First EVO IX review

CGMDan · 08-09-2005, 10:48 PM

Well I drove an EVO IX at the track today. It was part of the press release for the new Mitsu Truck. Which Sucks!
They also had EVO IX's for the journos to drive on track as well as an autoX area. As one of three driving instructors for the track portion I pretty much had free reign to drive the cars as much as I wanted. We had all 3 EVOs. MR, RS and the GSR (?). So heres my take.
First off I've never driven an VIII, so I have nothing but an STi to compare it to.
I do join the masses that say "buy a EVO if your going to track it quite a bit, buy an STi if its your daily driver". Comparing stock for stock, the EVO is better handling than the STi. Turn in is more precise, understeer, while still present is vastly reduced. Brakes are pretty much the same, but there seems to be a bit more pedal travel than in the STi. Keep in mind I was driving a pre-production unit with original fluid. So I would take that with a grain of salt. The tires I like better than the Bridgestones, they didn't get nearly as greasy as ours do under the same conditions. But then again they were new this AM. I don't remember what mine were like when new. IMO the STi has better power delivery. More torque down low, the EVO you need to rev to get the power out. But once it spools, it puts out till redline.
Driving the GSR and MR were pretty much the same on track. Like driving a well set-up STi. Hopping into the RS was altogether different. First off it felt like there was 25hp more. The lighter weight was very noticable. Much more nimble. I swear it feels like more than 120lbs less. Crisper turn-in, better braking, harder acceleration out of the corners. I was suprised at how different it was. But it was pretty stiff driving around the paddock. I don't think I'd want it on the street every day.
Interior was better than expected. The drivers seats don't get much better. I want them in my STi. Leather bolsters with suede seating. The rears are the same. I do like the dash and center console on the STi better. The RS now has A/C standard.
While it may sound like I favor the EVO over the STi, thats not the case. Kind of. IMO they're even. It all comes down to how your gonna use it. Would I get an EVO? Yes, but right now the STi is the better choice for me. Maybe when the EVO X comes out that'll change. I've got 2 more days of driving ahead. Poor me!!

To add to the rear wing discussions, Mitsu now has a downforce package that adds a wickerbill to the rear spoiler and a front airdam to the front. The wickerbill was only about 3/8" tall. The cars we had didn't get the front airdam, but had the wickerbill. It caused enough downforce (or anti-lift) in the back that the cars had a big push at speed. The wickerbill was removed and the push went away. Go figure.

***VSGTS14*** · 08-09-2005, 11:02 PM

wow they look badass now
such a big improvement from the 8's...looks more like a 7 now, i loved them
**** those seats

***VSGTS14*** · 08-09-2005, 11:07 PM

i agree though, sti still rules
mitsu seems too crappy...the evo is nice...but the interior is lacking a lot.

Impresive-G · 08-09-2005, 11:36 PM

only thing good on the evo is the seats and the body. dam i want does Recaros!

KingofImports.com · 08-10-2005, 12:37 AM

Great review!

Its interesting to see the new evolved evolution...

***GZA*** · 08-10-2005, 02:04 AM

Good review. I can`t wait to test drive one of them, if the dealers here let me. I love my STi, but for the first time I`m wondering if I should have waited and gotten the Evo9 instead. Someone tell me something so I can get these terrible thoughts out of my head!
That red Evo looks awesome!

Whitford · 08-10-2005, 02:48 AM

I want one.

*cough

***Nachos Libres*** · 08-10-2005, 03:21 AM

The Evo's look pretty good on the outside and I love the seats, but the console setup looks crappy (especially the stereo). I know some people say that our interior looks cheap as well (cause it's an Impreza), but I actually think it looks really nice compared to the Evo. If Mitsu ever considered upgrading the look of the interior I would consider buying one as my next car.

normansti · 08-10-2005, 06:23 AM

your one lucky mo fo

StrikTerorInst · 08-10-2005, 07:47 AM

Ahhh....finally the EVO as it should have been released in the US...well...not really still missing AYC. But looks wise they got something right...although I do miss the side gills from the VII on the front bumper. I am trying to justify here folks...very tempted...help! Do you have a good shot of the EB IX.??

