I say go for something with a completely different character. Something with a torquey engine, plushier ride to completely differentiate the cars. Since you have a FWD and RWD car already, get something with AWD to really round out the stable.

My vote is for a GR. Best looking body style aside from the GF/GC IMO and super practical too.

 

Has anyone driven an EVO X and if so what was it like? It’s easier to find an X in my price range than an 8 or 9

 

If revs and fun is your only priority, don't limit yourself to 4 wheels.

 

Does reliable matter?

 

The Evo X is a ton of fun to drive. It's relatively quick, very stable, agile and you can mod it fairly decently without losing reliability. It's also practical.

The big issue with them is failure of the AYC/ACD pump. Mitsubishi is offering a very big warranty on these (10 years, I think?) so it should be taken care of if it fails. Probably not as big an issue in California, as you don't generally get enough rain/snow to cause the failure. A relocation kit is available to put it in the trunk of the car but Mitsubishi won't warranty it if you modify it that way.

Honestly, though, for what you're talking about, I'd get a 2014+ Mustang 5.0. Having a V8 that revs but still makes good torque (relative to your current cars) would be the perfect addition to your stable. They're also relatively cheap, there's a ton of aftermarket support, you can be guaranteed to find one you like, etc.

 

It is opposite of what I like most but I would go with this advice.

I have a Golf R and a Cayman S. I would like a third car and really have my eye on M2/M240i's maybe a convertible. But I think if I bought one, grabbing the keys to the Cayman or the 240i on nice days would be way too much overlap. I would find I liked one over the other and have spent a pile of cash on something that never gets used.

The Wrangler is not fast, and it does not handle well. But sometimes I might need to tow something like bringing my riding lawn mower to the shop to get fixed. Or go to an off road park. Or tear the doors and top off of it and enjoy the sun for a few days. It does things that neither of the others can do. Not to mention simple and easy to work on.

We have had several threads over the years where people buy several cars in the same niche and find one or two just sit and don't get used.

 

I had an Evo8 for about three years. My cousin still has a X. I make fun of him all the time. It's not that it's a bad car or anything. It's just not an Evo. I don't care what badge they put on there. The Evo6 is often considered the peak in the Lancer Evolution line. From there on, they gradually got softer and more pedestrian which culminated in the "upscale" X.

You can really feel the difference. The Evo8/9's interior really feel like bargain bin econoboxes. They squeak, rattle and it just feels cheap. But you forgive all that once you start driving the car hard. The Evo is by far the easiest car I have ever driven. Everything comes together - the ABS, AWD, AYC and ACD system - and just makes you faster. This can be a good thing or bad thing depending on how you look at it. I equate it to a smaller, more nimble GTR. There's just so much electronic wizardry going on, yet it blends it into the driving experience so well that you can't even tell. It's a hero maker.

The 4g63 can rev out to 8000rpm with a simple reflash but its outside of the stock 16g efficiency range at that point. If you're going into that range often, its usually recommended to upgrade the valvetrain. The 4B11 can also get up into that range and typically produces more power under the curve than the 4G63 but the two platforms are so completely different in how they drive that the X doesn't feel faster.

The X has all the same systems as the Evo8/9 except for the engine but the chassis is so much more isolated and dampened. Yes, the interior is improved upon the Evo8/9 but its not that much more better that it's like, "yeah, well worth the move from bare bones rally car to 'upscale' car". And while, I'll admit the X's engine and chassis are capable, they do not inspire like the Evo8/9. Instead you'll be happy just putzing along with the occasional run to redline. My lasting impression was that it felt big and sedate. NOT an Evo.

Don't get made fun of. Shop a STI instead or get a Evo8/9. If you get a X, be prepared to get snickers from real Evo owners.

 

Everytime I see a evo 10 I always smile. Theyll always wish they had an 8 or 9

 

The STi just isn’t that much fun. Go drive one, it lacks character. And that interior is a rattle bucket.

 

Most people that I know that have owned a WRX or STi (inlcuding me) got bored of it real quick. I would advice against buying. Subaru's best products are on the bottom of their portfolio.