Grinding transmission? is that a warning sign of bigger issues to come? The clutch was a problem with all the years I'd say and chances are the EVO I bought would have 40K ish anyways, I can't afford an 05 so chances are the clutch would already have been replaced, the brembos and wing fading I could care less about I just want a mechanically sound car within reason, I don't care about squeeks and crap like that as long as its not gonna nail my wallet to the cross, for example... I feel confident in the 2003 EVO I bought and then BAM 10k later the Tcase is cooked or I need a new transmission... what are the costs to fix grinding gears, or if syncros are gone... syncros those little teeth? I mean maybe not that big of a deal if it was a few hundred dollars to fix once it happend as long as it won't keep occuring, I don't plan on dragging or autoX, the EVO just seems to fit my all around need, for once it is a practicality issue for me because I wanted an SRT-4 and I don't want to have a second car, with a slightly modded to 300whp SRT-4 I live in Maine and WILL need a beater, no thanks.

 

Synchros are cheap, it is the labor that costs a lot. My 03 is fine with 60+K on it. My wing faded and I repainted and my wing. My breaks had faded, my stock clucth went at 350WHP and 33K. Other then that I love my 03. My stock struts blew too but I was VERY hard on them.

 

John Shepherd offers a rebuild for $800. This is the same tranny used by AMS for their 9.41 run.

 

Ok, so say I buy a used 40k ish 03 EVO, a gear or two starts to grind... what does that mean and what longer term fix am I looking at? Are these transmission issues and quarks usually severe or just a hassle and once fixed what are the odds of them comming back like a uncurable issue with the car, I wouldn't mind if I had some typical issues and then once fixed I didn't really have to worry about the car being a constant cash draining pain in the ***, that is what I am worrying about... that it will end up being a cheaper version or ferrari or porsche maintinence... just a flat out headache. I don't think I'd have to worry about engine troubles I mean they have made the 4g63 for LONGGGG time right? It is pretty much drive train problems and clutches? Like I said, if these are a once fixed then generally the car is going to be a good car as long as it's taken care of then I am all for an 03 I don't really care. I have always wanted an EVO and I am going to push myself to get one, as well as make it my pride and joy, the thing is... I'd like to keep it for a long time because I am sure I will fall in love, I've driven an 05 MR and 05 SSL in RR and mmm I love them...

 

if you do buy one and it has problems once you fix them they should not come back, but thats all on how its fixed. The guy above said a rebuild is 800. I would say if u need it get and it will be better then stock so any problems shouldnt come back.

I bought my 04 with 10k. when i got it the tires were done but the basic mods had been taken care of. 10k in a little over a year means the guy was def driving it. I was worried about it being used, but just owning such an amazing piece of machinery makes evry worry and headache alllllll WORTH IT!! buy an 03 but just do your research on the car first and then put away a lil cash for any problems.

 

you people think all this grinding gears can be fixed by using that synchro mesh stuff??

My 03 is having that problem too, but i was waiting for it to bust down because i have that bumper to bumper extended warranty crap.

 

if the synchros arnt too bad and only starting to grind then the mesh may help but it wont last, the grind will come back eventually and especially if your beaten on her

 

I get the p0300 on the highway every once in a great while, but that is my only problem and I deal with it. I have 300 at the wheels now and Im dropping cams in once Spring hits. 20k miles and stock clutch for me too, even after some runs at the dragway. Not interested in computer controlled diffs, but I do plan on getting a Quaife front lsd. Other than the front lsd I have no envy of the newer years.

 

Main functional difference is the front open differential in the tranny.

03's all have HID's and the Intercooler Sprayer. The only options were Sunroof and Big/Small Wing.

HID's later became an option in late 04 and on all 05+ models as part of a Sun/Sound/Leather package. They also removed the Intercooler Sprayer in lieu of a larger cupholder. I believe the 05's started coming with the ACD and front LSD which makes them more appealing than 03/04 models.

Also the hotside of the turbo began changed to 9.5, then to 10.5 which produces more power.

I think most of that is accurate. I had an 03, and didn't really follow the specs on 04/05 very closely, so I may be wrong.

 

63k and modded.. no real issues, although I slipped the timing belt a tooth.. and it has a new clutch

 

I have never heard any high rpm grinding.. but you definately have to be gentle with the transmision.. bottom line is that with the TRE transmission the car is supposed to feel incredible, and it will last a long time under normal driving. So that is one cheap option for transmission problems that makes the car much better then stock.

 

My '03 is going strong. Still on first clutch, first tranny, first sychros, first brembos, first wing, first xfer case -- no problems yet with just over 30,000 miles. I drive 3-4 days a week, keep her in a garage, and still make close to redline pulls getting onto the highway.

But my car is pretty much stock (except for K&N Panel, gauges, TT) -- which is probably the biggest reason why I've had such good luck.

 

How do you slip a timing tooth? Like what causes it?

 

300+ whp since 4k miles. I now have 42k on my Evo and still on the *stock clutch* which is perfect, no tranny issues, NO issues at all. I drive my car like you are supposed to drive an evo, but I treat it RIGHT and maintain it like one should.

My car has only been to the dealer for a few small recalls and to have the wing/calipers replaced due to fading.

Sure the newer ones are better in some ways, thats one reason its called the Evolution...but the '03s are hardly "junk" and I've been enjoying my car for 3 years

 

hmm what probs are with the 04's. My 04 RS kicks *** have the front LSD and have a 10.5 on order... i have had no probs what so ever. ppl need to stop making the 03's and 04's sounds like they are a piece of junk like really...any year evo is good i think u should be glad u have any evo at all. And the 03s and 04s have a 9.8 hotside not a 9.5 to whoever posted that wrong info.