prices of Evo 8 FQ's

[torqueofthedevil]

I always fancied a scooby but think i prefer the look of evo's and there seems to be a common assumption that they are better cars? I know the huge debate so i'll have to drive one really as ive driven loads of scoobies.

Anyway....just having a quick look today and I couldnt believe how cheap they were - average sort of price for say a 2004 evo 8 Fq-320 was anything between 8 something to 11 something!

Considering i might get 5 for my car thats not much extra to get an evo 8!.....or is it?

Are they prone to any serious failures etc. Is the service every 5000 miles? is it expensive?

Which one should i go for? I have a 120mile commute twice a week - will it do my head in? Currently used to a bmw.

I used to read loads of scooby forums but dont know much about evos - i really like the evo 8's though and seem a bargain.

[paulmoonraker]

IMHO Evos are a better car, but harder to live with. The service intervals tend to be shorter (although, I don’t know what they are for a 320), and if something goes pop then it costs more to repair. That said, if its a weekend plaything and you are not doing many miles then you are unlikely to have too higher running costs. I don’t know what the service costs are, but they are likely to be higher than a Scooby as there seem to be less specialists around, so therefore less competition.

I personally have had a 2.0ltr Impreza WRX PPP, and I recently traded that in for a 2.0ltr STi, and I love them. With a decent exhaust the sound is incredible on full boost (something the Evo lacks IMO). In addition, they seem to be holding their value well, in part because of the terrible hatchback version! Although that may well change with the introduction on the new salon model. However, I may well get an Evo 9 as my next toy.

[Daniel1]

im sure someone more knowledgable will correct me but arent the 9's much superior cars to the 8's?

[Shinobi]

The 9's are a bit better in regards to having the Mivec and better turbo etc but not much between a 8 MR and a 9.

[rhinochopig]

Personally I'd go for a well specced VII rather than an VIII or I'd pay the extra and go for a IX. The difference between the VII and VIII are tiny and personally (although I'm biased as I have a VII RS) think the VIII nose looks the worst of all the last gen cars.

A VII is also slightly lighter and you'll get more car for your money.

Re running costs:

• Eye watering fuel economy
• Servicing isn't that bad at all at a specialist of which there are hundreds around the country.

Re reliability. Standard cars are generally very reliable. Unfortunately there are few cars that are standard.

Buy with your eyes open, and join the MLR before you do for a wealth of info. And DO NOT BUY ONE THAT'S BEEN FITTED WITH LOWERING SPRINGS - it ruins the handling. There so many idiot EVO owners that do this to their road cars. Such a shame.

[youngsyr]

Shinobi said:

The 9's are a bit better in regards to having the Mivec and better turbo etc but not much between a 8 MR and a 9.

Agreed, there's not a huge amount between them, but the IX is a slightly better car. Differences between the later Evos is here:

http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=156...

Servicing need not be expensive, although it is every 4,500 miles or six months, whichever is sooner. You're looking at around £120 for a minor service from an independent.

Re commuting, you'll probably find that it costs you a lot per mile in terms of depreciation and fuel, but I wouldn't have any problems commuting in an VIII MR FQ-320 on standard suspension. Road noise will be more than in a BMW though.

Probably also worth pointing out that the insurance for Evos is expensive, so I'd check that before buying.

[youngsyr]

rhinochopig said:

...And DO NOT BUY ONE THAT'S BEEN FITTED WITH LOWERING SPRINGS - it ruins the handling. There so many idiot EVO owners that do this to their road cars. Such a shame.

Mitsubishi did it themselves to the IX MR (Eibach lowering springs on Bilstein shocks, compared to just standard springs on Bilstein shocks on the IX) and I don't recall any motoring journalists reporting that it ruined the handling?!

[rhinochopig]

youngsyr said:

rhinochopig said:

...And DO NOT BUY ONE THAT'S BEEN FITTED WITH LOWERING SPRINGS - it ruins the handling. There so many idiot EVO owners that do this to their road cars. Such a shame.

Mitsubishi did it themselves to the IX MR (Eibach lowering springs on Bilstein shocks, compared to just standard springs on Bilstein shocks on the IX) and I don't recall any motoring journalists reporting that it ruined the handling?!

Yes but mitsi will have probably specced the shocks accordingly to accommodate the shorter springs.

The longer a damper can be made, the more sensitive it is (generally speaking). By fitting lowering springs, you effectively shorten the stroke of the damper which reduces its effectiveness. Especially as it will have been specced for a longer spring.

When I bought my VII it was fitted with Ralliart dampers and some lowering springs. It was fine on a smooth road, and one of the worst handling cars down a B road. It would kick and buck all over the place. I reverted to standard springs and ride height and the difference was night and day.

I now have EXE-TCs fitted as it means lower CoG and I retain almost stock wheel travel and obviously benefit from a more sophisticated damping circuit.

Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 4th October 11:49

[Nicol@]

The scooby is more comfortable for a long drive (and sounds better).
The Evo is more fun for short drives.

Comparing the two on running costs, both are much higher than an ordinary car, with the Evo higher out of the two because of more frequent servicing. I have found all other costs roughly the same.
(I had a scooby and now have an 8 MR)

Make sure you have a really good shop around for insurance.