2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX GSR Review - Still Relevant?
2024 ж. 16 Сәу.
27 878 Рет қаралды
The Evo IX was a true supercar killer back when it debuted, but nearly 20 years later, can it still justify its ~$30k price tag?
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300k plus miles on my Evo 8 absolutely love it!
How many rebuilds is that?
@@VincentViolence hey hey hey, woo there buddy lol 😂 I’ll have you know.. the car is and has been on jackstands for a while now. I’m attempting an engine bay shave and respray. Also going to due a 2.2 stroker. A lot of work and I’ve never done body work before. But on a serious note, biggest issue I’ve had was a head gasket leak but this was around 260k miles.
@@VincentViolence Sti is guaranteed motor/turbo rebuild every 80k, not evo sir.
What happened to Mitsubishi? They need to come out with a new EVO and reinvent themselves.
I honestly don’t know how their automotive division still exists and who buys their cars 😂 What does Mitsubishi offer that’s more compelling than any other brand…especially other Japanese brands…
For what? To dealership jack up the prices with theirs non-sense fees?
@@Carlos.Riverawho knows, it’s been a while since they sold a wanted car so they might not even know how to mark up 😂
No money for any of that.
@@jonasbaine3538 yeah they have no money because they don't sell cars that people actually want lol
I own a 2011 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR and I wouldn’t trading it for nothing, I actually appreciate the simple interior but what’s really important is how it make you feel when you driving it there’s a perfect connection between you and the car, it’s truly impressive for a Turbo 4 cylinder engine and the S-AWC is no doubt incredible, it’s like the perfect recipe, a true driver’s car.
Cool car but not a driver’s car. I’ve owned one and tracked one extensively. S2k, E46 M3, Nsx, Gt3 etc are driver’s cars.
@@kt411gcn It is for me. I have driving many cars including a S2000 and it’s great, lovely to drive but the Evo is just the perfect example of pure driving experience, at least for me it is, looking forward to drive a Porsche 911 Turbo S or GT3 soon probably also considered a driver’s car.
@@AlejandroArchila1 That’s what it’s all about in the end 🤘
Getting one for my 40th bday. Always wanted one when I was young but couldnt afford it back then. Can't wait.
I'm 40 and got mine 2 days ago grey mr 470bhp love it ❤
Enjoy guys👌
I’m 44 driving eclipse Ralliart 😂 I’m planning to buy one soon
@@kolyan1980 Do it...haha
I grabbed my 06evo IX with 3 miles on it , fast forward to 2024 and now sitting at 68k, non molested and garaged kept. Had no idea in the future it would be considered somewhat of a unicorn. I was single back then, now I have teen kids and there friends like to remind me of how cool it is to have a car from fast and furious movies lol
very cool! how often do u drive it? have u done anything to it?
Love the review, the fact that you are giving the information meanwhile you are driving, its awesome. Thx fore the video
Spot on review, absolutely love my Evo 8 -- I could never see myself selling it. I think the quick rack and cornering feel is my favorite feature (along with the short gears like you mentioned.) Keep up the great content! ❤🔥
All Mitsubishi has to do is bring some exciting cars back..
they cant even make a good boring car
It’s not happening too maybe emission rules
Eclipse cross is fun
Love my evo 9 MR! It’s peak evo! We just got a GRC for my wife a month ago and that’s the closest a new car can you get to an evo 9.
How does it actually compare though in terms of driving and sensation?
Don't sell it. I regret every day.
@@TheBucketOfTruth second this as well, I miss my 8 GSR and am looking for a daily when my lease is up next year. Is the GRC as analogue feeling as the 8/9?
fk8 is the closest in experience to Evo 9. Throw on a Varis hood, and you have a non rally type modern Evo, with vortex generator and all.
Get ahold of an Evo X MR. Loved mine. Come on Mitsubishi, bring these cars back!
Your assessment is spot on, the chassis and gearbox is incredible… far better than expected. Are there nicer cars for the money, yes but more engaging with better driving dynamics and practicality? Evo 7-9 is 2nd to none.
Before I got into Miatas this was the dream car. They always stayed just out of financial reach though.
