I recently sold my first Evo VIII specifically to pick up this replacement.
Here was my first:
Apex Silver 03, sold with 61K miles, sunroof, IX Turbo, fuel upgrades, bolt-ons, Kelford 272's, Comp Stage4 Clutch etc.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...ng-offers.html
^Some of you may have seen the for sale thread.

It was a pretty clean car, a very strong runner and mechanically solid. (loads of fun) BUT, I have a bad habit of always looking through classifieds and I struck gold finding this one, and had to have it.

My latest acquisition:
Another 03 VIII, also Apex Silver, also has a sunroof.
This one was a single owner car, squeaky clean carfax and a decade long garage queen. (a mature owner to boot.)
-Only 24,000 miles.
It is modified a bit, all quality parts and professional installations.
-AMS 50 Trim Turbo Kit
-AMS FMIC
-AMS TBE w/ high flow cat
-Greddy 880cc injectors
-HKS 272's
-ARP Head Studs
-HKS DLI II
-Tanabe GF210's

Tuned by Chad Block @ CBRD

It's super super clean inside out and under. Not "mint" (I don't like throwing that word around) but superb overall, it'll satisfy even the most picky enthusiast. The interior looks virtually new and literally smells new. the seats show almost no wear, and even the armrest on the console is clean. Original radio and speakers, and the front bumper was never drilled to mount a plate.
The brembos are still 85% red, the carbon on the wing is 100% intact with no signs of fading, and the paint work (aside from a few little nicks) shows as new. The valve cover is still nice and glossy and the coolant bottle is nice and clear. Hard to find them in this shape. PO said the car only saw rain a handful of times and was never winter driven. Unfortunately for me, it's my only car at the moment, so it has seen a bit of salt. (and a bit of undercarriage washing) I legitimately feel guilty exposing it to the winter elements and the horrible roads.

I'm satisfied to say the least. Picked it up 4hrs from me and made the drive home flawlessly. The blend door still works, the trans shifts incredibly smooth, the transfer case is library quiet and the clutch is perfect (original stock clutch) No leaks on funny odors etc.
Here's some photos:
(it's filthy, been a long drive and too cold to properly wash it.)


Here's some photos:
(sorry it's filthy, the roads are trashed up here)













And here's the real "money shot" in my eyes:


Absolutely preserved condition window sticker!
















My only plans with the car involve complete fluid changes and a proper detail and paint correction,and replacing the burnt out gauge cluster bulb.
Maybe a set of MR Billys or Billy HD's, and possibly IX or JDM tails.

Thanks for viewing.

 

that's sooo clean.

 

Thanks, it really really is. It literally has an encapsulated new car odor from '03.
I think it was a great buy.

 

****...and when I try to look for a clean IX all I find is used and abused ones.

 

The clean ones are out there, just keep searching and don't settle. I ended up settling on the first VIII, dumped a fortune into it, only for this one to pop up a few months later. Oh well.


Posted from Evolutionm.net App for Android

 

Very clean and has the subtle look, I like it!

 

I would pick up the JDM tails. It brings me joy to see these Evo's going to good homes instead of being trashed and beat.

 

That's what I'm planning, I'm really not a fan of the VIII tails. My last one looked 10x better with IX tails IMO.
It certainly has a good new home, I just finished changing the oil, driveline fluids are next along with coolant and plugs. I also have to replace the burnt out cluster bulb..
Then when it finally warms up (if it ever does) i'm going to dedicate quite a bit of time making it look as good as it runs.
Thanks for the kind words.

 

Clean car man, nice pick up I wish my WW 9 RS had 23k miles on it lol.

 

Thanks man. Odometers are just a number, I always look at how the car was cared for rather than the odometer, but low mileage is usually a good thing too. This odometer won't stay low for long, I love driving this one, and find myself making excuses to do so lol.

 

Im actually the same way. Odometers are just numbers, and my RS doesnt look like it has 86K miles on it. Anyone who takes care of there car, it will show no matter the miles. Your car looks stock from the outside, but has a sick setup that no one wouldnt ever think. Def a sleeper!

 

That thing looks clean! How much did you get it for, if you don't mind me asking.

 

Thanks!
Odometers can be a trade off, especially when dealing with these cars being between 6-10 years old. Obviously inevitable wear and tear occurs cosmetically and mechanically regardless, but lower mileage can also indicate the car sat for quite some time (something I never liked), and was likely a secondary (or in this case third) car, and could have been maintained in a certain manner where it wasn't necessarily a priority, and repairs could have been an afterthought. In some cases this can be worse than a car with higher mileage that was used routinely. That was my only reservation regarding the car, but I'm almost certain it was never neglected mechanically. (Hell, he gave me a jug of 90 Diaqueen that was 1/4 full, so at least I know it's been serviced.)

Three years ago I purchased an 04 STi (early early build date 03/03) with 5100 miles, car looked at least as good as new, and had likely the worlds most meticulous owner, but I was always fearful of dried out gaskets and seals rearing their ugly heads down the road. The car is still running perfect for it's current owner and was without a single fault for the 2 1/2 years and ~12K miles I owned it, but that concern was always around.

Everyone wants a super low mileage car, but there can be issues with "stagnation", as long as the car was routinely driven all should be well.
However, many times I prefer a car with an average amount of miles, that indicates routine use and the fact it was relied upon for transportation.
Used cars are always a toss up regardless.

 

Congrats. Super clean...and stealth!

 

soooo clean