Will a standard EVO IX do 30mpg?

[milfordkong]

As the post title suggests, I have an itch for an EVO IX and whilst I do of course realise that expecting a focused performance car to have good fuel economy is a foolish mindset it would be nice to know that if I chose to take it easy and had my wife and dog in the car (Neither of whom are even remotely interested in any sort of 'spirited driving') then I could potentially get 30mpg-ish out of it on a gentle run.

Absolutely happy to be told no, don't be an idiot... but please don't tell me I shouldn't be looking at an Evo if I want good mpg - I understand the thought process that provokes a response like that, but I would have no problem with the mpg being poor when the car is being used appropriately and i'm not expecting it to head to the forecourt with the same frequency as a 1.9TDi - My question really is if the car is driven gently and economically will it get the aforementioned 30mpg figure regularly - Or is it such a honed and wild beast that it'll never better low 20's even if you drive around like you have a boot full of priceless antiques?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

[geeks]

While I haven't owned one (yet) I was told by a guy who had two back to back that he only ever saw high 20's when babying around. He did like to get a move on though so maybe it's possible.

[designforlife]

Doubtful IMO, all my mates that had them used to be lucky to get mid to high 20s.

[adam.]

If you're thinking about an Evo and fuel consumption is a consideration, an Evo isn't for you.

Mine will only do 200 miles to a tank if it's a long long run (all motorway @~80 for example), and that's about 22MPG.

[toon10]

It won't even do 30 mpg on the back of a trailer.

[milfordkong]

Thanks all, much appreciated. Should probably stop trying to man-maths it and abandon the idea.

[adam.]

There's also the fact they're almost entirely water soluble.

[geeks]

Don't they also have ridiculous service intervals?

[adam.]

4,500 miles, or 5 minutes, whichever is sooner.

[designforlife]

if you want something driver focused, of a similar era, but actually vaguely practical, take a look at Honda Integra DC5s.

10k service intervals, reasonable parts and service costs, generally reliable as a daily and will do high 20s even if you rag them, 30+ on longer runs, and you can fold down the rear seats and stick a wardrobe in the car should you ever need to.

[rallye101]

I've had mine since 2005 and done 53000 miles. You'll get 16ish round town, 23ish off boost on a gentle run...

[rallye101]

adam. said:

There's also the fact they're almost entirely water soluble.

No they're not, not UK cars anyway...not sure about grey imports and lack of underseal though?

[adam.]

Especially UK cars, as they've been here 15-20 years now. All that underseal does is seal in additional moisture. They go from the inside out, by the time you can see it it's too late.

Unless an Evo is kept indoors, dehumidified and off the road in Winter, it'll be corroding.

[designforlife]

Evos like to rust, especially the early ones... it's absolutely a consideration. Underseal if applied only does so much, especially the factory stuff applied to UKDM cars.

If I owned one it wouldn't see the roads in winter.

[rallye101]

Got lucky I guess?! Had a full checkup recently and all is well with the underside/wings etc
Mines garaged(no dehumidifier) but no garage queen and has an outing every couple of weeks whatever the weather, Its on commuting duty tomorrow in fact..

[milfordkong]

All useful info - I was aware of the short service intervals but perhaps not the rust/corrosion issues - Not sure I fancy that at all on a 15 year old car.

[Dan_1981]

I had an 8... no directly comparable but....


I took a very very steady drive down a 90% motorway route for a couple of hundred miles, tried to stay off boost etc.

Just touched 27MPG.

A fun weekend I had resulted in single figures.

30 is wishful thinking I think.

[designforlife]

milfordkong said:

All useful info - I was aware of the short service intervals but perhaps not the rust/corrosion issues - Not sure I fancy that at all on a 15 year old car.

If you import a decent JDM one then existing rust won't be too much of an issue, just get it properly undersealed and off the road in winter.

That said, even the Japanese ones rust, I've seen some scary pics from importers.

[adam.]

Dan_1981 said:

A fun weekend I had resulted in single figures.

I can empty the (admittedly, tiny) tank in ~65 miles on track.

[Drew106]

milfordkong said:

Thanks all, much appreciated. Should probably stop trying to man-maths it and abandon the idea.

Don't listen to the doom & gloomers... you only live once.

Bear in mind the difference between 25 mpg & 30 mpg over 10k miles is only £421.27 (based on £1.39 for V Power).