I'm interested in buying an Evo 4 or 5. However I live in America and in order to get an Evo 5 I would have to wait until 2023. So I've decided that I might as well get an Evo 4 or the time being. I do plan on modifying my car though and I've heard some things here and there about Evo 4's. Would it be a waste of time to highly modify an Evo 4? I would also like to know what the aftermarket is like for the evo 4. To sum it up I'm asking what I am in the title, is getting an evo 4 worth my time.

 

Question a few folks are asking as the 25 year date grows near.

I'm not an expert, but sought the Evo 5 as I think it is when the rally for the street cars hit a peak.

Believe the Evo 4 lacks many of the Evo 5 features...but it is lighter and a cleaner design.

Tough to purchase a 5 and keep it stored overseas until legal...

Is it a flip or a longterm project?

Good Luck!

 

I will probably be long term since I prefer the Evo 4. I wanna know the problems with the evo 4 and if they can be prevented or parts can be upgraded. I made a post on reddit and I heard things about crank walk, ayc ect. Since I don't know all that much about evo's its kind of scary not knowing the differences. This is my first time being on a car forum as well, so it is all just a bit overwhelming.

 

Evo 4s were made starting around August 1996, so they're legal 2021. With that said, they are without question the most unreliable Evo. The engine had cooling and oiling issues, making them more susceptible to issues like blown head gaskets and major bottom end damage. The AYC stuff was new and wasn't very reliable (funny how they never really fixed it entirely though) plus a whole bunch of other tiny issues. They also had the ugliest upholstery that manages to look much worse when they're worn. They had crummy brakes like the Evo 1-3, not the Brembos from the E5+. I like the look of Evo 4s, but they are not the one I'd buy to enjoy in stock form. The Evo 4 RS is pretty rare, and will be much more expensive than GSR, but you do get to skip out on AYC. The other choice is to wait on the Evo 5, which becomes legal January 2023, but Evo 5 prices are already on a steep rise worldwide. I wouldn't expect to find a really good one below $30k landed when the time comes.