[Shotimes] Re: (OT) '06 Evo IX

[Ian Fisher]

Thanks for the info Don. I had heard about some of the
maintenance issues related to the 540i but I guess I'm
stubborn. :-)

I'm not planning on replacing the SHO with either car
and I do understand that they are at opposite ends of
the spectrum. The EVO would be the fun car and the
540i would be the highway/daily commuter. The SHO
would probably turn into a dedicated track car at that
point. In an ideal world I'd like to purchase both
(used) and keep the SHO but we'll have to see what my
job situation looks like in 2 years when I'll be more
serious about getting something.(I'm supposed to be
saving for a house somewhere in here too) Considering
how many new cars are coming out and how easily I
change my mind, a lot could change in those 2 years.

Ian

--- Donald Mallinson <dmall@mwonline.net> wrote:

> Ian,
> 
> I have not owned anything like the Evo, but I did
> have a 540isport 
> 6-speed.  It was a wonderful car that cost a BUNCH
> to maintain.  Think 
> fixing SHO's is expensive?  Wait till you hit the
> maintenance cycle of 
> the 540.  You will do cat converters, syncro's in
> the tranny, bunches of 
> electronics in the dash unless you want to put up
> with all sorts of 
> blinking and missing lights.  The engines are nearly
> bulletproof, but 
> they leak a lot, and expect to replace or repair the
> radiator a time or 
> two.  Then there is the major tune-up, unless you
> just buy the reset 
> tool and pay it later or let someone else pay for
> that huge bill.
> 
> The two cars you are considering are at almost polar
> opposite ends of 
> the car spectrum.  the 540 is an all-day comfortable
> car that is fast 
> for a big heavy car and I know they will do a track
> day and be fun, but 
> they aren't agile.  MPG is better than you might
> think though, I was 
> getting mid 20's easily on trips and high teens, low
> 20's mixed driving.
> 
> The Evo is a tool for rally and not going to be much
> fun on the 
> highway.  You may enjoy it at the autocross or a
> track day, or the 
> occasional blast through good roads, but live with
> it on a daily basis 
> on bad roads or heavy traffic and you may want an
> automatic tranny quick.
> 
> Both are excellent in their nitch and both may be
> expensive to 
> maintain.  It just seems funny to be considering
> both in the same 
> sentence since they are so different. 
> 
> Good luck and let us know what you decide.
> 
> Don Mallinson
> 
> Ian Fisher wrote:
> 
> >I'm considering 1 of 2 cars in the next 2 years. A
> >used EVO VIII or XI and/or a used BMW 540i sport (6
> >speed). I've driven the EVO VIII and it is simply
> >amazing. A lot of people have said that it feels a
> lot
> >more connected than the STi and the power
> difference
> >is nill considering the amount of effective yet
> >cheaper aftermarket mods. I can't wait to drive an
> IX.
> >I don't know if anyone here watches the Japanese
> "Best
> >Motoring" TV series on DVD that's sold here in the
> US.
> >I have more than one episode that pits the EVO
> against
> >some really high dollar cars. It usually hangs neck
> >and neck with the new turbo 911's (professional
> >drivers who drive the snot out of the cars). OTOH,
> the
> >WRX's and STi's usually get lost a few cars back.
> For
> >the money,  the EVO is an amazing bargain.
> >
> >Ian
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