A modern car that performs / handles as well as a Mitsubishi

[PorkRind]

Evo?

After having a few cars since the Evo i dont know what else i could get that would give me the same traction, outright performance and stopping power as my evo used to, for the money? The german hot hatches dont offer such traction, even though theyre now sporting evo'esque power figures. Nothing gave me such confidence and inspired me to want to drive as much as i used to drive mine.

Is there a modern supercar slayer that mimics the evo's qualitys but with a modern element, and perhaps more than 20 mpg?

I need some fun in my life but i cant justify 4500 mile service intervals and 20 mpg. Mid 20's and 10k services would be ok.. Something rearward led and tonnes of traction to boot?! I dont think there is such a thing, is there?

[Crush]

Impreza?

[sebhaque]

The Impreza? Or WRX or whatever it's called this generation.

I had an Evo 8 (hated it), had a blobeye Impreza STi (loved it) - the STi was a much more useable car. The newer ones have cruise control/air con/a better interior etc, but they're not built with smart interiors in mind.

While the Evo was undoubtedly better to drive on track, the Impreza was 95% as good but was so much better for general usage. I think I know what you're missing in the Evo - the Subaru's geared better so that you're not spinning up the turbo at 70mph - cruising at 80mph returned mid-high 20mpg, at 70 was just touching 30mpg, and at 60 was just over 35mpg. The service intervals are every 12k rather than 4.5k, interior visibility's surprisingly better and the turning circle is a vast improvement on the ocean liner-esque circle of the Evo.

You could potentially look at something like an Exige or a VX220 Turbo as well, with a grippy set of tyres on them you'll be showing a lot of faster cars a clean pair of heels on the twisty roads, yet when you calm down you can achieve fantastic fuel economy (I saw over 40mpg from my VXT) with normal service intervals (12-15k).

[Toltec]

I felt pretty much the same about my Impreza, I found the trick was not to find a replacement, but to find something new.

Have you ever tried an Elise or Caterham?

[Tuvra]

Fettled Audi TTRS

The new FRS should tick a lot of boxes too.

[ikarl]

Handling? Really?

If you want a lesson in handling, look at something like an Elise/vx220 or even an m3. If you want a car the grips and makes the most of that, evo/impreza/audi ttrs/golf R/merc a45 amg

Edited by ikarl on Thursday 28th May 00:34

[ikarl]

What about a GTR?

12months or every 9,000 miles service. 20mpg and rear-biased...

Eta - in fact, I think this is exactly the car you're trying to describe!

[masermartin]

M135i? Based on the hype anyway.

[so called]

Just to point out that not all Mitsubishi's handle great.
The Gallant 2,5 V6 I bought my Wife had terrible under steer.

[Ved]

Carrera 4S perhaps? What budget are you planning on using?

[PorkRind]

Tuvra said:

Fettled Audi TTRS

The new FRS should tick a lot of boxes too.

The audi's are just a big bunch of understeery mess bar the b7 rs4 and perhaps the r8.. Both sort of out of my budget.

A.G. said:

I know what youre saying but I totally understand where he is coming from.

Im glad someone knows what im getting at.. If only the VAG/Merc '4wd' cars could use proper diffs that allowed power oversteer on their cars and im sure id be satisfied. Its that or i get another
evo.

Ved said:

Carrera 4S perhaps? What budget are you planning on using?

Budgets about 20k.

Edited by PorkRind on Thursday 28th May 09:08

[Hoofy]

Since you mention power oversteer and you enjoy driving, try something like a BMW ie RWD. Who cares about traction and grip if it's fun you're looking for. If it's just about grip/traction/not crashing, get a low powered FWD car with quality tyres.

[SirSquidalot]

370z ?

[NailedOn]

Evo X?
Better brakes than an STI and very useable.
Also rapido!

[PorkRind]

Will an evo x do 27mpg on a run? Does it have silly service intervals?

[StottyEvo]

ikarl said:

Handling? Really?

If you want a lesson in handling, look at something like an Elise/vx220 or even an m3. If you want a car the grips and makes the most of that, evo/impreza/audi ttrs/golf R/merc a45 amg

Edited by ikarl on Thursday 28th May 00:34

Do you know what handling is?

The adjust-ability on the limit in an Evo is unrivaled by anything I've ever driven or been in, and that's one hell of a list. The consistency and predictability of the handling are what enables you to drive so fast in an Evo, I doubt cornering Gs are that high at all.

When comparing the the Impreza I always remember a Top Gear back to back, The Evo 8 MR FQ320 against the Impreza WR1. Both 320hp and the same weight but the Evo was 3.4seconds around the track faster, back to back. They aren't even in the same league for performance and in that situation the only differential is the cornering.

In response to the OP, I'd look towards a Golf R or if you want that feeling where the car is moving around you constantly then I'd look towards the brand new Impreza.

Changing the game is also a good idea, a Supercharged GT86 or an E46 M3? Something different from the Evo because if you're looking for a 4wd rally machine nothing is as good.

[C.A.R.]

£20k?

Get a nice P1 Impreza and relax in the knowledge that it is unlikely to depreciate!

Pistonheads recently did a topic on the R32 GTR - whilst I appreciate that it is old, you admit that the current GTR model is out of budget. An older GTR will be both joyful to drive and - if looked after - a worthy investment.

It's just whether it could be lived with as a daily - I think I may be in cloud cuckoo land thinking that is the case...

[RobM77]

OP: You probably won't find a car with as much traction, performance and stability as the Evo, but do try something with much less weight, a lower centre of gravity and rear drive; such a car will be a very different experience and possibly one that you'll prefer. When I was 23 years old I sought performance and traction and bought a Celica Carlos Sainz. It was a great car and in top condition, but after two years I switched to a mk1 MR2 and had miles more fun, and have never looked back (I've since owned two Caterhams, an Elise, a 2-Eleven and actually a string of BMWs, which I actually prefer handling wise to the Celica due to the lower weight and rear drive). Prioritising involvement over performance may not be for you, but it might be worth a go!

[PorkRind]

StottyEvo said:

Do you know what handling is?

The adjust-ability on the limit in an Evo is unrivaled by anything I've ever driven or been in, and that's one hell of a list. The consistency and predictability of the handling are what enables you to drive so fast in an Evo, I doubt cornering Gs are that high at all.

When comparing the the Impreza I always remember a Top Gear back to back, The Evo 8 MR FQ320 against the Impreza WR1. Both 320hp and the same weight but the Evo was 3.4seconds around the track faster, back to back. They aren't even in the same league for performance and in that situation the only differential is the cornering.

In response to the OP, I'd look towards a Golf R or if you want that feeling where the car is moving around you constantly then I'd look towards the brand new Impreza.

Changing the game is also a good idea, a Supercharged GT86 or an E46 M3? Something different from the Evo because if you're looking for a 4wd rally machine nothing is as good.

Another evo it is then! The evo was planted, but had tonnes of mid corner adjustability. Be nice if modern cars were made with handling traits akin..

[Ali_T]

PorkRind said:

Will an evo x do 27mpg on a run? Does it have silly service intervals?

You'll be lucky to get 23mpg but the service intervals are 10months/10,000 miles which is more palatable. And anyone classifying the Golf R, A45 AMG and S3 in with the Evo hasn't driven both. The German cars are inert, understeering, poor approximations of the real thing. The Focus RS is the only car on the horizon that has the possibility of matching the old Evos.