Hello.
Some of the questions can be found in different topics (found a few) but is hard to discuss in many different topics.

Thinking about buying an EVO, budget is 26 000 $ for now, I could increase a bit, probably to 30 000 if is worth it.

I kind of like the looks before the X so I am thinking evo IX would be the normal thing to look for?

After I get used to it, maybe after driving it a year or so I would like to mod it a bit and do drag with it.

- Is it safe to assume that the 9 model (being last one of that kind) is one with more fixes applied and things like that, and so being better than a new re-designed like the X ?
- I heard that EVO 8 has stronger transmission than EVO 9, is it true? Or it is not that much of a difference?
- The ones in California have lower exhaust emissions (I heard this for other cars) ? Because I want to import it to Europe.
- And if I later want to modify it for drag, what would be the best model to get and what trim, gearbox, etc?
- The gearbox with shift paddles behind the wheel, is that an advantage for drag?

Thank you. And sorry if most questions are answered in different places.