I am looking at a 2006 MR at a local dealer with around 12,000 miles. The dealer says it's all stock, but it definitely has a different exhaust and some harnesses added. I want to make sure everything on it is in good shape and there are no mods on it that will void the warranty since I obviously can't take the dealer's word for it. Can you guys tell me what to look for? How can I tell if it has been chipped/ had an ecu mod? Also, are there any particular problems to check for on these cars? How can I be sure the brakes and clutch are in decent shape? If I do buy it I'll do it in the next couple of days. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

you can ask the dealer if u can take it into a shop or have a guy u know come in and look at it

 

LOL, you gotta be kidding me. nice first post. LOL . if you are serious, here are some answers. you cannot check for an ecu mod, unless it has stand alone. have the dealer show you the safety sheet for brake percentages. DRIVE the car to check for clutch and general road worthiness. check undercar to see if there are leaks. pop the hood. go online, find a stock evo motor picture and compare. do some research before you buy the car. and if the dealer sells you a car with an exhaust on it make them put it in writing that the cars' warranty will be honored. just don't jump right in. good luck noob.

 

You could possibly tell if it has been ecu modded since most cars that are modded usually do the 2 step first. Which is more than likely set at 5750-6200 rpms. Where as stock it's set at 5000 rpms. Which is where I'm at unfortunately. Just get in the Car, put her in first and step on it all the way down in first gear, if it goes above 5000 rpms in first it was probably ecu tuned. Don't take my word for it though, since mine is completely stock, whilst my brother has a handful of mods and is Ecu tuned. And that is where my car is currently at and is 100% stock.

 

I am definitely serious. I know it's my first post here, but I have been looking at Evos for a while. I am prequalified for a loan and ready to go. My problem is the dealer is not a Mitsu dealer, so having them put anything about the Mitsubishi warranty in writing won't help me. I know more or less what a stock engine looks like and the car seems to drive reasonably well. The harnesses and exhaust make me wonder though. I am going to try to take the car to a local Mitsu dealer to be inspected before I purchase is, but they want $95. I don't mind paying them, but I just want to check everything out on it myself that I can. There is no point in wasting time and money on an inspection if there is something obvious that I can find myself. I actually plan on buying the car and driving it across country, so I will be no where near the dealer I bought it from and It needs to be reliable. I am going to drive it 2700 miles the first week I have it.

 

... dealers are idiots... go private party or new...

 

Buy a new one. It's not worth the hassle. Because any problems they don't find are going to bite you in the ***. Seeing a newer MR at a non-mitsu dealership, begs the question... Why?

 

thats my tip as well

 

What if it is a 2006 MR SE w/ 12,000 miles and the options I want that I can get for $26,500? As long as it passes an inspection at the Mitsu dealer I probably will get it. If I could find the car for sale private party I'd get it. A new one would be $34,000 minimum. I'm thinking it's there because someone traded it in. I get what you guys are saying though.

 

it has a ecu harness, like a boomslang harness? Has the harness been spliced into? Where do the wires go that are spliced into the harness?

 

I guess I should have been more clear.. I meant it has a racing harnesses.. like seatbelts.

 

I believe he means seat harnesses. Also if its lightly modded with an exhaust and maybe a tune there shouldnt be anything to worry about. Also if you take it to the mitsu dealership they may just end up voiding the warranty anyways if it does have an exhaust. Id take it to a shop you trust. Most shops have a used car inspection that they'll charge you a small amount for.

 

dealers will say anything to sell you a freaking car man.. i would take the advice given and have a professional check it out.... and no not the 'certified tech' in the back..

 

I just got a used MR 06 with 5k miles on it from carmax for 29995.. The only thing done to it was a aftermarket radio but it had a wiring harness for it so not cut wires there are a few minor things wrong with it but nothing to balk at they have a few diffrent evos on their website for sale pretty decent prices and they warranty all their cars but i just took the factory warranty its good until 2011 :-)

here are some pics i just took yesterday i cleaned it all up

 

you should be able to notice most of the mods if there are any.