hey guys, i'm very new as you might know from my post count, and i'm very interested in getting an evolution, but i'm really concerned about some of the specs and models. When i first bought me current car, a 2002 celica GT, i didn't know much about it or the packages it came with. So, being the fool i was i ended up buying a very nice looking $17,000 car for $19,000. my car doesn't even have rear disc brakes or ABS. and it's auto, not good for autocross. I feel i've gotten pretty far with my car, and i've reached it's potential. the only thing that i'm afraid of is that my car handles very well. I mean this thing hauls on the corners, and i'm afraid that if i buy something else it may not handle as nice.

It's kinda hard to describe but my celica gives a very nice stiff feel, with alot of feedback, and steering response. I know full well that an EVO with a decent driver could over take me but would it be as much fun. I don't know if you can understand what i mean but when i corner with my car it feels some tight and stiff, and its very fun(of course my suspension is tuned). Does the EVO have the same characteristics? I don't think my question is "can the EVO out handle my celica?" more its "is it as much fun to drive?"

Also are there any packages i should look for? i don't want anything unnecessary like moonroof or leather, but i do want performance. Does the EVO come stock with both fron and rear strut tower bars? how much should i end up paying? Is there anything else you like or dislike about your EVO?

I'm mostliely gonna wait for the MR model but i've only seen pics not specs on it, what exactley is the MR model? like what does it have over the current USDM version? sorry i know theres a serach button but i'd rather get all the info is one post.

thanks for taking the time to read this, i really apreciate any info/comment. BTW heres a link to my current car.http://www.everythingcelica.com/ubbt...=&view=&sb=&o=

 

Well, this would depend on what you compare, I saw you had coilovers on your car and of course the EVO doesn’t have them stock. Anyway, easily put, I can guarantee you that an EVO would easily out perform your Celica if both were stock and just as well if they were equally tuned handling wise. If you then add the huge power advantage plus the AWD of the EVO your Celica would be left in the dirt in any situation. Not trying to down talk your car in anyway but it’s just simple facts.

You talked a lot about feeling when cornering etc. feeling is a very subjective thing and the only way you could judge is to go for a test drive and see for your self. But I have never heard so much positive comments on driving characteristics on any car as I have on the EVO (in its price range). It is, unlike a Celica, built for competition and I would be very surprised if you didn’t like its performance.

When it comes to models and specs I would like to leave that part to my fellow EVO owners in the US. I know in general what spec the US EVO has but I don’t want to go into details as I might be wrong on some minor stuff. The MR could just as well had been called EVOIX and it indicates just another step in the evolution of the Evolution. Details can be found all over the net. Of course it all comes down to what specs are decided for the USDM MR version and to my knowledge nobody knows that for sure as of yet.

 

Kim, the evolution is one of the best handling cars on the market. You will have no problem over taking your celica in it . Now for the fun factor...you will need a new bar because the pure joy you get from just cranking up this car daily is enough to throw a smile on your face no matter how ****ty your day was. Yes the feel for this car is unreal, it is very much a drivers car, and beleive me, if you are looking for a stiff ride...you found your car lol. You will feel every pebble in the road, it may seem like a nusence at first seeing how you are going to be moving from a much softer ride you get from a celica, to a "is there even springs on this thing" kinda ride your gonna get from your evo. But all will be lost in translastion as soon as you let your right foot "slip" a little and get planted in your Recaros. Now for price, now would be the very best time to pick up an 03 model rotting in a dealership. Many people are walking about with Evolutions at Invoice. I would not pay anything over MSRP at this point in the game, but you had better hurry, cause once they 04's get here, youre gonna be up ****s creek when it comes to catchin a deal on a new one. Now for the MR. The MR is an outstanding car and will be well worth your wait. It has more HP (close to 290bhp), better suspension (bilstine), redesigned interior, lighter bbs wheels, not to mention much cooler lights heh, and its around 300lbs lighter then the USDM evolution 8. I will be picking up my MICA grey MR as soon as it hits my dealership.

Hope I helped you out a little bit. Will.

 

Wow thanks for the replies guys, very helpful!! I know that Evolutions are much better than celicas it's just that mine is so fun to drive, i just don't want to lose that. they're not even in the same class when you think about it. I guess a test drive would be the deciding factor, but dealerships in my area are super **** about test drives in the EVO. but yeah the MR seems like a good deal since the current EVOs are pretty heavy. wonder if they will come in white, i was really impressed by the Norris Designs Evo 7, nice styling and very impressive power.