I had a 2006 STi from new, and it was a hell of a car. I ended up picking it over the Evo as it was my only vehicle and there were doubts about Mitsubishi surviving around that time. Subaru seemed better built and a bit nicer. I will say the steering ratio in the Evo seemed so quick and fun. The seats in that Evo were also the best OEM seats from anyone and blew the Subaru out of the water in that respect. These things were crazy bargains for the performance at the time and could give a 911 more than double their price a real run for their money on a twisty road. I ended up trying both subsequent generations of STi on test drives and neither had the same magic. I would have a hard time believing a GR Corolla can match the experience of a cherry car from this era.
I own a 07 wrx sti as well as a 2024 Gr Corolla. The GRC is a grip beast but I still prefer the sti because of its tail slide happiness when you set the dccd to open.
Subaru was definiltey not better built. The amount of power you could throw at the 4g63t and abuse wasn't even comparable to the sti. Not to mention mitsubishis complete chassis redesign from the Lancer. They weren't even the same car with almost no interchangeable parts where subaru just copy pasted the base impreza chassis and slapped a wing and sti badges and called it a day. Many people were deceived at that time into thinking subaru was better. Subaru simply had a very good marketing/advertising campaign while mitsu hardly even tried to sell the evo.
@@vladbej959 I'm not really talking about engine tune-ability. The Subaru came off like a higher quality item. I don't remember Subarus of that era having premature paint failures. Again not talking about which car was better for pushing 600 hp I'm talking about which car felt nicer. And the Mitsubishi just came off a bit less "nice."
@@TheBucketOfTruth Ive driven both and the quality is basically the same as any other big name jap cars at the time. I actually think evo has some nicer bits such as mg valve cover, carbon wing, recaro seats, momo wheel, and over all aesthetics are more tasteful IMO. I think most evos made their way to super sunny states and made the paint seem like bigger issue than it was. Its not an issue in the UK, japan, euro spec evos.
@@vladbej959 Brother when we buy a car from the lot we don't think about that stuff, he was talking bout build quality.
More Evo content please 🔥🤙🏽
Loved my Evo 9. It was the car that actually scared my passengers when I took hard turns because of the insane amount of grip which produced a good amount of g force. As much as I love it, I can't say I'd buy one today for $30k
30 is a bit high but for 20-25k, this car can check a LOT of boxes despite being 20 years old
What would you get instead for $30k and why?
@@ChrisOstreicherI’m putting 30 to a type r
The JDM version of the Evo8/9 had much taller bottom bolsters, the USDM (and I think Aus/NZ versions) received the more flat wider bolsters because of different body shape of each demographic. The JDM Evo IX wagon received the same seats as the USDM models.
I had 2005&2012. Fun little beast❤️❤️❤️❤️
Makes me miss my 8MR. Sold it back in 2016 for a Golf R (just before the prices started to spike a couple of years later here in Australia). The steering feedback and cornering confidence was better than the R. First thing i noticed when i drove the R hard on winding roads, just didn't offer anywhere near the same experience.
The lack of thigh bolster was probably a deliberate design choice. It makes the car more accessible to a wider group of owners.
Nice and very true review! A buddy has a 911 GT3, a GTR 35 and a M3, but his by far favorite car in terms of handling is a stock Evo5 he got for 22k. PS: The hard brake s for permanent leftfoot braking - feels worse with your right foot, but does a better job on leftfoot braking feel. It's an example for the genes of the car✌
Picked up my Evo 8 SSL with 85k miles in January for 24k! I don't think i'm going to ever let it go
Was looking at a new car purchase here last week. Cross shopping between a c6 base corvette, 2016-2019 STI, and a 2016-2018 Mustang. I was looking for a daily but couldn't go that old just because of the creature comforts. Also, finding parts was important to me. I ultimately decided against an STI just because the Boxers are so unpredictable when purchasing new and I don't know if I could justify the new block costs if it broke. Got myself a 2015 Mustang GT Premium 6 speed for $24.5k and couldn't be happier! Wanted to get an Evo, but the price is just too high for something that might not have parts availability as well as the Mustang.
