Ok, so I have been holding off on any serious mods until the market settled down and the best values for hp/$ appeared. Well that goal has been reached, but now I have a new question: Do I put the pulley, intake, plugs, M7 Venom on my car (already got the alpine and ssr's) or do I just stop the orders and trade the car for a new EVO.

I am an autocrosser and am looking to do some SCCA solo 1 hillclimbs and the stock evo seems to have better classing and the vehicle itself rules without any mods.

Opinions?

Ubercooper

 

>>I am an autocrosser and am looking to do some SCCA solo 1 hillclimbs and the stock evo seems to have better classing and the vehicle itself rules without any mods.
>>

sounds like you've answered your own question. IMHO, I'd go with the EVO because like you said you wouldn't have to mess with it too much to make it competitive. Which tends to make it more reliable and cheaper to campaign in. Meaning you can spend more of your money on tires, rims, brakes vs. dyno time trying to figure out why the MC isn't working the way you want it to. Although, you'd probably be better off getting more specific advice from someone who actually races in SCCA solo 1...

 

Honestly.. For your needs I must agree. Trade for the EVO.. I ordered my Cooper S for very different reasons and as long as quality holds up I will hold on..

FOR EVEN MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK.. CHECK OUT THE FASTER LIGHTER 2004 EVOLUTION RS due out this spring.. LINK BELOW!

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow...1/page014.html

I have never driven a car like the EVO and if I happen to run into some $ this will be my next car!! They are nothing short of breathtaking to drive!

Craig





>>Ok, so I have been holding off on any serious mods until the market settled down and the best values for hp/$ appeared. Well that goal has been reached, but now I have a new question: Do I put the pulley, intake, plugs, M7 Venom on my car (already got the alpine and ssr's) or do I just stop the orders and trade the car for a new EVO.
>>
>>I am an autocrosser and am looking to do some SCCA solo 1 hillclimbs and the stock evo seems to have better classing and the vehicle itself rules without any mods.
>>
>>Opinions?
>>
>>Ubercooper

 

or for that matter...have you driven this lately?

...and with the release of the GT40

 

You may also want to check where the EVO will be classified with SCCA as well. With road racing the EVO has been classified as a rally car with SCCA and as such cannot do road racing.

 

>>or for that matter...have you driven this lately?
>>
>>...and with the release of the GT40

WHOA...

 

Ask 2cool.... he just went from the EVO to the Cooper S.


--
Cheese

 

If you're primary concern is sanctioned racing, I agree that the EVO sounds like the better idea if you don't want to mod. However, for an all-purpose car, I'd say stick with the MCS. I've just sold my WRX (tuned to 285HP) to buy an MCS because (almost) everything is cheaper for the MCS since it's smaller/lighter such as wheels, tires, etc... - I can get the lightest/best parts for hundreds less than they'd cost for the WRX/EVO. Plus, the MCS has less road/tire noise and is easier to wash!

Pocket_Rocket,

I read an article on the EVO RS comparing it to the standard EVO and the reviewers found the negligible improvement in lap times not worth the loss of ride comfort.

 

>>Pocket_Rocket,
>>
>>I read an article on the EVO RS comparing it to the standard EVO and the reviewers found the negligible improvement in lap times not worth the loss of ride comfort.

Have not read that review myself yet.. would love to though.. why don't you link us?
Was going from the pre press that was out on the car which states this and that as the expectations but a real review would be great!

I think I would probably go for the full monty myself.. I like a moon roof and air and I would probably not get too serious with auto xing..
Now if only we could get them to bring over the FQ300

PR

 

The Evo is a blast, minor mods equal an M3 waylaying machine.

However, there are a lot of quality issues that I was not happy with, including a total lack of dealer warranty support, weak clutch, crappy paint, and abysmal resale value.

Very fun car to drive, kicks **** in autocrossing and open track, but lots of little negatives that begin to drag you down over time.

It comes down to what you want out of your car, and so far I am happier in my MCS.

 

Awesome feedback!
Ok so I am going to mod the hell out of the mini and make it the best car it can be.
Next stop, coilovers? Rollbar/Cage anyone know what SCCA Solo 1 hilliclimbs in the Northeast require?

Uber

 

Evo is classed in A Stock for SCCA Solo II and if you check the first National Tour results from Arizona, one finished 3rd.

I have a WRX and will be getting an MC when I can sell it. The biggest thing you'll have to learn is how it drives. GRM had an article on how AWD is different but until you experience it, you'll never understand. I have 36k miles on my WRX and I'm finally coming to grips with it. It's a blast in the snow. Both the Evo and the WRX are heavier cars by 500+ lbs (that's 20% more than the MCS.) That takes some getting use too.

The Evo is as different a car from the MCS as an M3 is to a 911. Fun is achieved in a different manner. If you like your MCS, keep it and mod away. As you said, the aftermarket has settled. The parts are high quality and the shysters are few and far between. If you need more room and 4 doors, then the Evo is certainly an entertaining alternative to the MCS. But bottomline, you already have one of the desirable cars in the market and there is much to be had from modding.

 

Ubercooper...

This is a no brainer, the Mini will kill the Evo in the twisties/ hillclimbs( if dry) and you will have fun doing it

As a road racer and a hillclimb competitor I have my mini set up to perfection, light components, custom valved
shocks with correct spring rates to start up with. Hollow swaybars front and rear and adjustable control links
for the rear suspension. Camber plates, shock tower brace and light weight control arms for the front suspension
will make the experience very complete. The wheels and tires are incredibly important so chose with care.

