Evo IX Test Drive and Questions
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Evolved Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Boston
Evo IX Test Drive and Questions
I drove a IX SE the other day at a dealer that knew literally nothing about it at all. It had a few issues and I was hoping someone could chime in. This is what I know it was running:
- Test pipe and generic massive 3"can. I couldnt find a brand marking on it and it was freakin LOUD
- drilled rotors. S
- evidence of removed guages, some wiring hanging down in the foot well.
PROBLEMS
- some kind of aftermarket clutch. I'm not sure if this is a problem, but it was very heavy in first, had to give it a decent amount of RPM's to get it to move. I also drove a VIII the same day and it was light as a feather so it is not me. I sorta liked it. It would suck in traffic though. Is that typical of an aftermarket race clutch???
- shift linkage was very stiff and would not self center. This made upshifting dangerous since I always risked an over rev by hitting first instead of third. Bad aftermarket bushing install??? Thoughts??? Again not me, the VIII was smooth as butter.
- cut outs over 5.5K rpms. Felt like a fuel cutoff almost. I'm figuring the previous owner took off a bunch of supporting mods (maybe an airbox?) and left an aggressive tune. The car pulled like mad before it stutters in the upper range. Thoughts??? AFR problems?
Bottom line I really like the car, but I want it sorted out prior to purchase, especially if it is knocking all over the place because of timing and AFR. Any input would be great.
- Gear shifter
- Test pipe and generic massive 3"can. I couldnt find a brand marking on it and it was freakin LOUD
- drilled rotors. S
- evidence of removed guages, some wiring hanging down in the foot well.
PROBLEMS
- some kind of aftermarket clutch. I'm not sure if this is a problem, but it was very heavy in first, had to give it a decent amount of RPM's to get it to move. I also drove a VIII the same day and it was light as a feather so it is not me. I sorta liked it. It would suck in traffic though. Is that typical of an aftermarket race clutch???
- shift linkage was very stiff and would not self center. This made upshifting dangerous since I always risked an over rev by hitting first instead of third. Bad aftermarket bushing install??? Thoughts??? Again not me, the VIII was smooth as butter.
- cut outs over 5.5K rpms. Felt like a fuel cutoff almost. I'm figuring the previous owner took off a bunch of supporting mods (maybe an airbox?) and left an aggressive tune. The car pulled like mad before it stutters in the upper range. Thoughts??? AFR problems?
Bottom line I really like the car, but I want it sorted out prior to purchase, especially if it is knocking all over the place because of timing and AFR. Any input would be great.
- Gear shifter
I drove a IX SE the other day at a dealer that knew literally nothing about it at all. It had a few issues and I was hoping someone could chime in. This is what I know it was running:
- Test pipe and generic massive 3"can. I couldnt find a brand marking on it and it was freakin LOUD
- drilled rotors. S
- evidence of removed guages, some wiring hanging down in the foot well.
PROBLEMS
- some kind of aftermarket clutch. I'm not sure if this is a problem, but it was very heavy in first, had to give it a decent amount of RPM's to get it to move. I also drove a VIII the same day and it was light as a feather so it is not me. I sorta liked it. It would suck in traffic though. Is that typical of an aftermarket race clutch???
- shift linkage was very stiff and would not self center. This made upshifting dangerous since I always risked an over rev by hitting first instead of third. Bad aftermarket bushing install??? Thoughts??? Again not me, the VIII was smooth as butter.
- cut outs over 5.5K rpms. Felt like a fuel cutoff almost. I'm figuring the previous owner took off a bunch of supporting mods (maybe an airbox?) and left an aggressive tune. The car pulled like mad before it stutters in the upper range. Thoughts??? AFR problems?
Bottom line I really like the car, but I want it sorted out prior to purchase, especially if it is knocking all over the place because of timing and AFR. Any input would be great.
- Gear shifter
- Test pipe and generic massive 3"can. I couldnt find a brand marking on it and it was freakin LOUD
- drilled rotors. S
- evidence of removed guages, some wiring hanging down in the foot well.
PROBLEMS
- some kind of aftermarket clutch. I'm not sure if this is a problem, but it was very heavy in first, had to give it a decent amount of RPM's to get it to move. I also drove a VIII the same day and it was light as a feather so it is not me. I sorta liked it. It would suck in traffic though. Is that typical of an aftermarket race clutch???
- shift linkage was very stiff and would not self center. This made upshifting dangerous since I always risked an over rev by hitting first instead of third. Bad aftermarket bushing install??? Thoughts??? Again not me, the VIII was smooth as butter.
- cut outs over 5.5K rpms. Felt like a fuel cutoff almost. I'm figuring the previous owner took off a bunch of supporting mods (maybe an airbox?) and left an aggressive tune. The car pulled like mad before it stutters in the upper range. Thoughts??? AFR problems?
Bottom line I really like the car, but I want it sorted out prior to purchase, especially if it is knocking all over the place because of timing and AFR. Any input would be great.
- Gear shifter
-The exhaust is prob ebay - nothing really wrong with this.
-The stiff shifting linkage is most likely bad rubber bushings. Maybe he had solid ones in there and then replaced the old one when it was sold.
-Id look a little closer at this car and make sure it isnt completly molested.
Good luck!
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From: at the 5-10 no limit tables
I'm 99.9% sure the 9 was nodded it was a big torque pressure plate most likey. I would go for either. Most would pick the 9 for looks. Cams would make the engines no differnce. But a retune would ddo the 9 some justice, make sure previous owner didn't mess up the tranny too bad. Gl pal
There are other evos out there. It's a mistake to get attached to a used car that needs tlc. There's always a nicer car for a better deal right around the corner. I would consider buying a car off someone from this message board. The majority of these guys are nuts about their cars and keep them in really good shape.
there are other evos out there. It's a mistake to get attached to a used car that needs tlc. There's always a nicer car for a better deal right around the corner. I would consider buying a car off someone from this message board. The majority of these guys are nuts about their cars and keep them in really good shape.
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Thread Starter
Evolved Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Less for looks than the "to die for" seats. The VIII had SSL and besides the pointless weight penalty on the roof the leather doesnt grip. The IX SE seats were just gravy. I have driven a friends VIII in the past without SSL and the blue fabric doesnt hold as well as this IX SE with the suede. The IX SE seats were just amazing.
Funny I sat in an 06 STi for about 20 seconds that day as well. The seats are complete and utter crap. No redeeming value whatsoever.
Funny I sat in an 06 STi for about 20 seconds that day as well. The seats are complete and utter crap. No redeeming value whatsoever.
There are other evos out there. It's a mistake to get attached to a used car that needs tlc. There's always a nicer car for a better deal right around the corner. I would consider buying a car off someone from this message board. The majority of these guys are nuts about their cars and keep them in really good shape.
There are plenty of cars out there. Dont buy someone elses problems.. think about it, if he turned in the car in this shape--apparently he didn't are what anyone else thought and it shows how much he didn't care for it.. Find someone who gave a damn.
Even then, the odds are you'll have even bigger problems down the road. Whoever owned this car didn't treat it well. It's common to see Evos traded-in after the owner screws up the car. You don't want to be the one who buys it.
