I am pretty much exactly the same as you. I had an E46 M3 and Evo 9, and feel the X is a great compromise between the two. Sure the 9 was more raw, and the M3 was more classy, but I can drive the X year round in Chicago everyday like my 9, but with additions like Nav, bad *** sound system with a hard drive to store music, cruise control, a five star safety rating, stiffer chassis, more civilized looks, and SAYC.

So do I regret upgrading?

Hell No. I drive my car everyday. I am not some speedracer track junkie where I need the lightest and rawest car. The X after some light mods really wakes up, and I don't think I would need anything more hardcore for street driving.

 

Interesting. Are you two saying the X feels more raw than the e46 M3? Stock suspension is similar, but the steering ratio in the X is waaaaay more responsive. My biggest concern is the weight. I personally thought the M3 was pretty raw. I've driven an VIII as well and that was serious raw.

I just want to make sure, on the raw scale, I end up between an VIII/IX and an e46 M3, not softer than an M3. I'll just end up selling it otherwise and I'm tired of that.

 

On the "rawness" scale the 9 was definitely up there, but mine had a straight 3" exhaust that was loud as hell, and stiff Robisec suspension. The M3 and X are comparable. I got some Bilstein PSS9's on my M3 very soon after buying it. The stock suspension on the M3 was stiff, but the coilovers were pretty comfortable. I sold the M3 two years ago so I don't remember much, but it was no performance slouch. I never tracked it but it handled great and that engine was a screamer. It felt more like a sports car because it was a perfectly balanced FR car, so its hard to compare to to an Evo. The X is much easier to drive fast though. The handling is incredible. Plus, with a few bolt ons, the X has straight line speed that the E46 M3 couldn't hope to match without some forced induction.

 

The Evo IX was far more raw than the M3... The EVO X and the M3 seem quit similar to me in the way they drove before modification.

 

I only have 500 miles on my evo x, but so far I like it much more than my VIII. Less rattles, more smooth, handles better, seats / interior is way better, the looks grow on me every time I look at it, and it makes more power right now.

 

x2 Their not making these newer cars the way they use to IMO. My VIII has over 76k miles on it and the only rattles that I can hear are coming from the moonroof visor when it's closed and the child seat in the back, my 08 Accord has more freaking rattles than my 03 VIII does which is ridiculous.

 

It's sad both of you let what other people say influence your thoughts. You should really test drive an evo X then decide for yourself. Since I drove a X I couldn't wait to sell my VIII. Such a night and day difference.

 

I've driven three X's, one of which I had for two days under a BPA from a local dealer. Nothing about the car impresses me enough to want to go out and buy it, especially with my VIII being paid for and simply just feeling better on the road to me. Nothing wrong with the X at all, I just like my VIII better....for now

 

Someone explain to me what "raw" feelings you perceive when you drive a 8 or a 9?

How do you define "raw"? Is it the noise, the way the steering twitches, the immediacy of the throttle?
I drove a stock 8 before, and it felt a lot more numb than my s2000.

I am thinking a car like the s2000, elise, or even a first generation miata is raw - since these cars have nothing but 2 seats and an engine.

How can a 4 door sedan, be more "raw" than a 2 door "sports cars"?

How are you guys defining "raw"? Are you guys saying unrefined? Raw = unrefined, but I think you guys are defining raw as something else.

 

I miss my 8, putting 12K in that car, the X is not the same. But for the DD and family it's awesome. My MR the ole lady can drive it too. Another regret is now I have another 5 yr. loan, but I put 8K what I had left over from selling my 8 and put towards the X MR.

 

I drove X for a week and hated it.The X shouldnt even carry the name Lancer Evolution name.Its big and heavy.It doesnt have that pure breed factory race car all the pre X evo have.Cruise,bluetooth and all those trinkets dont appeal to me.I could get into the motor but thats a whole diff post.on X

 

The X is 150 pounds heavier than its predecessor. You can stop the gross exaggeration.

 

WOW Gordian79, have you ever driven a X that is tune? maybe not huh, and you coming in and saying you hate the X and shouldn't be called lancer Evolution! Have you ever driven the X on track? NO RIGHT? because if you did, you would definitely say it's an EVO! Don't forget bro, evo is not meant for drag.

 

Did you happen to ever look at the speedometer while driving? You can be doing 100 in a x and it feels like 50 in an VIII. I think if anything you don't deserve to drive an evo, because you obviously don't know what you're talking about. The evo x has consistently beat the evo xi (both stock) on the race track (a real track not a drag track) time and time again because the handling is far superior. Not only that but modding them is much cheaper... for under $700 you can add 80whp. (tune + drop in filter + cat back). Like to seeyou add 80whp to a evo VIII or XI for $700.

exactly... and handles 100 times better.

He probably test drove one around town (if at all)... because if he cornered in that thing at all he'd shut his mouth instantly. The difference in cornering between the XI and X is worlds apart.

Believe me... all this guy likes to do is *****. Check out his ETS thread where he completely bashes ETS even though they bent over backwards trying to help him (even before he posted the thread).

 

wow fanboy to the max. half the things you said are completely opinion. not only that, no idea where you're getting your "evo x has consistently beat the ix on the track" from. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=124246

100 times better? Try 5%, if that. I'd like to see YOUR personal X beat a IX on these forums, instead of clinging on to Gate's insane 3000lb or less X (which yours will never be near)