Just as a by the by - I have friends that run Evo's and a couple of points that need to be mentioned.
1. Active YAW control - 90% of these DO NOT WORK. Very fragile part that is prone to malfunction and expensive to repair
2. Fuel Economy - My MR2 will happily do 15MPG under heavy load, around 30MPG with sensible drive (off boost). The Evo will struggle to do 20MPG under most driving conditions
3. Servicing - Due to the nature of the engine and the tuning conditions on the engine and management system, these cars need to be serviced every 6000 miles. This isn't a job that can be done at home either as many of the service items require specialist tools and equipment only found at Mitsubishi dealers.
In comparison, the Impreza (very similar car to drive and very comparable to the Evo) is far more robust. The boxer 4 lump is better made and far more reliable, tuning capabilities are pretty much identical. Servicing can be done at home and there is more "give" in the driving experience.
Only happy to give forward my experience in this scene - been involved in the Jap tuning scene for over 8 years now and know only too well how easy it is to look at these cars through rose tinted glasses (I have been there and done that - bought a Supra as I had always wanted one and was seriously disappointed with it)
I know they are quite juicy at the best of times my brother in law has a evo8 fq300 which he's had for 5 years now (not as a daily though) I know people in the trade luckily and 2 mechanics at my local Mitsubishi garage which is opposite my work so if i was to get one it would be looked after no end
i am debating a scoob purely for the sound side of things
however to me they are just not quite as good as an evo
