japan is the best place to get your cars

Japan is a good source for cars IF you want a Japanese car. Pretty crap for European or American!!!

Zilog - Ireland is a popular place for them because all the nicked cars disappear to Dubei then go to Ireland

 

Yeah, they're a bit odd when it comes to importing European cars - they seem to like getting left-hand-drive versions for that extra authenticness despite it being quite hideously dangerous

Ah they're not all like that! Yeah I know the likes of the Yakuza do their fair share of "importing" too, but I think a lot of that's stopped now. It's pretty easy to tell which were the dodgy dealers anyway - they'd often also sell even dodgier stolen/two-cars-stuck-together UK imports! I'd never trust a Vauxhall sold over here -_-

 

The American Evo VIII is functionally identical to the Japanese car except for:

A.) RHD vs. LHD

B.) The US Evo VIII does not have AYC (Active Yaw Control) <---this is my big beef, but interestingly, it still doesn't stop the US car from performing essentially up-to-spec with its JDM counterpart, especially not with the new ACD (Active Center Differential) in the MR Models.

 

I agree, this is one feature I wish was on the US version but it is good to see that it doesn't hamper performance. I also read that the gastank on the US version is larger then their Japanese counterpart, is this true?

If I were to by an Evo right now I would probably opt for the MR, although 5k more for one gear is a bit expensive. I have seen 03s and 04s for sale below 25k, but I have read from reviews and peoples personal experiences that these engines will leak oil like crazy if you don't break them in properly from the get go.

My only real gripe is that the trunk spoiler is not optional on the VIII and MR versions.


^_^_^

 

The MR package includes an awful lot more than just that extra gear. If all you want is the 6MT, just wait for an '06 Evo IX, as they'll all be 6-speed. The MR includes better wheels, shocks, faster-spooling turbo, and tons of other innovations that set it apart from the stock Evo VIII.

Yes, 4G63's are a handful when not broken in properly, same with the EJ20T from the WRX.

You WANT that trunk spoiler. I previously owned a wingless WRX and it was all over the place over 80mph, just am aerodynamic nightmare. The STi, with it's bigass wing, feels very planted at high speed. I'd imagine it's the same with the Evo. These cars are too unaerodynamic and high off the ground to get by without the big wings, they're there for a reason.

Much as I may like Evos, I like older Japanese cars even more. I'll take any one of these, thank you very much....

KPGC10 "Hakosuka" Skyline GT-R


KPGC110 "Ken and Mary" Skyline GT-R


S30 Fairlady Z


AE86 Levin


R31 Skyline (this particular car has an RB26DETT swap)

 

Thx for the info, I was unaware of some of the other features the MR had over the VIII. It's good to know the spoiler actually helps in performance, but it still looks horrible.

Will the Evo IX be on par with the MR as far as features/options? What would I look for in a used Evo or WRX/STi that may led to a problem down the road?

Very nice pics. I love the old Skylines, the design and stance is great. The only vintage Japanese car I have seen around here was a mid 80’s Corolla (85-65).

My favorite Evo is the IV circa 1997. The body styling is great, as well as the front clip. I would be happy with a stock version of the IV, in white preferably.


^_^_^

 

That's funny, the IV is my favorite too, I like the three-support rear wing and the headlights.

The IX will incorporate a lot of what made the MR the MR, like the ACD, quicker-spooling turbo and 6-speed. The regular Evo IX will likely not include the nice wheels or Bilstein suspension of the MR, but if you're going to swap your wheels and buy coilovers like so many do, it's a moot point anyway.

I imagine that there will be some sort of special edition IX also, as it is sort of the last of the line. Mitsu has gone on record saying that with the Evo X, they plan on completely reinventing the concept, sort of like starting all over from 1 again, so the IX will likely be the last of what any of us might recognize as a Lancer Evolution.