Just can't get enough (My Evo Story)
Jul 21, 2014, 01:53 PM
#1
Just can't get enough (My Evo Story)
Although I have been lurking on these boards for the past 4-6 years, I don't consider myself an active contributor. What I do consider myself... (probably like most of you reading this) is an addict. This beautiful piece of engineering, and one of the few things Mitsubishi as a brand did correctly.. is my drug.
It all started roughly 10 years ago while working at my local Best Buy (Geek Squad) and seeing a stunning 03 BBY Evo that one of my coworkers (John) had just bought, roll through the parking lot each morning that turned a bunch of heads and definitely made me awe. At that time, it was honestly my boyish want of a super cool looking car that made an appearance in Fast and Furious.
Fast forward a few years later after numerous run ins with John around town, people gawking at his car still, plus the realization that my Supercharged Scion TC was definitely no where near the killer that I had once anticipated it to be in high school 
...John walked into work one day and told the team that he was playing with the idea of getting rid of his prized show girl. At that time I was a College Freshman that worked full time and had just got done paying back my dad for the TC. The Evo had 50k on the Odometer but since he had service records for everything, and knowing that he babied it... I paid his asking price for it the following day, and never looked back. I wish I had more pictures of my BBY but the majority were lost in a failed iPhone backup years ago, before iCloud's time. 
[See images at bottom of post]
Regardless of the countless times the IC piping would pop off under WOT, the paranoia of a slightly concerning "new noise" coming from the engine bay, playing around with a tactrix cable and running some logs for the first time, crazy trips to the casino on the summer weekends with 6 people in the car and showing off by parking in front of our neighborhood Chipotle, and smiling when people would ask: "Hey, you know your car is still running right"? (Turbo Timer).. I took it all in, immaturely looking back. Eventually, the boy with the purple scion became the guy with the sweet blue evo around town and I loved it.
Later in the summer of 2008, a bunch of my friends started buying bikes and I guess the bike bug bit me too. I regrettably ended up selling the evo to not only pay off some tuition and book costs, but to also pick up a CBR 600. [Images at bottom of Post] Blue (to my surprise) was converted to a track monster by another former? EvoM member...b00stdem0n. I messaged him about a year after I sold it and he let me know how he worked with a shop in the bay area to make it even more of a beast...so I'm glad it ended up going to a happy home
..even though my friends wouldn't let me hear the end of it for getting rid of Blue!
About a year and a half had gone by and at this point, I had about 3 cars since I got my license..now an IS-300 and that CBR which I bought after I sold Blue...which didn't make the parents the happiest people in the world. Regardless, I was nearing the end of my college career and after class one day was just going through Craigslist when something similar to..."2005 TB Evo Cheap" came up on the for sale listings. At first, I just wanted to keep on scrolling..insurance had been hell with the first evo, and as we all know.. they are money pits. Why would I want to put myself into another hole with this evo business? Well..whatever it was (is) took another hold of me. Although it was a salvage title and I was very skeptical, I was able to do a bunch of research, have it checked out by my own mechanic (THANK YOU ROB) that I went to everything for anything 4g63 related and because (unfortunately) the seller was facing bankruptcy and needed cash fast.. I was able to pick up that 2005 TB [See images on bottom of post] with 21,000 miles and salvaged due to theft.. for $11,000. Not bad, IMO.
