I'm planning to get a stock 03 evo VIII with 12,000 miles on it. Is the 03 evo as bad as it seems? synchros bad, clutch wearing out, rpm rises for no reason? I want to pick up this car cause it stock and doesn't seem like the guy beat the hell out of it but worried about the problems that may arise and the dealer voiding my warranty. I dont plan on doing any mods till the end of this year.

 

If I was your I would just do a car fax and drive the car. If it is the original clutch and the car drives fine than do it. I have an 03 with 20,000 miles on it still original clutch, no synchro problems, and no rpm rising deal. I would go for it as long as everything checks out, can save a lot of money and use that to modify!!!

 

those are nice low miles for an 03

 

I wouldn't touch it. Synchros went bad easily on the '03s, there's a TSB on that. The clutch on the Evo is weak, but it can last way longer than 12,000 miles, same goes for the synchros. This car has probably been raced or pushed pretty hard. The RPMs rising could be because of the bad clutch, if it's slipping quite a bit.

 

03 evo here with 20k and NO problems!

GO WITH IT!

 

Its not like the 03 are not the only ones with problems, they all have their problems, and some dont have any. Its not like its an 03, its got problems.... 20k miles clutch is holding great, no synchro problems, and just the usual evo noises.

 

i have an 03 with 26,000 miles still on the stock clutch and i changed the tires at 22,000 miles car drives like a champ. there's just a few rules to follow. don't drop the clutch never. rotate tires every 3K oil change every 3k diff fluids and tranny every 10K.

 

The 03 Evo's are lovely and reliable cars. Mine is 26 months old, some mods (Ecu flash, 264 cams, cam gears, exhaust, 2005 turbo housing - 290whp on dyno dynamics) about 21k miles and zero problems. It all depends on who had used the car. If it has been used like a normal car, my guess is you will have no problems.

 

Most of the horror stories you heard about Evos are due to driving habits. If you launch 20 times in a roll, induce wheelhops, and bang the gears, you'll destroy the repective parts in ANY car.

On another note, just because an Evo is stock, doesn't mean it hasn't been modified earlier. Some owners return the car back to stock just to get money for their mods. Your best bet is to go with someone who is familiar with Evos. Insist on taking a test drive, and listen attentively to any strange sounds. I'm sure EvoM members will be glad to help you.

 

I have 50K on a 03.. and i had purchased it used with 30K and havent had a problem.

 

Original owner of an 03 EVO. Original clutch with 22k miles and still going strong. I have never dropped the clutch and not a signle problem except for my clutch chatters when I back up.

 

ok, the TSB on the 03 evos are not all the syncros, i went to mitsu and saw it for myself, teh TSB is on the reverse and 5th gear syncros due to some have a groove going all around it, and some just have a painted mark. As for RPMs rising, thats when the clutch is slipping which is "normal" to me. i replaced my clutch with a ACT HDSS and it holds up perfect, just replace the clutch and ur good, its not a big a deal as everyone makes it seem, i read up on this and i heard the main reason for clutch failure on the evo is the Flywheel, it cant transfer heat off the clutch well enough and TOAST it goes

 

honestly i beleave most of the driveline and clutch issues are drivers or differ car to car i have almost 20K on my 03 and feels like i could drive the clutch forever it feels no different then when i bought the car with 13K on it....

 

i don't have a single prob with my '03. i say check it out by at least 2 competent mitsu mechanics if you're uneasy. buying a used turbo car is alot like bungee jumping. it's a gamble.

 

Stock clutch and 43k on my 03. I do think my syncros are getting bad.