Not very good at this but WOW

_Tone_ · 19-08-2008, 10:56 PM

I test drove a Evo X yesterday.

Went along to a local dealer and spent a short while running around in a Evo X GSR SST FQ300.

I have not driven a Japanese performance car before so didn't know what to expect. Having seen one of these on TG recently I was interested to see what sort of performance and handling one of these could offer on the normal roads.

Starting with the spec the car seems to have pretty much everything, except sunroof and leather and there is no cruise control option. The latter option could be considered a laughable requirement but my point of view was sell the porker and the audi a4 and get one of these!
Therefore it would have to be a task master - driving around for work cruising the motorways, as well as the odd track day and "spirited driving" when required.

I have really enjoyed the Porsche Cayman I have and I would not want to get rid of it but I consolidating two cars to one is always a consideration.

The car came with SatNav and full Rockford Fosgate Sound system with a decent sub built into the boot and a 30GB hard disk system for you to rip all the music to.
The SST is Mitsubishi's dual clutch gearbox, mentioned thsi to a mate and he asked - whats that - two clutch pedals! Hahaha anyway, the gearbox has 3 modes of operation as well as being able to tune gearchanges you can configure what sort of road your travelling on which helps the 4 wheel drive system. I am not going to profess to know how all the diffs work but from discussions with the sales chap its got quite a bit of technology under it.
Needless to say the grip and handling was certainly very close (at the speeds I was driving) to my Porsche but had the extra element of perm 4 wheel drive.

You can (like Audi DSG) use paddles, of gearlever to up and down the gears and again in sport mode the gearchages are slightly accentuated !

The only thing I would have liked more is a louder noise from the 4 cyl engine - it sounds no where near as nice as the 6 cyl engine behind my heed but also the exhaust system was quite muted - understandably so - but only via an aftermarket exhaust can you "loud it up". I explained how on Porsches a flap can be opened with the Sports Exhaust which increases the note - could be a useful option going forward.

What else - outstanding bucket seats - hardish suspension (not as hard as the Porsche), standard bluetooth tel prep, xenons, Thatcham Cat 5 Alarm and imobiliser, brembo brake kit (about £1000 for a full brake service!) but other servicing is now 10k miles, but a service package is available for 3 years which is only £400.

As for tyres they were not too silly - 18" 245/40's which is accross the 3 models.

So for a 2.0 Turbo it put out 300bhp with a 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. The FQ-360 can do that in 4.1! So its no slouch. MPG wise we were getting around 20 MPG whilst we were screaming around some roads but on a run (Extra Urban) 33.6 which is less then what I'm getting out of the Porsche with its 6 Cyl 2.7 litre unit - but I have to drive at 70 to get around 35/36mpg. as an aside point I went down to Hemel today for a meeting and didnt hang about and got 31 mpg.
Ok so you dont buy this car for poodling about in but for what I am thinking its an aspect of using the car for trips for work - getting only .25p a mile I am gonna have to make the juice last! It also only runs on 99 RON as you may expect. Co2 is 256 so its £400 squidders for the tax disc!

The car around the lanes and roads we used was planted and assured - no hesitation at all in the way the car handled. Acceleration was very rapid - I suppose comparing this to the likes of an S4/RS4 for performance for about 2 thirds the price. Residuals is one question that could not be answered though.
I would love to use this car on a track where you can take the suspension and traction to the limit in a more safe environment (or not!)but as far as normal everyday road use I could certainly go rapidly and safely with 5 up if required.

For me and for once I found the car attractive espcially in the metallic red thats on the brochure. The stance of the car is slightly aggressive and looks best in White believe it or not!
So what do I do - on one hand I kind think lets see what they are worth in say 1 years time - I am sorely tempted to jump right now but with the way the economy is I think I am going to take a hit on the Porker and wont be able to sell it as easily as I may like - also the Audi we have is the other halfs fav ride (effortless) getting into an Evo X will wind her up when she is around to drive it, but I think that would be quite easy to sell (he says!).

The ex demo is up for £28k with 2000 miles in black - its a stunning car and I belive its VFM.
The guy at the dealer was very fond of the marque as you have to be I think - he was very helpful and enthusiastic about the car which rubbed off on me.

Sorry if this is not written in a certain way - just wanted to relay to you guys what I have found.

I would love to hear from anyone out there that has one and get feedback on ownership of a car like this - and if anyone could let me know what the value of a similar car is now based on an April 08 build - that would always be useful.

Cheers

Tone

danksy · 20-08-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Tone_

Residuals is one question that could not be answered though.

If you get a PCP quote you can see what residual is built in at the backend to give you an idea of the cost of the car over the life you expect

Could you live with the suspension and manic engine? It didn't really come across as a relaxed cruiser... just a mentalists car

garcon · 20-08-2008, 10:41 AM

Worth checking out Evo - Supercar and performance car reviews

They have an FQ300 SST on long term test, and it has to be said they're not overly enamoured with the gearbox. Before committing to one, I would definitely try a manual. If you can live with the looks I would also advocate trying an Impreza STI (well I would wouldn't I

). The STI is just as quick as the FQ300, not quite as sharp in the handling department, but arguably a bit easier to live with.