08-09-2005, 10:48 PM	#1
CGMDan Spec C Club Feedback Score: 2 reviews Car: '05 CGM STi Fav Mod: The Driver Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 1,803 IWSTI Addict since: Nov 2004	First EVO IX review Well I drove an EVO IX at the track today. It was part of the press release for the new Mitsu Truck. Which Sucks! They also had EVO IX's for the journos to drive on track as well as an autoX area. As one of three driving instructors for the track portion I pretty much had free reign to drive the cars as much as I wanted. We had all 3 EVOs. MR, RS and the GSR (?). So heres my take. First off I've never driven an VIII, so I have nothing but an STi to compare it to. I do join the masses that say "buy a EVO if your going to track it quite a bit, buy an STi if its your daily driver". Comparing stock for stock, the EVO is better handling than the STi. Turn in is more precise, understeer, while still present is vastly reduced. Brakes are pretty much the same, but there seems to be a bit more pedal travel than in the STi. Keep in mind I was driving a pre-production unit with original fluid. So I would take that with a grain of salt. The tires I like better than the Bridgestones, they didn't get nearly as greasy as ours do under the same conditions. But then again they were new this AM. I don't remember what mine were like when new. IMO the STi has better power delivery. More torque down low, the EVO you need to rev to get the power out. But once it spools, it puts out till redline. Driving the GSR and MR were pretty much the same on track. Like driving a well set-up STi. Hopping into the RS was altogether different. First off it felt like there was 25hp more. The lighter weight was very noticable. Much more nimble. I swear it feels like more than 120lbs less. Crisper turn-in, better braking, harder acceleration out of the corners. I was suprised at how different it was. But it was pretty stiff driving around the paddock. I don't think I'd want it on the street every day. Interior was better than expected. The drivers seats don't get much better. I want them in my STi. Leather bolsters with suede seating. The rears are the same. I do like the dash and center console on the STi better. The RS now has A/C standard. While it may sound like I favor the EVO over the STi, thats not the case. Kind of. IMO they're even. It all comes down to how your gonna use it. Would I get an EVO? Yes, but right now the STi is the better choice for me. Maybe when the EVO X comes out that'll change. I've got 2 more days of driving ahead. Poor me!! To add to the rear wing discussions, Mitsu now has a downforce package that adds a wickerbill to the rear spoiler and a front airdam to the front. The wickerbill was only about 3/8" tall. The cars we had didn't get the front airdam, but had the wickerbill. It caused enough downforce (or anti-lift) in the back that the cars had a big push at speed. The wickerbill was removed and the push went away. Go figure.

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08-09-2005, 11:02 PM	#2
*VSGTS14* n00b Feedback Score: 11 reviews Car: 05 OBP STi My Stuff: Subaru Parts Fav Mod: GT35R Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Posts: 12,145 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2004	wow they look badass now such a big improvement from the 8's...looks more like a 7 now, i loved them **** those seats

08-09-2005, 11:07 PM	#3
*VSGTS14* n00b Feedback Score: 11 reviews Car: 05 OBP STi My Stuff: Subaru Parts Fav Mod: GT35R Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Posts: 12,145 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2004	i agree though, sti still rules mitsu seems too crappy...the evo is nice...but the interior is lacking a lot.

08-09-2005, 11:36 PM	#4
Impresive-G Professional STI Racer Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 808 IWSTI Addict since: Jan 2005	only thing good on the evo is the seats and the body. dam i want does Recaros!

08-10-2005, 12:37 AM	#5
KingofImports.com Spec C Club Feedback Score: 0 reviews Posts: 1,445 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2004	Great review! Its interesting to see the new evolved evolution...

08-10-2005, 02:04 AM	#6
*GZA* Super Moderator Feedback Score: 6 reviews Car: 2005 STi My Stuff: Subaru Parts Location: Irvine/Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 1,297 IWSTI Addict since: Mar 2005	Good review. I can`t wait to test drive one of them, if the dealers here let me. I love my STi, but for the first time I`m wondering if I should have waited and gotten the Evo9 instead. Someone tell me something so I can get these terrible thoughts out of my head! That red Evo looks awesome!

08-10-2005, 02:48 AM	#7
Whitford S204 Racer Feedback Score: 1 reviews Car: JBP 04 WRX STi Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,557 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003	I want one. *cough

08-10-2005, 03:21 AM	#8
*Nachos Libres* Platinum Member Feedback Score: 0 reviews Car: 2005 Mazda 6 My Stuff: Subaru Parts Fav Mod: Car Seat Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 9,284 IWSTI Addict since: Jul 2005	The Evo's look pretty good on the outside and I love the seats, but the console setup looks crappy (especially the stereo). I know some people say that our interior looks cheap as well (cause it's an Impreza), but I actually think it looks really nice compared to the Evo. If Mitsu ever considered upgrading the look of the interior I would consider buying one as my next car.

08-10-2005, 06:23 AM	#9
normansti Spec C Club Feedback Score: 1 reviews Location: Dearborn MI Posts: 1,290 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2004	your one lucky mo fo

08-10-2005, 07:47 AM	#10
StrikTerorInst Junior STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Car: Trails&Tarmac Fav Mod: DR Location: DC Posts: 131 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2003	Ahhh....finally the EVO as it should have been released in the US...well...not really still missing AYC. But looks wise they got something right...although I do miss the side gills from the VII on the front bumper. I am trying to justify here folks...very tempted...help! Do you have a good shot of the EB IX.??