streetrcrm3
10-25-2006, 09:32 PM
My friend recently purchased an evo8 and with all the rave and good reviews about "evos" I decided to go test the evo 9 (IX). My friend raced karts professionally for a couple of years and has a couple of spec miata race cars so I assumed there must be something good about these cars. I was still pretty doubtful especially with the stigma that this car has.
An evo is unmistakable, with its huge wing, aggresive fender flares, pizza-box size brembo rotors, sticky yokohoma tires, enkei rims and a large front mount intercooler. The car is over the top for some people but to me it just gets asked to be driven hard.
I get into the car and I notice the non-existent interior amenitites, how much does this car cost again? The radio and center console is shameful for 30k car and so is the lack of a factory boost guage.
The recaro racing seats are very supportive, and provide great bolstering and the momo steering wheel fits my hands perfectly, and the placement of the brake and gas pedal next to each other make heel-and-toeing very easy, and the interior color scheme seems to be upgrade from the evo 8.
Anyway the test drive, I turn the key and the car has an aggressive exhaust tone that isn't too loud but has a slight, ummistakenable rubble. The shifting action is not butter-smooth but is precise and the clutch engages on the high side.
The car seems to be a pedestrian lancer below 3,000 rpms but once the turbo spools prepare your body because its quite the rush. The car revs freely from 3,000 rpms to 7600. The car has more than enough torque once the turbocharger spools and it makes quite the vacuum sound. When driving around town the car provided ample torque when off-boost.
The suspension provides great driver feedback while not being too stiff, brakes work well and the tires seem to be superglued to the road. All these components are very balanced and created excellent harmony which boosted my confidence.
This car has exceptional grip, its pretty amazing, and while going a bit too hot into a corner all I had to do was slightly reapply the throttle and get it pointed straight and was on my way, it almost seemed to easy.
Overall this car is great in its ability to turn, go fast, and brake, and if that is your primary concern go buy one. This car could be a daily driver for some but most would complain the suspension being too stiff or the lack of interior amentities, squeaky brakes, rattles, etc.
It takes a certain type of car enthusiast to like this car, it provides raw performance for a cheap price and I loved every minute of it.
An evo is unmistakable, with its huge wing, aggresive fender flares, pizza-box size brembo rotors, sticky yokohoma tires, enkei rims and a large front mount intercooler. The car is over the top for some people but to me it just gets asked to be driven hard.
I get into the car and I notice the non-existent interior amenitites, how much does this car cost again? The radio and center console is shameful for 30k car and so is the lack of a factory boost guage.
The recaro racing seats are very supportive, and provide great bolstering and the momo steering wheel fits my hands perfectly, and the placement of the brake and gas pedal next to each other make heel-and-toeing very easy, and the interior color scheme seems to be upgrade from the evo 8.
Anyway the test drive, I turn the key and the car has an aggressive exhaust tone that isn't too loud but has a slight, ummistakenable rubble. The shifting action is not butter-smooth but is precise and the clutch engages on the high side.
The car seems to be a pedestrian lancer below 3,000 rpms but once the turbo spools prepare your body because its quite the rush. The car revs freely from 3,000 rpms to 7600. The car has more than enough torque once the turbocharger spools and it makes quite the vacuum sound. When driving around town the car provided ample torque when off-boost.
The suspension provides great driver feedback while not being too stiff, brakes work well and the tires seem to be superglued to the road. All these components are very balanced and created excellent harmony which boosted my confidence.
This car has exceptional grip, its pretty amazing, and while going a bit too hot into a corner all I had to do was slightly reapply the throttle and get it pointed straight and was on my way, it almost seemed to easy.
Overall this car is great in its ability to turn, go fast, and brake, and if that is your primary concern go buy one. This car could be a daily driver for some but most would complain the suspension being too stiff or the lack of interior amentities, squeaky brakes, rattles, etc.
It takes a certain type of car enthusiast to like this car, it provides raw performance for a cheap price and I loved every minute of it.