Mitsubishi Evo: worthy "icon" or obsolete "dinosaur"?
Discussion
Growing up in the Group A rally era, I’m a massive fan of the homologation specials that Group A rallying brought us and in my experience those cars make great fast road cars and were a distinct “step up” in performance/specialness from the hot hatches of the day. Sadly the ship has long since sailed price-wise on the quattros, Escort Cosworths and Integrales of this world but the later Evos and Imprezas are still somewhat attainable. I owned a “blobeye” Impreza WRX Wagon for 3 years and it was a fantastic yet practical fast road car with a good performance/handling/comfort compromise I thought. I guess if I were to go for another Impreza, it would be a “blobeye” WRX STI, the later cars just don’t appeal…but I’ve kind of been there done that and I always fancied owning an Evo.
I’ve only ever driven one, a “base” Evo 8 (260 I think) that a friend had on loan. The consensus at the time seemed to be that the Evo was faster and a bit sharper than the Impreza and I’d go along with that but I remember the clutch being a little tricky and the ride being very firm bordering on unpleasant and remember this was only the “base” model.
The thing is, used Evos aren’t that common or particularly cheap any more and arguably you can get a Golf R/RS3/A45/M135i/M140i for similar money that is just as fast/faster, cheaper to run/more reliable, more comfortable and more practical. Granted these cars don’t have the pedigree/iconic status of the Evo but do these kind of cars make the Evo obsolete and overrated or is there still some substance behind the legend?
For me, the Evo Vs/Vis are the most iconic and the ones that evoke the Tommi Makkinen Evo glory days but they are all 20+ years old now. Are the Evo VIIs/VIIIs/IXs significantly quicker/better and being a bit more modern, more practical/usable/reliable? I seem to remember some of the bigger powered versions being described as a bit “laggy”, so where’s the “sweet spot” in the range? As with the Imprezas, the Evo Xs are not bad-looking cars in isolation but don’t really do anything for me, as the rallying connection simply isn’t there any more.
So does the Mitsubishi Evo deserve its iconic status and is owning one still an “itch” worth scratching , which version best deserves the iconic status or has it now been rendered obsolete by (better?) and faster, modern performance cars?
I’ve only ever driven one, a “base” Evo 8 (260 I think) that a friend had on loan. The consensus at the time seemed to be that the Evo was faster and a bit sharper than the Impreza and I’d go along with that but I remember the clutch being a little tricky and the ride being very firm bordering on unpleasant and remember this was only the “base” model.
The thing is, used Evos aren’t that common or particularly cheap any more and arguably you can get a Golf R/RS3/A45/M135i/M140i for similar money that is just as fast/faster, cheaper to run/more reliable, more comfortable and more practical. Granted these cars don’t have the pedigree/iconic status of the Evo but do these kind of cars make the Evo obsolete and overrated or is there still some substance behind the legend?
For me, the Evo Vs/Vis are the most iconic and the ones that evoke the Tommi Makkinen Evo glory days but they are all 20+ years old now. Are the Evo VIIs/VIIIs/IXs significantly quicker/better and being a bit more modern, more practical/usable/reliable? I seem to remember some of the bigger powered versions being described as a bit “laggy”, so where’s the “sweet spot” in the range? As with the Imprezas, the Evo Xs are not bad-looking cars in isolation but don’t really do anything for me, as the rallying connection simply isn’t there any more.
So does the Mitsubishi Evo deserve its iconic status and is owning one still an “itch” worth scratching , which version best deserves the iconic status or has it now been rendered obsolete by (better?) and faster, modern performance cars?
Every owner/driver of one I’ve ever known either on forums or reviews or in person swears by them as something you have to drive and that’s good enough for me.
I was always an Evo guy over an Impreza guy as a kid even though I was a McRae fan. I’d love to have a drive or even a passenger ride in one now but ownership is probably unattainable.
I was always an Evo guy over an Impreza guy as a kid even though I was a McRae fan. I’d love to have a drive or even a passenger ride in one now but ownership is probably unattainable.
I got myself an Evo 5 last year and it's been much better than I had anticipated, no regrets at all, it's such a well balanced car.
I don't think there is a comparison with modern performance cars like Golf R's really, Evo's are decades behind in technology and all the better for it. An M2 or Golf R or whatever would probably be much faster/safer/more modern etc, but that means nothing to me, I just enjoy driving.
I don't think there is a comparison with modern performance cars like Golf R's really, Evo's are decades behind in technology and all the better for it. An M2 or Golf R or whatever would probably be much faster/safer/more modern etc, but that means nothing to me, I just enjoy driving.
Group A just meant not that modified compared to full blown WRC
You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
Biased obviously, but I think they were an extraordinary achievement in their time. Time does march on though, and a current mapped hatch with a DSG box will murder it to 100 mph now, even an Evo with 400 brake can't live with that. Possibly a different story on a wet twisty road with equal drivers, but I don't go much for the newer stuff that might be considered a replacement, so no first hand experience of a comparison.
It doesn't make the Evo obsolete or a bad car, just a cruel reality. I think they deserve the status of icon, and judging by the reaction it gets from those who know what it is, so do others.
It doesn't make the Evo obsolete or a bad car, just a cruel reality. I think they deserve the status of icon, and judging by the reaction it gets from those who know what it is, so do others.
white_goodman said:
DanielSan said:
Yes it deserves icon status and yes it's worth buying one.
