Evo 8 FQ300. Opinions?
Discussion
Does anyone here own one? Would it feel involving enough and fast enough after an M3 and a Tuscan? What should I pay for a low mileage 2003 model? 2004? Are they reliable? A Japanese turbo 4x4 is one of the few types of cars I have not owned. I am curious and also compelled! I have read all the Evo reviews...The Exige remains an option...
Any information or alternative suggestions would be welcome...
Many thanks.
Any information or alternative suggestions would be welcome...
Many thanks.
Blag a test drive in a new one. I would imagine you'd find the power delivery a bit peaky after your TVR, though.
I have an MR300. I've only had it 4-5 weeks or so. I find it very capable - when you open it up it just launches forward. There's none of the scrabbling for grip you normally get with a 300bhp car. The car feels like it could easily take more power.
I feel a bit detached from it, though. I haven't had it long enough to explore grip levels - or even to test its wet weather grip. Sure it grips like feck. 100mph corners in my Clio (no slouch) are 110+ in the Evo. My license feels very vulnerable.
Of course, for the purposes of any law enforcement agencies, the above is all made up!
I have an MR300. I've only had it 4-5 weeks or so. I find it very capable - when you open it up it just launches forward. There's none of the scrabbling for grip you normally get with a 300bhp car. The car feels like it could easily take more power.
I feel a bit detached from it, though. I haven't had it long enough to explore grip levels - or even to test its wet weather grip. Sure it grips like feck. 100mph corners in my Clio (no slouch) are 110+ in the Evo. My license feels very vulnerable.
Of course, for the purposes of any law enforcement agencies, the above is all made up!
After a Tuscan, you might want something a bit more powerful...
Check out www.gtr.co.uk because there are some very powerful Skylines for sale from time to time
Check out www.gtr.co.uk because there are some very powerful Skylines for sale from time to time
m12_nathan said:
Get an exige. 4wd is for tractors and landrovers.
Isn't 4wd just another way of obtaining better grip, etc, the same way as putting engine in the back, to aid balance, etc? You laugh at one way of improving a cars handling, but thinks its alright to have a car that takes advantage of engine in the back? Its all pointing to a faster car!
Its the same as people who scoff at nitrous injection, but think its OK to have a turbo. same result. More oxygen in a given space.
No, it is not a way of getting better grip, it does no such thing.
And nitrous is rubbish compared to a turbo. Extra power for 10 seconds probably putting extra stress on internals that were never designed for it, or extra power all the time and internals built to match, let me think....
And nitrous is rubbish compared to a turbo. Extra power for 10 seconds probably putting extra stress on internals that were never designed for it, or extra power all the time and internals built to match, let me think....
I came very close to buying a FQ-300, but i really wasnt impressed..
The interior made a Thai prison look luxurious, and while yes it was fast, as has been mentioned above, its a very detached sensation - you dont feel part of the process.
As for pricing - with the IX coming out, and they had £1000 off and 3 years free servcing with new models, used prices have slumped somewhat - expect to pay around £20k-£22K for a good 2 year old one.
Services will bite though - every 4.5K.. and you'll be lucky to get above 25mpg.
The interior made a Thai prison look luxurious, and while yes it was fast, as has been mentioned above, its a very detached sensation - you dont feel part of the process.
As for pricing - with the IX coming out, and they had £1000 off and 3 years free servcing with new models, used prices have slumped somewhat - expect to pay around £20k-£22K for a good 2 year old one.
Services will bite though - every 4.5K.. and you'll be lucky to get above 25mpg.
shadowninja said:
After a Tuscan, you might want something a bit more powerful...
Check out <a href="www.gtr.co.uk">www.gtr.co.uk</a> because there are some very powerful Skylines for sale from time to time
I'm a Skyline fan so I'm biased, but the R34 is rarer, faster?, has dynamic 4WD that is mostly RWD until needed, better looking (matter of opinon I guess) and if you get the modding bug the Sky (sorry) and your wallet is the limit. >> Edited by Neil_H on Tuesday 17th May 17:21
Neil_H said:
After a Tuscan, you might want something a bit more powerful...
