Mitsubishi Evos. Worth the money?
Discussion
zestyfesty said:
IMO the BMW and VW are better at being ‘cars’; comfortable and refined but still fast and entertaining when you want. But they’re generic cars. An Evo is another magnitude of focus and involvement, with a genuine Motorsport pedigree but lacking modern comforts and conveniences. They drink like a fish, are never civilised, and very raw and brutal in the way they deliver their performance. And as others have said, they’re entering middle age and higher mileage. Parts are becoming an issue (here anyway). I’d never, ever entertain my wife driving our VI as a daily. Depends where your interests/priorities are. A cheap Evo is likely to cost more than the other 2 cars combined to keep it healthy. But many owners are enthusiasts who take pride and care in their cars. MLR is the way forward. R and 140i will never feel as special either
Definitely agree, I don't think we'll get anything as involving or raw as an Evo was. It's a shame that where I live has such bad weather for 80% of the year meaning that if I did get an Evo it wouldn't be driven for a majority of the time. At the moment I don't even have a garage big enough for my ST let alone an Evo so I'd need to move house before I get and evo and that to me doesn't make any financial sense at all. An M140i or a Golf R like you say are much better as being cars and I could easily get into one in the next few years. oxnop said:
I got offered a 140 xdrive lease deal from the company I had my Golf R (and wife has her e-golf zzzzz) through for c.£300 pm - which seemed like a cracking deal. That’s an all weather family ‘super’ car (especially once mapped)
It's just annoying we don't get the M140i in Xdrive here ( apparently because the Right hand drive would cause issues for the driveshafts etc). I believe we can get 3 series variants with Xdrive such as M340i's and 335d's. I think an M140i with Xdrive would have stolen the competition from things like the Golf R. wolfie28 said:
Obvious reply but go into Evo ownership with your eyes open. Get the absolute best you can afford and do your research. Decent service history (personally I prefer independent specialists), general condition paying particular attention to the dreaded corrosion and your gut feeling on the seller. These are analog cars living in a digital world with very few creature comforts. In my opinion to compare them to the modern alternatives is pointless. Car technology and development moves on at pace so some might see these types of cars as dinosaurs; however they have a soul which most modern cars do not have. To me most modern performance cars are bland white goods.
I have a highly modded 6 TME so cannot really comment on a standard Evo as I’ve never owned one. It is quite simply sensational to drive. Yes it can be tiresome on longer trips but it is an assault on all your senses. I smell slightly of oil/fuel, have an aching clutch leg and my ass has gone to sleep after a drive. Is it all worth that?? Hell yes!! Rewarding, exciting, raw and full of character in spades. I have driven many performance cars and I would not trade my Evo in for any of them.
Thanks man, nice to hear your comments and I'm happy you're enjoying your TME, must be awesome I have a highly modded 6 TME so cannot really comment on a standard Evo as I’ve never owned one. It is quite simply sensational to drive. Yes it can be tiresome on longer trips but it is an assault on all your senses. I smell slightly of oil/fuel, have an aching clutch leg and my ass has gone to sleep after a drive. Is it all worth that?? Hell yes!! Rewarding, exciting, raw and full of character in spades. I have driven many performance cars and I would not trade my Evo in for any of them.
Yeah I've read some people have gone from Evos to RS3s, M3s etc but say they're just not the same as Evos so I completely agree they are in a class of their own. Not too sure how imprezas compare but the general consensus is the Evo is a step ahead each time.
Doing more and more research every single day. But this forum is definitely helping with people such as yourself that have Evos and can guide me and give me advice. I really do appreciate it.
I'm looking for an Evo 8 but wouldn't mind anything as long as the condition is good and service history is good. I have seen Evo 4s but don't think they're worth it even though a majority seem to be a hell of a lot cheaper than newer Evos.
liner33 said:
You will be lucky to get a full service history with one, these are enthusiast cars and incredibly easy to work on. They need a service every 3k and most owners do this themselves
Yeah I understand that, it's just nice if the car has had any extensive work done that it's been carried out by a Evo specialist. jsf said:
The Impreza had a much bigger market and a lot more varieties of car than the Evo. So you see most compare an Evo to a lower spec UK turbo Impreza.
The JDM STi Imprezas were a match and often a better car, the basic layout of longitudinal all alloy boxer engine and transmission is better than a transverse top heavy in line 4 steel block layout in terms of vehicle dynamics.