(I've driven the STI but not the Evo...)

Torino101 · 21-08-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

Worth checking out Evo - Supercar and performance car reviews

They have an FQ300 SST on long term test, and it has to be said they're not overly enamoured with the gearbox. Before committing to one, I would definitely try a manual. If you can live with the looks I would also advocate trying an Impreza STI (well I would wouldn't I

). The STI is just as quick as the FQ300, not quite as sharp in the handling department, but arguably a bit easier to live with.

(I've driven the STI but not the Evo...)

....but the Scooby is oh oh oh so ugly!

garcon · 21-08-2008, 12:04 PM

Beauty is in the eye of the key holder ...

Cuprabob · 21-08-2008, 12:07 PM

Quite a few of the Scoobies around here and the looks as grwong on me especially the white ones.

Not seen an Evo X in the flesh other than the concept car at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show

garcon · 21-08-2008, 01:08 PM

I know I'm biased, but I think the STI looks much better in the flesh than it does in the pics. (Note I said STI, the standard Impreza IS pants...

).

But having seen a couple of Evo X's, I think it looked better in the pics! In the flesh it looks a bit upright and narrow and loses some of that aggressive stance you see in the pics. Still quite a looker though, certainly compared to previous Evos.

cruiser647 · 21-08-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torino101

....but the Scooby is oh oh oh so ugly!

But the Scooby also sounds soooo soooo much better. ( for a 4 cylinder). Such a great beat they make!

_Tone_ · 22-08-2008, 06:02 PM

Well Thanks for the responses to my questions.

For now I am sticking with what I got but I would certainly think about getting one of these in a years time when no doubt I wil def be bored with what I have!

It will be interesting to see what they are going for!

I had a look on a couple of Contract Hire sites and these are like £540+vat a month and up so quite a bit of dough!

But then a £33k car (new) I guess is gonna cost that sort of money! Funy the salesman said hs mate had got a Scooby (new 08 Plate) for 2 years 10k miles for just £200+vat a month.
He said they just cant be sold cos they are so ugly (cue Garcon) but if what he says is true bang for buck - couldn't lose could you?

Tone

garcon · 22-08-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Tone_

He said they just cant be sold cos they are so ugly (cue Garcon) but if what he says is true bang for buck - couldn't lose could you?

I'd hate to disappoint....

He's talking through his arse.

The new Scooby hasn't won many (if any) new fans with its looks, but the faithful are still buying it. My dealer can find a buyer for every new STI he can source.

Obviously PCP prices vary depending on deposit and mileage and such, but I got a quote for much less than the figure you mention, and that was for 18k miles a year. (Edit - granted that's PCP versus contract hire...).

Oh, and I'm guessing his mate's Scooby was a standard WRX for £200 a month. And I have to admit they're pretty poor.

