Which EVO

[warnster]

You have probably heard this question before but here goes...

I'm currently looking for an EVO, i'm thinking XIII or IX but am unsure which type/spec to go for?

I have around 16/17k budget and am currently leaning toward a IX FQ340 although have been told i may aswell buy something lower spec and carry out my own modifications. To be honest i dont really have the time to carry out my own mods so am ideally looking for something which has enough power in standard factory spec so i know what i'm getting as my knowledge in the tuning area is limited! The only thing i am concearned about is the regular servicing as this will be my regular drive.

I have so far test driven a tuned VIII FQ 300 which was a beauty but off boost was a pain in slow traffic and hoping to look at a couple of standard IV's this weekend one being a 360 the other a 340.


I currently drive a Jag S Type R and cover about 12000 miles a year, do you think the EVO is the right direction to follow, if so which one?!

yours very confused,

Warnster.

[sy534534]

Join us here! http://www.lancerregister.com/ all the model info you'll ever need

[jsr]

I've found this to be very useful - describes the model differences. My personal opinion is that the IX FQ360, in particular the MR version, is the model to go for.

I notice you have previously had a Chimaera 500. I'm currently thinking about parting with my 400 for an Evo, probably a VIII/IX FQ/MR version. I've not driven an Evo yet, so i would love to know your thoughts and how it compares to the Chimaera. It bet it must make the TVR feel ancient?!

Cheers,
James

Edited by jsr on Monday 4th January 20:14

[Nicol@]

My limited knowledge says go for a 9 instead of speccing an 8, especially as it is in your price range.
The 8MR is supposed to be the same as a 9 if you do want an 8.

Try some out and see what you prefer.

Edited by Nicol@ on Monday 4th January 21:05

[liner33]

The differences in the models is very apparent although I havent driven a FQ model I have found the older cars more refined and smoother but thats not what everyone wants , the earlier models ie 5 and 6 especially are quite rough around the edges and more "hardcore" although like any car of this age finding a decent one and keeping it going can be a chore if you dont enjoy that kind of stuff. Of course I'd rather commute in a 9 or 10 than a 6 thats for sure the FQ models are very appealing as its all there in the package and they are often cheaper to tune as well ie 400hp is easy out of the 9 and beyond the 6's stock engine internals

I think the secret if to drive as many as you can and then buy the best you can afford in that model as we dont all like the same thing

[warnster]

Thanks for the reply, as I said I'm looking at a couple of 9's at the weekend so will let you know. As for the tvr, their is really no comparison other than it was great fun which I imagine the evo to be, I didn't really get the chance to play much on the previous test drive! To be honest I was beaten by the tvr, it was my only transport and with a commute 60 miles a day found it too expensive with regular services and a nightmare in winter on the motorway!

If I had the cash perhaps an evo and the tvr on the drive!

Am definitely interested in the mr although a 360 is slightly out of my budget

[youngsyr]

warnster said:

Thanks for the reply, as I said I'm looking at a couple of 9's at the weekend so will let you know. As for the tvr, their is really no comparison other than it was great fun which I imagine the evo to be, I didn't really get the chance to play much on the previous test drive! To be honest I was beaten by the tvr, it was my only transport and with a commute 60 miles a day found it too expensive with regular services and a nightmare in winter on the motorway!

If I had the cash perhaps an evo and the tvr on the drive!

Am definitely interested in the mr although a 360 is slightly out of my budget

The first thing to consider is that the condition and price of the various models within a range is likely to have more of a bearing on your choice than the minor differences between the various specifications as quite often there's very little in it.

Personally I don't think the IX MR is worth the extra over the IX, but I'm basing that on the very minor technical differences between them rather than what will happen to prices. Having said that, I believe that the IX MR FQ-360 is a reasonably rare beast and so will therefore hold its value in future better than the IX FQ-360.

If looking at a IX, I'd look at the leather option vs the standard interior and then go for the lowest spec car that came with the interior you prefer, the simple reason being that even taking a IX FQ-300 to one of the many tuners dotted around the country will probably see you at 360 bhp with just a £600 remap from a morning's work and it will probably drive better than the stock FQ-360.

I would consider saving/stretching to a X though going from your requirements though - they are considerably more refined than the IX and the service interval is more than twice as long so will make a better commuter car, if not as much of a B road blaster as the IX.

At the very least you should use it as an excuse to get a drive in an X from a dealership!

[warnster]

Thinking of upping the budget.....anyone have any evo x comments?

[youngsyr]

Go and drive them both as everyone looks for different things in cars.

One benefit of the X is that it's available with the SST dual clutch semi-auto box, which appeals to some whilst others prefer the 5 speed manual option.

[bullies180]

Is it me or are Evo 7s quite rare? A quick check on autotrader and there are not that many to be seen. I'm thinking thats what my next upgrade could be but can't find that many.