In the early tuning days it was easier to get power out of an Evo and that has left a persitant memory, but once tuners understood the engines and developed products to suit that became far more balanced. Subaru tuners went on to develop companies like EcuTek and Syvecs which are now widely used on many other marques. It drove a UK tuning arena more than the Evo that persists to today IMHO.
In head to head competitions like TOTB the Subaru and Evo teams would be very close and both had winning runs. The combined MLR and 22B sprint series saw both marques fight for overall wins and the relative class performances were always very close. It's a great rivalry of two fantastic cars and enthusiast groups we are unlikely to see again.
Interesting, thank you The JDM STi Imprezas were a match and often a better car, the basic layout of longitudinal all alloy boxer engine and transmission is better than a transverse top heavy in line 4 steel block layout in terms of vehicle dynamics.
In the early tuning days it was easier to get power out of an Evo and that has left a persitant memory, but once tuners understood the engines and developed products to suit that became far more balanced. Subaru tuners went on to develop companies like EcuTek and Syvecs which are now widely used on many other marques. It drove a UK tuning arena more than the Evo that persists to today IMHO.
In head to head competitions like TOTB the Subaru and Evo teams would be very close and both had winning runs. The combined MLR and 22B sprint series saw both marques fight for overall wins and the relative class performances were always very close. It's a great rivalry of two fantastic cars and enthusiast groups we are unlikely to see again.
lambeth said:
Going back to the original question of 'worth the money' then I would say yes. These days there are new hatches/saloons that could keep up with a standard evo and are much easier to drive and far more comfortable. However they would never match the driving experience or thrill of an evo. To me the whole point of the evo is waking up early on a Sunday and going out for a spirited drive in the countryside in something 'special' that looks and sounds like nothing that can be bought new today. My Evo 6 doesn't have ABS,Yaw control etc. but because of this delivers even more excitement than any newer performance car that I have driven. Less is More. Even if ithey are quite expensive these days.
I'm glad you think they're worth it I mean,it seems as though you do need to sacrifice a lot if you own an Evo but as long as it's worth it that's all that matters. The evo 6 is the best looking evo in my opinion, just look so purposeful. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Do you also only drive it when the weather is bang on? Thanks don logan said:
I’m 100% with Lambeth and I have the same non ABS / non AYC set up.
Without meaning to be rude, and I don’t mean to be confrontational but.......
I was really irritated by your original question, - are they worth the money?
Yes the best ones are a lot more than the rotten rubbish but read what the owners of MUCH more expensive cars who also own EVOs say about them and then you’ll realise that they are CHEAP to buy, not especially cheap to run if you use them hard a lot!
My last Integrale is probably worth £50k now and I sold it for £4.5k in 2000
My CSL with the 12k miles that had on it would probably be worth £75k now, Golfs that will forgotten in 20 years can cost £45k and you are questioning £20-£25k EVOs that were built for a purpose!
To me the other cars you have mentioned aren’t worth the money, I’d rather have my £3k Clio 182 Cup than them.
“Worth” is completely different to different people, honestly I don’t think an EVO is for you, they are like a Japanese shopping car up to 4/10ths, very good 4/10ths > 7/10ths but mindbending from 7/10s onwards, 7/10ths onwards is very serious in even a standard evo, it’s not like the 500bhp FWD cars you mentioned, they’re not about that!
Go and drive a GOOD one yourself, the only thing is, you are probably only going to experience the shopping car on a test drive.
I'm really sorry I irritated you, it's just I don't know anyone on a personal level that's owned an Evo so I just wanted to see if others think they're ok value for money or not. Without meaning to be rude, and I don’t mean to be confrontational but.......
I was really irritated by your original question, - are they worth the money?
Yes the best ones are a lot more than the rotten rubbish but read what the owners of MUCH more expensive cars who also own EVOs say about them and then you’ll realise that they are CHEAP to buy, not especially cheap to run if you use them hard a lot!
My last Integrale is probably worth £50k now and I sold it for £4.5k in 2000
My CSL with the 12k miles that had on it would probably be worth £75k now, Golfs that will forgotten in 20 years can cost £45k and you are questioning £20-£25k EVOs that were built for a purpose!
To me the other cars you have mentioned aren’t worth the money, I’d rather have my £3k Clio 182 Cup than them.
“Worth” is completely different to different people, honestly I don’t think an EVO is for you, they are like a Japanese shopping car up to 4/10ths, very good 4/10ths > 7/10ths but mindbending from 7/10s onwards, 7/10ths onwards is very serious in even a standard evo, it’s not like the 500bhp FWD cars you mentioned, they’re not about that!