My friends and I called it the Batmobile for obvious reasons. (The color..The Dark Knight had come out in theaters around then...I thought I was batman..etc etc..) Being that this was now my second evo, and I had done a buunccch (still probably not enough) research on EvoM, getting info from tuners, talking to other owners..I knew I wanted this one to have more power. I loved the Tanabe Medallian Touring Exhaust and I planned on spending another $2k for the nice clean look and throaty sound. I was originally planning on doing this and just the basic bolt ons plus a tune from Bryan from GST Motorsports, who had initially tuned Blue way back when. This changed when I was scrolling through the forums here one day and found out how a few people in NorCal had begun playing with E85 in their evo's. There wasn't a bunch of evidence at the time in terms of longevity/reliability..but the "Wise Men" of the EvoM community were saying more good things than bad about the fuel. I saved for about 6 months... picked up bigger injectors, the fuel pump, finished it off with the exhaust, weighed the cost of E85 vs. Pump, location and ease of access of the fuel for how much I drove and was off to GST Motorsports in the South Bay...until I had the worst experience I've ever come across from a Tuner shop. Long story short, I went to FFTEC...met Sean, and by the time I left...literally felt like I owned a different animal. (+1 for FFTEC
)
A bunch of amazing drives up and down HWY 1 and about 2 years later after originally promising myself not to ever sell the Batmobile...I moved to the South Bay from Sacramento and sold it for a New Mercedes C300. (Just went through my camera roll and couldn't find any pics..but will search and upload them) With a new, big boy job and enough money to afford one, it was a solid car but even then, it was tough adjusting to an automatic commuter. Although I loved the grown, luxurious feeling..I felt...grown up and old. But it was time...(or was it?) and I definitely gained an appreciation for German engineering with the C300. I had that for about two years before one day..I fell asleep at the wheel on the 101 going to work from SF > Sunnyvale. Traffic had begun slowing down, I was listening to music and the next thing you know.. I woke up with the airbag in my face. If i had to honestly guess.. I probably hit the car in front of me (a newer c250 FML) at about 50-55 MPH when traffic had halted. Although my new, shiny, beautiful car was totaled, I didn't have a single scratch on me. I don't care what anyone says, but you truly do get what you pay for. That car saved me, big time. After getting my check in the mail from insurance and mulling over getting another benz.. I decided I could put the bulk of the money into savings and get by with a civic. I quickly picked up another Salvaged 2005 Civic (which I still own) and actually...got used to it. Although there is no speed, no luxury, nothing fancy.. it's a 5 speed and it takes ~$40 to fill up...usually once every week and a half and (knock on wood) hasn't let me down yet. It's perfect... so why did I do what I'm about to explain next? Hopefully you guys can provide me an answer.
About a week ago I was again, browsing for something totally not car related at all on CG when i came across a 2006 IX in the South Bay. Again it was salvaged (due to theft).. looked pretty decent and had the exact mods that I probably would have done...E85 Ready, FMIC, Ported hotside and exhaust manifold, some tasteful GSR X wheels, solid suspension, exterior not TOO bad, and only 38,000 miles. Although I was not looking for another Evo by any means.. it just stuck out. So...what's the worst that can happen? I'll go talk to the guy, check the car out.. and maybe if the price is right I'll throw out an offer and hope for the best. I met Doug from the South Bay last week, he took me out for a spin...and I was once again..hooked. I went there not even considering to buy.. and walked away not being able to sleep that night because I was thinking about it so hard.
I usually go back home on the weekends to see my folks, help around the house, chill with the boys and hangout with my dog and so while I was having a convo with two of my best friends, (One has a Full Race 420hp RSX Type S and the other a tastefully modded/quick 135i)I tried to get their input. We talked for hours and hours.. I grabbed the VIN from Doug, did some research on the car, stopped my dad's shop on Saturday morning and let him know I was planning on taking a second look which again...he wasn't ecstatic about. SIDE NOTE: I like to keep my parents informed now a days with these kind of decisions. I was just a dumb *** when I was in high school and college that I totally should not have even been able to have my first two evo's. The tickets...the amount of money I dumped in... all while living paycheck to paycheck..it was stupid. So now, I at least take my parents input into account..because they haven't wronged me yet.
Anyway, I drove back to SJ, let Doug know I was simply doing a second check and wanted to get behind the wheel myself, run through all the gears, ask a few million more questions, and that I'd probably be on my way. He was amazingly cool with all of this and understood my POV (don't get excited guys) as he had also owned a few other EVO's in the past.
After a solid test drive, and gauging how much I could work with him on the price... I took a deep breath,walked away with a new friend, and am AGAIN the owner of a sweet IX. Unless something financially goes super south, (KNOCK ON WOOD HARD) I am not selling this damn car..ever.
SIDE..SIDE NOTE?: I previously was using both of the other EVOs as my DD. This one is garaged for weekends This makes life a lot easier. Thank you civic! So there you have it.. Within 10 years..for one reason or another I've owned 3 EVOs and it's been/will continue to be a hell of a ride. Every respective car lover will have their own reason why their car is great blah blah blah. Well with these cars, as I'm sure most of you will agree, is extremely unforgettable. I've learned so much about them and although I still have a lot to learn, I think that is the reason why I keep going back... and also the reason why that now in my mid-late twenties, I still had withdrawals when I was without one. So, What's your reason?
