After a long discussion on what car should buy, my mechanics/friends convienced me that and EVO would make the best weekend car/track car. They explained that the 4g63 is bullet proof and that massive HP can be achieved cheaply, unlike with my pervious rides(rx7, GTI, M3, M5). Yet then I ran into a question they didnt know how to answer perfectly which evo do I get, 8 or 9. I know i want the 5spd for the tranny strength but im still stuck on which model. So please help me out because i am new to evos and have little knowledge about them.

 

Basic mods and daily driver get a 9. If you plan on really building the car up get a used 03 Evo 8

 

well im going in between the two, not gonna be a daily driver but if it is too much fun ill want to drive it more than just on the weekends. Why do you say 03 evo 8? is there a difference between the 03 and 04 other than year

 

Get a IX SE if you don't plan on doing any more then basic bolt ons.

If you are going to go hog wild with a big turbo cams a built tranny/tcase get an 8.

 

9 all day....this is coming from an 8 owner

 

The IX is the updated version and it has everything the VIII does and much more. Hands down...the ix is the one. It's true, get the SE version on the GSR if you can since you want the 5 speed. The SE has a lot of essential things that you may like to have...good luck.

 

9 all the way responds better to bolt ons

 

9s are just easier to mod from the get go, but honestly like everyone said you'll end up at the same place with an 8.

the only pluses i see in a 9 - may be better cooling/ knock suppression on pump gas, and mivec to help spool, which is really nice for the track.

 

I own a ix se and to tell ya the truth the ix's i believe take to bolt on's... So they usually yield more power. just my .02

 

9 for bolt ons
8 for big turbo/cams

 

don't sweat it, either one will do great. Once you get past cams and the stock turbo, it's kind of a fine detail/variables game between the two.

 

Get a IX SE, then you will have the MIVEC, Aluminum Roof, 5 spd, and light weight BBS's. It makes for a great driver, and as everyone has stated, takes very well to mods. I also really liked the interior of the IX SE over all other models, but that is just cosmetic.

If you are going all out, then I would just find the cheapest one you can build.

 

+1^^^

8 all the way!!

 

listen to these guys - Evo 9 SE, which is like Evo 9.5

 

If someone is interested in competing in solo and wants to be in either ST or SP class then is the IX better for quick spool and lower end grunt compared with a similarly prepped VIII?