Would you buy an EVO viii ?

Would you buy an EVO viii ?

Author
Discussion

youngsyr

14,742 posts

191 months

Monday 14th May 2012
quotequote all
I'll declare my interest at the outset - I own a modified Evo VIII FQ-330 (and I also put together the model difference guide quoted on the previous page).

The performance of an Evo belies the figures, yes they may have the same peak power of other cars, but other cars don't have 4WD, 3 LSDs, short ratio gearboxes and a heavily turbocharged 2.0L engine. The torque curve is a much better indicator of its performance, but it's almost always ignored, so instead consider that a 400 bhp Evo VII to IX MR is capable of a sub 4 second 0-60 time, which feels like I imagine Wile E Coyote does when he slingshots himself after Roardrunner.



In short, you can race motorbikes 0-60mph in them in the dry and beat them in the wet.v Admittedly, after 100 mph the frantic acceleration slows, but they're still no slouches and unless you're a track day addict (and it sounds like you're not), that won't bother you at all.

And that's just in a straight-line, they also weigh less than a modern hatchback and corner exceptionally well, which is why they have the supercar slayer reputation.

The above aside, they do lack driver involvement compared to something like an MX-5, or Elise at normal speeds as they are just so capable. You generally have to be doing silly speeds to feel like you're pushing the car to its limits.

As an aside, after 5 1/2 years of ownership I'm putting mine up for sale shortly (but I'm based in Essex) - change in job means I need a sensible motorway mile muncher rather than a ballistic B road blaster.


xkrG

Original Poster:

2,870 posts

274 months

Monday 14th May 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the write-up, love the wile coyote reference

You'll be pleased to hear that I have invested in an 05 ViiiMR FQ320. She's having the bodywork perfected at the moment (stone chips and wheel refurb) and im picking her up on Saturday.

I do the odd track-day, but am a beginner, so wont be using the evo. My mate has a track-slag that we use.

I cant sleep and its still 4 days away

VinceFox

20,566 posts

171 months

Monday 14th May 2012
quotequote all
youngsyr said:
I'll declare my interest at the outset - I own a modified Evo VIII FQ-330 (and I also put together the model difference guide quoted on the previous page).

The performance of an Evo belies the figures, yes they may have the same peak power of other cars, but other cars don't have 4WD, 3 LSDs, short ratio gearboxes and a heavily turbocharged 2.0L engine. The torque curve is a much better indicator of its performance, but it's almost always ignored, so instead consider that a 400 bhp Evo VII to IX MR is capable of a sub 4 second 0-60 time, which feels like I imagine Wile E Coyote does when he slingshots himself after Roardrunner.



In short, you can race motorbikes 0-60mph in them in the dry and beat them in the wet.v Admittedly, after 100 mph the frantic acceleration slows, but they're still no slouches and unless you're a track day addict (and it sounds like you're not), that won't bother you at all.

And that's just in a straight-line, they also weigh less than a modern hatchback and corner exceptionally well, which is why they have the supercar slayer reputation.

The above aside, they do lack driver involvement compared to something like an MX-5, or Elise at normal speeds as they are just so capable. You generally have to be doing silly speeds to feel like you're pushing the car to its limits.

As an aside, after 5 1/2 years of ownership I'm putting mine up for sale shortly (but I'm based in Essex) - change in job means I need a sensible motorway mile muncher rather than a ballistic B road blaster.
Those pics sum up the evo experience better than anything else ive read or seen in here.

youngsyr

14,742 posts

191 months

Tuesday 15th May 2012
quotequote all
xkrG said:
Thanks for the write-up, love the wile coyote reference

You'll be pleased to hear that I have invested in an 05 ViiiMR FQ320. She's having the bodywork perfected at the moment (stone chips and wheel refurb) and im picking her up on Saturday.

I do the odd track-day, but am a beginner, so wont be using the evo. My mate has a track-slag that we use.

I cant sleep and its still 4 days away
Good news. If you're worried enough about stone chips to have the bonnet painted, I'd carefully consider some form of protection for the front of the bonnet - they are a magnet for stone chips and you will pick up new ones pretty much immediately.

You can get a clear/vinyl film applied, but I'm not sure how soon after a respray this can be done without jeopardising the fresh paint.




xkrG

Original Poster:

2,870 posts

274 months

Saturday 19th May 2012
quotequote all
UPDATE

Thanks for all the advice guys

I picked up my Gunmetal Viii MR FQ-320 today !!!!

