2015 Evo - Deal or No Deal?

"nermal" (nermal) 02/13/2015 at 16:30 • Filed to: conundrums, blue, shopping

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I've been shopping around for something to replace my beloved GTI, which has been out-of-warranty for 3 months, but hasn't yet spontaneously combusted or otherwise completely self destructed as out-of-warranty VWs are apt to do.

This will be a 2nd car, used to complement my truck for when I don't need / feel like driving it. My basic requirements:

- Small, fun to drive

- Good sound system

- Good for picking up babes

- Manual transmission

- Not a Chrysler product

- Not a Camaro

- Cheap low-mileage lease rates

- Has a good dealership / service dept in my area that isn't run by a buncha bumbling morans

.....which leads me to the 2015 Evo. On paper, it looks like it will fit most of my requirements. My biggest concern is that the interior and headlights are both crap relative to my GTI. But, it will be a significant step up in the speed department. Reliability shouldn't be too big of a concern as it will remain stock. Also, it is available in a sweet shade of blue:

Thus far I've also looked at MK7 GTIs, although I'm thinking I may skip this generation out of tradition (Currently have an MK6, had an MK4 previously), but I've had a really good experience with my current one. Also checked out a BMW 320 (too slow), a 328 (decent, but expensive), and an i3 (not ready for that).

Is there anything else I should be considering? A new Mustang Ecoboost is also on my list.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:34

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I'd rather have an Ecoboost Mustang if I'm honest. They say that the new EVO don't even have Recaro seats..

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:35

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I would not go for the 328. My buddy has one, and has been very disappointed with his. Every time he rides in my FR-S he says something about how he bought the wrong car, and that's riding in an "under-powered" Scion! lol

My vote is for the Evo, or the Mustang Ecoboost.

Arsenal > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:38

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Go for a 500 Abarth. The best fun you can have with your pants on. Believe me.

nermal > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 02/13/2015 at 16:38

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Correct, the 2015 model does not have Recaros, at least on the GSR version:

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:42

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I'd go for the Mustang then. That Ecoboost engine seems like it could make power power power and power galore :)

nermal > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 02/13/2015 at 16:42

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Heading to the auto show this weekend - It's on my list to check out.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:45

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Have you thought about used at all?

You could get some sweet Pontiac GTO or G8's in the price range of these. I'm guessing you're just digging the warranty aspect?

If that's the situation, my vote also is boostang.

AM3R shamefully returns > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:45

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my money is on the Evo. I bet you could find a new 2014 with recaros and all the other goodies too.

Do-Rif-To > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:51

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Why no 2015 WRX? I love mine. The sound system is decent once you turn off all the equalizers(lol at the poor sap that designed them). Small, agile, and a hoot to drive. I don't know about leases though, everyone seems to be buying them.

nermal > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/13/2015 at 16:52

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I need a low mileage lease on something new. 10k miles / yr. Where I live the roads are heavily salted, and anything over 5yrs old is a rusty mess underneath.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:53

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FR-S series 1.0? Lots of fun, good upgrades, rather loud looking, and it's a toyota deep down. Leasing might not be terrible because it should hold value. Low mileage lease + factory upgrades = weekend autocrosses and cruising.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:54

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I love it when engines make way more power than you'd think :) It'd be interesting to see what that 2.3 could make. Chevy makes this one http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/cr…

I NEED that one in a C4.

nermal > Do-Rif-To 02/13/2015 at 16:54

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That's on the list as well, nobody has them in stock though. A local dealer has 13 Evos though.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Arsenal 02/13/2015 at 16:54

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Fiesta ST isn't much more and is even more fun. It lacks the exhaust note but it is SO much faster. And you get the ST Octane Academy where you get to beat on STs that aren't even yours! You get to learn how to be like Ken Block......just, without crashing so often.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:55

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Damn, sounds like a boostang is in your future. Personally I'd pick the V8 if it's in budget though!

GTI MkVII > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:55

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I can't recommend the Mk7 GTI enough. Its probably the most significant step forward they've made from one generation to the next. The engine is mighty strong (even more so than they claim on paper), the styling is refined and just sporty enough, the ride is fantastic, and the interior is absolutely lovely. Fuel mileage is impressive too - I've been seeing between 28 and 32 city and highway combined. And if you're inclined to do so, APR and Eurodyne both have tunes available for $6-700. A buddy of mine has a 7 with a downpipe, intake, and APR tune pushing over 300hp.

I didn't own a Mk6, but everyone I've talked to who does/did notes how improved the 7 is.

I'd definitely advise that you wait for the 2016 models though - they're likely going to get a bigger/better/faster infotainment system. Or at the very least, you can snag a 2015 for a really sweet price. Only option that's a must is the lighting package. Performance package as well, but not 100% necessary.

And of course, there's always the R that'll be dropping soon. Expensive as hell, but what a machine.

At the end of the day, I'm afraid you've been spoiled by a German car. The EVO is a great performer but is severely lacking in quality, refinement, etc.

uofime > nermal 02/13/2015 at 16:58

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for the amount of money you'd spend on an EVO you could get a V8 mustang

If you like the EVO have you considered an STI?

mr2gud2u > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 02/13/2015 at 17:27

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I have always heard those 502s fit nice in the late model B-bodies.

PheeNoIVI > Do-Rif-To 02/13/2015 at 17:35

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My buddy has a '14 WRX. Unless they completely changed the sound system, the audio is terrible.

F10M5 > nermal 02/13/2015 at 18:17

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Also checked out a BMW 320 (too slow), a 328 (decent, but expensive), and an i3 (not ready for that).

Then why not a 228i?

nermal > F10M5 02/13/2015 at 19:51

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Leasing. It's cheaper to lease a 328i than a 228i.

Axial > nermal 02/13/2015 at 20:56

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> Wants car good for picking up babes

> Lancer Evo

Vicente Esteve > GTI MkVII 02/13/2015 at 22:09

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Was going to say exactly the same. I haven't got a GTI, but the MK7 Golf is a fabulous machine.

GTI MkVII > Vicente Esteve 02/13/2015 at 22:40

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Absolutely! Very very jealous of the TSI's tungsten silver color. And that 1.8 is just as strong. Too bad it can't be had with the DSG.

GTI MkVII > GTI MkVII 02/13/2015 at 22:45

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Oh, and I forgot to mention - the Fender sound system on SE and Autobahn trims is fantastic. I consider myself to be somewhat of an audiophile/audio snob, and the system hasn't let me down at all.

Vicente Esteve > GTI MkVII 02/13/2015 at 23:20

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I am enjoying the hell out of my 1.4 TSI! That little engine has the same torque as the 1.8, but gets 50 MPG. Its epic.

Zero > nermal 02/13/2015 at 23:24

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S2000, a true drivers car