Would you buy an EVO viii ?

[xkrG]

Hi Folks

I am getting tempted to buy an EVO, either an viii or wait a few months and buy a ix at the end of the year, but will I be impressed ?

I currently drive a Jag XKR with a couple of mods and alot of money spent making it perfect. She puts out about 400Hp and pulls 0-60 in approx 5 seconds, but she's also good for 160+ and pulls really hard from 90-140.

My worry is whether the EVO will impress me enough and be quicker in all areas than the Jag ?

I would be looking at something like an 04 EVO viii fq-330 or a modified standard 260 thats had the money spent on it. Basically I am looking for 350-380hp so I dont have to blow a fortune on forged engine parts etc. but dont mind remaps, exhausts etc

The driving force behind the thoughts are baby number 2 is on the way so I need proper back seats.
Also it will only be a weekend car, so not too concerned about loss of the Jaguar comforts.
My car history has included TVR, Type-R Accord, Westfields etc, so i like a variety !

So what do you reckon ? Good idea or not ?
Talk me in to it ?

[xkrG]

Problem is there are none for sale near me. I live in Devon and the nearest cars are Bristol !

I dont mind travelling nationwide for the right car, but just for a test drive, i wouldnt have the time to take the Jag up there and talk p/x....working too many hours

hence i thought i'd canvass some opinions

[xkrG]

Great feedback guys - at the moment i reckon 350hp would be enough for me in an EVO.

Alot of the driving I do in anger is with a group of PH'ers and around Devon and Cornwall, regularly on Dartmoor. This is where the Evo would leave the Jag for dust.
The Jag is a powerhouse on an "A"road but winding around the lanes, I lose the rear end a fair bit due to the weight & Jaguar springs & shocks.

So I would appreciate something that handles like a lotus but carries kiddies to nursery !

I looked online at an Viii FQ330 which was pretty rare, the models only 4 months in production before the 340 arrived, better black ralli-art seats. But the piggyback chip system means to go upto 350hp i'd have to strip the chip out & start again - but would I need more than 330hp ??
Also watched a car online that started as a Viii 260 EU car, then had £5k of extras, new turbo, mapping etc etc restrained at 350hp.

So which is better, a stock FQ330 or a 260 with mods - two ways to the same result, I guess its down to opinion.

[xkrG]

liner33 said:

My mates got a XKR and I know my Evo would murder it , pretty much everywhere , the Jag does pull well when into triple digits but the Evo would be long gone by then , its a great car the Jag , I love it but its a heavy old beast

Your mate needs to upgrade his pulley so that he gets the power from 1800rpm rather than waiting to 3000rpm.
But yes, she is a heavy old beast, thats my main issue, along with needing 2 proper back seats.

Comments are starting to confirm my thought process. Just a case of when !

[xkrG]

Guvernator said:

No, I would buy a mint EVO VI Tommi Mak instead.

Whats the rust situation with older MY2000 evo vi and earlier ?
my MY2000 Jag has had to go to the bodyshop to make it perfect as rust started nibbling inside the wheel arch edges. Wanted to avoid that with a 2004-2006 car instead. But the Tommi Mak could still be an option, just put off by the age, and that dashboard

[xkrG]

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 !

[xkrG]

Well......I was looking for something different to my XKR and its certainly that.

Likes - Great driver feel and feedback. Steering like a go-cart. more driveable off-boost than expected. more progressive than i expected. Very nimble for its size. Quick.

Dislikes - This example needed paintwork tidying, bonnet chipped alot. Build quality of the panels and lack of solid feel. Interior from a 1983 nissan cherry.

Overall - I loved it, its light nimble & quick and still takes my baby to nursery ! I'm asking the dealer to respray the bonnet and refurb the wheels, then I'm having it

[xkrG]

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.

[xkrG]

Dan_1981 said:

I picked mine up on Friday.

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

Lovely car by the way,whats the spec ?

[xkrG]

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

[xkrG]

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 ?

[xkrG]

Nice, but youve shown a photo of everything EXCEPT the inner bootlid ?

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

[xkrG]

Thanks guys, i thought that may be the case.

Those Japs and their weight saving !