Greetings from Athens/ Greece.

My name is Spyros. I own 7 years now a VW Golf GTI MKV (stock. Probably the only one stock GTI MKV all over the world. ).

I do my study for my next automotive step and check the next cars. ΒΜW M5 E60, AUDI RS4 B7, BMW M3 E92, Mercedes C63, EVO X 2010+ and some others (in b-hand Greek market all these are about the same target price). Although i like the new era of turbos (TFSI is a very good engine. almost excellent for everyday and good enough at the track. I used to drive 20 years back the Lancia Delta 1.6 Turbo. Strong but awfull turbo years...) i like also a high rev V8-V10 natural aspirated (especialy the sound they make).

But in our life we cannot always check all the boxes and some times some boxes (luxury e.g.) does not need to be filled. Capitalism wants from us to tick them but its in our hands to resist...

So some thought:

- here in Greece every displacement over 2LT is a very expensive thing. High taxes, insurance and offcourse very expensive services. EVO X will not be cheap but sure it will be more "logical" that the others.
- need 4 doors and 5 seats.
- although i like natural aspirated the torque is another matter. EVO X has almost the same torque with M3 E92.
- i never own a Japanese car. I like a lot their philosophy and country. Also here in Greece we like to say that the Japanese Cars needs only oil and fuel (and some filters ). I grow up with German cars but probably its time to make a turn...
- Need a low profile car image. Except the rear wing spoiler, EVO X shows that its very powerfull but also its discreet.
- Here in Greece 4WD is almost critical to have. ESP was a big safety step but 4WD is another thing.
- a lot of info around the web. Service manuals, owner manuals, techical analysis etc. For the RS4 the is NOWHERE the owner manual. You must pay 40$ to Audi to downloaded. Not the service manual, just the owner manual.
- I think that EVO X will be the last Samurai for the EVO line if all i read are truth. I think its future classic from today..
- need an adjustable steer. Unfortunately EVO X does not offer this. Dont know why.
- i've read some bad comments for quality of the exterior payment and the interior quality but i dont care too much. Golf was five for 3-4 years but after 5+ years it cricks at some points.
- a lot for aftermarket items and tuning parts for EVO X. This is a good thing.

For these and other thoughts EVO X will probably be my next automotive marriage (i change cars every 9-10 years. Or i hope so to keep this... ).

Thank you and congratulations for your effort and lot of info in here.

Kind regards.

 

Welcome Spyros!

Thank you for the detailed introduction and adding a little local Greek automotive culture! The Evo's are wonderful 4 door 'grocery getters' with exceptional handling. Do try to drive one in your area to get first hand a feel for the torque and steering. They are one of least expensive cars to modify for increase performance and owner maintain. Good luck with your car choice!

Bob

 

Welcome Spyros from Greece, I can not remember where I heard that name before .. Anyways the evo x is a very powerful car and has a unique look which sets it apart from other cars in its price range. I would say go for it and good Luck!

 

Thank you both for your kind words.


To add some details more for how "expensive" is a car in Greece some numbers. Nowadays taxes are made from CO emissions, but any car before 2010 get the taxes only from the displacement (no matter the horsepower). A teacher at a school at the first year on job earns about 7200 euros/year lets say 8700 $/year. A 2 Liters car asks for 1900$/year (insurance and two different taxes). Just to park it for one year you need 22% of your year salary...


But if you make the "mistake" to get a 4 liters car then you need about (take a sit...) 6300$ per year. That's about 73% of a teacher salary just to own (and not moving) a 4 liters car. Totally crazy thing (hmmm I am thinking that more crazy is that if you want a 6 liters car you must pay/year about the 110% of a teacher's salary)...


The most crazy thing is that if you have a 2 liters old BMW with 140HP you will pay exact the same taxes/insurance with an EVO X with 300HP.

 

Wow...... I should make this a sticky and guide members here who complain about annual safety and emission inspections.

Bob

 

I'm not surprised, considering how much money EU gave you to avoid bankrupt of the country.

 

Wow its crazy how expensive it is to get an evo in greece

 

please join the euro yourselves and you will see for yourselves how good EU is.


Hello spyros,

if tekmiria is not a problem for you then go big...

also keep in mind the devaluation that expensive cars have over the years , car.gr is your friend

welcome aboard.

Michael.

 

Hello Michael,
the well known "European Union saves Greece" is a big matter for discussion. How a country could be saved if the 90% of the people were killed economical? Did EU save Greece or they just save ... EU and at the same time earned a loooot of money from ... Greece. Not for this forum I believe this discussion. :-)


I have in mind that a V8-V10 will be more pleasant to ears and other matters. But you know the Greek situation with tax office. Even if 2015 you can afford the taxes/insurance/tekmiria (don't know the English word..) its not sure that these will be the same 3-4 years from now. 2 liters always will be a "safe" line.


Except this, as I wrote at the first post, you cannot "tick" all the boxes for the auto deisires you have, so the best is to tick the most of them. :-)


P.S.: I check the www.car.gr daily. More often than my e-mail box...