19-08-2008, 10:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
_Tone_ Saab 9-3 Aero Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Swimming with sharks! Posts: 948	Not very good at this but WOW I test drove a Evo X yesterday. Went along to a local dealer and spent a short while running around in a Evo X GSR SST FQ300. I have not driven a Japanese performance car before so didn't know what to expect. Having seen one of these on TG recently I was interested to see what sort of performance and handling one of these could offer on the normal roads. Starting with the spec the car seems to have pretty much everything, except sunroof and leather and there is no cruise control option. The latter option could be considered a laughable requirement but my point of view was sell the porker and the audi a4 and get one of these! Therefore it would have to be a task master - driving around for work cruising the motorways, as well as the odd track day and "spirited driving" when required. I have really enjoyed the Porsche Cayman I have and I would not want to get rid of it but I consolidating two cars to one is always a consideration. The car came with SatNav and full Rockford Fosgate Sound system with a decent sub built into the boot and a 30GB hard disk system for you to rip all the music to. The SST is Mitsubishi's dual clutch gearbox, mentioned thsi to a mate and he asked - whats that - two clutch pedals! Hahaha anyway, the gearbox has 3 modes of operation as well as being able to tune gearchanges you can configure what sort of road your travelling on which helps the 4 wheel drive system. I am not going to profess to know how all the diffs work but from discussions with the sales chap its got quite a bit of technology under it. Needless to say the grip and handling was certainly very close (at the speeds I was driving) to my Porsche but had the extra element of perm 4 wheel drive. You can (like Audi DSG) use paddles, of gearlever to up and down the gears and again in sport mode the gearchages are slightly accentuated ! The only thing I would have liked more is a louder noise from the 4 cyl engine - it sounds no where near as nice as the 6 cyl engine behind my heed but also the exhaust system was quite muted - understandably so - but only via an aftermarket exhaust can you "loud it up". I explained how on Porsches a flap can be opened with the Sports Exhaust which increases the note - could be a useful option going forward. What else - outstanding bucket seats - hardish suspension (not as hard as the Porsche), standard bluetooth tel prep, xenons, Thatcham Cat 5 Alarm and imobiliser, brembo brake kit (about £1000 for a full brake service!) but other servicing is now 10k miles, but a service package is available for 3 years which is only £400. As for tyres they were not too silly - 18" 245/40's which is accross the 3 models. So for a 2.0 Turbo it put out 300bhp with a 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. The FQ-360 can do that in 4.1! So its no slouch. MPG wise we were getting around 20 MPG whilst we were screaming around some roads but on a run (Extra Urban) 33.6 which is less then what I'm getting out of the Porsche with its 6 Cyl 2.7 litre unit - but I have to drive at 70 to get around 35/36mpg. as an aside point I went down to Hemel today for a meeting and didnt hang about and got 31 mpg. Ok so you dont buy this car for poodling about in but for what I am thinking its an aspect of using the car for trips for work - getting only .25p a mile I am gonna have to make the juice last! It also only runs on 99 RON as you may expect. Co2 is 256 so its £400 squidders for the tax disc! The car around the lanes and roads we used was planted and assured - no hesitation at all in the way the car handled. Acceleration was very rapid - I suppose comparing this to the likes of an S4/RS4 for performance for about 2 thirds the price. Residuals is one question that could not be answered though. I would love to use this car on a track where you can take the suspension and traction to the limit in a more safe environment (or not!)but as far as normal everyday road use I could certainly go rapidly and safely with 5 up if required. For me and for once I found the car attractive espcially in the metallic red thats on the brochure. The stance of the car is slightly aggressive and looks best in White believe it or not! So what do I do - on one hand I kind think lets see what they are worth in say 1 years time - I am sorely tempted to jump right now but with the way the economy is I think I am going to take a hit on the Porker and wont be able to sell it as easily as I may like - also the Audi we have is the other halfs fav ride (effortless) getting into an Evo X will wind her up when she is around to drive it, but I think that would be quite easy to sell (he says!). The ex demo is up for £28k with 2000 miles in black - its a stunning car and I belive its VFM. The guy at the dealer was very fond of the marque as you have to be I think - he was very helpful and enthusiastic about the car which rubbed off on me. Sorry if this is not written in a certain way - just wanted to relay to you guys what I have found. I would love to hear from anyone out there that has one and get feedback on ownership of a car like this - and if anyone could let me know what the value of a similar car is now based on an April 08 build - that would always be useful. Cheers Tone

20-08-2008, 10:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
garcon I'm Southist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: not found Posts: 10,858	Worth checking out Evo - Supercar and performance car reviews They have an FQ300 SST on long term test, and it has to be said they're not overly enamoured with the gearbox. Before committing to one, I would definitely try a manual. If you can live with the looks I would also advocate trying an Impreza STI (well I would wouldn't I ). The STI is just as quick as the FQ300, not quite as sharp in the handling department, but arguably a bit easier to live with. (I've driven the STI but not the Evo...) __________________ "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." - Hunter S Thompson.

21-08-2008, 12:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
garcon I'm Southist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: not found Posts: 10,858	Beauty is in the eye of the key holder ... __________________ "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." - Hunter S Thompson.

21-08-2008, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cuprabob BMW 130d Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 1,154	Quite a few of the Scoobies around here and the looks as grwong on me especially the white ones. Not seen an Evo X in the flesh other than the concept car at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show __________________ Mk5 R32 DSG, DBP, 3 Dr, Leather Recaros, RCD500 with soundpack, Armrest, Winter Pack and Luxury Pack 2 Suzuki GSXR1000K7, Blue/White,

21-08-2008, 01:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
garcon I'm Southist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: not found Posts: 10,858	I know I'm biased, but I think the STI looks much better in the flesh than it does in the pics. (Note I said STI, the standard Impreza IS pants... ). But having seen a couple of Evo X's, I think it looked better in the pics! In the flesh it looks a bit upright and narrow and loses some of that aggressive stance you see in the pics. Still quite a looker though, certainly compared to previous Evos. __________________ "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." - Hunter S Thompson.

22-08-2008, 06:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
_Tone_ Saab 9-3 Aero Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Swimming with sharks! Posts: 948	Well Thanks for the responses to my questions. For now I am sticking with what I got but I would certainly think about getting one of these in a years time when no doubt I wil def be bored with what I have! It will be interesting to see what they are going for! I had a look on a couple of Contract Hire sites and these are like £540+vat a month and up so quite a bit of dough! But then a £33k car (new) I guess is gonna cost that sort of money! Funy the salesman said hs mate had got a Scooby (new 08 Plate) for 2 years 10k miles for just £200+vat a month. He said they just cant be sold cos they are so ugly (cue Garcon) but if what he says is true bang for buck - couldn't lose could you? Tone