Hey all, new to the forum but not to Mitsubishi cars or turbos. Need a little help here with one that I found to see if it's worth it or not. Now I've been searching as much as I could for known issues, things to look for, etc and have come up with a few things but I'd greatly appreciate any further help going forward.

Currently I have a 2012 Genesis Coupe 2.0T in pristine condition inside and out with a full stage 2 kit from Beyond Redline plus a bunch of other things. I love the car but have always wanted an Evo X. Just so happens through a friend I've found one.

Info on the Evo X MR...car has 29k miles and they're asking $29k as well. The exterior of the car is very good, few swirls from not washing properly but I can fix that through polishing. The only real issues with the exterior is that the front bumper seems to either have a fake weather strip type lip added onto the aero kit that comes stock or the stock one is starting to come apart. Everything else other than a crappy window tint job looks good, trim and all. The underbody is a bit rusty here and there on the suspension parts and such and I usually take care to use wd-40, etc before winter hits and wash off all road salt ASAP. I've never had this issue but I guess the previous owners didn't do such things. The interior is great and no issues at all...so far found.

Now to the good stuff. The car was traded in with an HKS ssqv dv which I don't like one bit. Sounds beat, leaks and causes turbo flutter at higher rpm ranges. Also has a make shaft mount with a glowshift boost gauge attached. If I decide to get the car that is going out. Also has a ultraracing hi flow dp mated to a magnaflow dual exit exhaust which I didn't really like the sound of either. Pretty rusted as well other than the tips. Apexi intake with heat shield...heard "ok"
things about this on the Evo X MR. Looked in ok condition and sounded fairly good other than the dv issues stated above. There is a tune on the stock ecu from pro formance? Never heard of them. Paper stating that car is tuned for 300whp. Didn't feel it really but who knows.

The original engine cover has been removed for a piece of crappy aluminum style engine cover. There appears to be an uicp but I'm not sure, doesn't have the black piping I believe comes stock. Couldn't really see if there was a licp on it, definitely stock core. This looks like it is all of the mods to the car. This is also all that is noted from the dealer. The dealer being a VW dealer doesn't know much if at all anything about the car, I actually knew more.

SO, with that all said and done I took it out for a drive. Pretty laughable at how the guy working with me couldn't figure out how to shift the car at all by lifting up on the shifter to put it into gear. I finally got behind the wheel and ready to test it out and of all things I have to reverse and when I do put it into reverse and press the gas it just high revs, the "R" flashes both on the shifter console as well as in the dash and the car doesn't move. I'm pretty sure I've heard of these transmissions going for a numerous amount of reasons so I'm a little bummed because the car was suppose to be "flawless" according to them.

The guy is panicking and not knowing what to do. He's calling the dealership for help and I'm turning the car off in park of course. Start it up and everything is fine again. Is this a known issue or was this just a fluke? The car worked in drive, park, etc but not reverse. Finally got it to work and took it off. Feels good, sounds like crap due to the crappy leaking hks and the horrible sound of the magniflow, no offense to those who like either but not for me. Car handles good, feels solid but doesn't feel "planted" and at all like 300whp. I'm feeling there is hidden and unknown issues with this car.

To beat the boot a bit more on the way back the front driver's side tire blew out...come to find out I ran a nail down somewhere out there. All is well as it didn't completely go down until I pulled it back into the dealer lot. Overall I'm 50/50 on the car.

I'm waiting for Monday so I can hear back about my trade in value, etc and if it's a go I'll gladly part my car and have about $3k to play with. BUT, before ANY of that even gets considered I need some answers from you vets and pros of the car. Is there anything else I should be checking out? Are there known issues with the MR trans getting stuck in gear or was this just a fluke? The dealer is 2 hours one way so I'd definitely not be going to them for any warranty and that was made known. That and I'd prefer an actual Mitsubishi mechanic doing the work.

Does anything sound out of whack that I've described and should I be worried? I don't think there is a laundry list of issues to be corrected but there is definitely some problems to be addressed here to get the car where it needs to be. This car has had 3 owners. 1 put down 11k, another 10k and the 3rd. put down the rest and added the few mods. I'm fully aware that they don't know much if at all anything of the car. Most of the guys there at the dealer were all in awe about the show, looks, etc of the car and the sound and performance aspect more so than if it actually worked properly, etc. It appears it was the "fun" car of the dealership so I'm sure everyone and their mother had a joy ride in it.

What is the general take here? Worth it to trade in for it? Should I bail due to the issues and such? Anything to take a glance at, etc? I've already asked for a compression test to be done. I'm sorry for the book but I'm detailed and like to be thorough and include it all rather than, "hey I wanna buy this car bro".

"Forgot to add that there is also a Grimmspeed mbc installed as well, don't know what it is set to and didn't wanna mess with it"

Thanks in advance!

Dave

 

All these views and no bites? Come on guys, help me out. Worth it? Sound beat?

 

id pass on that one. $29k for a used MR with problems isnt worth it. a few extra grand and u can get a brand new GSR.

 

tl;dr

 

I bought a used MR last month. With the parts list and description you gave, I would pass on that one and keep looking.

 

Thank you for those with actual helpful comments. I actually just found another today a lot closer to me. Same exact year, color, even the mileage is the same except 2 miles higher and this one is a GSR and is certified from an actual Mitsubishi dealer priced at $25,695 and perfect condition in and out with zero mods on the car. I know it doesn't mean it never had any but still. Way better deal.

 

Stay the hell away from it.

****ty BOV that's not adjusted correctly along with an MBC installed means whomever owned it prior didn't really know what he was doing. Yes I realize that's a blanket statement and that some big horsepower cars run MBC with the X - but very few stock turbo cars will ever use an MBC and they are usually installed by owners or shops who don't know what they are doing.

The trans issues could be major, or it could be as simple as never having the fluid changed, a clogged filter or something else maintenance wise. That said, for $29k it's not worth the effort to sort out.

 

Pass on the modded one.

 

PASS

Sounds like it was poorly and cheaply modded. For 29k you can find better. Just keep looking and don't rush.

 

the MR will normally pull you out of gear if you swap it into reverse while the car is still in motiton. the R will normally blink for a few seconds. this is heavily normal when its cold too.

as far as the GSR think about all that you WONT have to worry about. yes you miss out on the rarity and exclusiveness of an MR, but they are much easier to work on and VERY reliable! i have never ever seen a gsr in my town with a serious problem.

i do own an MR though and i would not change it personally.