Which do you think would be the one to buy?
in hindsight and with how values went even while I had the Impreza I should've got the Evo 6. Volvolover said:
Group A just meant not that modified compared to full blown WRC
You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
I'm one of the biggest fast Ford stans around but come on-an Evo or STI pissed all over anything Ford offered in the late 90s/00s, at least in performance terms. Between the Escort Cosworth and the Mk2 RS Ford didn't offer anything that was even playing the same sport, let alone in the same leagueYou could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
As a VII RS owner with a few grp N bits on...so not standard...here's my perspective.
They'd leave a RWD BMW for dead down a b road simply due to the extra mass a modern BMW carries. But engine wise - there's no comparison.
However, I'm going to controversial here. Even mine running Exe-TC dampers, tarmac rally spec electronics, and pointy geo, is a big numb thing that flatters the driver...until they don't... And at that point you are going very very fast and it's going to hurt.
If you want a real drivers car, go buy a caterfield or an Elise... Way way more fun to drive. These you can steer on the throttle or with the wheel. They're delightfully tactile, in contrast to an evo, which is turn in, plant the throttle, and then balance grip with varying degrees of opposite lock. This is fun in its own right, but not in the same league.
If you look at one in relation to buying - get it on a ramp. They all rot. Look for receipts of a proper underseal job, I. E. wax injected into the chassis, doors, etc.
They'd leave a RWD BMW for dead down a b road simply due to the extra mass a modern BMW carries. But engine wise - there's no comparison.
However, I'm going to controversial here. Even mine running Exe-TC dampers, tarmac rally spec electronics, and pointy geo, is a big numb thing that flatters the driver...until they don't... And at that point you are going very very fast and it's going to hurt.
If you want a real drivers car, go buy a caterfield or an Elise... Way way more fun to drive. These you can steer on the throttle or with the wheel. They're delightfully tactile, in contrast to an evo, which is turn in, plant the throttle, and then balance grip with varying degrees of opposite lock. This is fun in its own right, but not in the same league.
If you look at one in relation to buying - get it on a ramp. They all rot. Look for receipts of a proper underseal job, I. E. wax injected into the chassis, doors, etc.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
As a VII RS owner with a few grp N bits on...so not standard...here's my perspective.
They'd leave a RWD BMW for dead down a b road simply due to the extra mass a modern BMW carries. But engine wise - there's no comparison.
However, I'm going to controversial here. Even mine running Exe-TC dampers, tarmac rally spec electronics, and pointy geo, is a big numb thing that flatters the driver...until they don't... And at that point you are going very very fast and it's going to hurt.
If you want a real drivers car, go buy a caterfield or an Elise... Way way more fun to drive. These you can steer on the throttle or with the wheel. They're delightfully tactile, in contrast to an evo, which is turn in, plant the throttle, and then balance grip with varying degrees of opposite lock. This is fun in its own right, but not in the same league.
If you look at one in relation to buying - get it on a ramp. They all rot. Look for receipts of a proper underseal job, I. E. wax injected into the chassis, doors, etc.
I had all sorts of cossies 500bhp etc They'd leave a RWD BMW for dead down a b road simply due to the extra mass a modern BMW carries. But engine wise - there's no comparison.
However, I'm going to controversial here. Even mine running Exe-TC dampers, tarmac rally spec electronics, and pointy geo, is a big numb thing that flatters the driver...until they don't... And at that point you are going very very fast and it's going to hurt.
If you want a real drivers car, go buy a caterfield or an Elise... Way way more fun to drive. These you can steer on the throttle or with the wheel. They're delightfully tactile, in contrast to an evo, which is turn in, plant the throttle, and then balance grip with varying degrees of opposite lock. This is fun in its own right, but not in the same league.
If you look at one in relation to buying - get it on a ramp. They all rot. Look for receipts of a proper underseal job, I. E. wax injected into the chassis, doors, etc.
I repeat the above. I had an 8mr and a friend had a Tomi mak and insanely capable never felt like you were going to fast coming up to a bends but overall a bit slow.
Then always thought it would break if treated like a cossie - I launched it once in my ownership and didn’t like the “feeling” and I didn’t fancy working on it too much.
and every fastener broke when removing - bumpers, intercooler etc
And then it was an absolute pain in the arse to sell!! With dreamer px’s and how much for cash I px’d with a mates Ford ranger.
I wouldn’t pay today’s money for one imho - same for a cossie.
white_goodman said:
The thing is, used Evos aren’t that common or particularly cheap any more and arguably you can get a Golf R/RS3/A45/M135i/M140i for similar money that is just as fast/faster, cheaper to run/more reliable, more comfortable and more practical.
I'd be buying an Evo for fun, engagement and character; reliability, comfort and practicality would not factor.Volvolover said:
Group A just meant not that modified compared to full blown WRC
You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
Does the OP not mean Group B?You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
Skyedriver said:
Volvolover said:
Group A just meant not that modified compared to full blown WRC
You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
Does the OP not mean Group B?You could get a Group A Proton or Fabia
EVO’s were ok at the time, them and subarus occupied the same space as a fast Ford , cheap and snapping at the heels of proper sports cars in terms of pace (not dynamics) And massively tuneable.
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