2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MR: Just Brilliant

The Evo must really be a love/hate thing. I don't think I've ever heard a mild opinion on it.

It can't let the driver telescope its steering column. Hehehe :o)

One could easily argue the Chevrolet Cobalt SS is significantly less expensive and a better performer.

Discuss among yourselves.

Hmmm. In a straight line, I think there are a lot of cheaper cars that will go faster *cough* srt 4 *cough*

I think for the whole experience though, Mr. Moody is right. The evo is a beast.

I might add that the AWD is tits in the snow. =)

While I agree that the EVO is one of the best performance cars for the money, I could never see myself buying one. With the EVO, it seems you get a whole lot of performance, but not much else. It seems like Mitsubishi put all of their chips into the performance bin leaving interior quality with nothing. While it is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation EVO(which was atrocious), it still falls behind many other compact cars.

Probably the GSR for $33,000. The problem with this generation of EVO is its lost some of its acceleration. The previous generation EVO was compared side by side with supercars and it held it own. Still great handling goes a long way in the hands of a good driver... especially vs. a pompous supercar driver looking down his nose at you.

The 370Z is one hell of a performer for the money, too.

snow - I agree. Just drove the Subie STI and I have to say the interior is miles ahead -

A 370Z would completely destroy the test numbers posted a few months back for this particular MR. Witness the recent Edmunds full test numbers. I think the price for one with the sport pack will be under 35k, which saves a nice chunk of change compared with this MR. I'd bet a non-sport pack 370Z would still post better numbers, but I haven't seen a test yet.

While not directly addressing the question in the blog entry, I recently saw a dealer on the Vette forums selling a brand new Vette with Z51 and NPP exhaust for about $41k. That's about the same as this MR, but offers significantly more performance. Also, sadly, it's massive, 'outdated', push-rod American V8 gets much better fuel economy.

A Mazdaspeed 3 or a Cobalt SS would run the latest EVO very close for less than $24K Unfortunately, both are FWD and the Cobalt looks like it should have an "Enterprise" sticker on the decklid. The 2009 WRX would probably run a bit quicker than the Mitsu. Me, I'd look for an EVO VIII or a WRX STi if I wanted the ultimate rice rocket.

Ummm... what about a Impreza WRX. The last time C&D tested it, it did 0-60 in well under 5 seconds. Too ugly and too much darn body roll in my opinion. But the straight line speed is impressive.

Let's see, better performer for significantly less money? How about a srt4, hhr ss, cobalt ss, or mazdaspeed 3? All about 5 grand or more cheaper and the cobalt especially blew this thing away in caranddrivers hot lap comparisons. Heck, any motorcycle could out speed and out handle this (or most any) car for much less money. If speed and handling are the only reasons to get this, there are better deals. People buy evos for the image, just like any other car, not for a bang-for-a-buck deal. At least that's my take, not that it matters. In any case, I'll stick with my old motorcycle for value priced speed.

Today, I heard "a fart-can" Civic on the road. Absoloutely awful. Those mufflers should be illegal. Seriously.

I think the Evo is more than just all about performance. The cheaper cars really are cheaper. SRT4 especially. I had an opportunity to drive one a while back. I sat in, grabbed the steering wheel, smirked and then didn't even bother putting the key in. It was such overwhelming crap that I had no desire to actually take it on the road. The Cobalt may be marginally better in this regard.

The Evo interior is fine. Especially with the Nav with it's million or so functions from track times to position in space. The dash is great. Functional and attractive. The seats are incredible. The sound out of the subwoofer are crisp. The entire care is tight and creak and rattle free. The plastics are mediocre but not on all surfaces and they are miles better than anything out of Michigan.

Once you are on the road and experience the unnatural traction coupled with terrific straight ahead force, these Cobalts and Neons won't come up in conversation anymore. WRX maybe...but the Evo looks badass while the Subie is a little bit embarrasing.

370Z is a much closer call. No back seat is the deal breaker here and the fact that you se a 350z at every stop light. Great update to what was previously kind of mediocre.

"Today, I heard "a fart-can" Civic on the road. Absoloutely awful. Those mufflers should be illegal. Seriously."

I find the mufflers help make you aware of the brain-dead morons in your immediate vicinity.