A few days in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR

"chris209" (chris209)
08/16/2013 at 15:23 • Filed to: None

With the huge response I got on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about my 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX, I figured I would post a followup on my new car.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

First of all, I want to say that I do like the WRX, it just wasn't the car I expected it to be and it didn't meet the needs I had for it at the time. With that said, there were even more items that were lacking on it that I chose to leave out, mainly the transmission and the brakes.

Before anyone gets too butt hurt, remember these are observations of stock cars, exactly as the manufacturer delivered them. After test driving almost a dozen cars, I decided to lease a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR for my daily driver because it met my requirements of having 4 doors, AWD, a manual trans, and decent power.

So I've now spent a few days in this wonderful beast and I want to share my thoughts with you. The Evo has alleviated several of my gripes, but it has created some as well (Some of these I knew about before leasing it). !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! the official Jalopnik review, so I’m not going to rehash most of that content.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Interior - The interior seems to be most people’s greatest concern on the Evo. Although most of the interior is a bit bland, the panel gaps are small and there’s no squeaking from plastic panels (yet). The seats are great for racing because they're firm, well bolstered, and they have 5-point harness pass throughs. For the street though, they're not ideal. Very firm bolsters and limited adjustability do not make for a good ride.. I like the seats in the WRX or my s2000 better because they're comfortable on the street, while still holding you in place fairly well.

Engine noise is very comparable to the loud F22 in my s2000 while rowing gears, but the Evo is loud and drones more on the highway. The WRX engine was much quieter, although the car let it more outside noise, so interior noise is probably a wash.

Drive -The ride is rougher than in the WRX, there’s no denying that. Luckily I don’t have a long commute, so that’s not really a concern. The plus side is that the suspension is predictable , the car goes where you tell it to without body float and massive understeer.

Powertrain – The power delivery is MUCH smoother and far more usable around town. The engine is also very high strung and much less sluggish to respond than the WRX. The transmission is a wash, but I would lean slightly towards the Evo. Currently the Evo shifts smoother than the WRX did, however the Subie was due for a trans fluid change. Both are notchy 5 speeds, but the Evo trans has slightly shorter shifts.

Besides that, I'm happy. The power delivery is MUCH smoother, the car turns MUCH better, and the Rockford Fosgate system is leaps, bounds, and infinitely better than the WRX (Insert another Stephanie joke here).

Any questions that you guys have? I’ll be happy to try and answer them while I have both cars fresh in my muscle memory.

DISCUSSION (8)

CO-OCD > chris209
08/16/2013 at 16:46

I have never owned an EVo nor have I really wanted to as I am a Subie die-hard. But, I will admit the 2011 WRX (which I owned brand new) was a big let down for me as well. So many gripes - cheap interior, lag, bad stock tune, crap tires, outdated Altezza tails, etc, etc... But, that all seemed to go away cause that thhing could drive. First offramp at 85 and butt puckered up she stuck. Learned to love that car and then sold it, lol.

DocWalt > chris209
08/16/2013 at 16:55

I actually loved the seats in my Evo X. Best seats I've driven in, considering how well bolstered they are. I have some fancy Recaros in my GTI and they kill my legs because they're constantly squeezing my legs.

chris209 > DocWalt
08/16/2013 at 16:58

I think I'll get a little more used to them, but they're a shocking change from any other car I own.

chris209 > CO-OCD
08/16/2013 at 16:59

What did you end up buying?

DocWalt > chris209
08/16/2013 at 19:20

They're definitely snug! Compared to the seats in the cars I owned before, they were miles better. Obviously not ideal for cruising cross country in one position, but the infinitely adjustable recline worked wonders.

Kanaric > CO-OCD
08/17/2013 at 03:04

nobody doubts it as a straight line car, but that's just it. People buy it expecting a mini-sti but all they get from the STI is the straight line speed. The suspension is a major let down.

It somehow is hard and soft at the same time, it's strange. You try to take a corner and the car is wallowing around like a 90 cadillac and it feels like the front tires are tucking under the car then you hit a bump and it breaks your back.

Before I had the WRX I had a 03 350Z and the suspension on that car was rough, but it was ALWAYS like that. It was always sporty and stiff and the car handled far more predictably than my WRX does. If my Z wasn't a lemon I would of regretted getting the WRX.

My room mate had a Cayman and I didn't realize what a good suspension setup felt like until I drove that car. Always predictable, no back breaking and also firm ride at the same time. The WRX is the opposite of that car in every way imaginable.

highpsi > chris209
08/19/2013 at 04:14

I owned a 2003 WRX that I traded for a G35 in 2005. I have owned my Evo 8 for 6 years. The biggest difference I remember between driving my stock and modified WRX versus driving the Evo was the smoothness of the power delivery in the Evo. The long path for the exhaust on the WRX made it laggy. I have never driven an STI or the newer 2.5 liter WRX, so the the larger displacement might make for some of that. Admittedly, my WRX was an easier car to live with. A road trip in the Evolution is not happening.

I will add test driving a new WRX or STI and Evolution to my todo list.

CO-OCD > chris209
08/20/2013 at 14:57

I ended up getting a 2005 Legacy GT Wagon, lol. Same car, minus some power and it is way better overall. I love Subies but the GR line is not their best offering in the WRX/STI.