Thanks for reading my essay
! I look forward to contributing much more now that I hope to be a lifer and I'll update pics as soon as I get them!...and mods, feel free to move this thread if it is in the wrong place.
Jack
Facebook: Jack Dhaliwal
Instagram: jackbenimbo -Add me!
It all started roughly 10 years ago while working at my local Best Buy (Geek Squad) and seeing a stunning 03 BBY Evo that one of my coworkers (John) had just bought, roll through the parking lot each morning that turned a bunch of heads and definitely made me awe. At that time, it was honestly my boyish want of a super cool looking car that made an appearance in Fast and Furious.
Fast forward a few years later after numerous run ins with John around town, people gawking at his car still, plus the realization that my Supercharged Scion TC was definitely no where near the killer that I had once anticipated it to be in high school ...John walked into work one day and told the team that he was playing with the idea of getting rid of his prized show girl. At that time I was a College Freshman that worked full time and had just got done paying back my dad for the TC. The Evo had 50k on the Odometer but since he had service records for everything, and knowing that he babied it... I paid his asking price for it the following day, and never looked back. I wish I had more pictures of my BBY but the majority were lost in a failed iPhone backup years ago, before iCloud's time. [See images at bottom of post] Regardless of the countless times the IC piping would pop off under WOT, the paranoia of a slightly concerning "new noise" coming from the engine bay, playing around with a tactrix cable and running some logs for the first time, crazy trips to the casino on the summer weekends with 6 people in the car and showing off by parking in front of our neighborhood Chipotle, and smiling when people would ask: "Hey, you know your car is still running right"? (Turbo Timer)
.. I took it all in, immaturely looking back. Eventually, the boy with the purple scion became the guy with the sweet blue evo around town and I loved it. Later in the summer of 2008, a bunch of my friends started buying bikes and I guess the bike bug bit me too. I regrettably ended up selling the evo to not only pay off some tuition and book costs, but to also pick up a CBR 600. [Images at bottom of Post] Blue (to my surprise) was converted to a track monster by another former? EvoM member...b00stdem0n. I messaged him about a year after I sold it and he let me know how he worked with a shop in the bay area to make it even more of a beast...so I'm glad it ended up going to a happy home
..even though my friends wouldn't let me hear the end of it for getting rid of Blue!About a year and a half had gone by and at this point, I had about 3 cars since I got my license..now an IS-300 and that CBR which I bought after I sold Blue...which didn't make the parents the happiest people in the world. Regardless, I was nearing the end of my college career and after class one day was just going through Craigslist when something similar to..."2005 TB Evo Cheap" came up on the for sale listings. At first, I just wanted to keep on scrolling..insurance had been hell with the first evo, and as we all know.. they are money pits. Why would I want to put myself into another hole with this evo business? Well..whatever it was (is) took another hold of me. Although it was a salvage title and I was very skeptical, I was able to do a bunch of research, have it checked out by my own mechanic (THANK YOU ROB) that I went to everything for anything 4g63 related and because (unfortunately) the seller was facing bankruptcy and needed cash fast.. I was able to pick up that 2005 TB [See images on bottom of post] with 21,000 miles and salvaged due to theft.. for $11,000. Not bad, IMO.