Go and drive a GOOD one yourself, the only thing is, you are probably only going to experience the shopping car on a test drive.
I understand you may be annoyed with the question but some Evos that were built before I was even born are still demanding a decent pricetag. I don't want to offend anyone here but I think a lot of Jap cars are increasing in price dramatically when the cars may not be completely worth the money. I'm not saying the cars are bad in anyway shape or form, and as you've said they are built for purpose. It just gets questionable when some older Japanese performance cars are demanding more money than a used R35 GTR (IMHO).
With the "worth the money" part, of course a majority will say; "yes, of course, are you stupid?!" . However, 20k+ for a car that will remain tucked away for most of the year is a lot of money for someone like me. Again, I know the cars are absolutely amazing but as I've said, you do need to sacrifice a lot to own one hence the "worth it" part. I also questioned the price of them since for 20k you can get a decently fast car ( like a Golf R, M140i etc) that you can use everyday and would be a lot more economical and cheaper to run. But as we all are well aware, they will not offer the feeling or thrill of driving an Evo.
But absolutely, I'd love to drive one someday but as you've said, I probably won't get anywhere near the Evo's capabilities on just a test drive.
I only started this thread so people that own Evos or have owned Evos could let me know if I should buy one ( not so much as an investment) or if I should avoid unless I have a garage to keep it away from the elements and only take it to car shows and out in the summer.
I mean, having read other threads and owners/pervious owner's statements on here it seems they are worth the money. There was one for sale near me a couple of weeks ago it was an Evo 7 with an Evo 8 front end and was running 620bhp I believe and had been tuned and built but MAD Developments. That was advertised for 23k, based on that alone, I don't think there's anything that could come close ( thrill or power wise) at that price point
Edited by Dylanaledhall on Wednesday 17th February 09:30
don logan said:
Hi
You don’t need to apologise, I’m just a bloke on the internet!
£20k IS a lot of money to have just sitting in a garage, I do understand and I get that you want opinions from owners / ex owners, before I bought my first 6 I did 3 250 mile round trips to see / drive one, I wasn’t comtent with reading the review in EVO magazine, I even called them to talk to them about the car amd ask questions, so I get it!
The “worth the money” question is just so hard, think about all the cars with all the different abilities and things they have to offer, cars are worth the money for different reasons to different people, I see people with brand new bottom of the range C Class Mercs with every possible extra, to me that’s absolutely MENTAL but to them it was worth the money!
If you are going to pursue the EVO thing I think you should bear something in mind, don’t get distracted by modified cars and bhp, bhp doesn’t tell you the whole story, I’ve driven 500 bhp + cars, they don’t all drive well at all, big turbos don’t really suit real world / B road driving, so as measely as 280bhp sounds after seeing modified cars for sale, you should go for as standard as possible (however that also puts the price up)
Thank you You don’t need to apologise, I’m just a bloke on the internet!
£20k IS a lot of money to have just sitting in a garage, I do understand and I get that you want opinions from owners / ex owners, before I bought my first 6 I did 3 250 mile round trips to see / drive one, I wasn’t comtent with reading the review in EVO magazine, I even called them to talk to them about the car amd ask questions, so I get it!
The “worth the money” question is just so hard, think about all the cars with all the different abilities and things they have to offer, cars are worth the money for different reasons to different people, I see people with brand new bottom of the range C Class Mercs with every possible extra, to me that’s absolutely MENTAL but to them it was worth the money!
If you are going to pursue the EVO thing I think you should bear something in mind, don’t get distracted by modified cars and bhp, bhp doesn’t tell you the whole story, I’ve driven 500 bhp + cars, they don’t all drive well at all, big turbos don’t really suit real world / B road driving, so as measely as 280bhp sounds after seeing modified cars for sale, you should go for as standard as possible (however that also puts the price up)
will definitely keep that in mind liner33 said:
Yeah but people aren't buying these cars to drive them anymore than they are buying DB5's to drive them
Stuff like this is just ridiculous. Its the emperors new clothes.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...
I agree that 150k for an R34 GTR is mental. Imho you can get way better cars for that money. I'm sure you can get stuff like a Huracan Performante, 488 GTB and McLaren 600 LT just to name a few. Furthermore, I bet most car enthusiast could come up with an amazing 2-3 car garage with 150k. Me for example if probably go for something along the lines of a brand new RS6 and then go for a used R35 GTR with the remaining 40-50k. Stuff like this is just ridiculous. Its the emperors new clothes.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...
