I bought a 5 speed 04 Ralliart about 4 months ago with ~58k miles on it, since I've owned it I've only put about 8k on it. So far I absolutely love it, but I've come to realize the previous owner had no idea what he was doing with it (CAI zip tied to the battery box, battery tray missing, front bumper torn up) and the car has had some issues I doubt a car this new should be having. When I bought the car the clutch was going out and it finally got to be too bad to drive about a week ago, so I ordered a clutch kit from Exedy and a new flywheel from Mitsu and got to it. After I pull the trans I notice the bell housing is covered in motor oil, so the rear main seal got replaced. While I was in there I also ended up doing both output shaft seals and new sway bar links. I get the car back together and its fine for about 3 days, then the starter goes out. My question is do any of you other RA guys have these kinds of problems? Is this just how these cars wear or did the previous owner just beat on this one? And yes, I did use the search function, got nothing, AND read through all 23 pages of the n00b thread.

 

Ha I've had so many issues with my RA:

On my second tranny
Replaced relays
Replaced Starter
Power steering recently started leaking
.....

I don't drive the car much so I learn to live with it all.

 

Its hit or miss with our cars. To be honest i haven't had that many problems with mine that were not related to my modding. In all actuality all i have replaced is the battery in 6 years.

 

Exploding CMC.....

 

If i would have never upgraded my clutch i dont think that would ever had happened imo.

 

Ive had my clutch go out and my fuel level sensor went out. otherwise everything thats wfrong with it now is totally my fault lol.

 

After 3 years of owning mine nothing but struts have been replaced. Its been good to me.

 

Mine is perfect. Only the heater knob problem replaced under warranty. Still on factory battery.

 

Man, well I guess mine just got beat on haha. Thanks for the info though guys, its good to know that there aren't any characteristic problems I should have to look out for.

 

Sounds like the previous owner beat the **** out of it. As GDS said, it's kind of hit and miss with the car, but for the most part it holds together well.

 

Yeah, if the previous owner had no conscience about sweating the small stuff you can be pretty sure he thrashed it with no intention of spending maintenance and upkeep money, so now you have to do that. These are good cars - make it right with some TLC and enjoy. Sounds like you're more than capable. Still a right p*ss-off, though, isn't it?

 

Oh yeah man, I definitely love the car and plan on keeping it for as long as possible, and I don't mind putting in the money or sweat to keep it going. It just sucks clean up somebody else's messes under the hood; that engine bay was a hot mess when I first got ahold of it.