Miss my evo 8 dearly. Don’t regret trading up to a CR, but the evo just had spunk that I have yet to find in a modern equivalent.
What is a cr?
@@evodaily7432civic R
@@evodaily7432 Honda S2000 CR
Problem is most owners mod them cheap and dont maintain them. If you stay up to date on everything it will run great. Ive drove my 700hp evo on plenty 18hr road trips with NO issues.
Had a lot of sportcars...BMW M4, Porsche GTS and other cars but nothing is like an evo...I love my Evo 9 👌
I had an Evo 8 I bought brand new in 2004. I chose that over the s2000 I was test driving. Today I own an ap1 S2000, but itching to get back into an Evo again. Seriously considering selling the S for an Evo 8/9.
So many of these cars we used to love were possible to pick up for reasonable prices once upon a time. Just another on the long list of “love it so much but isn’t worth it anymore” cars
The center differential control will lock more on looser surfaces and act more like an open diff on tarmac. If the center diff was locked on tarmac the car would feel very tight and difficult to rotate since all four wheel speeds would be tied together. If the center diff is open on a loose surface you'll jusy spin either the front or rear wheels.
Damn can some give this man a skyline GTR to drive Would love your opinion on that I owned a CT9A platform and it was hands down a great all rounder car now in a BCNR33 but i dont think i go back to a CT9A platform due my preference on certain things
Glad I picked up an evo10. I know people complain about the interior but IMO its probably the best interior in a car I've owned lol. Between my sw20 mr2, 2010 camaro, 2009 eclipse, 2006 Volvo c30, 1994 3000gt. The evo's interior is actually really nice 😂.
i normally drive a truck but when i get into my evo 9 its like the first time ever driving it all over again
I miss my evo 9…. Was a great car
I am fortunate to owned a 2006 Evo IX that i bought brand new. I also had STIs & now an Lexus IS500.
I don't know if ROW spec cars (rhd) are ever reviewed on this channel but I'd love to see a review of the older jdm evo's such as evo's 1-6. I'd also like to see a review of a TVR such as a cerbera, tuscan or sagaris (i know cerbera's have been imported already, though not many, and the earliest tuscans are importable this year, but I guess the sagaris won't be importable for another six years) if anyone is willing to offer their's up for review. And finally, I'd love to see review of some modern classic french cars such as a peugeot 205 gti, 306 gti-6, 405 mi-16, renault clio williams or clio II 182 cup or trophy (when importable).
I film 99% of my reviews in the US, and 95% of those are in California. Hope to change that soon if I can get flown out to press events etc.
The amount of WANT I had for this car on it's release in 2003 was insane. I was 20, still living at home at the time, but working 2 jobs, and I still dont think I could've afforded one. I had to stick with my 95 Prelude VTEC. Ohh darn, I know. But this thing along with the WRX finally managed to bring us in the US some actually fun cars from the East.
Lovely thing. 4WD performance saloons/sedan's have not progressed since this, even 20 years later. That's crazy. And kinda sad. Unless you get one of these ...and enjoy it. (Evo 9 is peak. IX too grippy and locked down at the back, lost that wonderful slidey adjustability of the CT9A chassis.)
Owned a 2014 Evo X for 6 years. Loved it! I have owned my Evo 8 for almost a year now and more than likely will never sell it. Some of the most addicting cars out there. Once you own one, it's hard to get away from them. Paid 35k for my 03 Evo 8. Documents, on documents and well taken care of. Couldn't pass it up!
Nice! I have an 03 Evo 8 and a 10 Evo X also! Agreed on your sentiments too.
@zachreliford I'm patiently waiting to import an Evo 9 Wagon legally to go next to my 8. Looking forward to the day.
What headunit and center dash trim? looking to upgrade from my single din setup.
The light that burns twice is bright burns half as long.
Here in Puerto Rico right now,a clean mint one 65 to 70k Lowest one right now is 45kits crazy long gone dream car cause not gonna pay that The evo x are 35k or less
Worth bro.❤ rip pual walker
Why bring him up? He has nothing to do with an Evo 9 or this video.
