like 4 mpg, so it's pointless to complain about a performance car's fuel economy. I could have bought a Prius if I wanted something hugely economical.
That's all I can think of for now.
Overall verdict: I LOVE THIS CAR! Yeah, it has some issues, but what doesn't? The likes far outweigh the dislikes.
Last edited by Blitz; Mar 22, 2007 at 03:09 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: San Diego,CA
The main dislike about the evo IX is the lack of cruise control. I am not promoting lancershop.com but you can buy a cruise control kit and install one yourself for about 220 dollars not including shipping and handling. Me personally have used cruise control in the past on other cars. Cruise control would take all the fun out of having an evo anyways but that is just my opinion.
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