[Napier]

Hi All,

I am confused as to how much I should sell my evo for and also have no idea what to get next. I want a change from my evo 8. I want a slightly softer car but with still good performance and drive.

I have a Evo 8 FQ-300 in black and its done 30k miles. It is a 53 plate so can anyone help?

I am still thinking about another evo, currently I have a loan to pay off on this one which is about 11k left over to pay. If I sell whatever is left I can put towards a new loan and get my next car. I currently get a car allowance so I have no guilt in getting a car loan as I have a facility to pay it off. Running costs I dont care about and never have so any ideas guy and gals?

Really dont have a clue, was thinking BMW M3 however the new shapes are coming out so it will look dated soon, also they are still expensive. Then thought about a 330ci but do I want to go that wolly and soft and is it actually quick?

Then started thinking about audi's and maybe VW but am really struggling to think of any car with the drive and enjoyment level of my evo. I do love my car but I just want more refinement, less crashing about and less wide boy image now.

Please help

napier

 

[TonyJones]

Have a look at a 330D, softer but still quick and classy. Considering your mileage it may be a better bet. If you dont mind something smaller what about the new golf GTI or a clio 182 cup?

I reckon your cars worth between 18 - 19750 due to the highish mileage. I've got a 53 reg FQ300 and have done 13.5K.

Good luck whatever you do

 

[RSgeoff]

You will struggle to find an alternative from a NEW car, but here's a few:-

Monaro
Audi S4
330 Ci - yes they are fast - may mate had one.
New Mazda 6 (4WD 260 bhp jobbie)
R32 Golf - or wait for the new one.
W12 Passat.

 

[Napier]

hmm

A diesel is not really my idea of fun though as they do come with little to no rev band and make a mess everwhere and sound daft.

I do want something a little more refined however dont want to lose too much of the drive the evo gave me.

I was looking at a second hand Audi rs4 but am not sure I want to spend that much. The BMW M3 seems to be holding its value very well but everyone has one and they will look dated soon as new shapes come out.

The s3 second hand would be a little too slow - apparently the new s3 is much better and faster.

I am thinking of maybe a Evo gunmetal grey MR340 or 300BHP small spoiler subaru sti (without any gay pink anywhere in sight). Still the audi would be lovely just not sure I want to stretch myself that much.

Or maybe a two seater and get a crappy diesel cheapo car for the drive to work? Only problem is most of my driving is done to work and back I hardly go anywhere else really unless on holiday so pointless spending my life in a crap heap for hours on end wishing I could end it all due to driving experiance.

I am a bit ****ed off there are not more manufacturers producing better cars! Maybe I should go for the Nissan 350Z?

dunno, any ideas?

Napier

 

[nickejmartin]

well - i have an 8 fq330 and I bought a citreon zx 1.9 diesel for to/from work. It does seem a good idea in practice, until you blow the power steering pump £200, have a drenched footwell £200, and dodgy everything else. I bought the Evo for driving and now its sitting on the drive.

So I am going back into the company car scheme at work. I can get a Seat Leon Cupra, which i love anyway, and take a decision on the Evo later in the year.

Have you thought about a Subaru P1 - fantastic car and there are some good bargains around. The Seat Cupra 225 is a real beast. I followed one on Sunday out of London M4 (family and kids in the back of the Evo) and it looked good and went like a rocket. Or a good Lancia Integrale - still a fantastic car if you can find a good one. Ford Focus RS?, Renault Clio V6 255? Clio 182, Hoda Civic Type R.

Anyone want a 120,000 Citreon zx 1.9 diesel??. I did use it once to try to outpace a debadged Evo 5, but didn't get very far.

 

[2bar boost]

R32 GOLF looks like your average car goes well sounds nice and returns decent mpg, lovely heated konig seats 4wd... obviously slower than the evo but will do 150++mph and you still remain in comfort at that speed

 

[RSgeoff]

I heard the R32 was as bad as an evo on fuel - which I can well believe as my V6 4 motion certainly was.

 

[Adamevo1]

I want a Monaro, who will buy my car in 6 months?
V8 burble baby, fully loaded. I can live with just over 5 secs, only 1 and half slower than mine.

 

[2bar boost]

Ive experienced worse depends what your used to i went from an STi 7 - R32 Golf found that the mpg was considerably better, better ride comfort reasonably quick great levels of grip and a good communicating chassis. Then i made the mistake of part x against an RX8 whilst i enjoyed the car excellent gear ratio's nice and long 130/4th gear great stereo, the downside was shocking fuel consumption 12-18 never got 20mpg+ litre of oil every 1000miles which was sometimes once a fortnight bloody car tried to drain me dry.. tried a tt roadster average car not 4me great in summer glad to see it go coz of the Evo im loving it!!

 

[PaulB]

I've just come from the other direction 2001 330CI Sport - most irritating car I ever owned just a short list of some of what went wrong in 3¼ years and 26,500 miles:

Exahaust manifold (2 day Job)
Real silencer Box (back twice left stainless trims off had to go back to ask for them and have them fitted)

Power Steering Rack ( back three times - could'nt find fault during service, returned too dealer to show service receptionist fault - rack jammed on full lock, returned then for technician to look at and order part, and once more to have part fitted.

Door closures - dont even start 20 days off the road during three years to get door to close properly! Still not totally right when sold.

Dont do it - what's criminal is that its a prettty good drivers car.

My brother's wasn't much better, electrical gremlins recurring on front lights and cooling system failures.

He' more optimistic (and lazy) than me and went for a nearly new M3 E46 SMG.

Anyhow if you go this route its not a soft option with the sport model - M-Tech Sport Suspension 255/35/18 rear and 225/45/18 - means the ride is as good/bad as my 320.

As has been suggested previously R32 Golf (the father in law love his), have you had a look at the RX-8. The rotary engine's either love or hate but i'ts a tidy handling rear driver, Mazda 6 asmentioned previously but i believe its 280PS, Audi A4 Sportline good value for money.

Sensible choice is to try an Evo VIII MR as the bilstein supension is rumoured to be softer than previous models inculding yours and test drive anything else that takes your fancy. It's still the only way to choose.

Best of luck.

 

[RSgeoff]

I want a Monaro, who will buy my car in 6 months?
V8 burble baby, fully loaded. I can live with just over 5 secs, only 1 and half slower than mine.

I can see Mitsubishi losing a few sales to the Monaro from now on - they have a small feature against the Lotus Carlton in this weeks Autocar with a full test to be done soon.

 

[Napier]

Monaro?

That is a Vauxhall...... don't think anyone will be losing sales to that beast anytime soon... yes it is a much better car than anything in the makers range but still a very heavy car that is too american for my tastes.

I am warming to the idea of the R32 and am going to see what they are going for on the internet / autotrader today. I would love a M3 as that would be perfect however they are too expensive right now.

I am not sure I will be able to live without my evo power however have to be mature about all this.

Napier