Please if you can do review on mk7 gti manual
What camera are you using in the windshield?
Made me miss my 8. Imported one in Quebec in 2010 for 10 000$ yes 10k lol. Times are changing... Modded ++ mine 405whp daily for 3 years Couldn't bond with the X I got afterwards Best car for our winters but the car rusted baldly also.
what id do to go back to this era
they're great cars but people hardly ever take care of them. im always cautious with evos, most have faced some kind of neglect
I agreed. They were used and abused
Some were neglected, others abused. Mine's never been neglected, but I've also beat on it for 10 years as a daily/autocross/track car. Absolutely no regard for any "next owner" - it's not happening, no AC, no stereo, just bury me in this thing.
Is that Mines Road in the Bay Area?
Road name?
Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish my car in time for you to drive it out here in socal. Next time you're out here I'll have it ready. 93 Honda prelude VTEC. Pistons,rods,cams ,GT35 turbo, factory short ratio LSD transmission,r888s,tokico blue kyb shocks front and rear sway bar , billet shifter etc etc Ill upgrade the brakes.
Will never say no to VTEC. Email me when it's ready 😎
@@Zygrene 100%
"Red Evo is yours" "You represent me now"
I had an evo 8 RS awesome cars much more raw and rewarding to drive than the X but those still feel like a proper evo
I still have my Evo 9 SE, almost 70k miles.
I had same car. Fun. But grew out of it and sold 2012.
Dream car
What road is this?
The place reminds me of Sage Road CA
evo 9 goated
Nice!
These are really fun and special cars but they are not worth anywhere near the price owners want for them in 2024. I have seen stealerships ask 70-90k for them lol.
47k for 300hp awd Toyota or EVOLUTION evo 8 more reliable, but that upgraded radio is nice 📻
Wish they were only 30k in Australia....
It’s crazy how well these have held their value. I wish they weren’t discontinued. I got a 2020 ND2 Miata with the BBS/Brembo/Recaro package with 3700 miles for $32500 OTD last year…used cars have dropped lower since. It was basically a brand new car, super clean So personally….from purely a “fun” prospective…I don’t think it’s worth 30k given the mileage and age and 99% of Evos are more than likely going to be beat to hell. Reliability has always been rumored to be iffy…but that could be because people tune and beat the shit out of them. That said the closest thing that’s new is probably a GR Corolla? But those don’t nearly have the same mod potential….engines can hold a good amount of power but the AWD system overheats stock lol I’d love an Evo though….be able to haul the kiddo without compromising driving dynamics and fun. Nothing else new appeals to me over the Miata, everything is either less fun or way too expensive. Solid video as always! Love watching you drive 🤙
If Evos didn't exist I would have such a simple life, never spoiled by attainable supercar power levels. I'd 100% be in a Miata or 86 and totally happy. Instead I'm over here either bouncing off the rev limiter or digging around with a borescope or sending out another oil analysis.
Black Evo 9s are going to be so hard to find and will cost ridiculous money in the future. 😢
They already are overpriced with high mileage.
I’ve had 3 Evos and each time I sold one I regretted it… once I got a 06 9 MR I decided I’m probably never gonna sell again 😂 I have had quite a few cars over the years and nothing has felt quite like an Evo. I don’t care if the interior is cheap or dated…. So are the 993 911s! (Shots fired 🤣)
What do I think about this car, you ask? I feel jealousy that I don't own one, or was an adult in the time when this car was being sold used left and right for $15k.
oo nice one!
At this point the Car’s value is based off the mods and maintenance history. The newest CT9A’s are old enough to vote
"It has the interior ambience of a tupperware container and the exterior design flair of an Adidas tracksuit. However this is all hiding a godly powertrain - no other car can extract grip from a surface quite like an Evo."
And honestly, if you go somewhere to have fun and nothing else a lunch packed in tupperware and a track suit are about the best companions you can have. I will add that as long as you don't abuse the AWD by launching it all the time they are dead reliable. (These days you have to sort out previous owners issues) and the sedan body just means you can bring your kids/friends/luggage etc.