Again, I'm not saying the R34 GTR is a "bad car" I just find it astonishing that people will say no to the cars I've listed and go for the R34 instead. They surely won't increase further in price will they?
jsf said:
The modern cars you listed are likely to depreciate, they certainly will in the short term.
Just like classic cars of the past, ownership experience of the car is about more than the nuts and bolts, it's also a social experience.
Yes they'll depreciate but they're definitely better cars imo. Just like classic cars of the past, ownership experience of the car is about more than the nuts and bolts, it's also a social experience.
Anyone buying the R34 GTR ( at that price ) will only be buying it as an investment and will be terrified to drive it. I may be different to other people but if I'm buying a car I want to be able to enjoy it and drive it.
don logan said:
I haven’t owned either but I’ve driven a few of both, I wasn’t interested in either at all, particularly not the SST, maybe if the IV > IX cars didn’t exist I might have been more excited / impressed!
I think I know what you are thinking, people do it all the time, but sometimes it works out more expensive because sometimes you eventualy end up buying the thing you actually wanted!
Thank you, do you think you weren't impressed because of the engine ( obviously the lack of the 4g63) or gearbox or just the overall package? I think I know what you are thinking, people do it all the time, but sometimes it works out more expensive because sometimes you eventualy end up buying the thing you actually wanted!
I know Evos aren't light cars but the X looks quite a bit heavier so maybe that could contribute to not feeling like previous evos.
Thanks
Edited by Dylanaledhall on Sunday 21st February 10:20
Elatino1 said:
The X was always known to be more grown up, less raw and less fun as a result. The auto gearbox gets bad reviews too. The Subaru of the time was a better car in just about every way.
It always puzzled me why they introduced an auto gearbox, the only reason I can think is that's how the world was going with newer autos being quicker and sometimes more efficient ( not that the word "evo" and "efficient" should ever be in the same sentence 
) don logan said:
No, it wasn’t the engine, it’s not ss if the 4G63 has loads of character BTW, it’s hardly a BMW M engine or Ferrari V8, it was the overall feel of the car, it was a lot more like a normal car, so it was a muted EVO and that’s not the point at all, I’d rather not have an EVO at all.
When you say EVOs aren’t light, compared to what? A Lotus?
A 6 GSR was around 1350kgs (RS about 100kgs lighter) about the same as the much smaller integrale, the new GR Yaris is 1250? And it’s TINY, EVOs were hardly lardy!
And while we are on that subject, if it wasn’t going to be a daily driver you should be looking at RS models, they are lighter and very different to drive, I’m not being biased but these are THE ONES!
People overlook the 7 because they have such rose tinted spectacles about the 6 but they are great in RS spec, the body was 50% stiffer on the GSR and the RS was even stronger!
They also seem to be the hidden bargain
See if you can find info on EVO magazine’s EVO 7 RS Sprint, it was a 7RS with a mild boost increase and exhaust
I wouldn’t buy another GSR
Ok, I shall keep my eye out for an RS if I do see one. Thanks When you say EVOs aren’t light, compared to what? A Lotus?
A 6 GSR was around 1350kgs (RS about 100kgs lighter) about the same as the much smaller integrale, the new GR Yaris is 1250? And it’s TINY, EVOs were hardly lardy!
And while we are on that subject, if it wasn’t going to be a daily driver you should be looking at RS models, they are lighter and very different to drive, I’m not being biased but these are THE ONES!
People overlook the 7 because they have such rose tinted spectacles about the 6 but they are great in RS spec, the body was 50% stiffer on the GSR and the RS was even stronger!
They also seem to be the hidden bargain
See if you can find info on EVO magazine’s EVO 7 RS Sprint, it was a 7RS with a mild boost increase and exhaust
I wouldn’t buy another GSR
Edited by don logan on Sunday 21st February 11:51
Edited by don logan on Sunday 21st February 11:56
MRONEILL said:
I currently have an evo 9 fq340. Love it. Had a golf R stave 2 before it and just didn't enjoy driving it as im used to jap cars.
If you get a good one you won't regret it
As lots say, it certainly isn't a daily driver. I use mine on dry days etc. Such a fun thing to be in.
That's absolutely gorgeous If you get a good one you won't regret it
As lots say, it certainly isn't a daily driver. I use mine on dry days etc. Such a fun thing to be in.
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