So, with the Skivvic gone (but not forgotten) it was time to find a replacement.
Something i'd thought long and hard about over the last year or so, but ultimately, changed my mind about frequently.
After consideration, I drew up a list of requirements:
1. Sensible
2. A more forgiving colour to keep clean than Pirate's black
3. Good on fuel
4. Comfortable
5. Luxurious
Then I realised that 1, 3, 4 and 5 were my dad talking and so I bought an evo
Specifically an Evo 7 GSR in Eisen grey with 24k on the clock.
It's in fantastic condition, interior is pretty much as new. Paintwork is very, very good as well, few blemishes as you'd expect for a car of its age, but there is no dents at all. Obviously been looked after and garaged most of its life.
I always said I'd travel the length of the country for a car, and I had to do it. Car was picked up from Preston, Lancashire. Had a long trip home via Howden, Yorkshire to familiarise myself with it Got back to Brighton from Howden on a single tank (45 litre) of fuel. Which works out at around 27mpg - not too bad.
So why an Evo?
• I've wanted one since I was 16, probably earlier. I wanted to own one by 21 and so i'm a bit late
• I've read up about everything about them for literally years and lurked on the MLR long before I joined any Honda forums.
• I love the looks, I love the rally pedigree and history, and I love the no-frills rawness.
• I cycle to work or get the train, and never need to drive far - I have no reason to have a sensible car. This is for fun only.
Why not a Subaru?
• I've always wanted an Evo.
• Prefer the looks.
• Rarer than Subaru's.
• The engine is arguably stronger and easier to tune.
• The owner demographic for Evo's is better (albeit not by much in some instances!
)
• I'm friends with the owner of a prominent Evo tuning company.
• I live 2 minutes away from arguably the best Mitsubishi dealership for Evo's in the country.
Why an Evo 7?
• Aside from the 9 which was out of my price range, it's my favourite looking Evo.
• Not quite as aggressive looking as a 6, slightly more refined
• Cost. Could have gotten a 8 but preferred the 7 for the reasons above and its cheaper. Also tax is only £190 a year due to PLG loophole
Enough waffle, more about the car.
• 24,000 miles
• Imported at 8,000 miles, full belt service done.
• Full history from import and ownership history traceable through the MLR from import.
Modifications:
• HKS Air Filter (Not my first choice and will probably come off in the future)
• Evo 8 MR Turbo with 10.5 Exhaust housing.
• 3" Turbo Elbow
• 3" Magnex Downpipe and Decat
• 3" Milltek Exhaust
• Walbro 155l/hr Fuel Pump
• Gizzmo Boost Controller
• Autobahn 88 Intercooler
• Turbo timer (Think it's Apexi)
• MAK Alloys
• Prosport Oil Temp, Volt/AFR, and boost gauges
• Exedy Organic Single Plate Clutch
Running approx 377bhp at 1.68 Bar. I'm currently running it at 1.3 Bar until I get used to the car. I'm also concerned about the rods at the higher level of boost and so will probably change them before I run this level again.
How is it?
Well it's ridiculously fast to say the least, to the point it scares me. It just moves so quickly for a car its size and turns in so well. Ridiculous levels of grip and stops incredibly well.
Front Calipers need a refurb but since the previous owner was kind enough to give me a spare set of front and rear brembo calipers, I should be able to do this soon. He also gave me a spare set of front pads, the OE cat and downpipe, and an evo 6 cat and downpipe (?!).
Now for some pics before and after some obligatory Gaijin turbo cleaning:
In the garage ready for "attention"
Paint was never really that bad:
Professional inspection lamps:
Bonnet has probably never been clayed then
Or the roof
Bonnet prepped
Masking the rest of the car
Done and waxed:
Something i'd thought long and hard about over the last year or so, but ultimately, changed my mind about frequently.
After consideration, I drew up a list of requirements:
1. Sensible
2. A more forgiving colour to keep clean than Pirate's black
3. Good on fuel
4. Comfortable
5. Luxurious
Then I realised that 1, 3, 4 and 5 were my dad talking and so I bought an evo
Specifically an Evo 7 GSR in Eisen grey with 24k on the clock.
It's in fantastic condition, interior is pretty much as new. Paintwork is very, very good as well, few blemishes as you'd expect for a car of its age, but there is no dents at all. Obviously been looked after and garaged most of its life.
I always said I'd travel the length of the country for a car, and I had to do it. Car was picked up from Preston, Lancashire. Had a long trip home via Howden, Yorkshire to familiarise myself with it
Got back to Brighton from Howden on a single tank (45 litre) of fuel. Which works out at around 27mpg - not too bad.So why an Evo?
• I've wanted one since I was 16, probably earlier. I wanted to own one by 21 and so i'm a bit late
• I've read up about everything about them for literally years and lurked on the MLR long before I joined any Honda forums.
• I love the looks, I love the rally pedigree and history, and I love the no-frills rawness.
• I cycle to work or get the train, and never need to drive far - I have no reason to have a sensible car. This is for fun only.
Why not a Subaru?
• I've always wanted an Evo.
• Prefer the looks.
• Rarer than Subaru's.
• The engine is arguably stronger and easier to tune.
• The owner demographic for Evo's is better (albeit not by much in some instances!
)• I'm friends with the owner of a prominent Evo tuning company.
• I live 2 minutes away from arguably the best Mitsubishi dealership for Evo's in the country.
Why an Evo 7?
• Aside from the 9 which was out of my price range, it's my favourite looking Evo.
• Not quite as aggressive looking as a 6, slightly more refined
• Cost. Could have gotten a 8 but preferred the 7 for the reasons above and its cheaper. Also tax is only £190 a year due to PLG loophole
Enough waffle, more about the car.
• 24,000 miles
• Imported at 8,000 miles, full belt service done.
• Full history from import and ownership history traceable through the MLR from import.
Modifications:
• HKS Air Filter (Not my first choice and will probably come off in the future)
• Evo 8 MR Turbo with 10.5 Exhaust housing.
• 3" Turbo Elbow
• 3" Magnex Downpipe and Decat
• 3" Milltek Exhaust
• Walbro 155l/hr Fuel Pump
• Gizzmo Boost Controller
• Autobahn 88 Intercooler
• Turbo timer (Think it's Apexi)
• MAK Alloys
• Prosport Oil Temp, Volt/AFR, and boost gauges
• Exedy Organic Single Plate Clutch
Running approx 377bhp at 1.68 Bar. I'm currently running it at 1.3 Bar until I get used to the car. I'm also concerned about the rods at the higher level of boost and so will probably change them before I run this level again.
How is it?
Well it's ridiculously fast to say the least, to the point it scares me. It just moves so quickly for a car its size and turns in so well. Ridiculous levels of grip and stops incredibly well.
Front Calipers need a refurb but since the previous owner was kind enough to give me a spare set of front and rear brembo calipers, I should be able to do this soon. He also gave me a spare set of front pads, the OE cat and downpipe, and an evo 6 cat and downpipe (?!).
Now for some pics before and after some obligatory Gaijin turbo cleaning:
In the garage ready for "attention"
Paint was never really that bad:
Professional inspection lamps:
Bonnet has probably never been clayed then
Or the roof
Bonnet prepped
Masking the rest of the car
Done and waxed:
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
) looks of the 7