New to site, much needed input on an evo9 I'm interested in
 

Hey fellas, I'm new to the site, I've been on here a little checking out threads and it's a breath of fresh air to find people that know about these cars. I've been dreaming of a evo 9 for years and now that I can finally afford one, it's impossible to find one in my 200 mile radius area! I just recently came across one that I really really like but skeptical about the modifications it has and I was hoping some of you guys could give me some insight on it, what to look for, questions to ask the seller about this car etc. here is the ad for the car:

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Evolution 9 GSR 5-speed Transmission with 125k miles on it.
Up for sale is my super clean Rally Red 2006 Evo 9. The car is Immaculate. the paint is very clean and shiny. The exterior of the car is 9.5/10 and the interior is 9/10. Once again it is a super clean car. Clutch was replaced with ACT Stage 2 setup 3k mile ago. Transmission oil, transfer case oil and brake fluid were changed 3k miles ago.
New Continental tires
New brakes
New battery
I am a third owner of the car and have a Clear and Clean Title under my name ready to be signed. The car has never been in an accident and has Clean CarFax.
The car is very clean, runs and drives perfect.
It has following modifications:
Mishimoto intercooler
HKS Green Foam air filter
Turbo back 3" SS Greddy Evo III exhaust
Swift Red Springs
Steering column gauge pod with AEM Wideband gauge and Boost gauge
HID driving Lights
Two way alarm system with remote start
Hallman HBC Manual boost controller ( the stock one is still on its place). The car runs at 21psi. No warning or any other lights on the dashboard. ACD system works as it should. No oil leak or any other leaks.

I would ask who tuned the car. Also, when you drive it, take it up to highway speeds if you can and make sure it isnt making any whining noises. That can end up being an expensive repair. Do you have any pics of the car you can post on here? Maybe find someone or a shop that is local and familiar with evos to look at the car before you buy it. Good luck.

Here are a few pictures, looks clean, love the color :

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150...537/9SFvKq.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150...673/LtYZXV.jpg


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150...537/k0Df0N.jpg

Take it for a test drive and make some full lock turns at low speeds to see if there's any clicking from the front, which could be a CV joint. Also ask if the car has had any intermittent starting issues, where you turn the key to "On" and all you hear is the fuel pump. A good number of people are experiencing this and it's pretty intermittent.

Otherwise, ask for paperwork for all the service, and maybe pay a mechanic to look over it too.

Great! Thank you for the suggestions guys! I hope to look at it this weekend.

Car is almost stock. what mods are you sceptical about?

here ya go chief


https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...oking-evo.html

Yes, and I love the aspect of it being stock, but I read on here to be cautious if the clutch was replaced and that people mod the crap out of it then put it back to stock to sell so it looks good, also the 125k miles, maybe people with higher mile evos would know more what to look for. I know the car is only as good as it's owners but sadly I didn't know the past 3.

Thank you eatsleepboost, this will help a lot!

How much is he asking? Has the 120K timing belt service been performed? should include timing belt, balance belt, OEM tensioners for both, new pulleys, new water pump

If not, that's another $1,000 job depending on where you go (probably STM if you're in NY)

I wouldn't pay more than 17-18k for that car, maybe 19k if the interior and exterior truly are flawless and there is no rust or corrosion on the car at all, but 125k miles is a lot of driving for a 2006. especially on the east coast with salted roads in the winter

make sure to check for rust under the car before doing anything else. when you get a pre-purchase inspection (if you go ahead with the car) ask to come look around while they're inspecting and look specifically for rust on the underbody. if there's rust, walk away

IIDemonII, the timing belt and water pump I was gonna ask about for sure. I called on a evo9 mr with 70k 2 days ago, the dealer told me the water pump and clutch went. This guy is asking almost 18k for it, and it's through private party, not a dealer :-/ . I looked up kbb and was ~ 15k. The miles don't concern me too much as long as I see that it's been taken care of, I have seen them out there with 60-80k miles and asking 25k, that's a little out of reach for my budget.

If he has receipts for the clutch and the car has been tuned by a shop (and you can call the shop to verify it's been tuned and verify the hp/tq), AND it's had the timing belt and everything else replaced, then i'd say 18k wouldn't be terrible IF the tires are good and don't need to be replaced for a year.

really theres a lot of maybe's. check for rust and corrosion, check the tune, check the timing service (not just belt, but all tensioners and pulleys and water pump). if everything passes 18k isn't terrible if the exterior is in as good of shape as he says it is. the only thing that i would accept as not done is timing belt service, and take $1k off whatever you would offer otherwise. do make sure the car has been tuned though when the boost controller was installed. offer 17k with timing service, 16k without

All very good points, thanks! 21 psi is okay boost to run on that motor on stock internals? 91+ fuel should be ran with that correct? Is that something else just to ask even though it will be difficult to prove, will 87 octane damage anything or it will just run terrible

Get a compression test done on it at the bare minimum...

So I got off the phone with the owner this evening ( trying to get as much info as possible before I make the 3 hr drive) , tells me he's not sure about the timing belt and water pump, he doesn't have receipts for the clutch or fluid changes, he isn't sure if it's had a tune but says ( it rides good) sounds like I'd be going in blind on this one and developed an uneasy feeling about it. It just so happens I'll be working 1hr from him tomorrow, so I figure it can't hurt to take a look, but as of now I feel no desire to buy this one.

Sounds like he's unsure about a lot of things on his own car. How long has he owned it? Unless he knew it was previously tuned by the last owner that is something he should've looked into doing. No receipts for any work means you have to take his word for it which doesn't always work out either. I would feel a little hesitant about this one. If he isn't willing to let you take it to a reputable shop and have them look over it then I'd say walk away!