[Heaveho]

Know what you mean, sixes and eights seem to be easy to find, sevens do seem more scarce. I've got a mildly modified early 8 and I'm struggling to think of anything that can do what it can and make me happier, whilst being as reliable and, if need be, practical. RS4 comes to mind, but I doubt I'd enjoy it as much, and it's German, so always the possibility of unreliability! Plus they're barmy money compared to the cost of the Evo.

[SmoothRB]

The 4G63B is the best 4 banger in town.

I'd buy a clean EV06, get the engine rebuilt with forged pistons and conrods, big turbo, cams, plenum, intercooler etc. 350-400 KW ATW's. Insane. That is a car that can do 9's down the 1/4.

[johnnywas]

I have had 2 evos an evo 3 which was really good then i had an evo7,if am honest if i was going to buy another evo i think it would have to be a 6 or older as my 7 used to get dents really easy ,where the older evos seem to be better made and dont dent easy.

[youngsyr]

johnnywas said:

I have had 2 evos an evo 3 which was really good then i had an evo7,if am honest if i was going to buy another evo i think it would have to be a 6 or older as my 7 used to get dents really easy ,where the older evos seem to be better made and dont dent easy.

I don't really understand what you're saying - you would get a 6 or older because your 7 picked up dents easily?

Anyway, the VII and VIII share the same body panels except for the front bumper, bonnet and rear spoiler - and even the new parts are made out of the same material for both models.

The only difference between the VIII and the VIII MR body panels is the aluminium roof (more dent prone) on the VIII MR vs steel roof on the VIII.

The only difference on the IX and IX MR body panels to the VIII MR are the front and rear bumpers (same materials though) and the rear spoiler uprights which are the same shape but plastic on the IXs vs Carbon Fibre on the VIII MR and VIII.

[johnnywas]

All i was saying is if i was going to buy an evo i would rather buy an older one like 1,2,3,4,5,6 as i think thay are made stronger,the newer the car the steel seem's so thin and dent's easy,my opinion thats all.

[youngsyr]

johnnywas said:

All i was saying is if i was going to buy an evo i would rather buy an older one like 1,2,3,4,5,6 as i think thay are made stronger,the newer the car the steel seem's so thin and dent's easy,my opinion thats all.

Oh right, gotcha, I read 6 or later rather than 6 or older as you typed.

The reason the steel seems thinner and more prone to dents is because it's actually aluminium - at least on the front wings and bonnet of the VII and VIIIs and the roof as well on the VIII MR and IXs.

Edited by youngsyr on Monday 11th January 16:08

[johnnywas]

Have to say though,The evo is a great car which does make driving seem abit to easy and to be honest i dont know how i never got point's as these cars dont feel fast till you look at the speedo,another good point ,you dont see that meany on the road so quite a rare car.

[youngsyr]

johnnywas said:

Have to say though,The evo is a great car which does make driving seem abit to easy and to be honest i dont know how i never got point's as these cars dont feel fast till you look at the speedo,another good point ,you dont see that meany on the road so quite a rare car.

They certainly are very easy cars to drive fast. I would imagine pretty much anyone who has a couple years driving experience could get behind the wheel and be driving quickly and confidently in just a couple of hours.

Driving them to their full potential isn't easy though, and requires not a little tuition for the average driver. Not to mention it takes big balls to push one into corners at the speeds of which they are capable!

I've had a few "helpful discussions" with the police about my driving in the 3 years I've owned mine, but generally speaking it's the way speeding is enforced these days that limits the points you get. Static cameras are easy to see in advance and in my experience mobile cameras seem only to be used in areas where you shouldn't be speeding no matter what the car.

That only leaves the unmarked traffic officers and as long as you're not breaking the land speed record with other cars around, which would be a bit stupid, or driving like a complete ass, I think they can be quite reasonable.

Of course, there's always bad luck and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but all told I think the car has only a small bearing on whether you'll get points or not.

Having blabbed on the above, now watch me go out and pick up 12 points within the next month!

Edited by youngsyr on Tuesday 12th January 10:18

[taylor8]

been a member of the Lancerregister for 5years, but no longer have an EVO, but good forum, with good info, but as other sites there are now members who talk aload of pissh! lol

Depend what you rreally want to do mate? If you are planning on doing any modding, id go with a FQ300 and mod, 400bhp in under £1500!
If not a nice FQ360 would be good if you could manage the budget.

If you are going for the X the SST is a good option, really nice to drive and smooth, but gearbox is rubbish with more power so dont buy if your thinking on modding an X stay with manual.

My advice would to be an FQ300 and do a few mods and have a nice 400bhp car.

[Heaveho]

If you plan to mod the car and can live with the ' stigma ', the smart money would go on a low mileage 260 model....significantly cheaper initial outlay, stronger, sweeter 5 speed box, approx. 1.5k buys you 400brake and the essential high rise rear spoiler! Spend another couple of hundred on 2nd hand E9 Bilstiens, plus some decent front discs, and you'll have something that'll outrun 90% of other traffic, for comparatively little outlay. If I was making the choice now, that's where I'd be, I've spent a lot more to get less on my '03 GSR.