I just hope we get it, even in FWD form. But I'd deal with the torque steer as opposed to another electronic nanny messing with my power delivery and steering feel.

 

It better be. But I'm sure no one will be surprised if it ends up being FWD.

 

So, have we yet found a worthy replacement for the Evo (in terms of (mainly) price point (bang for buck))?

Here in Ireland an Evo 7 (2001,2002, 2003) costs roughly €13,000 ($15,500) landed from Japan (or a GT-A for about €10,000($12,000))

They are very easy to work on, parts can be sourced (relatively) cheaply, they are not completely dependent on electronic diagnosis (they are very mechanical) and easily modded to produce high power with (again relatively) few modifications.

What other car (at this price point) gives all of this along with really good handling and a usable DD ??

 

Holy resurrection, Batman.

 

We've had time to digest the CLA 45 AMG, the New R, the new S3 and the Focus RS (all of which are x3 or x4 times the price) and wanted to see if there is an alternative even with these cars.

I have not found a car in the (up to) €16,000 bracket that offer what the Evo does

 

Well why are you shocked that no new car at new car prices can compete with a used car at used car prices?

 

Well, if we take a used car with the same power etc, they are still more than the Evo (at least they are her in Ireland)
If we look at the cars with (just) the same power from the same 'era':
2009 Ford Focus RS - still more expensive but not a real replacement
1992 MASERATI GHIBLI 2.0 V6 BITURBO again, same power but huge money and not a suitable replacement (if you could find one)
2004 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6 V8 - bigger money and not a real option (in terms of location for me) and imo not an alternative
2003 VOLVO S60 2.5R - a possible replacement imo but the price is still high (relatively)
1998 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 996 - price etc. etc.
2002 INFINITI G35 SPORT COUPE - not really
2005 LEXUS GS 430 4.3 AUTO - no thrill at all.

All of these cars are around the same age and power and all are more expensive than the Evo (so 2nd hand and not competing on price) so while price was part of the criteria fun and driving experience are also important and very few newer cars offer the same as an Evo.

If one wanted the same 'thrill' and experience you're looking at €70k+ (even the Evo X starts at half that!)

For me the only real alternative is an Audi TT RS

 

The Evo was made by the factory specifically to get between point a and b on any sort of road, dirt, tar and snow. The amature rally racer could set one up with reasonable cost and go and win their local rally. Cars arnt made like that anymore. Manufacturers focus on 18 to 24 yr old females who like pretty colors and a touch sceen to upload their fav one direction song or middle age men that like red and roaring twin pipes. The Evo is an end of an era that is fast becoming so last decade.

 

Exactly my point; you have very particular terms that you're applying to a very specific market. It's not shocking only one or two cars fits your criteria.

 

What cars today focus on these 18-24 year-old females that you speak of, assuming they didn’t already focus on them before?

I’d say that stuff from ten years ago like the entire Scion brand focuses more on them than anything else today.

 

We're obviously on different wavelengths.

My point is that when looking to possibly replace my 2003 Evo VII there is nothing out there really that compares (bang for buck) Any of the older cars that offer the same performance are expensive (maybe not on initial purchase) but maintenance, parts, servicing, tax and insurance are extortionate on them (at least here in Ireland)

Any of the newer cars offering the same performance (and lets just take performance alone) you need to be looking beyond the €40k mark which, comparatively, is less bang for buck (imo). Let alone the inability to modify or tune most of the modern boring boxes. For less than €1k you can stage 2 an Evo to 400/400 fairly easily.

So my point is: relative pricing unless you spend big money (again I am referring to Ireland) you will not get a car that delivers what the Evo does.

ambystom01: can you offer an alternative to the Evo that is relatively inexpensive?

 

I think where you two aren't seeing eye to eye may be: The thread title has do with NEWER cars. You are talking about older vehicles which has nothing at all to do with the topic. We already know how old cars compare. If there were something tons better, we all would have bought one.
Also, "bang for buck" isn't a fair comparison and is pretty much irrelevant. Cars now are nothing like they were in 2006. Times change.

 

I get your point.

My point is that you've set up a test that only the Evo can pass.

 

You're probably right.

Maybe a new thread is in order

If the criteria is: 300Bhp (plus), AWD, 4 door, not completely computer controlled (GT-R out then ) and less than €40k there probably isn't anything that compares.

I'd disagree with the bang for buck being unfair. You can get cars that deliver the same performance but are way more expensive to buy and maintain etc etc. therefore less bang for buck?

 

Here in the states, by picking the right package, you can purchase a very well appointed Elantra for 20K. Very well appointed means dual climate control which then means a double set of knobs. And they all need back lighting for use at night. Then add switches for all the other included accessories and pretty soon you have switches by your left knee, switches by you right knee, switches spilling down the center stack, switches on the steering wheel and switches spilling over onto the passenger side. You know switches around the cup holders are toast the first time you spill your coke. God forbid you set some drink on the dash that then topples.

Well, there's the Tesla solution, turn the front cabin compartment into a computer work station. The cops have computers in the front seat so why can't I? Crash. It tickles me that car reviewers are starting to refer to this stuff as fluff.

I had a programmable thermostat in my house. It worked well until I called an HVAC technician to fix the outside unit last summer. In checking the AC he changed the thermostat. This fall, no heat. I reprogrammed it myself and got the heat pump going. That was fine until it got really cold, then the furnace wouldn't run. I then I called another HVAC technician to fix whatever they and I had done to the thermostat. He couldn't reprogram it either. The solution - install a simple thermostat with no programming. That simple thermostat is the Evo, everything it needs and nothing it doesn't.