Check out <a href="www.gtr.co.uk"><a href="www.gtr.co.uk">www.gtr.co.uk</a></a> because there are some very powerful Skylines for sale from time to time
That 4wd system is available on R32, R33 and R34 GTR models.
m12_nathan said:Would your Noble be quicker around a rally stage than an Evo?
Its all pointing to a faster car!
Except it isn't. A porker c2 is quicker round a track than a c4.
4WD is about spreading the power over more wheels. And being pedantic, since tyres give more grip whilst under (some) acceleration, you will gain ultimate grip.
There are trade-offs; like 22% transmission loss against 17/18% for a RWD car. Weight is greater.
On dry tarmac a good RWD car will be quicker around a track (given similar power outputs and power:weight). On anything less than perfect, the 4WD car closes the gap. Add in driver comfort to us more mortal drivers and the 4WD car makes good sense as a point-to-point vehicle.
Grip is not the same as traction.
I don't have a Noble and if I did it would be quicker point to point than a 4wd car of similar power on a normal, less than perfect, b road (see autocar point to point test back last year).
I never took it on a gravel special stage but I'm guessing not
I don't have a Noble and if I did it would be quicker point to point than a 4wd car of similar power on a normal, less than perfect, b road (see autocar point to point test back last year).
I never took it on a gravel special stage but I'm guessing not
By grip I meant cornering grip. And I was talking about a marginal grip advantage achieved by approaching the slip angle of four tyres as opposed to two. Very marginal, I know.
4WD just makes big power more 'cope-able' with.
As to Nobles, you used to have one didn't you?
The Evo and Scooby were devised to win rally stages on poor grip surfaces. They have to achieve this within strict capacity and power limits. They are very good at this. They are compromised in other areas.
4WD just makes big power more 'cope-able' with.
As to Nobles, you used to have one didn't you?
The Evo and Scooby were devised to win rally stages on poor grip surfaces. They have to achieve this within strict capacity and power limits. They are very good at this. They are compromised in other areas.
shadowninja said:
shadowninja said:
After a Tuscan, you might want something a bit more powerful...
Check out <a href="<a href="www.gtr.co.uk">">www.gtr.co.uk"></a><a href="www.gtr.co.uk"><a href="www.gtr.co.uk">www.gtr.co.uk</a></a></a> because there are some very powerful Skylines for sale from time to time
That 4wd system is available on R32, R33 and R34 GTR models.
Oh I know, I wasn't implying that it isn't, just that the R34 is the one to go for, being my favourite
Fair enough. Although, it's slightly heavier than the R32 (by 50-100kg?), and has more (and quicker) computers, so the driving experience is slightly less satisfying, I would have thought?
Personally I prefer the looks of the R33 GTR - it looks 'ard, whereas the R32 is a bit retro muscle car and the R34 looks a bit plastic.
Personally I prefer the looks of the R33 GTR - it looks 'ard, whereas the R32 is a bit retro muscle car and the R34 looks a bit plastic.
m12_nathan said:
No, it is not a way of getting better grip, it does no such thing.
And nitrous is rubbish compared to a turbo. Extra power for 10 seconds probably putting extra stress on internals that were never designed for it, or extra power all the time and internals built to match, let me think....
So nitrous isn't a way of getting oxygen into the engine? Odd... Could you explain what it does? And why would you bother upgrading internals with a turbo, but not nitrous? In any given engine, the aim of both is to artificially increase capacity. Grip. Traction..Whatever... Its not neccessary to have a pedantic argument. If 4wd is not much of an aid, can you please tell me why all the wrc cars have 4wd?
>> Edited by Andy Mac on Wednesday 18th May 10:08
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