I'm thinking that i'm more and more ready to finally bite the bullet, and buy the evo, but i'm kind of torn at the moment.

Do i go buy one of the leftover brand new '03 evo's at a reduced price (and what would be a good price for a new (year and a half old) '03?) Or do i hold out a bit longer, and buy the much more expensive (33k minimum) Evo MR? (price reference)

I need a turbo AWD car, and i really don't want to go down the maintenance route on a T/E/L/GVR4 that i have an unknown history on... That and i'm not a subie fan. So...

Suggestions?

(edit: woohoo! new page!)

 

Um, your price reference is not an Evo MR. It's a standard Evo that has its ECU modified
by Mitsubishi dealers in the U.K. to increase the horsepower to 330. There are no other
changes, other than cosmetic. And they want over $50,000 for it. Why would anyone
buy this instead of an M3, which will hold its value much better?

 

oops, i linked the wrong article (i was looking at two at the same time). this article here is the one that i meant to link to.

i'm not really interested in an M3 at this point, though if i were i would go with something like a 98 or so. Much lighter, and i like the styling better. that being said, i've driven several M3's and loved them. It's just not the kind of car that i'm interested at this point. I'm interested in AWD, forced induction, and four doors (yes, i could get a 4 door m3, but that's not the point).

Anyhow.

2003 Evo -- What is reasonable for a car a year and a half old, but still "new"
or hold out for the 2005 Evo MR? Will it really cost only $33k like the article says? Is the mechanical wizardry worth it?

 

Spoke to the wife and hopefully will be buying someones used EVO after we close on this house.

 

I think first thing that you should think about before buying an Evo is the Cost of Operation per Year.

The brake pads - $250 per set

Rotors - $more money than you're willing to spend

Mobile one Synthetic Oil change - $ 40 ~ 60 (depends on location) and you have to do it more often. (every 2500 miles or so)

Tires - $ 250 per tire

Rims - if damaged $290 per (give or take few dollars)

Gas - 93 octane $2.19 per gallon in Georgia at 14 gallons per every 280 miles.
(I filled up every day for 3 weeks the first month I got the car)

Clutch - $a lot of money (800? 900?)

not to mention all the Maguire wax that I'll be buying to wax and detail this car.

+ all the allure of aftermarket parts to make your EVo do 11 sec 1/4 mile and pull 1.0 G +

And AND on top of that, all these teenage theives who just hates your car or envys your car and either keys it or rip off the wings and everything they could get their hands on.

And don't forget about the insurance. It's just horrifying.

You really have to make at least $3000 a month just to pay rent, food, Car payment, Insurance, gas and utility. That's not including dates and booze and clothes.

That's what I was thinking just then.

 

My analysis put the average monthly amortized TCO of an EVO at $1k a month last year. Many didn't agree with me and thought that was ridiculously high.. Hmmm.. With an average mortage of 1750, Bills of 750, Entertainment of 500, Misc of 250, you better Net 51k a year, or almost 60k annually. Unless you live at home, mommy and daddy pay your insurance and gas, then I guess you can get by with 750 a month to afford an Evo.

You have to pay to play. What's the point of having an Evo if you aren't going to play, to look at it waste away in a parking spot? Go camp outside a dealership or get a good picture and save yourself some heartache and money if your going to do that.

 

I think if you make about $3000 ~ 3400 after the taxes, you're making about $45 to $50 grand a year.

But I love my Evo. it's worth not going to a club and I've been drinking and smoking (ciggy) less since I bought the car (no money).

lol

 

if you intend to race or track the car, i think the mechanical upgrades to the '05 are worth the extra $$. sure, you could but an '03 and upgrade it, but you'll spend a fortune just trying to match the factory balanced perfromance of the '05s...and you might lose your warranty.


i'm waiting for an MR even though i could buy an '03 or '04 now for much less. if it comes as advertised, the MR is gonna be more comfortable on the street and just plain KILLER for on the track. i am not, however, looking forward to making payments on a $33K+ car.

 

EVO MR will have Active YAW control. That's a lot of money.

 

I'm preparing to leave on vacation, but when I return I will be buying either an STi or an EVO. At this point I'm leaning heavily toward the EVO b/c of price, seats and sun roof. The STi ain't bad, but when you can get the same (or better) performance for several grand less the decision is a no brainer.

The Subaru dealer that took me on my test drive was excellent (Dallas Subaru). The sales person is an avid race driver (runs a very modified RS) and had a great demo for the STi. If you happen to be a sales person for Mitsubishi I, follow this guys example. Had I been ready to buy that week I would now be driving an STi. He hands down kicked the Mitsubishi sales persons butt with his knowledge and demo of the car.

I drove the EVO first and I was not really that impressed by the experience at the time. Low speed driving felt crappy and I was generally not comfortable with the car. The experience with the STi was better. After a few days I went back with my wife and we took the EVO out again. This time the car was an absolute blast to drive. No problems at low speed. Cornering was awesome, took a few corners at speed and the car felt solid.

I should confess, the first drive of the EVO was after 3 years driving an SUV with an automatic. I had not driven a real sports car sense selling the RX-7. I blame my first experience totally on me.

When I return from my vacation we are going to look at the STi (my wife has never seen one) and make our final decision. I already have financing lined up so that is not a concern. I have a feeling that I'm going to buy the EVO. For other people in my situation here are the factors:

*Price -> EVO's are $2K - $4K cheaper than an STi
*Seats ->EVO's seats are great. Think they are the same as the Rx-7's.
*Sun roof -> not even an option on the STi
*Subaru dealers are snots about the STi. Getting a dealer quote is a pain in the ***. You would think they were doing you a favor. Subaru of Dallas has been easy to deal with though.
*After market -> EVO seems ready and easy to modify. NOt a big factor to me b/c I have no plan to change anything.
*engine -> the EVO engine seems to be bullet proof.

In three weeks I hope to be back bragging about my new EVO.

Have fun.

 

On Sunday, I bought a 2004 Black EVO... for $1000 over invoice (which is only a little under MSRP). I believe MSRP was $30,500... and I paid $29,700.

 

The MR will NOT have AYC. It will have ACD(Active Center Differential) That's the tarmac/gravel/snow modes.

 

Nice - what options? pics? Did you get leather by any chance?

 

Uhm.. no pics yet.. but I did not get the sun/sound/leather pkg. I am not a huge fan of sunroofs... I would rather put in my own stereo... and I really love the recaros.. without the leather.

 

Help me find a white or silver 04 EVO, If you see one at a dealer near you please let me know. i will fly out there and get it. no one has any in atlanta or georgia or FL.