I am seriously thinking about getting an EVO as a second "daily driver".

I do not plan on making any modifications to the engine (I am not qualified) and I want the car to last a long time.

I am quite the tight a&$ when it comes to maintenance, keeping my cars clean and not beating on them (I once had a Jetta VR6 that I traded with 86,000miles and still 30% left on the original brake pads...).

This may be a dumb question, but since I am unfamiliar with mitsubishis, what is the life expectancy of the EVO engine? Have any particular weak points been pointed out by previous owners, since the engine seems to have been around for a while? Is the car as a whole historically pretty durable?

I appreciate any input.

 

Hmm, well that's a sensitive question.
Realistically, the EVO motors are very well bred and heavily developed, but most of this is to make a motor with high longevity at very high output levels. In absolute terms, I seriously doubt that it can match a Civic motor without some heavier maintenance and replacement parts costs and labor. It's just something the enthusiasts accept to have very high output. For example, the factory tires last 15k miles if you're lucky. If you are going to drive it as per your example (not even using brakes much), I think that you'd be spending a good portion of it for things you aren't really using. EVO's are designed to be modified; it's a simple as that. If you don't plan on doing any of that or even using it's full stock potential so as to make it last as long as possible with as little maintenance as possible, I would recommend taking a look at a few other things.
This is a high maintenance car. Durable and tough as nails, but high maintenance.

Mark
www.Quantum-Racing.com

 

Thanks for the reply. I do intend to use the car to its potential in stock form (I mean, to the best of my driving ability, I do not pretend to be Delecour). I also understand the added maintenance costs, and they seem reasonnable for the performance you get and the type of car this really is. However, I was more targeting my question at any achile's heel this vehicle may have...

Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah true but look at all those 1g eclipses rollin around still today. I see them all the time and they are 90-94 cars. And alot are not modded just driven around usually by some older guy in his 40's. By the way stephanie, turbo eclipse's carry the same powerplant..with some spec differences over the years.

 

I kind of have to admit, that a car as beautiful and with the potential shoudl be driven by people why car and will use its potential RESPONSABLY. I konw I am not the only one who hates when a corvette or M3 is in the fst lane on the highway going 50 MPH. If you plan on buying a limited production car with the following to effectively call it a cult car, or better yet, the icon of Mitsubishi's future, and driving like you are driving Miss Daisy, I would discourage it. I am in no position to give advise, and it is just my gut reaction, but we all know that we hate slow drivers in nice cars. I want to cry everytime I see it. The good news is that you would help to lower the insurance for the rest of the owners. STI

 

Ah, I see your point. In that case, I must say that I am not aware of any achille's heel for the 4G63 in the form it is in the EVO8. The 4G63 in the Diamond Star cars is based off of the EVO 1~3 motor. Some will tell you that the 'heel' of the EVO is crankwalk but that really only plagued the 95~97 (early second generation) DSM cars for the most part. The EVO cars have always gotten a better treatment with regards to materials and manufacture than the DSM's. The DSM motors are (were) made in USA whereas the EVO motors are manuf. in Japan. Nothing against USA but Mitsu knows their motor best. This question would best be answered by someone in the industry for a long time in Japan since they've had it far longer than we. That being said, I have heard from quite a few that many over there have a tendency to beat these cars hard and they are still running around so that must tell you something. Be wary of the clutch, however. Any turbo AWD car will need something to give in the drivetrain and Mitsu seems to have decided it would be the clutch.

Mark
www.Quantum-Racing.com

 

What's up with that? Be very glad for Subaru. They are probably the only reason Mitsu finally stopped dragging their feet and sent us an EVO.


Mark
www.Quantum-Racing.com

 

Thank you for the constructive replies. So, the clutch it is... At least now I know.

I will still save and buy one.

 

I'm sure you'll be very pleased with it.

Mark
www.Quantum-Racing.com

 

The only down side to stocks(EVO VIII) I can think of...is before mentioned
clutch....check your brake lines...if they put stainless steel hoses line your good to go.. but if they kept the cheap rubber lines (like here Japan) change the lines. You get Brembos brake stock...so why lessen the performance with poor brake lines Also you must have tremendous self control...to not want mod your EVO (even just alittle) More power to ya...have fun PEACE

 

STi is my way of getting back at all of those people that talked so much about how the STI was not only a better car, but would destry the EVO. The EVO will no doubt will countless awards by different magazines this year, especially in the "under 30,000 dollars range" If you every visit NASIOC.com or i-club.com, and even sometimes Cobbtuning.com there are so many Subaru enthusiasts who blindly follow a label. That is one reason this forum is so good. People here are informed, there is not a lot of useless chatter in the forums and everyone here knows a lot about the cars thye love.

 

Ya herd the only bad thing on the Evolution has been the clutch...i'm glad this is it..b/c i think most people to get an after-market clutch in the future neway..so sooner than later.. it's all good... but yea..Evo has been known to have good reliability..also lets face it, the majorty of people take better car of cars in japan... maintaince wise.. i think thats y is strecthing this whole maitinace thing over here in the states.. wit the videos and stuff..jus so people Realize...

I think truly that is why the VR-4 and even the GSX was known for problems.. i know it's cuz of the famouse crankwalk issue.. but i think if people would've took better care of their cars..it would've been better.. cuz mitsu didn't do one thing to enforce that the car need additional care...as they are now duing this wit the EVO so they have no regrets.. lol..good ol neway's

This is just my oppinion..tryin to share my thoughts..