Thinking about picking up an Evo for a daily driver. Currently have a S2000 and Lotus Elise and thinking about selling the Elise. How is the general reliability of the Evo stock or with a few light boltons (not increasing the boost over stock psi too much)? Do many Evo 8 or 9 owners get over 100K miles replacing relatively few parts (just doing basic oil changes/spark plugs etc).

I've heard of pricey parts such as transfer cases etc go out etc but are there any other common problems such as rubber bushings, cooling systems etc going out? Also is there a way to get leather without a sunroof? I know the SSL package gets you leather, sunroof and upgraded stereo (bose?). I'm not a fan of the dash and general interior but the leather Recaros would make it a lot nicer.

Thanks in advance.

 

I personally have seen a few over with over 100k that have had none to a few minor issues. If you treat the car right it will treat you right. Keep up on the fluid changes and you shouldn't seen any major issues.

 

Thanks

Also read about a few transmission failures. Is that just from repeated 6000 rpm clutch drops or do they have weak synchros in general? Anything else to look for in particular when shopping for a car?

 

Mines have 100k+ miles and its holding up pretty strong. Had my transfer case rebuilt at 55k miles due to a stupid launch.

 

you should search and you'd find all these answers...

 

i heard good and bad things. but i've been babying mine for some time. no problems so far. mayeb im just lucky =s

 

I've been beating the **** out of my Evo for over 38k miles and have only roasted my clutch... no other issues. Just keep up on your maintenance and she'll be good to you.

 

I'd say that compared to other cars with this level of performance it is very reliable and cheap to run and drive.

On my VIII I didn't have a single issue in 2 years of ownership. The IX I'm about to pick up I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

 

If you're used to the s2k and elise driving style, you shouldn't have much powertrain issues, ie repeated high rpm launches involving clutch dumps. Theres one thing I recommend not to do that you maybe used to in s2k and elise: frequent donuts.

 

I bought my IX new 2 years ago. I have 37k miles and have had zero problems. I change fluids according to schedule and give it gas. If you don't abuse it, Evos are reliable cars.

 

yeah they are very reliable cars, the motor especially. But EVO's are bought for a reason, they are RARELY NOT raced/driven hard/launched, so when you hear about problems...it's because the car is being put through hell. But, I'm no different, I bought it for a reason, and god damnit I'm going to enjoy it.

 

No idea why you think S2000 or Elise drivers do that, I would think high RPM launches are something more reserved for the Evo/Sti crowd. The Elise/S2000 are good handling road course/autocross cars not drag racers. Only a dumbass would do a donut in either car.

 

I'm running around 52k miles now, the only thing I have had to replace, aside from the obvious (oil). Was a new Clutch at 48k miles, new spark plugs, and soon to be new timing belt at around 55k, I'm near stock atm, no problems though.

 

I have 30k miles on my 9 drive it everyday...ssl sunroof and leather...winter spring summer and fall...

keep it waxed..do all the fluids and service...your good to go..

 

Sorry I put it with some terrible English, what I was trying to say was that they shouldn't have problem because they don't launch and clutch dump due to their weak drivetrain (s2000 and elise), so the cautious drivetrain preservation habit would mean he wouldn't have to worry much about drivetrain damage in an evo.

Doing donuts and stupidity is a subjective matter, but especially in an s2000, it is a cake to do donuts, more so than most other cars including more powerful rwd cars. It is just that you won't produce as much smoke. You do wear down your LSD and tires a lot from it but even professional drivers sometimes do that for the fun of it, regardless of whether it makes you a dumbass or not. Doing donuts in an evo will wear down three differentials at once, and I am an eye witness of a guy who snapped his front axles while doing one.