It depends what springs, I've fitted the Eibach pro spring kit with the standard Bilstein struts and a fast road geometry alignment. Its better than standard on a b road and the ride no harder.

I have an evo 8 maintenance costs are reasonable, minor service(engine oil change) £70 major service (200) for engine,diff and gearbox oil change

Save a bit more and buy a good 9GT.

When you come to sell in 2-3 years time, there is going to be even more of a glut of cheap 8's on the market.

The reason is because the 8 coincide with Mitsi Motors producing a UK version and softening their official position on JDM imports in 2003. So a lot of FQ and MR cars found their way to the UK roads.

I wouldn't have thought that this was an Evo. Don't get me wrong, they are brilliant cars, I'm sure, but if they are anything like our old Scooby they beat corners into submission with grip and power, rather than Lotus style adjustability.

Handling is not the rally reps' forte. Power, grip and prodigious point to point pace is.

If you really want the above, then what you want is a RX-8 (but be prepared for a lot less speed and power in exchange for your adjustable handling).

The Evo is an awesome car, but I'm willing to bet it won't feel like a 4 seat Lotus.

They're very different to a Scoob in handling terms IME. They are quite 'darty' compared to a Scoob, and their ability to change direction is not unlike a Lotus in how sharp it is. Being turbo charged they are not as adjustable on the throttle as either a Caterfield or a Lotus, but their turn in is super precise.

As Evo mag said of the VIIRS Sprint "Despite its apparent practicality, to use it on the daily commute was rather inappropriate, a little uncomfortable and felt almost illicit - effectively it was a four-door Caterham R500."

ETA Here's a nice comparison, which I think sums up the Evo / Scooby handling difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcAu0f3abXo

Ok, Today I am going to view an Evo viii MR FQ320 in gunmetal- I reckon its the best of the 8's and fits my needs. I have got a p/x price etc so if I love it, I will be at buying point.

Now is the tme to tell me i'm making a mistake ?
Or convince me its a grrrreat idea ?

I'll let you know how I get on, just got a 400 mile round trip to view it !

I did!!!

MR FQ-300 here and I still love it after 7 years!!!
You know you want to...

The bonnets do chip badly. Mine had its bonnet painted 15,000 miles ago and it has gone like it again. It is the shape of the car.

MRs were the peach of the 8s. Much closer to the 9 than the 8. Residuals are still pretty good on them, considering they are 7 years old. Their colour scheme is also the best IMO. Black trims, black wheels, black badges etc.

I picked mine up on Friday.

I'm very happy with it. The bonnet also has some stone chipping on it!

Well the registration does not appear anywhere online other than DVLA reg's.

Cant find anything on the MLR forum.

I will HPi it in the next few days, mate works at a garage and will do it for me.

This does add up, as it was owned by a woman, nurse who used it as a daily driver. Her husband thought it was a good idea ! Anyway, its not been enthusiast owned, hence its completely unmolested, hence i cant find a trace of it online.