Hey guys, new to the forum and desperately hunting for a lightly modded or stock IX.

Just yesterday I almost completed a deal on a yellow EVO IX.
Ultimately I need help on deciding whether to go for it or keep searching. So here's some info for you.

Mods: Clutch, Buddy Club 18" Wheels, Turbo (he doesn't know brand or size), Defi gauges, Springs, Carbon Bonnet, Carbon Trunk, Carbon Lip, Carbon Front Fenders, HKS SSQ BOV, HKS Filter, HKS Exhaust. No tune.

Interior Condition: 9.5/10
Exterior Condition: 7.5/10

Nothing much to say about the interior, it's like the car came off the showroom.

The exterior carbon pieces look beat from exposure from the summer sun, slight peeling and fading, i'd say the need to be brought back to original condition. The paint needs polishing quite badly. Left front fender has a spot where the paint has chipped off but no damage to the carbon (stone chip?).

Driving the car: It's smooth, checked in slow tight corner, no whining, no overheat issues after being pushed through most gears. High gear / Low Rpm in 3rd, 4th, 5th and even 6th is good with no clutch issues. None the less the clutch is quite heavy and bites as soon as you lift your foot. (Can be quite tiresome in traffic) Also it's been worked perhaps 40% changed 3 years ago (don't know if this is accurate).
Front tires need changing ASAP, Rear Tires have some tread left but all 4 will be changed.

Reason I didn't follow through with the deal was that I felt that the price was a bit on the high side 22-23k USD as it's got some issues I will need to address to. Negotiated down to 21k USD but I still feel that he could come down a bit more. What do you think?

My neighbor warned me that higher mileage EVOs such as the one I looked at might or might not present a transferbox / transfercase problem in the near future. Is this true?

The car has 50,000 miles on the clock. Driven rarely, imported from Japan, 3rd owner overall so that would make me the 4th.
Should I renegotiate the price and proceed with the buy or look at a few more before making a final decision?

 

I would pass if you cant get any more info...
Clutch - what kind?
Turbo - RED FLAG if he doesnt know info on the turbo
Springs - expect blown struts, imo likely within a few thousand miles
HKS SSQV - ricer mod on evos, no good, mixed on filter
No tune - another red flag

CTake it to a local reputable performance shop, do a compression test and see if they know info on turbo etc... Be very wary

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Walker.

Owner has no idea what brand or kind the clutch is.
He's guessing it's a twin plate.

Might as well get it checked if he comes down a bit more on the price.

 

I would be weary of this person's evo. Unknown brand mods and no tune. How long has he been driving with those mods untuned? If it had been a while, I would pass and keep looking. Eventually, you can find an evo that has light mods and a good history for about that price.

If you do still pursue it, find a very good evo mechanic to give it the look through. Good luck!

 

The car never had a tune.

First owner in Japan kept it stock. Then when it got imported the 2nd owner modded it with all the parts mentioned. 3rd owner just bought it without second thought but never asked why it never got tuned. I think it's been like that for 4-5 years.

Is it bad for a car with bolt on parts with no tune?

 

A modded car tells me it was used to race, or driven hard... You want to "feel" those gains right? So the car has been driven hard a bit, really not a problem if the car is done right. These mods with no tune is probably causing detonation or knock... 4-5 years of being in this state, not to mention the body issues. I would hold off on this one.

There are plenty of places to find used evos and new ones come up regularly

 

you can do better. find one which the owner knows his car. make your 20k+ dollars worth it.

 

If you live in the US, any non-USDM car less than 25 years old will be a raft of trouble. Even forgetting that its not legal, parts may or may not be an issue.

Outside the US, YMMV.

 

Jesus Christ he doesn't know what clutch or TURBO is in the car. Do not consider this vehicle.

 

Would definitely not go for this car, too many red flags which have already been pointed out.

 

Not in the U.S. but in Cyprus (European Union member).

Being that we have a population of less than a million, there's not much you can do without someone knowing

Viegasjuice I couldn't believe it either. He bought the car just because it was an EVO IX. I understand the excitement, almost fell for it too but I need it to be just perfect for me.

Yes it's inevitable that some of them will get driven like they've been stolen. It's an adrenaline rush on wheels

Thanks for the input guys! Hunt for the next EVO IX continues!

 

There is no guessing with a twin or triple. If you have ever heard the chatter or driven one you will know what I mean. You know when it is a twin right away.

 

Keep on looking... Never buy a car with stories or a unknown history. So many red flags
unknown mods, no tune and mismatched tires. Run for the hills!

 

YES!!!! I had an SR20 with no tune from the previous owner and is wore down the rings from it running so rich. 'Cylinder wash' I believe it's called. Have you done a compression check? I will NEVER buy a car without doing one.

 

So you think it's most possibly a single? Couldn't tell what it is, but it sure is heavy and a pain for a DD.