@@WTFNoNamesLeft2 Thanks for info! Its my dream car since i was a child (i know a lot of info about it which is possible that i will never use🙂). it has one of the best powertrains ever made. its an extremely great car for corners. In Europe the prices have gone way up. for a good one with low mileage you have to pay almost the price of a new in 2006 (53k Euro). Those who lauch it and after 20 times it brakes, they dont know what they have exactly bought...
Review the one they Flew off Pikes Peak lol
How does it compare to a GRC and given the choice between a GRC and Evo 9, which would you own?
Damn, that's a tough call. They give very similar vibes although I think the Evo IX still feels sharper on turn in.
@@Zygreneok, which is more fun to drive?
@@Joe-eg7ml probably Evo IX but sounds like I need to do a comparo
@@Zygrene pls do would be very intresting
I own both. I daily my evo 9 and my wife drives the GRC. The evo will be more raw as it doesn’t have electric steering. I’ve told ppl the grc is like a newer evo 9. Almost as raw, still nimble and has good turn in. The GRC shifter feels better vs my evo with a works short shifter
what happened to all the evos I feel like I barely see any on the road these days even in the canyons.
They made way less of them than the competition. Its easy to break them if you get aggressive with launches and trans/t--case/diff replacements are big money.
Zygrene, how do you compare this evo with the S2000 in terms of raw feel, handling and power?
The funniest thing is that the S2000 has been my nemesis for over a decade. In a straight line there's nothing to talk about, any well maintained Evo you see is at about 400whp, including those on stock bottom ends. However, I remember jokingly telling my friend on Tuna canyon road "watch an S2000 appear right now" and seconds later - there he was, riding my ass the entire way down. Same thing on autocrosses, like I'll set a best time for the day, all smug taking pictures of the rankings, then around lunch an S2000 will arrive and knock me down a spot. This literally happened 4 times already. Straight line: Evo. Autocross/tight canyon: S2000. Big track: Evo. This applies stock for stock or modded for modded.
@@thirteen12the evo can be tuned for tight courses but it’s gonna take a lot of aero and tire to keep up, s2k was designed for the touge.
I'd take that "economy car" interior over the vast majority of newer cars with stuck on tablets, piano black everywhere, no physical buttons for AC and radio, and fake pumped in synthetic engine sound coming from the speakers.
More shit you gotta replace when it goes out.
I paid $19000 for my 2006 Lancer Evolution IX with 27,000 miles on it in 2009. I sold it 3 years later with 62,000 miles for $16,700. I saw one, same color and same mileage for sale a few months back for $40k. 😂 Fuck whomever is responsible for the used car market price gouging.
I think in SoCal someone is selling. Used 8-9 for like 50k with FBO stock turbo frame upgrade etc
@zygrene Excellent review. Former 8 GSR & 9 MR owner. Definitely regret selling. Between the two I preferred the MR’s 6spd but only because they were my daily’s. If I were to do any track duty I would prefer the 5spd.
Mitsubishi had so much potential with their engines. They stopped producing the rally tested 4g63. Then the 4b11 only had a few years to prove itself. Theses evolutions are trash now and can only be revived if they continued the platform and produced the parts for them. I wonder why they stopped. The evo 8 used to be my dream car.
More than that
Mitsubishi has swapped places with Hyundai in how they are perceived
Wow, so true
I’ve never thought about it but you’re right, Hyundai is in WRC now too. They should come out with some AWD sports car like this.
@@sirRoboliver Imagine an Elantra N developed by a former BMW M engineer
@@Vellano43 I vote they bring back the veloster N with AWD
Or the i20n AWD
No way i am paying 30k tho maybe 10k, but 30? Hell to the nah.
Lol what car do you drive?
@@kt411gcn sti
Not worth the current used cost. Can get a used F80 M3
I always ask, “how much Z06 can $## buy?” In this case, $30k-35k will get you into a C6 Z06, and that’s a whole lot of car to compete with. I guess it depends what someone wants out of a car, and how much $ they have as well. Still, $35k will get a whole lot of Z06.
Well since you're asking, there's NO amount of money you can spend on a Z06 that can give you the same steering feel you get in an EVO.