My friends and I called it the Batmobile for obvious reasons. (The color..The Dark Knight had come out in theaters around then...I thought I was batman..etc etc..) Being that this was now my second evo, and I had done a buunccch (still probably not enough) research on EvoM, getting info from tuners, talking to other owners..I knew I wanted this one to have more power. I loved the Tanabe Medallian Touring Exhaust and I planned on spending another $2k for the nice clean look and throaty sound. I was originally planning on doing this and just the basic bolt ons plus a tune from Bryan from GST Motorsports, who had initially tuned Blue way back when. This changed when I was scrolling through the forums here one day and found out how a few people in NorCal had begun playing with E85 in their evo's. There wasn't a bunch of evidence at the time in terms of longevity/reliability..but the "Wise Men" of the EvoM community were saying more good things than bad about the fuel. I saved for about 6 months... picked up bigger injectors, the fuel pump, finished it off with the exhaust, weighed the cost of E85 vs. Pump, location and ease of access of the fuel for how much I drove and was off to GST Motorsports in the South Bay...until I had the worst experience I've ever come across from a Tuner shop. Long story short, I went to FFTEC...met Sean, and by the time I left...literally felt like I owned a different animal. (+1 for FFTEC
) A bunch of amazing drives up and down HWY 1 and about 2 years later after originally promising myself not to ever sell the Batmobile...I moved to the South Bay from Sacramento and sold it for a New Mercedes C300. (Just went through my camera roll and couldn't find any pics..but will search and upload them) With a new, big boy job and enough money to afford one, it was a solid car but even then, it was tough adjusting to an automatic commuter. Although I loved the grown, luxurious feeling..I felt...grown up and old. But it was time...(or was it?) and I definitely gained an appreciation for German engineering with the C300. I had that for about two years before one day..I fell asleep at the wheel on the 101 going to work from SF > Sunnyvale. Traffic had begun slowing down, I was listening to music and the next thing you know.. I woke up with the airbag in my face. If i had to honestly guess.. I probably hit the car in front of me (a newer c250 FML) at about 50-55 MPH when traffic had halted. Although my new, shiny, beautiful car was totaled, I didn't have a single scratch on me. I don't care what anyone says, but you truly do get what you pay for. That car saved me, big time. After getting my check in the mail from insurance and mulling over getting another benz.. I decided I could put the bulk of the money into savings and get by with a civic. I quickly picked up another Salvaged 2005 Civic (which I still own) and actually...got used to it. Although there is no speed, no luxury, nothing fancy.. it's a 5 speed and it takes ~$40 to fill up...usually once every week and a half and (knock on wood) hasn't let me down yet. It's perfect... so why did I do what I'm about to explain next? Hopefully you guys can provide me an answer.
About a week ago I was again, browsing for something totally not car related at all on CG when i came across a 2006 IX in the South Bay. Again it was salvaged (due to theft).. looked pretty decent and had the exact mods that I probably would have done...E85 Ready, FMIC, Ported hotside and exhaust manifold, some tasteful GSR X wheels, solid suspension, exterior not TOO bad, and only 38,000 miles. Although I was not looking for another Evo by any means.. it just stuck out. So...what's the worst that can happen? I'll go talk to the guy, check the car out.. and maybe if the price is right I'll throw out an offer and hope for the best. I met Doug from the South Bay last week, he took me out for a spin...and I was once again..hooked. I went there not even considering to buy.. and walked away not being able to sleep that night because I was thinking about it so hard.
I usually go back home on the weekends to see my folks, help around the house, chill with the boys and hangout with my dog and so while I was having a convo with two of my best friends, (One has a Full Race 420hp RSX Type S and the other a tastefully modded/quick 135i)I tried to get their input. We talked for hours and hours.. I grabbed the VIN from Doug, did some research on the car, stopped my dad's shop on Saturday morning and let him know I was planning on taking a second look which again...he wasn't ecstatic about. SIDE NOTE: I like to keep my parents informed now a days with these kind of decisions. I was just a dumb *** when I was in high school and college that I totally should not have even been able to have my first two evo's. The tickets...the amount of money I dumped in... all while living paycheck to paycheck..it was stupid. So now, I at least take my parents input into account..because they haven't wronged me yet.
Anyway, I drove back to SJ, let Doug know I was simply doing a second check and wanted to get behind the wheel myself, run through all the gears, ask a few million more questions, and that I'd probably be on my way. He was amazingly cool with all of this and understood my POV (don't get excited guys) as he had also owned a few other EVO's in the past. After a solid test drive, and gauging how much I could work with him on the price... I took a deep breath,walked away with a new friend, and am AGAIN the owner of a sweet IX.
