to mod or not mod
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Asgard
I don't have an Evo yet, but I'm gettin one soon, and as I will be starting 7 years of gradschool soon, that car will be my DD for a while. SO HERES WHAT I'M DOING! I will drive the car stock till the warranty runs out or untill I'm convinced the warranty isn't worth it or that the car really doesn't need it! then I will throw in a ETS intake and exhaust and do a tune and call it a day! No more no less, when I finish school and pay the loans back, I'll go crazy on the car and by then I'll buy a Evo XIII haha! Good luck! and trust me I feel you!
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
dmitri,
I share your concerns. I couldn't resist getting the evo when I probably should have waited awhile, so now I am hoping that the warranty will keep me out of trouble for a couple of years (although, as stated already factory warranties can be unreliable). That said, I think I might still start with an easy mod, like a short throw shifter + shift bushings, to improve the feel of the car for my DD use. But I'm hoping to fend off the intake/exhaust mod bug for another year or two and enjoy it (mostly) stock for awhile
I share your concerns. I couldn't resist getting the evo when I probably should have waited awhile, so now I am hoping that the warranty will keep me out of trouble for a couple of years (although, as stated already factory warranties can be unreliable). That said, I think I might still start with an easy mod, like a short throw shifter + shift bushings, to improve the feel of the car for my DD use. But I'm hoping to fend off the intake/exhaust mod bug for another year or two and enjoy it (mostly) stock for awhile
First of all, we were newbies at one point or another. Better to ask questions now than to break the car later.
I have been driving an EVo as my DD since 2004. I am on my 2nd one since totaled my 8 with 120k on the odo a year ago, and have now put 20k on my 9. I have not had any issues with my cars and both of them are modded. I did my services on time and never wore the brake pads down to the bare minimum. The only part thing that broke on my 8 was the AC compressor.
I would suggest like other people here just to stick to basics (exhaust system: intake, turboback, boost controller of your choice + reflash) to enjoy the car to the full potential at stock levels.
As far as the insurance goes, our OEM parts tend to be even more expensive than the aftermarket ones. I got my seats stolen and got ~6.5k for them and boutght a slightly used set for ~2k. I get the car inspected by the insurance and get a check for the repairs and then take it to wherever I want. There are many tuning shops that know our cars inside out and charge comparable rates to local garages for repairs and services (and a hell lot less than the dealer)
Modding can be addictive but if you set a defined goal for your project it gets easier to manage. DO NOT JUST START SLAPPING PARTS TOGETHER ON YOUR CAR! do your research.
Hope this helps
I have been driving an EVo as my DD since 2004. I am on my 2nd one since totaled my 8 with 120k on the odo a year ago, and have now put 20k on my 9. I have not had any issues with my cars and both of them are modded. I did my services on time and never wore the brake pads down to the bare minimum. The only part thing that broke on my 8 was the AC compressor.
I would suggest like other people here just to stick to basics (exhaust system: intake, turboback, boost controller of your choice + reflash) to enjoy the car to the full potential at stock levels.
As far as the insurance goes, our OEM parts tend to be even more expensive than the aftermarket ones. I got my seats stolen and got ~6.5k for them and boutght a slightly used set for ~2k. I get the car inspected by the insurance and get a check for the repairs and then take it to wherever I want. There are many tuning shops that know our cars inside out and charge comparable rates to local garages for repairs and services (and a hell lot less than the dealer)
Modding can be addictive but if you set a defined goal for your project it gets easier to manage. DO NOT JUST START SLAPPING PARTS TOGETHER ON YOUR CAR! do your research.
Hope this helps
I spend A LOT of time reading on this forum about what people do with their cars, and was just wondering how people deal with these issues:
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it.
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
. Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it
.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I say no to mod. The car is great as it is. Blasphemy I know! But once you start the car gets worse and worse. It's louder, bumpier, uglier as you 'mod' it.
I want mine back to stock basically. Not lowered, not loud. Just nice the way the factory intended it to be. I must be getting old.
I want mine back to stock basically. Not lowered, not loud. Just nice the way the factory intended it to be. I must be getting old.
Evolving Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, Va.
Kracka - those mods, even thought they are minimal, raise some flags:
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop.
shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop
.shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
Take the car on some fun roads, track it a little, live with it as a DD and see if it's the car you really want. Don't make decisions based on fear though, do thorough research on possible mods keeping in mind your current goal as a reliable DD.
These are robust cars and should bring years of enjoyment if properly maintained. Most basic mods don't make cars unreliable, it's the driver.
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Someone else said it, but I will say it too: It sounds like you already answered your own question. Don't mod it until the "warranty" is up. I will say you should get an AP though, as it can be unmarried from the car when you need warranty work and no one will know.
Just do cosmetic mods and make the car look exactly how you want it to. Then when the warranty is up you'll be ready to make the insides match the outsides.
PS, if you do springs, they are really easy to take off and swap back to stock. Personally I would do only mods that make it easy to switch back to stock, and if a problem occurs, switch back to stock and take it to the dealer. Or find a dealer who isn't a ***** about it. I have springs and spacers on my STi. The dealer could have tried to blame those for my brake sensor failure, but they didn't.
Just do cosmetic mods and make the car look exactly how you want it to. Then when the warranty is up you'll be ready to make the insides match the outsides.
PS, if you do springs, they are really easy to take off and swap back to stock. Personally I would do only mods that make it easy to switch back to stock, and if a problem occurs, switch back to stock and take it to the dealer. Or find a dealer who isn't a ***** about it. I have springs and spacers on my STi. The dealer could have tried to blame those for my brake sensor failure, but they didn't.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Sounds like you answered your own question. It's not like the Evo X is a poor performer that demands mods to make it worth owning. It's one of the best handling sedans made right now. The 2010's apparently have a superior factory tune so there's really no pressing need to get a protune or OTS tune.
Take the car on some fun roads, track it a little, live with it as a DD and see if it's the car you really want. Don't make decisions based on fear though, do thorough research on possible mods keeping in mind your current goal as a reliable DD.
These are robust cars and should bring years of enjoyment if properly maintained. Most basic mods don't make cars unreliable, it's the driver.
Take the car on some fun roads, track it a little, live with it as a DD and see if it's the car you really want. Don't make decisions based on fear though, do thorough research on possible mods keeping in mind your current goal as a reliable DD.
These are robust cars and should bring years of enjoyment if properly maintained. Most basic mods don't make cars unreliable, it's the driver.
plus it helps you hear the blow off valve 
I spend A LOT of time reading on this forum about what people do with their cars, and was just wondering how people deal with these issues:
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it.
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
. Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it
.