I would never trust an ls7
Has he driven a modded sti
I have. It was a lot of fun but still didn't give me the same "cheater car" vibes when cornering.
yup. he said so in the video.
@@Zygrene Try a Spec C Impreza of the same era as this Evo if you can, they’re quite a different car to the 2.5L models.
6:13 Exactly why they should have added a 6th gear! 😠 4000rpms at 80mph!
JDM CT9A’s (8’s and 9’s) got a six speed. They aren’t as strong as the five speed though.
@@swisscourthustle I know, but does 6th gear allow lower rpms at 80mph?
EVO 8 was 29,999 msrp. buying it used for the same priced used, 20 years later, no thanks!
The best car ever. Shame so many are clapped
Sold my 9 for a M3, no regrets......
Drive it harder!!! You are driving an EVO!!!
more like €50 to €60k im afraid
STILL RELEVANT?!?!?! HERECY AT THIS LEVEL IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH!!!! jk but a lan evo will never be irrelevant 🤣
That's a ton of money for what's basically a tarted up economy car. I know there's not a bunch of them and it is a special car but damn. There's so many amazing cars out there for 30k. Hey if it's your dream car and you've got the money I'm not gonna tell you you're wrong for buying one. Also I wish they'd made more of the old Galant VR4s. No it's not a blazing fast car but I've got soft spot for them. Can't find them now. Oh and if I did have 30k and wanted a Mitsubishi I'd have to go with the 3000GT. You can get one of the nicest, low mileage examples for 30. It's heavy I know and it's not a rally car. Far as I know they never rallied but they're fantastic looking rides.
What's the equivalent to an Evo that's worth the same amount? Also calling it a tarted up economy car is proposterous lol
30K? I couldn't find one in this condition for under 50k where I live. I just settled with a r33 gtr my friend sold me lol
I had an Evo 8, brand new back in 2004. Now I also own an R33 GTR. Upgraded turbo. And the Evo to me felt more nimble, sharper, and lighter like a go cart despite being at a similar weight as the R33. Nothing can replace a ct9a Evo. I'm looking to get another Evo before prices get even crazier.
@@dennischen8887 yea I'm still looking and upped my evo 9 budget but it seems like whenever im ready to buy prices just keep rising. Never mind finding a low mile one. I had a chance to drive one years ago and was immediately hooked I couldn't match it with anything I've driven. Since straight line speed is dime a dozen these days owning the evo 9 is more relevant than ever.
@@vladbej959 that was my feeling when I drove my brand new 8 out of the dealership. Nothing since then could match it. I sold it a few years later for only 19k with only 24k miles….
I got one that'll melt your face off
Yeah, did Smoking Tire ever end up reviewing a good track/canyon prepped one? I've been on a 2.4 at about 600whp, ohlins, 285s, ACD delete, etc. All that factory magic is long gone, just fear and horror as it catapults out of corners.
Evo X went over bloated route unfortunately. IX is the latest actual rally inspired beast. Hence, why mint examples still hold their value well
I disagree…
How does this work? Do owners of the channel pay people to drive/review their vehicles? So example: pay owner $250 to review their car and over time, the video makes them $500? 🤔
Nah, no money is being exchanged. I for one wanted to get a respected third party take on my car. Also, I was selling the car and wanted a video too look back upon of the car in action.
@@PC-hr2rc Ohh, this is your car in the video?
If I paid people to review their cars, this would be one expensive channel/hobby to keep afloat
@@Zygrene Well this must be a very good business model then; get product (car) for free to make content on and keep all the profits.
no way id pay 30k for a used evo like that you can basically get a brand new wrx for a little more.. or a GR for just a little more
No longer relevant unfortunately; time marches on. Economy car fisher price interior, dog slow off boost, and factory altezza tails didn’t age well.
My tail lights are red, just ask the McLaren 720s.
30k for that 😂 For that price you can buy much better sports car, For 12k maybe i buy it
Most overpriced car next to the Supra
Evos are wepons
Mitsu Evo Costs 3x times more shitty Subies :( Evo is much more then STi and much more rare...