Evo Maintenance?
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Herktown, Cali
Evo Maintenance?
Hey everyone,
I just have a few questions regarding maintenance on this car.
- Is it expensive? And how often do you have to take it in?
- Do the dealers still try to blame half the Evo's problems as "caused by racing"? (I remember a few years back when some people were refused service because they were supposedly competing in drag races or auto-x)
- Are there still problems with the clutch burning out, etc.
I'm just asking these questions because I'm trying to look for a new car. I've basically narrowed it down to two, a Volvo S40 and the Lancer Evolution IX (never really liked the STi, and now I am disgusted by the 2006 STI).
And yes, I did a search but couldn't find anything.
I just have a few questions regarding maintenance on this car.
- Is it expensive? And how often do you have to take it in?
- Do the dealers still try to blame half the Evo's problems as "caused by racing"? (I remember a few years back when some people were refused service because they were supposedly competing in drag races or auto-x)
- Are there still problems with the clutch burning out, etc.
I'm just asking these questions because I'm trying to look for a new car. I've basically narrowed it down to two, a Volvo S40 and the Lancer Evolution IX (never really liked the STi, and now I am disgusted by the 2006 STI).
And yes, I did a search but couldn't find anything.
Evolving Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, MO
Originally Posted by BurnOutz
Hey everyone,
I just have a few questions regarding maintenance on this car.
- Is it expensive? And how often do you have to take it in?
- Do the dealers still try to blame half the Evo's problems as "caused by racing"? (I remember a few years back when some people were refused service because they were supposedly competing in drag races or auto-x)
- Are there still problems with the clutch burning out, etc.
I'm just asking these questions because I'm trying to look for a new car. I've basically narrowed it down to two, a Volvo S40 and the Lancer Evolution IX (never really liked the STi, and now I am disgusted by the 2006 STI).
And yes, I did a search but couldn't find anything.
I just have a few questions regarding maintenance on this car.
- Is it expensive? And how often do you have to take it in?
- Do the dealers still try to blame half the Evo's problems as "caused by racing"? (I remember a few years back when some people were refused service because they were supposedly competing in drag races or auto-x)
- Are there still problems with the clutch burning out, etc.
I'm just asking these questions because I'm trying to look for a new car. I've basically narrowed it down to two, a Volvo S40 and the Lancer Evolution IX (never really liked the STi, and now I am disgusted by the 2006 STI).
And yes, I did a search but couldn't find anything.
Why don't you try going to www.Edmunds.com ? You'll find more information of average "true cost of ownership" figures there.
As far as maintainence goes, it's the same as any other car. Do the work yourself, you'll save money. Take it to a dealer, expect to pay more.
There are so many threads floating around on "how to" for all the major maintainence involved. That'll give you an idea how involved some of these things are.
And the clutch is not necessarily a weak point. Don't make your decision on that point alone. Yes, some batches of 03's did have faulty clutches. And yes, people are quick to blame the clutch itself for failure. If you've never driven an AWD DSM or EVO, it takes time getting used to modulating the clutch due to the clutch restrictor pill that's been implimented since the 2G. A fix to that situation is a $25 SS clutch line and removal of the restrictor pill in the clutch slave. It'll give you precise control over the clutch and better clutch feel. I've had 30K of trouble free miles on my stock clutch and my buddy has gotten 50K miles out of his stock clutch without the clutch line mod. Both of which are on 03' models.
As for the 06' models, I've read nothing but good things... So far.
Hopefully that helps...
As far as maintainence goes, it's the same as any other car. Do the work yourself, you'll save money. Take it to a dealer, expect to pay more.
There are so many threads floating around on "how to" for all the major maintainence involved. That'll give you an idea how involved some of these things are.
And the clutch is not necessarily a weak point. Don't make your decision on that point alone. Yes, some batches of 03's did have faulty clutches. And yes, people are quick to blame the clutch itself for failure. If you've never driven an AWD DSM or EVO, it takes time getting used to modulating the clutch due to the clutch restrictor pill that's been implimented since the 2G. A fix to that situation is a $25 SS clutch line and removal of the restrictor pill in the clutch slave. It'll give you precise control over the clutch and better clutch feel. I've had 30K of trouble free miles on my stock clutch and my buddy has gotten 50K miles out of his stock clutch without the clutch line mod. Both of which are on 03' models.
As for the 06' models, I've read nothing but good things... So far.
Hopefully that helps...
Last edited by DaGuL; Dec 9, 2005 at 03:58 PM.
oil changes are $75 from the dealer. every 3-5k miles.
expect about 1k in tires every 10-15k miles.
the clutch will go, but only if you launch a lot and do stupid things. I have 21k on my 05 with no clutch problems whatsoever.
expect about 1k in tires every 10-15k miles.
the clutch will go, but only if you launch a lot and do stupid things. I have 21k on my 05 with no clutch problems whatsoever.