Unless something financially goes super south, (KNOCK ON WOOD HARD) I am not selling this damn car..ever. SIDE..SIDE NOTE?: I previously was using both of the other EVOs as my DD. This one is garaged for weekends
This makes life a lot easier. Thank you civic! So there you have it.. Within 10 years..for one reason or another I've owned 3 EVOs and it's been/will continue to be a hell of a ride. Every respective car lover will have their own reason why their car is great blah blah blah. Well with these cars, as I'm sure most of you will agree, is extremely unforgettable. I've learned so much about them and although I still have a lot to learn, I think that is the reason why I keep going back... and also the reason why that now in my mid-late twenties, I still had withdrawals when I was without one. So, What's your reason?Thanks for reading my essay
! I look forward to contributing much more now that I hope to be a lifer and I'll update pics as soon as I get them!...and mods, feel free to move this thread if it is in the wrong place. Jack
Facebook: Jack Dhaliwal
Instagram: jackbenimbo -Add me!
Last edited by jackbenimbo; Jul 23, 2014 at 05:44 PM. Reason: Grammar much?
Jul 21, 2014, 02:15 PM
#4
Good read and thank you for sharing!
There is a lot of truth in your story. Many, myself included, can relate with some/many of your remarks.
It is definitely a breath of fresh air to read your story and see the progression from 'Check out my F & F Evo and cool sounding BOV' to you taking a mature and level headed path for your 3rd evo...both in purchasing it and the goals you had in mind for it.
GL with your new toy and keep us posted on your future mod plans (if any) you have for her!
Enjoy your new IX!!
There is a lot of truth in your story. Many, myself included, can relate with some/many of your remarks.
It is definitely a breath of fresh air to read your story and see the progression from 'Check out my F & F Evo and cool sounding BOV' to you taking a mature and level headed path for your 3rd evo...both in purchasing it and the goals you had in mind for it.
GL with your new toy and keep us posted on your future mod plans (if any) you have for her!
Enjoy your new IX!!
Jul 21, 2014, 02:28 PM
#6
I did the same and am on my 2nd evo. I sold the old one due to my son being born and freaking out a bit but I have had my 2nd one now for almost 3 years and dont intend to ever let it go either. Im not sure how realistic that statement is, but that is my intent. Good luck with the new one and enjoy it!
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Jul 21, 2014, 02:42 PM
#8
Good read and thank you for sharing!
There is a lot of truth in your story. Many, myself included, can relate with some/many of your remarks.
It is definitely a breath of fresh air to read your story and see the progression from 'Check out my F & F Evo and cool sounding BOV' to you taking a mature and level headed path for your 3rd evo...both in purchasing it and the goals you had in mind for it.
GL with your new toy and keep us posted on your future mod plans (if any) you have for her!
Enjoy your new IX!!
There is a lot of truth in your story. Many, myself included, can relate with some/many of your remarks.
It is definitely a breath of fresh air to read your story and see the progression from 'Check out my F & F Evo and cool sounding BOV' to you taking a mature and level headed path for your 3rd evo...both in purchasing it and the goals you had in mind for it.
GL with your new toy and keep us posted on your future mod plans (if any) you have for her!
Enjoy your new IX!!
I will definitely have fun and there is some work to be done.. (dents, scratches, brake pads, getting rid of the blacked out headlights etc) but nothing major, and most importantly..nothing major mechanically...besides the brake pads..which is definitely important, haha! I was lucky with this one to buy from someone who was a true adult evo owner and so that helps a bunch.
Updates soon!
Jul 21, 2014, 02:45 PM
#12
I did the same and am on my 2nd evo. I sold the old one due to my son being born and freaking out a bit but I have had my 2nd one now for almost 3 years and dont intend to ever let it go either. Im not sure how realistic that statement is, but that is my intent. Good luck with the new one and enjoy it!
Jul 21, 2014, 08:20 PM
#15
I bought your 03 BBY Evo (still my avatar pic), glad you're back in the game man! I loved the car, but had to sell it unfortunately (worst car decision I've ever made). I taught both my highschool kids how to drive stick in it and my youngest was bit by the car crazy bug as soon as he touched the steering wheel. The for sale link below is what was on the car when it ran the time in my signature at Sac Raceway. I'll be looking for another evo soon as well.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...-15-500-a.html
Here's the walk around video of it on Youtube also:
I loved the car, but had to sell it unfortunately (worst car decision I've ever made). I taught both my highschool kids how to drive stick in it and my youngest was bit by the car crazy bug as soon as he touched the steering wheel. The for sale link below is what was on the car when it ran the time in my signature at Sac Raceway. I'll be looking for another evo soon as well.https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...-15-500-a.html
Here's the walk around video of it on Youtube also: