I've been reading every article I can find on the Evo VII's (internet, European and US mags) and was hoping to find out some impressions and experiences from those who have an Evo VII. It seems the US reviews harp on the ride quality a lot -(I question them because most Americans don't care about hi-perf. driving, just comfort and gas-mileage.)

To all Evo VII owners: how do you like your car overall? I've heard they eat brakes and tires -what's been your cost of ownership thus far? How is an Evo VII as an everyday driver?

I am super-interested in getting one when they finally come to the US, and I'm sure everybody's curious as to how they really are -not just from a car-magazine standpoint.

thanks,
Rob

 

I have a TME but have also driven and E7. My dad has a WRX and prior to the TME I had an M3. I have no regrets whatsoever on getting the Evo.

Yes, they are expensive to run. They suck gas like you cannot believe, oil changes are every 3500 miles, eat brake pads and rotors, and once you start tuning... The ride is a bit harsh, but most Evo owners upgrade the suspension and make it firmer anyway. The clutch will wear early if you drive really hard and will probably need an upgrade if you up the power. Interior noise is significant (especially if you change intake and exhaust) but most Evo owners like it that way.

The Evo is not a comfortable, "cruiser" type mobile (like an M3). It is best for short, intense periods (twisty roads, track, etc.). Evos have to be driven dynamically to be enjoyed i.e. you must be accelerating, braking, turning, sliding.

Hope this is helpful

 

anymore imput?

i plan on getting one too

 

But no one knows how the US spec EVO wil be.

 

<<OT>> As far as I know, the US spec Evo is coming over in all it's glory -no downgrades at all -just a couple of tweaks on the exhaust and intercooler, but the Evo VIII is supposed to be geared toward matching cleaner standards anyway so it can be released worldwide. They've already boosted the torque and HP a bit by tweaking these systems.

Anyway, I'd love to hear some more experiences and even some figures if anybody has some. How long, with normal and hard driving being maybe 50/50, do the tires, brakes and rotors, etc.. last? I drive an Acura RSX now and it's a stiffer ride than my old Honda, but it's so much better for it. Is it sports-car hard or even harder like maybe go-cart hard?

Thanks for your posts so far!

 

Magazines claim the euro spec suspension to be on the hard side..
should be harder than your RSX.. and i hope it will be harder than
my E36 M3... Just pray that it wont be softened for the US market...

 

Anybody else? I was hoping to get some more impressions and overall experiences.

 

As a daily driver the EVO VII is a bit on the harsh side. The car was not made to be driven smoothly. The throttle is quite sensitive and the steering is very direct. You need to be careful with the steering because little movement will make the car turn quite a bit. If you need to park it in a tight spot, good luck because the turning circle is as big as the one of a Ford Excursion. If the roads are not very smooth, the ride is pretty harsh. The seats are firm (Recaros) and hard to get in and out of. The rear view is kinda obstucted by the big wing, the interior is far from luxurious. From the outside, the car looks kinda disproportioned, the hood part look kind of flat and short, the mid part really tall. The car looks fat (as opposed to sleek). The car is as discreet as Elton John.

But do any of those things matter? NO!!!!!!!! Because this is the greatest driving experience you can ever have for 30k! To get anything that is close to it, be prepared to shell out at least twice as much, maybe even 3 times as much. People try to compare it to the WRX, but since I also own a WRX I can tell you that you cannot compare the 2. The WRX is quick (6500$ mods on mine) but the EVO is just ridiculous (stock).

If you want to compare ride quality of your RSX to it, the stock WRX is about the same as your RSX, my WRX has an STi suspension which makes it much stiffer than stock, and the EVO is much harder that my WRX.

 

Oh and did I mention the car is a chick magnet? but seriously if you want to drive a real sports car (not the wannabes like the Rustangs & co), this is the one.

 

To add the road noise is quite loud in general. Perhaps I'm running Yokohama Advan Neova, heard the Bridgestone RE01 are quieter or even the Dunlop FM901 but have yet to try.

But I don't find it noisey even when pushing it hard, with traffic driving just play the music.

cheers

 

Thanks a lot -that's what I've been looking for!

 

Oh one more thing, the fuel tank in really small (12-13 Gallons), so you will have to refuel quite often and you will feel like the car is a fuel burning monster.

 

Hey, chrisevo do you have any pictures of that Evo to share on the forum? Web site or anything?

THanks

 

Sure I just got a digi cam today I will post some pics on this thread tomorrow...