Is $16k reasonable?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 23
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From: Chicago, IL
It is reasonable, I mean you'll have to search around and probably have to drive a distance, but it can be done. My buddy recently put his 05 (97k miles) back to "near stock" and got rid of it for $17k, car was gone literally less than two days after putting it on craigslist, people snap these up. My other buddy bought one for $18k not too long ago and this one is an MR. With some searching I'm sure you'll find one in your price range, it may have slightly over 100k miles though. As was said by others earlier, pay attention to how it starts, how it runs at idle.
$16k is reasonable. I bought mine in March for just under that price. It was a one owner, garage kept, never modded '03 with 66k miles. I had been searching for 6 months before I found this car. To me it was worth it to buy a completely stock car so I knew that anything done to it was done by me. I got to learn to tune on a completely stock car, which allowed me to get familiar with it prior to putting parts on. Good luck with your search.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 94
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From: Middlebury, CT
I would love to know who said the STi had better interior because I disagree completely. The only thing I like slighty better in the STi vs the Evo would be the gauges. Anyways, I have had the ability to drive both, and I would have to say the Evo hands down. Handles better, looks better, feels better driving, etc. Ultimately it's your money and your car so do what you want with it. I don't think you should have any problem buying a higher mileage car for the price range you gave. Look at both, drive both, then make your opinion.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Herndon, VA
I would love to know who said the STi had better interior because I disagree completely. The only thing I like slighty better in the STi vs the Evo would be the gauges. Anyways, I have had the ability to drive both, and I would have to say the Evo hands down. Handles better, looks better, feels better driving, etc. Ultimately it's your money and your car so do what you want with it. I don't think you should have any problem buying a higher mileage car for the price range you gave. Look at both, drive both, then make your opinion.
I am leaning heavily towards the Evo regardless, seems better in most every way.
Last edited by MinskyBA; Jun 25, 2013 at 01:24 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Herndon, VA
The main things i would look for i guess would be... How fast does it start? If it cranks and fires right up its fine... If it takes a minute its probably got low compression. Does the turbo have shaft play? Unless its been sitting for a few weeks without being ran you shouldnt be able to move the wheel up and down or in and out. Are the wheels centered in the wheel well? This is an indicator of suspension damage... When you hit something more often then not your caster is what moves the most causing "set back". On evo's you dont need to check panel fitment because all the body panels are vin tagged. Google the locations. And of course if you get to drive it... Take it down the bumpiest street you can find... Any car with a ****ed suspension can ride smooth on a flat road, hit bumps and if you here clunks there is damage. Squeeks are fine usually, the car is old it will make noise, suspenion bushing kits are fairly cheap anyway. Clunks while driving straight tend to be swaybars, or lower ball joints... While turning its axle cv joints and tie rod ends... You will also want to listen for whines, if it starts at a low speed and everytime you hit the clutch it stops... Its either tcase or trans... If it starts at 40 and never stops its the rear diff... Or in my experience it is... If a noise only happens in a certain gear its that gear... Obviously.
And finally the most important of all things to check for... Does the a/c work?
Other then that the car should be fine for the most part... Any issues outside of those should be an easy fix and worth it for such a good car or **** happens...
And finally the most important of all things to check for... Does the a/c work?
Other then that the car should be fine for the most part... Any issues outside of those should be an easy fix and worth it for such a good car or **** happens...
What are the 2 or 3 most common issues you see, and how much do they cost to fix? Keep in mind I'll have free/unlimited access to a lift, I'm very comfortable with tools, and I have *some* experience working on cars (Mk3 Jetta).
my common fixes are vacuum leaks and oil seal issues... the rear main seal is the worst. other then oil and vacuum leaks i mainly upgrade or do serious repairs, head gaskets, clutches, and trans rebuilds...
when you do acquire your own evo... do a compression test to ensure compression is good. smoke the intake with the throttle plate open to see if their are any vacuum leaks. then put it up on the lift to check for leaks.
i highly recommend changing all fluids to ensure they are fresh and if the previous owner doesnt have documents of repairs then do the 60k service... its like 200 buck and you can knock it out in 3-4 hours on a bad day.
when you do acquire your own evo... do a compression test to ensure compression is good. smoke the intake with the throttle plate open to see if their are any vacuum leaks. then put it up on the lift to check for leaks.
i highly recommend changing all fluids to ensure they are fresh and if the previous owner doesnt have documents of repairs then do the 60k service... its like 200 buck and you can knock it out in 3-4 hours on a bad day.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 94
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From: Middlebury, CT
they are both great cars and both have their pros and cons
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 8
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From: Herndon, VA
Thank you all for the replies, I really appreciate all the info.
It's going to be really rough in 6-mo when I'm ready, and end up having to spend another 6 finding the right car, but I get the feeling it'll be very well worth it.
...then to find a local track...
It's going to be really rough in 6-mo when I'm ready, and end up having to spend another 6 finding the right car, but I get the feeling it'll be very well worth it.
...then to find a local track...
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