Maybe the lightest X and the heaviest IX =]

 

Once my X is broke in to where I'll race it, I'll track it against a stock IX and I WILL win. I had a VIII for 3 years and that VIII had a LSD front diff that I added. The handling is NO comparison. As much respect as I have for edmunds, I don't need to read the article to know that the handling is a night and day difference. Fan boy? I have owned them and my favorite is the X. Is the power not as much of a punch? sure. But it's smooth and can easily / cheaply be updated. But it's not even about that, it's all about the handling.

I don't know where you got 5%. There is a very clear distinct difference between throwing the car into a corner on a road course at high and low speed (especially high).

A lot of guys argue that the X is slower because they have a pretense on their current car. I used to be one of those guys. Until I actually got in one and went around a road course, I couldn't wait to sell my VIII for a X. I don't know what else to say about it. And this isn't microsoft vs sony here... no fan boy. We're all on the same team. If I didn't have a X i'd have a XI or VIII. If you wanna call me a fan boy, call me an Evo fan boy.

One thing I will admit. They are a lot different car. IMO the XI / VIII is more for rally and the X is more for road course. Though the X has proven itself on rally... just look at tanner foust.

Weights (gsr):
Curb weight 3585 lb (evo x) 3254 lb (evo xi)
Weight to power 12.2 lb/hp (est) (evo x) 11.4 lb/hp (evo xi)

 

The 9 is actually a bit different from 8 -

I think raw in this instance means driver connection, immediacy, quick steering, and particularly, less electronic/interference in driving.

On a note, I have driven an s2k on various occasions and situations, and I think they are one of the great driver's cars. Knew exactly where the rear tires were - 2, 3 feet behind me!

 

I don't know where you're getting any other number. Your car's not yet broken in. Stock X vs stock IX is completely a driver's race. I don't think anyone could argue with that. If you're a better driver, I'm sure you can overtake. Otherwise, in tests between the stock cars (not that it really matters) IX usually has a minor advantage.

I agree handling between the cars are completely different. The diffs have been set up on the X to where I've seen the car consistently oversteer/drift like a better controlled rwd car. But no comparison? Maybe in terms of feel, but in terms of speed... Not so much. Don't get me wrong, I think the X is fantastic. But to call it worlds above cars from the CT9A... I'm not so sure.. Especially when you can mod the ACD's of the CT9A cars in the US.

That weight to power ratio is actually relatively significant, not that straight line has much to do with it - more like 12.32 to 11.38

Not to mention, when comparing your 2003 Evo 8, though you may have added the helical type front limited slip, it did not come with the active center diff - "There are many different sensors used by the ACD when determining how it will control the center differential. ABS input, steering wheel angle, throttle opening, wheel speeds, and longitudinal and lateral movements of the vehicle are constantly measured by the ACD." Sound familiar?

Honestly though, this whole argument is a bit silly. I don't think anyone who's not willing to strip their X down to bare bones can claim a whole pure victory over the CT9A - look at the cars that are still in the street class for super lap battles and their results... All very very close.

 

You're right... I shouldn't have called it no comparison. But the handling is significantly different. I don't know how anyone can argue that unless they truly haven't given the X a fair shot. Every time I go around a corner I'm floored as to how it handles. Just like my VIII it goes exactly where I point it, but unlike my VIII it sticks to the road better. I can crest on a 90 degree corner and my VIII would lift in the rear end each time. On my X it sticks, and it sticks at a higher mph. BTW, I drive with ASC off (middle mode). The stiffer handling combined with the AYC makes the X stick to the ground much better than the XI and VIII ever thought of.

The XI is a great car, and as I said if I didn't own a X I'd have a XI. I originally got into Evos to rally. But after dumping 30k into my car I hardly wanted to go wrap it around a tree. So the better course of action was to get a X for track days at PIR.

I'll always love the VIII and XI, but my new found love is with the X. I never thought I'd say that either.

 

AYC does, of course, make probably one of the biggest differences in the handling characteristic of the X. I think a lot of the CT9A guys aren't fans of it however, that "floor it and let the car take care of itself" goes against the more "purist" driving character that they're looking for. In terms of speed, though, what the diffs do is nothing but flat out amazing.

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/features/article.php?id=115

...Or a regular IX SSL and a X SSS.

CT9A Evolution IX SSL
Curb weight. Front, rear weight distribution: 3352 pounds, 60% front, 40%

CZ4A Evolution X GSR SSS
Curb weight. Front, rear weight distribution: 3510 pounds, 57% front, 43% rear

 

If that was the case, they wouldn't be driving AWD cars with active center differentials and two limited slips.

There are Miatas, S2000s, air-cooled Porsches, NSXs, and Corvettes for purists; the Evo has always been a car about pushing the technological envelope for the sake of speeds. To somehow think this has changed because it finally isn't gimped for the USDM is asinine and inconsistent.

 

The problem is, you have to push both cars incredibly hard to feel the true difference. Putt putting around town, the X, to me, feels a lot bigger than my VIII, or our 2002 WRX. It's a bigger car, period. That "bigness" factor comes into play more around town. Skidpad results are one thing, but the "feel" of the car is an entirely different one.

I can't accurately judge how "strong" my near-stock X feels, since my 8 had a lot of work, so it's not fair, at all. It feels strong, sure, but it's honestly been... hell, YEARS, since I've driven a stock 8 or 9.

 

So, the heaviest IX, wet, and a X that's been modded??

 

...which is why (racing/RS) Evos in Japan also remove the AYC's diff in favor of a mechanical rear diff? It's more natural, consistent, predictable..

You imply that evos aren't for the purists, for technophiles looking solely for maximum speed. There is a tradeoff at a point (gtr, evo x) but I don't think the IX crosses it.

 

Exactly! It's the feel of the car that lacks inspiration next to the preceding version.

 

I feel the IX definitely crosses that line. Keep in perspective when the IX came out (2005), and what was available at the time. For it's time the IX was much more technological advanced (especially to the STi). The IX always had a niche market, which was well deserved. It's a car for those who wanted to push the envelope on speed that other cars couldn't handle.

Same idea with the X imo. You turn off ASC one push, and push the car. It's such an incredible feel.

A good driver can make any "fast" car fly through the corners. But these technological advances the Evo has done over the years has made that safer and safer with each release. The X was all about raising that bar to the next level. If you can go through a corner with less struggling, that means you can go even faster. That's the amazing thing about the X.

I wanted to touch on cruise control being in the Evo X. I feel cruise was 100% necessary. I constantly catch myself going WAY too fast. The car is so smooth it's hard to judge how fast you really are going. Yesterday I found myself doing 85 in a 55 going up a very steep hill, and I wasn't trying. After that I decided to start using my cruise more, it saved me three times yesterday where cops were waiting.

 

I'm curious where you draw the "trade-off" point or how it's quantified for the sake of this argument or if you're simply drawing a line in the sand for the sake of a silly argument.

I believe the racing cars remove it for weight and reliability purposes. I'm not sure what that has to do with a consumer-driven car.

 

Is this discussion going to devolve into an arbitrary and subjective discussion on preferred "feel?"