Mitsubishi Evo X: PH Carpool
First car something to forget about and move on from? Not for this Stateside PHer!
Car: Mitsubishi Evolution X
Owned since: April 2014
Previously owned: "Uhh... nothing!"
As a Gran Turismo child this is an obvious choice
"Considering I am 18 it's fair to say that I am part of the 'PlayStation generation' so many of my dream cars are from the 90s until now. As a young petrolhead Gran Turismo quickly became a large part of my life and through this medium I found a passion with Japanese sports cars. I dreamt of owning Impreza 22Bs, Hakosukas, R34s, R32s, Supras and so on. After driving my father's beater car, a 2004 Acura TSX, for a year it was time to purchase a car.
"My parents said they would help under one condition: it had to be a new car. This severely hindered my options but it quickly became clear that one of two rally legends would find their way into my home. After a long month of Googling and arguments I stumbled upon a white gem of an Evo that would become mine."
What I wish I'd known:
"Nothing really. In the months leading to the purchase I spent quite a bit of time on forums researching and reading. The main thing I wished I had known was how annoying just five gears can be. I started driving in manual cars and both had six speeds. The main issue is highway driving. I can happily cruise in my dad's old Acura or his Audi at 80 miles per hour in sixth but cruising at eighty miles per hour with the engine is turning over at 4,000rpm can be tiresome on long drives."
Six months in and the tweaks have begun!
"Most people fall in love with their first car and for me it is no exception. This is a no frills kind of car, nothing to distract you from the pleasure of driving. For a young chap like myself it offers a certain "Fast and the Furious" effect every time I get in, walk away, or just look at it. My two absolute favorite things are the turbo and the way it handles. Having never driven a heavily turbocharged car, I never tire of thew way boost builds and then rockets you down the road. It is very addictive and makes for an exciting ride even to the shops.
"Then there is the way it goes down a twisty road. My father owns a first generation B8 S4 and I loved it. His is Stasis tuned so it is quite brisk but the Evo, while not necessarily faster, makes the Audi feel soft and mushy. Its so hard, so focused, and so sharp. The four-wheel drive system allows enough slip so that it doesn't understeer and it just grips and takes off. It makes any drive an occasion and while it has got me into some trouble, it was well worth it. Another thing that I love about this car is the community it has opened up to me. I have met so many people, attended so many events, and made some amazing new friends just by owning this car. It is truly amazing."
This will be "got me into some trouble" then...
"Occasionally I will look at my mate's 2015 WRX STI and will feel jealous of their interior. The interior of the Evo is fairly bereft of luxuries. I have a head unit and some plastic piano black trim. That's about it."
Costs:
"The cost of owning this car haven't been too bad. Obviously it has only been six months and in that time the only thing it has cost me is a $30 service after 2,500 miles. That said fuel is a pain, it's probably my primary expense at university. On a long drive I can see 18 to 20mpg but around town it will drop to about 12 mpg. Also it has a tiny fuel tank so be prepared to spend a lot of time at the pump. However, there are more fun ways to spend money. I have installed a Cobb SF air intake, H&R lowering springs, and Ichiba 22mm spacers all round. All in it was about $800 with shipping. Also various soaps and car washing tools."
Track day is on the to-do list for 2015
"The most memorable event I have done with the car was an invite-only cruise from Harlem, through the heart of Manhattan, to the base of the island held by SNTRL called Pregame. This was a sort of pre-show to Wekfest East. After that there were various shows and local meets. In 2015 I aim to participate in my first track day at Englishtown Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ and a track day at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut."
What next?
"Right now I am happy with the car but, as any petrolhead would know, you don't own the project car, the project car owns you. I am looking at a new set of wheels and stickier tyres for next spring and maybe an exhaust with tune to gain a few horsepower. As for keeping the car I am not sure. I always swore to myself that I would keep my first car but the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R became legal this year in the US. The Skyline has been a unicorn car of mine for as long as I can remember and I would be lying if I said I haven't been keeping an eye on the PH Classifieds, but I will cross that bridge when it comes. I love this car and that's all that matters."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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