And I almost forgott brakes, killer brakes is a must and you should get the lightest best setup you
can afford...

If you need help with components or just need some suggestions for sett upp's call me and pick my brain

peter horvath
562-712-3270

_________________
Lightest and fastest in SoCal

 

The EVO is a respectable machine, problem is the thing doesn't look $37K to the eye...it is still a econobox car with a killer engine and AWD. I would personally never sink that kind of cash on a Mitsubishi, no matter how good it is...those cars have the resale value of a KIA and watch in a few months new EVOs going with heavy factory sponsored rebates...it is just a matter of time.

Nevertheless, is nice to see the return of the small, fun, pocket rocket class.

 

Wow i cant believe you were deciding between your MCS or an EVO. The EVO is so freakin ugly. Anyways have fun modding your car and i am glad you decided to keep it.

M7 what wheels-tires do you prefer? For say autocrossing once or twice a month and doing a track day here and there. Keep in mind they will also be my daily driving tires while weather is good. Thanks.

 

Peter,

Same question as weaverpsu. I am interested in your tire and wheel choice both for autocrossing and a fun performance oriented daily driver.

You need to start another post with pictures of you car in detail and the setup you have.

 

No offense M7, but you are way overconfident on the handling comparison. Had I not traded my Evo I would be happy to educate you. Check any magazine review you care to, the Evo has better skid pads, better slalom times, and better braking. Compare modded ones of both cars, the Evo widens the gap. I have compared times to good MCS drivers on solo II days, as well as nearly leaving tread marks over various MCS drivers on NASA track days, and they do not stand a chance when it comes to straight up hard driving. Autocross events I consistently was at or near fastest PAX for the day, every event. MCS had a hard time placing in G stock.

The MCS is a fun awesome car, otherwise I would not have traded over to it, but please leave rhetoric out of the discussion. They are two different cars, two different ideologies even.

Also, sticker on it the Evo is $28650, not $37K. I know, thats what I paid, as I drove a hard bargain as I was trading in my '02 Lightning on it.

Just clearing the air a bit, to keep the discussion factual.

 

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow...1/page014.html
Too bad it looks like an ugly Neon...

 

We really are lucky to have cars such as the Mitsu EVO, Subaru WRX STI, Audi S4, and VW R32 all available at reasonable pricing ($25k - $50k). AWD hi-performance should become even more common in the future. I can't wait for BMW to do an M in AWD. Also Porsche's 996 C4, Lambo's Diablo VT, as well as a few other exotics show us just how fast and stable AWD can be.

We live in a golden age of automobiles.

 

>>We really are lucky to have cars such as the Mitsu EVO, Subaru WRX STI, Audi S4, and VW R32 all available at reasonable pricing ($25k - $50k). AWD hi-performance should become even more common in the future. I can't wait for BMW to do an M in AWD. Also Porsche's 996 C4, Lambo's Diablo VT, as well as a few other exotics show us just how fast and stable AWD can be.
>>
>>We live in a golden age of automobiles.

I agree! I refuse to knock any of these great performers (even if I'm not personally a fan) because more choice/competition is always a good thing!

 

No rhetoric... It's about balance, agility and pure feel. A Mini will kill yor EVO any day on a twisty tight canyon run.
It has nothing to do with horse power period. Last week a gentleman in a WRX STI with even more hp tried to keep
up in the twisties....not a chance, it to heavy and wide. I also beleive the EVO weighs something like 3200lbs
versus my car that propably is closer to 2400lbs.

I'm not trying to down play the Mitsu, it's a fab car with an awsome engine. In the right type of situation
like in the rain or long track with plenty of strait aways yes the evo would kill the Mini


peter

 

I wiped a WRX in some twisties too, but let's face it - acceleration is a BLAST. I'd say test drive the Evo, if you like it better and can afford it, buy it. Some people would rather buy a used Mustang, mod the crap out of it and make it blow every Evo & STi off the road - it's all about personal preference. The Evo wasn't out when I was looking around, but I bought the MCS after test driving a WRX and several other cars that do not drive as fun nor look as good as the MINI.

 

M7, I am sorry, did I even mention acceleration? No.

Do some home work please before lumping the Evo with the STi, it is a different car. It handles better, is better balanced, and kills the MCS in every slalom (your twisties) test performed to date. It outperforms cars costing 3-4 times as much, as you can witness in the Car and Driver tests several months back. Do not get a big head about your vehicle just because you have "beat an STi".

I am working hard to get my MCS to feel as balanced and razor sharp as my Evo did stock. It is doable, but takes money and tweaking. Until you drive both, please stop with the chest pounding assertations of dominance.

_________________
Fear my squirrelly wrath!!

 

Guys, calm down please....


You both sound like two 10 year old boys arguing as to who has the coolest toy...


Also while the EVO is an excellent car, I can't get over its looks, price tag and dismal resale value.

 

2cool.......

I did not tell you that the EVO is bad at all it's a great car.

And if you read the post which you did not:

>>I'm not trying to down play the Mitsu, it's a fab car with an awesome engine. In the right type of situation
like in the rain or long track with plenty of strait aways yes the evo would kill the Mini<<

No chest pounding just facts.....