i want to make an informed decision, before i upgrade to an Evo i would like to know the cost to maintain.... mostly 1st couple of years....better yet if anyone knows a link the schedule and costs that would be great...

i keep hearing how its pricey but i want to know HOW pricey, like anything else yuo have to pay to play

 

its not the maintenence costs that kill, its the mods that kill your pocket book. I'm still on stock tires, and stock clutch at 20k. And I'm don't drive slow either! The stock advans are balder than captain picard but the clutch seems fine. Also don't feel bad about the tires, I have volks and advan neova's sitting in the warmth wating for summer. Also, if you get an evo then I recommend a beater with good mileage so you won't care if your evo gets poor mileage.

 

I agree with Twisty. Then again I have a catback, RMR air filter, and downpipe. 14k and have otherwise original parts. I don't beat on it and do bring the rpm's up once in a while. Just treat her like a gem and don't go overboard if you plan to mod...be smart.

 

i dont know what u mean by pricey, matience on the car is the same as any other car except u have to use 91+ oct. Yes the tires will not last as long as most tires but they are performance tires because this a performance car, i mean that is what u pay for. mod parts are costly but if u have ever got parts for any car u will find that it will become costly. Honestly i dont think it would be any more costly than other type of performance car, it kinda comes with the territory.

 

The question should be : "can I maintain the car in its STOCK configuration". If you answered yes, than its not bad. Drive it like a "nut" like we all do, prepare to get a clutch, tires, and brakes. Start now by befriending people who own tow-truck rollbacks. my 2c good luck, you will totally love the car!

 

If you keep the car stock, there won't be any problems for you especially from the dealership. If you mod it, get ready for maintenance issues and pissed off dealerships. The only thing that will kill you on both of these matter would be gas, but who buys an evo thinking of gas?

 

Totally agreed with Smokedmustang. But anyway, cos I'm bored:

Every 5k miles:
Change/replace - engine oil and oil filter, air con filter, rotate tyres
Inspect - suspension system for looseness, pads, drive shaft boots

First 15k and every 30k after that (i.e. 15k, 45k, 75k, etc.):
Replace - intake filter
Inspect - trans axle oil level, transfer oil, Brake hoses, Ball joint and steering linkage seals

First 30k and every 30k after that:
Replace - rear axle oil, coolant, transfer oil, manual transaxle oil, intake filter
Inspect - fuel system for leaks, fuel hoses, replace intake filter, belts, exhaust system, coolany hoses, brake hoses, ball joint and steering linkage.

Every 60k:
Along with everything else at every 30k
Replace - plugs, ignition cables, timimg belt, coolant hoses.

Now I may have missed something out, but what the heck, this should cover most of it. Of course, if you fit the 'severe usage' category, it's a slightly different story.

I'm pretty sure your local Mitsu can actually work out how much these things cost if you tell them that you're about to get an evo from them.

 

Well, my 03 is completely stock and it's also my daily driver. I just passed 30,000 miles. Oil changes are $50 each because of the Mobil 1. The 30K service, done by the dealer, was $450. I added in an alignment for another $90. I replaced the Advans at 10K and got Pirelli P-Zero Nero all season tires because I need the car to be able to plow through the occasional light sleet and snow we get here. So far, this car hasn't been all that more expensive to drive and own than other performance sedans that I have owned in the past, all of which required premium gasoline. I've only had one minor problem with the car, and that was an oil drain plug that refused to tighten because the weld inside the oil pan for the nut broke. Dealer replaced the oil pan under warranty and gave me a rental car for the four days it took to get the part. The clutch is as good as the day I bought it. All in all, it's a pretty remarkable automobile that has been very reliable and not all that expensive to maintain.

 

You need to replace Drive belts at 30k

 

Strange that. Doesn't say so in my manual or TSB (VIII, 04).

 

Besides the usual oil/filter changes you would need to do with all cars, the Evo will cost extra for the expensive summer tires that wears out after 15-20k and brakes pads tat wear out by 20-40k depending on your driving style. Tires will run you about $1000 from tirerack and brake pads will cost $300 for good ones. Honestly I don't think its expensive to maintain at all for the performance it gives

 

thanks thats the info i needed, im not going to mod till after warranty.........

hopefuly

 

Like everyone says if you stay stock the maintenance cost is the same as every other car. If you mod then costs are going to vary but it isn't cheap. I just spent over a grand on coilovers since my struts blew out due to lowering springs.

 

OEM brakes are ridiculously expensive to replace!

 

I wouldnt say it's the same as any other car. $450+ for OEM brake pads is a bit more than usual, and they wear fast. Good summer tires are expensive and wear fast.