EVO VIII FQ320 Test Drive
#31
Originally Posted by AndyC_772
I test drove an Evo FQ-300 a few weeks ago, shortly before I ordered a JDM STI.
Call me a sheep if you like, but I felt it was a bit of a one-trick pony; it was hugely, crushingly capable - effortlessly quick with exceptionally sharp steering - but the chassis only really came alive when pushing hard. For the 90% of the time I spend cruising on motorways and crawling through towns, it was just noisy, bland, uncomfortable and hard work.
The STI, on the other hand, may not be as quick, but what the test drive brought home to me is that going fast isn't necessarily the same thing as having fun. The STI was entertaining, communicative, cohesive and rewarding, even though I've no doubt the Evo would leave it for dead in the absence of traffic and coppers.
I spent my time in the Evo trying to find things to like, but instead I just found myself going too fast before the effort and the compromises became worthwhile. By contrast, in the STI (admittedly fitted with inexpensive Eibach springs to make the ride tolerable) I felt immediately at home and comfortable. The JDM car's twin scroll turbo makes all the difference (though I didn't find the Type UK + PPP too bad).
Call me a sheep if you like, but I felt it was a bit of a one-trick pony; it was hugely, crushingly capable - effortlessly quick with exceptionally sharp steering - but the chassis only really came alive when pushing hard. For the 90% of the time I spend cruising on motorways and crawling through towns, it was just noisy, bland, uncomfortable and hard work.
The STI, on the other hand, may not be as quick, but what the test drive brought home to me is that going fast isn't necessarily the same thing as having fun. The STI was entertaining, communicative, cohesive and rewarding, even though I've no doubt the Evo would leave it for dead in the absence of traffic and coppers.
I spent my time in the Evo trying to find things to like, but instead I just found myself going too fast before the effort and the compromises became worthwhile. By contrast, in the STI (admittedly fitted with inexpensive Eibach springs to make the ride tolerable) I felt immediately at home and comfortable. The JDM car's twin scroll turbo makes all the difference (though I didn't find the Type UK + PPP too bad).
I would love to own another Evo but it would have to be in a much higher state of tune than 320 bhp for me to really love it. This is not meant to sound like impreza's are better than Evo's as the majority of journalists/ex impreza owners would dissagree, but as with all these a car v b car threads the only real answer is to extensively drive both cars and see which you prefer regardless of which is ultimately quicker.
Cheers Simon.
#32
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Have booked a test drive of an MR340.
Dealer also has a fully specced 340 for £39,999!!!!!!!!!!!!
They also said they would de-cat the car which wouldn't affect the warranty (only has one centre cat). They also gave me a wide choice on wheel/tyre package but no radio on a car costing £33k!!!!
Dealer also has a fully specced 340 for £39,999!!!!!!!!!!!!
They also said they would de-cat the car which wouldn't affect the warranty (only has one centre cat). They also gave me a wide choice on wheel/tyre package but no radio on a car costing £33k!!!!
#33
Dazza,i was on about a pre PPP STi7,my VIII FQ300 with a Ralliart ecu,decat,downpipe,fuel pump,boost controller,ARP bolts,runs around 375hp with boost set at 1.5 is quicker than my STIPPP,and it certainly feels it!but then it should with 70hp more,and out of the box handles miles better,so with a set of ohlins going on,will handle like a go-kart!!,great though my STi was,in fact it was my dream car but then i discovered EVOs,after hearing and reading all about the "dark side",once you make the move i realised all what was said was true!,evos can be modded so much easier than the scoob,i to would love a MR but i know there are going to be a few more evolutions of the VIII MR before mitsi release the IX,the MR450 being one of them,i just wish subaru would make the T25 an official UK car!because at the end of the day subaru and mitsubishi going at each other like cats and dogs with the Impreza and Lancer can only mean better cars for us whichever one we buy,they both put a lot lot more expensive performance cars to shame!
Last edited by nellie; 09 August 2004 at 10:03 PM.
#34
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Originally Posted by nellie
Dazza,i was on about a pre PPP STi7,my VIII FQ300 with a Ralliart ecu,decat,downpipe,fuel pump,boost controller,ARP bolts,runs around 375hp with boost set at 1.5 is quicker than my STIPPP,and it certainly feels it!but then it should with 70hp more,and out of the box handles miles better,so with a set of ohlins going on,will handle like a go-kart!!,great though my STi was,in fact it was my dream car but then i discovered EVOs,after hearing and reading all about the "dark side",once you make the move i realised all what was said was true!,evos can be modded so much easier than the scoob,i to would love a MR but i know there are going to be a few more evolutions of the VIII MR before mitsi release the IX,the MR450 being one of them,i just wish subaru would make the T25 an official UK car!because at the end of the day subaru and mitsubishi going at each other like cats and dogs with the Impreza and Lancer can only mean better cars for us whichever one we buy,they both put a lot lot more expensive performance cars to shame!
Nice one!
Dazza
#36
how much , for that!!
test drove the FQ and STI ppp in the space of a matter of days, driving to both locations in my99 with some goodies!!
STI - American oversized looks dont do it for me, interior was not to badly put together, little bright for my taste...performance - found the handling a little vague and little feed back from what im used to...car turns and goes where you want it to, but yet, doesnt inspire confidence...power delivery was smooth, but doesnt make you go WOW...had me thinking i was driving a V-TEC honda for a spell during the drive...not a bad thing in and around town.. brakes were ok...but faded..all in all, nice car, nice handling, nice power..left me with the feeling that subaru had softened a little ... less control for the driver than had hoped for.. wouldnt buy one..not an easy conclusion to come to.
FQ - back to basics looks inside and out...sales will not be made for looks or interior!!
the drive - motorway to b-roads to motorway - power delivery seems to be what you want it to be..nicey nicey or whhoossh and your gone..lovely response to what you ask of it...power always ther...fun to be had..handling..dentist will be needed for rough roads, or *** papers left on road..you feel the road..almost literaly..little hard for most people, but i happen to like the go-cart feeling..though distance driving may be tiresome..not sure if it was intentional, but mitsi have made a car that screeches a little, and lets you know when you come acroos differences in road camber by getting a little loose....but it makes you smile and makes you call your mother to let her know your alive still...subaru..well..DONT.
salad with our without dressing...you decide.
STI - American oversized looks dont do it for me, interior was not to badly put together, little bright for my taste...performance - found the handling a little vague and little feed back from what im used to...car turns and goes where you want it to, but yet, doesnt inspire confidence...power delivery was smooth, but doesnt make you go WOW...had me thinking i was driving a V-TEC honda for a spell during the drive...not a bad thing in and around town.. brakes were ok...but faded..all in all, nice car, nice handling, nice power..left me with the feeling that subaru had softened a little ... less control for the driver than had hoped for.. wouldnt buy one..not an easy conclusion to come to.
FQ - back to basics looks inside and out...sales will not be made for looks or interior!!
the drive - motorway to b-roads to motorway - power delivery seems to be what you want it to be..nicey nicey or whhoossh and your gone..lovely response to what you ask of it...power always ther...fun to be had..handling..dentist will be needed for rough roads, or *** papers left on road..you feel the road..almost literaly..little hard for most people, but i happen to like the go-cart feeling..though distance driving may be tiresome..not sure if it was intentional, but mitsi have made a car that screeches a little, and lets you know when you come acroos differences in road camber by getting a little loose....but it makes you smile and makes you call your mother to let her know your alive still...subaru..well..DONT.
salad with our without dressing...you decide.
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