 

kim why dont you go see if theres and evo meets goin on anywhere near you in the rginal forum... im sure someone would take you for a spin in their evo

 

kim, the MR will definitely come in white. I have a white '03 and my dad has a silver '03 that he is going to trade on a white MR when they get here. Anyways, I agree that you will probably have to test drive one, but I have a feeling that it will probably be more fun. You may want to eventually get some coilovers to tune out some of the body roll, but the quick and precise steering along with the amazing grip and balance will put a smile on your face everytime you get in the car and go for a ride. Good luck, by the way, I like the mods you did on the celica.

 

Boosted: thats a pretty good idea, i'd still feel kinda weird though only toyota at a DSM meet.

Eclipsegs2k1: wow thats pretty cool to have 2 EVOs in the family. thanks for the tipa nd compliment. hopefully i'll endup with an EVO. I'm gonna learn as much as i can about it before i buyit though, i wanna be smart about this buy.

 

yeah, well it's always to know what you are buying and what not to fall for before you go to a dealership since alot of dealerships will take advantage of someone who doesn't really know what to pay and so forth. Good luck man.

 

Yeah, go for a test drive. I used to drive an 11 second late model Mustang that had a few Gs pumped into the suspension and I thought that was a fun car. The Evo blows it out of the water. You don't even really need to drive it to see it's a driver's car as it just feels 'right' when you sit in it. Steering wheel is perfect size and thickness, gear stick is exactly where it's supposed to be, seating position is nice and low, and the brake pedal's the same height as the accelerator when depressed so heel/toe is a breeze for even a fool like me. I can guarentee that you will have the biggest smile on your face the first time you take a corner proper with the Evo. Don't get me wrong, the Evo isn't god's chariot, but it's close .

As for the MR: It's pretty much unsure what we will get. Supposedly it will come with ACD (no SAYC) and a 6 speed. However, the RS was supposed to come without A/C and it has it. The MR, in other countries, has slightly higher HP and a better tuned suspension. You could get a real good deal on an '03 right now and equip it with coilovers, exhaust, boost controller, and flash, and still be under the price of the MR.

 

Kim... I hope that someone lets you drive their Evo, stock or tuned. Stock, you will be amazed. Tuned, you'll never look back. If you show up to a meet and identify yourself as a prospective Evo buyer and Evolutionm member, I'm sure someone will let you. Also, being "smart" about buying an Evo means keeping in mind that the Evo will require more care than your Toyota... I love toyotas, and even the Tercel I used to have (with upgraded suspension and wheels/tires) was fun to drive, despite the embarassing lack of power. I also sold it @182,000 miles still running strong!

Driving the Evo is so fun, and I'm sure everyone on this board will agree, that it's almost painful when you're NOT driving it. I sit at work all day waiting for go time when I can jump in the Evo and take the long way home!!! Few cars can inspire that passion. The Mitsubishi ads for the car got it right: "We didn't just build a car, we started a religion."

 

I have driven the Celica GT and GT-S on many occasions and was impressed by its handling capabilities. If I remember correctly, the steering is very quick, and the chassis tuning is excellent for a FWD car. Compared to the Honda Prelude I used to own, the Celica is tighter but borderline nervous. I'm sure your modded GT surpasses the stock setup.

The Evo, in my opinion, is far superior than any FWD can ever handle. The suspension is very balanced and gives plenty of feedback. With an immediate steering response, awesome brakes, and high level of traction, you'll find yourself driving in the twisties at an unimaginable speed. Now that's fun.

 

The Evo is the best handling car I've ever driven ... by far. I first test drove one last November, and at the time I remember thinking "yeah, it handles nice - kind of reminds me of my old MX-3." Having now owned my new Evo for 2 months, I have to laugh at myself. I didn't even come remotely close to approaching the handling limits of the Evo on my test drive and even in very spirited daily driving, I rarely get close. I scared the **** out of myself a couple of weeks back when I thought that I had gone into a turn WAAAAAYYY too fast and was having images of me sliding through grass flashing in front of me, but the car was like "yeah whatever" and pulled through the turn without even a chirp of the tires.

Some notes and things to keep in mind, though:
- If you've never driven an AWD car, give yourself some time to get used to the handling characteristics. Very different from FWD (bye bye wheelspin and torque steer )
- If you haven't driven a stick in a while, again give yourself time to get used to launching the Evo. Don't try to do high rpm launches until you're comfortable with the car and until it's well past its break-in period
- Make sure you understand all of the maintenance costs associated with this car. They're not astronomical, but they ain't cheap neither

Other than that all I have to say is that I totally love my Evo. It is a truly amazing car...

l8r)