Evo 8 fq-400

[chris m]

Has anyone any real experience with these? I really wanted one not so long ago but was a bit put off by some bad reviews I had read. I doubt I need to get into it but lag, turning circle, clutch, fuel economy... Do these really add up to the unliveable car described?

Lag, I can imagine this being a hindrance. I feel this at times with my audi because the majority of the pull is between 5-8 rpm but it in reality isn't such a problem as its a NA and doesnt lag as such. So then, is the evo really hard to use?

Turning circle for manoeuvres, I guess the frustration of this one doesnt need explained. What about tight corners though, hair pin for example?

Clutch i have read is very hard to get right for stop start. Very easy to stall? How is the clutch in general though?

Fuel economy, I have a 4.2 v8 as well, surely it cant be worse than that? Even if so, I wont be doing 200 mile a week anyway.

To finish then, from doing a bit digging, the sensible thing to do is go for a 340 or 360 as they are so much more liveable but me personally, dont know if i would happily settle. I heard from tonnes of people saying that the rs4 isnt worth more than twice as much as the s4. Not just is the rs4 a much better car, i know for a fact if i had got the s4, i would forever be thinking 'i wish i had got'... Lets face it, its not all about practicality is it? I suppose any evo would be out of the window by insurance premiums, running costs etc.
That said, if the fq-400 is chronic and should be avoided, i would like to hear it. I just have a thing about having the 'special' one if it deserves that. It does have the rare factor about it too.

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[Aidy]

The only reason to get an FQ400 is for the prestige. You can get an VIII to a much more drivable and better 400 BHP for not a whole lot of money, or already buy a 400 BHP VIII. MPG will be mid to low 20s, the turning circle on all evos is poor, they have quick racks. In terms of lag, Clarkson was mucking about when they reviewed the FQ400, modern materials and turbo chargers are pretty good on lag.

 

[chris m]

Okay, thanks for your input mate. I know what your saying about the power. It is more the prestige I guess then. You never do get this kind of car for practicality do you?

 

[gary stanfield]

as aidy said ... if you can afford a fq400 then buy it it will hold its value for years . or buy an evo that's already 400/400 or a stick one and do spend a little on it to make it 400 and the turning circle is s**t on my 8 .. (but that's what the handbrakes for lol) I (can) get 29 mpg on a run out of my 330 that's over 400/400 . (If i could have afforded a fq400 I would have bought it but I love my 8 with the chargespeed body kit

 

[chris m]

Thanks for that mate. I am new to the Evo scene and learning the ropes. I might get cheaper one as a first to get familiar with ownership. That way I will know for sure

 

[andyw08]

The genuine fq400 will be the one that every collector will be after in years to come! Like the escort cosworth now, have you seen how much they go for?! But if your not one of these people who keep a car for decades then like the other lads said buy a 330 or somthing similar and make it 400/400 the 260 takes quite a lot more money to make 400 as the cams and turbo will need upgrading aswell as the stuff the 330 needs

 

[chris m]

Yeah, I used to be into the old fords. Had a few escorts and fiestas and even they are pricey now for good ones. If I ģot one I probably would hang onto it for a while. I have a e36 m3 I am keeping ahold of for now and a v8 rs4. I have just put a deposit on a red tme from DCY and was planning on picking it up this week. I will see how evo ownership goes and work out whether it is worth hanging on to.

 

[andyw08]

Nice car collection ha ha

 

[chris m]

I cant help myself mate. Im struggling for space