Greetings!
I currently attend a UC but its time for me to turn in my leased Mazda Rx8. I am thinking about a very broad choice of cars (I test drove all of them..) but am having a difficult time choosing a replacement vehicle. Obviously I am thinking deeply about either of the Evo's (IX and X). The main problem is.. My school is very far from home, about 4-5 hours. My mom (Single parent) makes me visit her at least once every 2-3 weeks on the weekends unless I have something really major.

The Rx-8 is a very good car to drive even for long hours because of its "soft" suspension and overall interior comfort. My question is..Is the Evo ride too rough for 4-5 hours? I mean I dont mind toughing it out but I dont want to get sick and tired of driving it. I did not get to drive the Evo X because dealers would not allow me to, but I did test the Evo IX and it was very fun and raw. Please leave any opinions on whether or not I should seek more "comfy" rides vs the Evo. Thanks!

My other choices are:
-Subaru Impreza WRX STi (07/08 both seem comfy-er than the Evo)
-R32 (Not that interested...Super sexy exhaust note and nice interior)
-G37 (330 hps but weighs more than a whale..smooth and sexy though)
-IS350 (Only comes in Auto)
-1 Series BMW (Kind of expensive, I know it starts 35k but Most will be 40k+)

 

I drive 7 hours home from college in my IX. Not a big deal. Gas gets expensive after a while.

 

go with the IS350... 4 to 5 hours? might as well drive an automatic.

 

bmw for comfort and status, evo's and sti's for fun. The evo isnt terrible at long distance but its not great. (I do 4times a year nj to fl)

 

If you want comfort.. the evo isnt for you. But if you want rawness and amazingly fun... get it.. if not get a A6 or a bmw.

 

How do you endure the sounds and stuff? Do you get tired from the harshness or are you adapted into the SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN-ness of the Evo?

You know I am coming from an RX-8....MPG cant be as bad right?

 

Thats what I was thinking at first but what if I fall asleep while driving because of the boring-ness?
2006 IS350s are going for less than 28k where I live...Cheaper than an Evo for sure haha

 

Oh and BTW Thanks everyone for taking time to respond! I appreciate it...Feel the love of the Evo community already

 

4-5 hours is about how long I could drive it and have fun, after that I would get tired and wish I brought another car. Id say do it, highway cruising is fun in the evo. (I should say I have an exhaust cutout, so the noise can be turned off)

 

Heh, you think an Evo is spartan. After driving my Chevelle (weekend driver) my Evo feels like a luxury car. Try no A/C, manual windows, a non-overdrive 4-speed, deep rear gears and Nascar side exhaust. About as far as I want to drive that on the highway is to the carshow. Back to the question, I think the Evo is perfectly fine for a long trip providing you don't have an insanely loud exhaust. I think it rides better than my 350Z did on the freeway. Although for a straight cruiser I would get the G37 with a 6-speed. Good luck.

 

To be honest with you the STi, or the other choices for that matter, would be better for your long commute. I drove my Evo from Atlanta to Hilton Head, SC (about 300 miles and 5 hours) and back and had no problems. I actually got pretty good gas mileage and was averaging about 300 miles to a tank. I really wouldn't want to do something like that again though. It just wasn't the most comfortable. I'd say your best choice out of those cars would be the G37 in a 6 speed if they make them. You'll have leather and nice torquey engine and hell... Your in college... Drive a car that the girls will think is sexy and make you look like a baller . If you have to have turbo power and want a comfortable car go with the STi.

 

Haha The kids are my school are not really..."financially well off". I think we have the lowest income kids here...They see me in my RX-8 and the chicks really dig it haha There is infact a 6MT G37..but it starts at 36k Do Infiniti dealers usually haggle lower? I know for a fact that the BMW's dont...and I do not know if the Mitsubishi will haggle lower for the 2006 IX's lol

EDIT::
The 6MT G37 goes for over 42k WTF

 

the Evo will definitely keep you awake on a long drive, but won't tire you out. i drive it 1.5 hrs at a time on bumpy NJ turnpike quite often and sometimes drive it 4 hrs as well and the ride never bothers me. in fact the seats are more comfortable and supportive than my office chairs at work and home.
just remember that with the very stiff sidewall of factory tires and super quick steering ratio, you better hold on to the wheel at 3 and 9 when you're doing over 60mph, or the bumps and truck grooves will toss it all over the place.

 

The evo is a comfy car with a lot of room you can always get coilovers and soften it up

 

If I were you I would ask the dealer if you put down a deposit, would they let you drive the car for a weekend. If so drive all of them for about 4-6 hours on a trip. I had to put 1000.00 down to do this myself. When I got back I got my money back from subi and then tried the evo, when I got back I left the money as a down payment.