Sorry, I don't really have the specifics and I'm not technical enough to venture a guess. Hopefully, someone else knows.

 

Let me shoot one arrow to all your complaints. The one in the drivers seat will have the most impact on how the car does. Putting brake cleaner/degreaser to clean rotors (while on car) or brake calipers will lead to the red calipers fading or chipping. The Transfer case that happens when you launch your car by dropping the the clutch (not slip) at High rpms without knowing what your doing. The clutch again mostly driver error. When the car came out alot of people were compaing the the clutch was going out all the time it turns out the were launching the shi t out of thier cars and destroying the clutches prematurely. Also rev matching helps the clutch as well as synchros. I know people the drive very spiritedly and have 40,000 on stock clutch including numerous launches. The clear on the carbon needs lots of wax and other protectan materials to keep it looking good. The car is a great car it depends on the person behind the wheel. I love my car and no problems.

 

I have an 03 with 70K and 0 problems.. The paint faded on the brembos, which is fixable by spraying a new clear coat.. and the wing is fading, but thats it... I dont really car about those things to much as it is a rally car afterall.

 

I haven't gotten the dreaded bill yet, but as I understand: having TRE rebuild the transmission will cost you anywhere from $600 - $1,500, depending on damage and options. They can give you a better estimate, of course. I went ahead and upgraded to an EVO IX first gear and input-shaft because I was told they're stronger than the VIII units. I also had my transmission cryo-treated and the gears REM isotropically finished.

My transfer case is also getting rebuilt with a Quaife LSD. I was told my ring-and-pinion gears show "compaction" cracks, and that this is common for EVOs that have clocked more than 20k miles. A new ring-and-pinion set from Mitsubishi costs $1,300, so I chose not to fix them.

I'm expecting the car will shift itself after all this.

 

So the TC is not something that goes unless someone lied about the car being launched? What does it typically mean for repair if the gears are grinding?

 

What do you mean by "what does it typically mean for repair if the gears are grinding?" Explain what you're asking. Are you asking what has to be replaced? You don't know that means the synchros are bad and have to be replaced? If not, then there ya go. It is so common on 03s that they have a TSB out so that everyone can get them replaced quickly and easily without hassle, but that's only if you're still under warranty. Since they came with a 3yr/36k mile warranty, most 03s are out of warranty, so the synchro issue falls on the owner, and it is quite expensive to drop the tranny, take it apart, install new synchros, put it back together, then re-install. I'd say over $1000 in labor and parts.

 

I have a 04 RS my daily driver had it for a year now has 5500miles on it and i have had no problems what so ever... even with mods on it. Alot of ppl on here talk down about the 03/04 as if they are the worse freaking cars ever made and that anyone interested in a evo should just spend the extra money for a 05 or new 06 like they are the best thing since sliced bread...if you plan on modding it really does not matter what yr you get all the evos,all years have basically the same potential.

 

Yikes, so if there is a used EVO and on the test drive I get a grind I should stay away?

 

That's up to you, but really, your questions are getting out of hand. You've made far too many threads and posts about a car you haven't bought yet. Yes, it's good to be informed, but you're going overboard.

 

had 03 with 33k changed clutch at 30k, bad 4th 5th gear syncho changed at 27k

 

2003 EVO - No problems except for rear wing and Brembos fading. I have never use anything other than regular car soap so I think the fading is just normal. Could be weather conditions (snow/rain/heat).

Stock clutch 33,000 miles and holding strong!
BR MD 263whp/259tq

I would guess that 90% of the problems that have occurred are due to "driver fault" especially the clutch. It almost always depends on how you drive your car.

Just my 2cents!

 

I have an 04 and no issues

 

No doubt, if you are really that concerned with what *COULD* go wrong, get a new one with a warranty and don't mod it.

Just because some of us may or may not have had problems, it doesn't mean your situation will be the same.

 

The calipers on my '05 are fading as well. The dealership will replace these under warranty??

 

listen dude, do yourself a favor and dont buy an evo. you're freaking out about every last detail. get yourself a nice Honda civic and be happy.