WOW what a piece of kit - lovely lovely car. The dealer did a superb job of respraying the bonnet and tidying it up, it looks brand new.
Did 180 miles today, suprisingly good on the motorway.

Off to a car meet/event tomorrow. Give me a couple of days and i'll post a photo.

Hope to be alot more active in this forum now too

Question = are the inside bootlids supposed to have carpet/trim on them as mine doesnt ?

liner33

10,642 posts

201 months

Sunday 20th May 2012
quotequote all
yes the boot should be fully trimmed

Glad you are enjoying it , have you joined the MLR yet , really worthwhile imo

rsv gone!

11,288 posts

240 months

Sunday 20th May 2012
quotequote all
The actual bootlids arent trimmed.

youngsyr

14,742 posts

191 months

Sunday 20th May 2012
quotequote all
It should look like this, minus the blue strut bars:


xkrG

Original Poster:

2,870 posts

274 months

Sunday 20th May 2012
quotequote all
Nice, but youve shown a photo of everything EXCEPT the inner bootlid ?

mine is just bare metal (painted) on the inner bootlid

youngsyr

14,742 posts

191 months

Sunday 20th May 2012
quotequote all
The inside of the bootlid is painted metal, should be the same colour as the rest of the car.

mrmr96

13,736 posts

203 months

Monday 21st May 2012
quotequote all
xkrG said:
Nice, but youve shown a photo of everything EXCEPT the inner bootlid ?

mine is just bare metal (painted) on the inner bootlid
+1. That is normal.

xkrG

Original Poster:

2,870 posts

274 months

Monday 21st May 2012
quotequote all
Thanks guys, i thought that may be the case.

Those Japs and their weight saving !

Evil.soup

3,595 posts

204 months

Tuesday 22nd May 2012
quotequote all
xkrG said:
Thanks for the write-up, love the wile coyote reference

You'll be pleased to hear that I have invested in an 05 ViiiMR FQ320. She's having the bodywork perfected at the moment (stone chips and wheel refurb) and im picking her up on Saturday.

I do the odd track-day, but am a beginner, so wont be using the evo. My mate has a track-slag that we use.

I cant sleep and its still 4 days away
Glad you found yourself a good one, it is a different world of driving! The Japanese really do a great job of creating technical masterpiece!!

christofmccracke

881 posts

199 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2012
quotequote all
We need pics smile

gsrgeoff

258 posts

229 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2012
quotequote all
Welcome to evo ownership.

I've on my 14th in 12 years (I love them so much I keep moving from one to another / have gone from II GSR to VIII MR and currently have a VII).

Very hard cars to leave - i've tried a few times but always come back to them for the sheer way they drive with the power / grip & direct steering.

Be careful of rust on the bootlid where the spoiler attaches to and the laquer fading on the rear spoiler - very common on VIII MR's.


rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
gsrgeoff said:
Welcome to evo ownership.

I've on my 14th in 12 years (I love them so much I keep moving from one to another / have gone from II GSR to VIII MR and currently have a VII).

Very hard cars to leave - i've tried a few times but always come back to them for the sheer way they drive with the power / grip & direct steering.

Be careful of rust on the bootlid where the spoiler attaches to and the laquer fading on the rear spoiler - very common on VIII MR's.
14 yikes That's obsessional hehe

Out of interest which was your favourite?

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

207 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Enjoy it!

I know you aren't wanting huge power yet, but plan for stage 1 (induction, decat/sports cat, 3 port boost solenoid or ebc, walbro fuel pump and a remap), it makes it even more of a weapon with 380-400bhp biggrin

As already said, get on the MLR smile

keemaklan

418 posts

149 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Pictures. Now!

morgs_

1,663 posts

186 months

Thursday 24th May 2012
quotequote all
Look forward to seeing it in the flesh Giles! Are you going to let Paul loose on it? tongue out

With the stone chips, I think that is a fairly Japanese trait. My Z loves picking them up, the front bumper especially. Mate's FN2 Civic TypeR seems to have more white than red on it's bumper and bonnet.

As someone else said, the film is a worthwhile consideration because no matter how careful you are, it will only get chipped again.