Mitsibishi EVO test drive

[sscates]

Hey guys, had to let you in on this. After pulling up to the grocery store last nite in the Golf, my kid and his friend noticed this EVO parked next to us. I heard about it the rest of the nite. I went and drove one this morning. It is definitely an ugly car, just as the Subara WRX is. I guess that's the new style. More leg room than my golf, though. It has lots of torque. I don't know what the 0-60 times are, but I'd have to abuse my 82' 930 pretty bad to beat that thing 0-60. My 82' comes alive where the EVO dies. Due to the large vs small turbo characteristics. The EVO has solid suspension and brakes. But it''s ugly. I can't get over that part. I think they said 280 something hp w/19psi of boost. That's a lot of boost. It has a mister on the intercooler. Great idea as the evaporation will cool the intercooler much more. I must say that it's impressive. These guys (salesman) were all exited until I told them I wouldn't buy it unless it came in an auto. You see, I would trade my commuter (Temecula-San Diego) Golf 1.8Turbo, but wouldn't even think to replace the P-car with anything else. Except a 97' Turbo S. Happy trails

[cowtown]

This came up in the Off Topic forum recently, and I ran out and tested one over Thansgiving break. Like you, I thought it was pretty impressive. I also didn't think it was as ugly in person as in photos. And like the 911, it has an actual racing history!

My problem is that I've gotten so used to buying old cars that were once expensive, I've started taking quality for granted. It was a pretty rude awakening to see the interior. It wasn't terrible, but I kept thinking "I could buy a NICE 993 for this money." The great build and finish of our 911s wasn't quite there with the EVO.

[1fastredsc]

You guys just started another arguement, that will end just like all the other ones, let's see how long this one goes for.

[sscates]

No intent to start an argument. The whole point was I was impressed enough with the EVO to write about it. I know that us P-car guys don't like to get beat up by rice burners, but I can appreciate anyone who takes an interest in cars, whether it's a Hot Rod, Porsche or Japanese. Haven't figured out those Viper people though. They scare me! Once again, no arguments, please. Remember, it's all fun and games until somebody loses an eyeball. Happy Trails

By the way, what was the result of the last argument?

[cowtown]

Originally posted by sscates

By the way, what was the result of the last argument?

It was a draw between the guys who appreciate the performance for the money, and those who write off Japanese cars before even looking at them. An uneasy peace prevails.

[1fastredsc]

Actually i right them off becuase i have looked and driven them. And it has nothing to do with being japenese, i like the rx-7 (not the rx-8), supra, and think the skyline is neat. But i don't like these new AWD turbo cars, because they are 4 door sedans. As i stated in one of the previous threads about this, if they made RWD sports car like this, with the same engine then i'd reconsider. But i hate awd, and i like the look and performance characteristics of real sports car layouts.

[SeaDweller]

We just have to settle with the fact that there are capable cars out there, that can easily smoke our SC's and Carrera's when it comes to pure acceleration. And, some aren't so bad on the handling side either.

The EVO is wicked quick, as is the WRX. A buddy of mine has a WRX, which is modified with all the aftermarket engine and suspension goodies, and he can run laps around my '85 Carrera. It's cheap to make these cars faster than they already are. And, while the shell/interior quality might not be super high, Subaru makes some of the best running gear out there.

I have yet to "race" anyone in my '85, because I like keeping the mystery intact. I don't think most folks realize how fast a 911 is, or isn't. There's a company in my area that modified Honda's, and their engine and suspension work evidently results in some incredibly capable cars. While it's disheartening to think that a 16 year old in a modified CRX can blow the doors off you, it's a different car altogether.

[sscates]

Ah, that's where Carerra's big brother, the 930, steps in. I don't make it a habit to street race, but I haven't ran into one of these things that I couldn't beat. Like I said before, it's not easy, but these cars run out of gas when mine starts making hp. Pretty amazing that a 22yr old p-car can still beat almost anything new, including vettes (not z06).

[1fastredsc]

I have no problem admitting these cars are "quicker" than mine, expecially since my car cost me 9k and looks better. Like i said, i have nothing against them, i just wish they implement what they are doing with these 4 door rally cars into a lightweight none awd sports car. Is that so hard to understand. BTW, handling has a wierd definition, to some it means how capable a car is on the track, to some it means how many g's it can pull on a skid pad, and to the rest it means how easy is it too handle at the limits. Our cars do 2 of those things well, but the third is a pain in the a$$ at times. Ever wonder why some mag's rate the 996tt as handling better than the gt2, could it be the awd?

[tobluforu]

There are 2 of these evo's down the street from where I work. The owners a shop that mods these rice rockets have them. Both are putting out around 350 hp at the wheels. That's a boat load of power for any car. I was given a ride in one around the city a little, no twisties, but this car was one of the fastest feeling street cars I have been in. It always feels that way when your a passenger though. It had a launch control system in it that sounded like the car was going to twist apart when it hooked up, but christ what a launch it was. It's better looking then the WRX, but the wings are a joke-talk about fugly! The cars are kind of tacky in a sense.

[RallyJon]

I think a big problem in perception of these cars is that people are filtering them through some kind of SoCal, another-sunny-day-at-the-track mentality. In the real world, some driving enthusiasts want to have an involving high-performance car that can also handle cold, rainy, bumpy, decreasing radius, off-camber, blind corners with gravel at the apex.

[BURN-BROS]

I saw a wrx ra model yesterday. The car was totally black with big brembos. Although they don't look menacing, they do pack a punch. Horsepower wars are good!!!

[NoLift911]

I actually had a deposit down on an 04 Sti but decided to bail for a few reasons. One was at the time, I was doing a car shuffle dance after my daily driver had been totaled. So the timing was off a bit. After having done research on these cars they are remarkable, no doubt about it.

Then I heard a few things I was not that excited about, handling, qaulity and the power was good, but not what I expected for an all sacrifice 4 door rally car. Tough to leave behind the power of an 8 for a 4 banger huffer as well. So I decided to hold off. I still think the cars are cool and if money was no object I would have an EVO or an STi for fun.

-Jeff
nolift911@hotmail.com

[KTL]

If you don't like four doors, buy a first generation turbo AWD Eclipse, Talon or Laser. It's cheap, sorta quick bone stock and really easy to hop up. Saves you tons of money from buying the trendy "new" thing on the street. IMO, no way these cars should cost that much. Mitsu. has been using and tweaking this recipe for years.................

If you don't like AWD then this ain't your cup of tea. But the handling is quite forgiving and although it's not RWD kinda handling, I like it better than FWD. One thing I do love is that accelerative traction is rarely a concern when it's a bit wet outside. Add a set of winter tires (I have Michelin Arctic Alpins) and it's an excellent winter car. Heat comes on sooner than any car i've ever seen!!!

I have a bone stock one and it's one of the better cars i've owned. It's no Porsche. Certainly better than any domestic pile 'o poo. Parts are fair cost and it's pretty easy to work on too. Factory service manual makes things a breeze.

Just my two cents.

Kevin
'92 Plymouth Laser All Wheel Drive Turbo Intercooler Twin Cam 16 Valve RS Turbo

(it actually says ALL of the above words on the exterior badging of the car............ )

[RickM]

It says '92?

Oh wait, that's a number ....

[sscates]

I agree that hp wars are a good thing. Look at these stock cars and how fast they are. Remember back when they came out with the Mustang II? Corvettes that were soooo slow. This is a great time for cars. EVO and all!