When I decided I was going to buy a new car, I actually was planning to get a shiny new 2013 Evo. However, when I test drove one, I was surprised by how noisy it was and how underwhelming it felt. I kept thinking back to the automatic (<-- !!!) 370Z I drove earlier that morning and how much more fun it was to drive.

I went in to that test driving day planning to hate the Z and loving the Evo. It ended up being completely the other way around. A few weeks later I test drove a 2011 Nismo and that sealed the deal. Now I have a Nismo on order. :tup:

The push u back in your seat feel is really dependent on when you shift the Z. If you shift in its peak rpm range 2500-5200'ishrpm. Torque will be smooth and seamless. Now shift in the 5500 to 6200 range. When you feel that gear drop into the peak torque range, you gonna get a nice hard jolt. But if you're seemlessly shifting at 4000-4600 rpm for spirited driving. thats linear power.
If you shift above 6200, you will shift into the top end on the max torque range and shifting will be snappy but not jolting, throw back in your seat, but you'll get some sick exhaust roar.
:) Evo's are fun as fukk though. No denying that. FI driving leaves you more satisfied than with v6 NA's. I love the vq though. I find it to be an exceptional v6. But for absolute better engine response. 4&6 cyl turbos or NA V8's are hands down the best at giving that thrust and driving fun.

same here, but I got a '12 touring Z instead. Performance wise, maybe the EVO is a little better, just a little...but the Z just look better and feel better (material). If 2 seater is not a problem, Z is the way to go.

Any differences on the '13 EVO? I went last month to a Mitsu dealer and all they had were rows of 2012's.

Really? when i was waiting for my 2011 Z. My dealer was taking so long for a dealer trade. I went to go test drive a BMW 135i and 2012 mitsubishi evo.
Going straight to the Evo test. Luckily my salesguy was a ricer and evo owner... Knowing that i was coming from an 09 Z he let me beat one up.

I was blown away by the Evo's ability. I was exiting a tight highway doughnut exit @ 84mph. At best in the Z, I can pull that donut in the low 60mph range.
Doing that donut in a Z at that speed i'm in full drift. In the Evo, the car is still roadholding... the dual clutch in the EVO was AMAZING. The shifts were so fast and perfect, powerful and aggressive, it outperformed the DCT in the 135i by a landslide. The 135i offered more power to boot, though more seamless and less aggressive than the Evo while feeling a little bit more powerful than the Z.
The sound of the BOV's on the stock engine was amazing. Steering feedback was spot on, nice and firm but the edge on the Z. The Evo X is slightly louder than the Z but it's more exhaust and turbo noise and less engine noise, vs the Z is engine first, then exhaust. Crappy exhaust @ that. My only issue is on the straight, after about 115'ish miles per hour, The power began dropping off like mad. As with the Z, power doesnt drop off till 140ish mph. Give or take 5mph an hour depending on different variables.

My issues with the Evo weren't performance issues at all. Seriously, How often do most of you guys go past 115??? The interior and dash looks chintzy. there was slight interior rattle on bumps which was a unsurprising disappointment considering its a lancer... The seats are comfortable and excellent had positioning but feel forced as far as outward visibility. It's like those seats were too low and the whole car itself was too high. The seat should have been positioned about .25inches higher and the car 1.25" lower. The forward dash was too econoboxish and the materials too $10k'ish for a $44k car.
The evo is the budget supercar and the Z is the budget sports car. The Z looks like a budget supercar and the evo looks like a budget sports car. Between the too as far as looks go... The evo is way more displaced by appearance. This all being my subjective opinion.

Performance wise... I can't see how one could walk away disapponted from either one but... To each his own.:tiphat:

I think I misspoke. I was looking to buy a 13, but I don't believe I test drove a 13. I honestly don't remember for sure, but I believe it was a 2012 model that I drove.

I even liked the STIs I drove better than the Evo. Was kinda surprised by that. It's all personal preference, though...

Maybe my expectations were too high going in to the test drive .. or I was already subconsciously hooked on the Z .. I don't know. I definitely went in to the Z test drive with very low expectations. It really surprised me. I just didn't enjoy the Evo test drive as much, though. However, I didn't push it as much as you did, either. Maybe if I had played with it a bit more...

I have never been driving on EVO yet. however, I might say it is kindda difference function here. Evo is 4 doors with turbo, but 370 is NA with coupe. I m a fanboy of EVO, but I would not decide to drive it everyday if I own one. on the other side, I would drive 370 most of the day because It is fun to drive and look outstanding at least more than EVO because EVO most people who do not know especially girls they will think that you are driving a LANCER. with slow speed 370 win to catch attention. however, if you have an EVO, you pride of urself and people will look at you when you drive fast.

Agreed, you will certainly get more looks in a 370. If you want AWD, handling, cargo space go for the evo. If you want all out speed, there are more affordable options available.

P*ssy must play a part in your decision. lol:owned:

P*ssy plays a part in every decision. ;)

One of the things that has me wondering if i should've gotten an Evo over my Z is the turbo. And not for the usual reasons. I live in high altitude (~4600 ft above sea level) and just that fact gives me around 10% less HP because the Z is N/A (according to some sources, i hope it's not THAT bad...) I mean, i would have to spend quite a bit of cash just to get it to match a stock Z at sea level.

With a turbo though, the atmospheric pressure doesn't affect performance nearly as much. It's also one of the reasons i don't want an FR-S. I'm sure at sea level the car feels "peppy" but up here it would probably feel downright slow. With a turbo on the other hand, i would get the best of both worlds: Top performance regardless the altitude and if i'm not mistaken, since i am at high altitude, less drag at high speeds.

Just test drive them both and decide for yourself. [SIGH]

That's crazy talk right there. Don't you know that making any important decision must now be done by popular vote via an internet forum?

I second that...