Hi, first post, long-time Japanese Car Fan, first time dedicated weekend toy and Evo owner - picked up an Evo5 last weekend.

65,000 miles, very clean shell, heavily modified up to 480bhp with forged engine. I'd been saving for awhile to import a fresh Subaru Impreza STI (blob eye), but for sale ad on Facebook caught my eye, and I dived in head first. I've always thought - rightly or wrongly - as Evos being the faster, uglier, more temperamental car in the Scooby vs. Evo debate, and was always a McRae man when rallying was still popular, but I've long wanted to try an Evo.

Took the car to a local specialist today - wasn't completely happy with the idle, and for a general health check. Their feedback:
- Loose power steering pump;
- Low coolant (topped up);
- Slight oil leak around manifold area;
- No. 3 cylinder down on compression (10 bar vs 12 bar on other cylinders);
- Rear camber bushes worn.

They were impressed with the shell, but weren't too sure on the engine... That said, for now at least, it is running superbly - unbelievably fast (+150bhp more than anything I've ever driven before) and the twin plate clutch meaning I need to rev match/heel toe means for a weekend toy, it's bang on. Trying to work out what on the list I should prioritise, whether to ignore and just enjoy the car until something goes wrong... It's purely a weekend car - will do 1000 miles over summer max - but I don't want to make any underlying issues worse.

I know it's a 22 year old car so will always have little niggles, but possibly starting to regret not going down the fresh import route...!!

 

First congrats on the purchase, i love the V and VI's, hope to pick one up when legal in the US. I would probably go for the oil leak first and the camber bushes and post some pictures man!!

 

You would have already done all the liquids too and get the tune checked then enjoy it