Question for those who have driven both an Evo X MR and a Lancer Ralliart

Is the Evo X worth the additional cost over and above the Ralliart for a car that's going to be mostly used for DD duty?

I don't like Subarus and it looks like we suddenly need a car with an automatic gearbox (wife doesn't "do" manual) that's still sporty and fun to drive. Given that my crapcans are dropping like flies I think it's time to buy something new or at least only a couple of years old at this point.

With an Evo I'd probably look at new because I don't think I want a pre-owned one, the chance of getting one driven by a wannabe F&F cast member is too high for my liking.

Aside from the power difference, I do hear that the Ralliart is slightly easier to live with than the Evo, as far as a DD goes. I really do like both, but my problem is the cast of characters that these cars typically draw. Prime example is the kid down the street from us that has a GIANT "Mr. Evo !" decal across his windshield, and some other questionable choices.

I do think they're amazing machines though. Maybe too boy racerish from me.

If you're going new AWD/auto, why not the Mazda CX-5? Then you can tow a little, too.

Ralliart for a DD any day of the week.

Dealer let me take the EVO X home over a weekend and while I loved it for the driving experience- my wife absolutely hated it. The ride is stiff and harsh, its noisy and drones, the trunk is a joke, and the interior is cheap and shoddy.

But if it was just for me I would buy an EVO X manual in a heartbeat. Well...if a Mustang GT wasnt so much cheaper.

Won't the Ralliart have the same joke of a trunk as the Evo?

The previous gen Golf R32 has the DSG transmission and is a great comfy AWD DD. Or pick up a lightly used Audi A4 avant.

In reply to docwyte:

I was thinking that the ralliart had the hatchback. I didn't know there was a sedan ralliart.

Ojala wrote: Ralliart for a DD any day of the week. Dealer let me take the EVO X home over a weekend and while I loved it for the driving experience- my wife absolutely hated it. The ride is stiff and harsh, its noisy and drones, the trunk is a joke, and the interior is cheap and shoddy. But if it was just for me I would buy an EVO X manual in a heartbeat. Well...if a Mustang GT wasnt so much cheaper.

I need the name of that dealer! I think I need to take a test drive on......oh..say Friday night. Maybe I can find a Nissan dealer that will let me take a GT-R home for the weekend for a test drive. In all seriousness, I have never heard of that happening. Around here you can't even leave the parking lot on some test drives and if you do the salesman rides next to you in the front. I find that astonishing.

Ojala wrote: In reply to docwyte: I was thinking that the ralliart had the hatchback. I didn't know there was a sedan ralliart.

The current model is sedan only, IIRC. Moot point either way as 'er indoors doesn't like hatchbacks.

Javelin wrote: If you're going new AWD/auto, why not the Mazda CX-5? Then you can tow a little, too.

Sorry, I don't like cute utes. Certainly not enough to sit down with a loan officer anywhere.

docwyte wrote: Won't the Ralliart have the same joke of a trunk as the Evo? The previous gen Golf R32 has the DSG transmission and is a great comfy AWD DD. Or pick up a lightly used Audi A4 avant.

I don't like Audis, plus I haven't heard about an Audi specialist up here that is any good. Dealer seems to be a bit of a gamble, they closed for a while and just reopened.

I'm also seriously thinking about buying new and not used, and neither a Golf nor an A4 is interesting enough to me to consider borrowing money for it.

In reply to Feedyurhed:

I have a lot of contacts at dealerships from Auto theft recoveries.

Forester Turbo?

BoxheadTim wrote: I don't like Subarus

In reply to BoxheadTim:

New, AWD, auto, cars. Hmmm...

A 2013 Dodge Charger SXT can be done up with the 300HP Pentastar V6, 8-speed auto, AWD, and the AWD Sport Pack for $31,385. Or for $200 less you can get the R/T AWD Sport with the 370HP Hemi! (HTF does that even happen?!?)

The 300S Hemi AWD is also only apparently $34,340.

By comparison, the AWD 2.0T/6-speed auto Caddy ATS starts at $37,795 for the lowest-rung model.

The new Ford Fusion only does AWD in the Titanium trim with the 2.0T EcoBoost. $32,995 isn't bad though, and that is the top of the line trim.

In reply to Javelin:

Damn you!

....stomps off to play with Chrysler car builder

Javelin wrote: In reply to BoxheadTim: New, AWD, auto, cars. Hmmm...

There's one requirement missing from the list, though - "handling prowess".

That's why the question started out with Evos .

BoxheadTim wrote:

Javelin wrote: In reply to BoxheadTim: New, AWD, auto, cars. Hmmm...

There's one requirement missing from the list, though - "handling prowess". That's why the question started out with Evos .

Wait - I seem to remember you have a fondness for Porsche...I think that may be your answer!

In reply to petegossett:

I do, but with the way prices of those have gone recently out here it looks like they're out of our budget, at least the ones that are fairly easy to get a loan at non-ripoff rates for.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

Have you driven the Sport Suspension Dodge/Chrysler? Then shut up and go do it. They are surprisingly competent in the corners. They are also fun to drive, especially for an automatic AWD car.

The Lancer is an ancient platform with a tiny back seat and trunk and a crashy suspension that will cause herniated discs. Fast? Oh hell yes. Nice? Not even slightly.

Have you driven the Sport Suspension Dodge/Chrysler? Then shut up and go do it.

I consider that good advice.

Javelin wrote: In reply to BoxheadTim: Have you driven the Sport Suspension Dodge/Chrysler? Then shut up and go do it. They are *surprisingly* competent in the corners.

I've contemplated, many times, a new basic R/T with the sport suspension in black.

Thankfully, my credit sucks.

Having now driven both, for us the decision was that yes, the Evo MR is worth the additional money over the Ralliart. They feel very different - not helped by the seats in the Ralliart that didn't feel very nice and make you sit much higher than I was comfortable with - but the Evo just felt so much sharper on our little test drive that it was a no brainer.

tried both of these cars and the subaru and bought the subaru.

However between the ralliart and the MR the transmission had an additional sport mode on the MR that shifted much harder.

The ralliart just felt like a heavy car. Didn't like it. If the Evo was within my budget I would own one but bought a WRX instead. It's just a better car compared to the ralliart overall. No manual option obviously so that is not an option for you unless you tell your wife that you are the man of the house lol

How is the 8spd in the new Chrysler stuff? I generally hate automatics, but really like the big rwd stuff they have been producing and might be able to live with one

certified preowned 335ix