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should I buy a salvage evo 8 that needs a head gasket?

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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 09:42 AM
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should I buy a salvage evo 8 that needs a head gasket?

Hi i just joined the forum a while ago, and I wanted some professional opinion on the car I might purchase. It’s a 05 evo 8 with 105,000 miles, and it holds a salvage title. The car has not body damage prior to it’s front end accident. It was listed for 12,500, and after looking at the car i noticed it needed a Head gasket. The owner had told me some was wrong before looking at it. I’m personally not willing to pay 12,500 for the car so after talking to the owner I was able to bring him down to 8,500 after being told it has a break leak. I want to know if this is a good deal for a evo, the car isn’t stock it has some exterior, interior, and engine mods. I’d like to know if this is a good deal for a salvage evo that needs a head gasket. Thank you all for your time
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 09:56 AM
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Hey welcome!

How about posting a link to the for sale post? That would give us a bit more info

Certainly at $8500.00 that would be quite the bargain. If all that is needed is a head gasket? There are many other components to consider (T-Case, Rear end, Trans, bottom end, body corrosion, etc)

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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 10:02 AM
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 10:08 AM
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It just needs a head gasket, and it has a brake leak.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 10:19 AM
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Hey looks pretty cool. Has the period correct rear wing as well. I checked the Smog history w/no Referee issues & all Passes

I wish they would post up a few engine bay pics. (those pics sometimes tell stories)

Id grab it for $8500.00. Being a Calif car, corrosion is likely not an issue

Keep us posted!
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 10:21 AM
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Yea I checked the car out in person, and all it’s body lines where fine. The engine bay is actually really nice, and has no signs of leaks or anything.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 10:23 AM
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Worth it, assuming that's all that is wrong.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 11:13 AM
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Perfect condition and those miles - 18,000
Salvage title - 9000
Possibly needs a new engine 4500
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:22 PM
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Someone’s listed a evo 8 with 115,000 miles that holds a salvage title for 16,000, and it needs nothing. The car I’m looking at shows all sign of a gead gasket replacement it smokes white fumes, under the oil cap it had the mixture of oil and water. The car runs and drives but smokes a lot.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Jdmvisha
Someone’s listed a evo 8 with 115,000 miles that holds a salvage title for 16,000, and it needs nothing. The car I’m looking at shows all sign of a gead gasket replacement it smokes white fumes, under the oil cap it had the mixture of oil and water. The car runs and drives but smokes a lot.
You have to ask yourself why the head gasket died and what other damage could have been done.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:26 PM
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@kaj that’s what I’m trying to figure out, I’m thinking of getting a prepurchase inspection by a shop called fftec.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:33 PM
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Says it has a valve seal issue. Not a head gasket. With the salvage title plus engine issues, I wouldn't pay more than $5k.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:36 PM
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I checked the car in person. Not a valve seal issue. It needs a head gasket.
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Old Sep 30, 2018 | 12:57 PM
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Inspections are a great idea. I put my current Evo on a lift,.looked it over, drove it, and ran every test I could. Six years later ,no surprises and I ended up getting it for $3K less than asking.
Definitely good for peace of mind.
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Old Oct 1, 2018 | 08:36 AM
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Have the owner fix the head gasket issue and tell him you're willing to pay $1500 more than his asking price.

Unless you want a money pit, don't buy a car that "just needs a head gasket". Chances are it's more than that. Especially if the brakes leak somewhere, and the front end was repaired with cheaper parts.

Skip it, spend the money on a better deal. You can find higher miles (100-140k) for the same 12k price range you're looking at that don't have issues if you look for long enough. This is also a salvage title which kills any resale value
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