Which Generation? Options

[Faz11]

im thinking about getting an evo. which generation would you recommend? when i buy im gonna drop some extra money into it and get it to the track

[edgeautosport]

Well it depends on what you're after...I'll give you thoughts on all 3. If you would like to stick to a strict budget, obviously an viii is the way to go. The platform is pretty much the same as the ix in terms of motor and general shape. I personally like the look of a ix better. With a few exterior pieces and a lower stance though, the viii can look pretty killer also. The X is the ultimate platform at this point because it is the most developed evo to this point. Every time a new car comes out it has bigger, better stuff on it. If you were to put a stock viii vs. and stock ix vs. a stock X, they would place in that order in all categories for the most part, the X being the best. If money is no concern, the X is the way to go. I really like to availability of parts factor on the viii and ix. Also, almost all tuners and manufacturers will have much more knowledge about the 4g63 than the new X motor so it will be easier to make a viii or ix exactly what you want it to be where as a X will be a little bit of a guinea pig for some tuners. I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to buy a $35k-$40k guinea pig. But in a year or two from now, I'm sure most tuners will have messed around with the X enough to know how they react to certain changes and will have enough experience to make it a sure bet on tuning them.

Just my thought...

[HMatt]

Just get an VIII. The IX isn't worth the extra cash for the MIVEC. You can make just as much power on an VIII with a IX turbo. As for the X, there aren't as much aftermarket support, most bolt-ons are a little harder to do, and cost more. AND is it the most developed? yeah... it's got more technology if that's what you mean... but all that technology costs more and merely makes it just as fast as the VIII's and IX's on the track because it weighs a few hundred pounds more than the both of them.

Soooo.... Performance and handling wise, they are all on an even keel after a tune and some light upgrades and 9's cost more to mod than 8's and 10's cost more than 9's. So, buy a cheap 8, hell, find a salvage title with no frame damage for a few thousand at an auction (it doesn't take much to total an old 8) and gut the interior and spend the rest on mods. If you like the look of the 9s that much, buy a 9 front bumper and headlights and tail lights and BAM it looks EXACTLY like a 9! And if you are really butt-hurt about not getting the MIVEC, buy a 9 head and all the sensors for around 1 or 2K used, the engine harness for a 100-200 and an ECU for another 200, and you have a 9! Actually, what you have is BETTER than a 9 because the 8's gear ratios are more desireable and so are the non-acd transfer cases.

Just my .02 I didn't get the X because I don't like that my car would look almost exactly like a regular lancer, and I don't like how they look anyway. And I didn't want a 9 because I didn't see the point if spending extra money for a car that costs more to tune and doesn't really have any other performance benefit other than a bigger turbo when I am going to replace that anyway!