At the suggestion of a friend I thought I would post to get some opinions and advice in the purchase and ownership of an EVO. I will start with the recognition that many aspects of the RS GSR and MR makes it a better car than the STI, some do not. Here is where I would like advice and know that you will have a far more intimate knowledge than I can find by trolling the forum until I am to old to enjoy either a EVO or an STI.

The dealer I bought my Forester XT from is fantastic, family owned devoid of the cheap suits and hard sell that I have found in both my local Mitsu dealer and one down the hill. The service department is straightforward friendly and quick. I have only two examples to draw from but they would be as follows. A TSR that looked a pain to accomplish was done immediately within an hour and a loan car was given during the process, without my request. A part I broke on the seat rail was taken from another car because it did not show up in the fische and they did not want me to have to wait. Are there any good dealers in Southern California that will give a decent level of after sale support on a 35k vehicle, in the manner of the Subaru dealer I currently have. I must admit to having considered an RS because I could tolerate bad support when I have less money involved in the purchase. I know that all the car mags will say that the EVO is a better vehicle, and I will attest that the driving experience is quite different, I like both. I dislike the fact that Subaru has given the US a degraded engine, but I can send it to Crawford and make it bullet proof and still have a great dealer. Oh should also mention my fear of the P0300 and warranty refusals. I would get a lawyer and fight but who needs the hassle after you have just bought a 35k toy that I am going to have to sustain the disapproving stares from my wife on a regular basis. Thanks for all you can offer.

 

Bump, all you cheap suiters.

 

bump, bump, bump, for this Valid point that Dealerships should take serious. This person is considering a EVO and has had a Good experience with Subaru. Can anyone stick up for Mitsubishi?

 

I guess they just can't guarantee support of the P0300 code problem as Mitsubishi does not have a real fix yet.

 

Bump, this does not speak well for the dealers that post on this forum.

Rob

 

bump, Any Southern California Dealer's want to chime in?

 

I believe I saw a thread about a reflash from Mitsu to correct the P0300 problem. I haven't checked on it.

As for warranty, you pay to play. If you want to keep your warranty you'll have to remain stock or find a dealer who will work with minor mods and not hassle you.

The STi does not have a "degraded" engine. It has a completely new engine that even the Japanese don't get.

 

The 2.5 that subaru has chosen to use in the US spec STI has cast pistons weaker con rods and thinner wrist pins. Other parts are different, but the bottom end is the most expensive to put right. To those of us that like to take a car from its stock for to higher levels of output, I feel makes this motor less suitable than the 2.0 used in the rest of the world. I will say in Subarus defence that we get the car much cheaper than the rest of the world.

 

not a dealer, but are you going to mod it? if not, then there shouldn't be an issue with the warranty.

 

bump and Mod? It sounds from the warranty thread that changing the oem tires or installing guages could get a denied warranty.

 

That could be the case on ANY brand of car..NOT just Mitsubishi.

Really, if you want the dealers on these boards to speak for the decisions that will essentially be making..(major warranty items are your concerns, right)

Then your preaching to the choir...

I have had no issues personally with my dealer in regards to warranty claims being covered..on my brakes as an example which are of course, a wear and tear item.

If you expect Mits or Subaru for that matter, to warrant work and part installs they didn't do, then you are crazy.

 

No I would not expect any dealer to warrant changes that I have made. I would take issue to mitsu denying my warranty on a drivetrain failure because of a change in tires.

My real question is about dealer support on the car after the sale, customer treatment parts department knowledge Service quality etc. My experience at the dealers I visited did not reflect the quality of the car. I suspect it is the midling quality of the other products mitsu sells.
I do not expect a BMW level of customer service, but It would be nice if it was more in keeping with a 35k purchase and not a 15k lancer.


Thanks for the responses.

 

The real question is does the ownership of a EVO outweigh the possibility of having bad Dealer support. For me that would be yes only if trips to the dealer were not mandatory.

 

i'm sure the same type of after sale service could be experienced at any Mitsu dealership as long as the person you're working with has a good conscience and you're not demanding, of course. as far as the purchase of the vehicle, that is entirely up to you. looks, experience, and potential were my first priorities. for me, personal preferences must be weighed before you can jump on a thirty thousand dollar purchase.

the P0300 is a recall on some, but not all, 2003 models. if you have an '03, i'd get it reflashed just in case. from what i've been told it was fixed in the 2004 and 2005 models. now that i know, i'll be going in for my reflash and my five weight dash forty oil change. got a case today, Rick, can't wait! =)

hmmm... did i miss something? probably... i always do. if this helped you out at all, let me know if there's anything else i can do. toodles!

-Robert

 

for the parts department and service quality you really gotta search around and/or make friends with the right people... there are a few that come to mind. if you ever get that EVO, i'll point you in the right direction