Technically, I never made a claim--I just asked why people think there is no clear coat and I asked for some verifiable information to support this. I can't believe I'd buy a new 2005 car that did not come with a clear coat!

But, since you asked, I have never had red appear on a wax/polish cloth with any of my red cars. Even when I buffed some heavy scratches out of my Eclipse. I'll have to double check the work order, but when I had to have my Eclipse re-painted due to someone who drove their F250 through it, I'm pretty sure clear coat was included on the parts list. If the car wasn't clear coat to begin with, why would they repaint it with the factory Mitsu paint and add a clear coat? (And why did the painted surfaces match the few parts that did NOT get repainted if the new ones now have a clear coat while the old ones did not?)

And finally, if the car didn't have a clear coat, what gives it the nice clear coat shine and what do the small surface scratches appear in? It sure looks like every other car I've seen that has a clear coat.

 

And one more question: why would the Mitsubishi touch-up paint for Rally red include a clear coat side if the car didn't have clear coat to begin with?

 

I would buy the color car I like on the car.... and I did. It's just too random to say whether people will notice red over black or black over red.

 

Red Evo + Short Time = Pink Evo

 

Yeah, I've noticed the paint does fade a bit. But then again, I think the black fades a bit too. I haven't had mine for long, but as long as you're obeying the law you won't have a problem.

Take your pick

 

I guess we just have 2 different experiences, I do own an 03' ..... maybe mitsu added it later............I dont know about eclipses, never had any experience with them...but a red from one manufacturer (or model even) cannot be compared to another. In regards to the touch up paint, if you read through that link carefully, even at mistu there was confusion as too if the evo did or did not have clear. The "clear coat shine" is a matter of perspective and small surface scratches can appear on cars without the clear.

Anyway, we will just have to agree to disagree

Bobby

 

Well, we could.

But, I decided to do some more research on this. I called Mitsubishi's customer support hotline at 1-888-MITSU2004 and asked about this. The person I spoke with said the official documentation from Mitsubishi did not specifically specify that it did or did not have a clear coat paint, but he had never heard of any of their new vehicles NOT having a clear coat. He recommended I contact my dealer for a more specific answer.

So, I called the dealer where I purchased my vehicle and spoke with their service department. The person I spoke with said he also had never heard of a non-clear coat Evo, but he'd check. He confirmed for me that the Lancer Evolutions (even the red ones) do have a clear coat.

So, hopefully, this ends the rumor that red Evos do not have a clear coat.

Now, my advice to the original poster: Buy whatever color you want. From my experience, all colors have their own small issues that you will need to deal with. So buy whatever color you want--that's why they make them in different colors.

 

I have a red oz since 03 no problems except it does attract a lot of attention. Like kids in my neighborhood always messing wiht my car because the bright red color attracts them

 

Well, that's be cause the main body pannels of the car are clear coated. The mirrors, rocker pannels, bumpers and wing (basically all the plastic parts) are a single stage paint process. That's why those parts fade first. The regular paint (base / clear) on the rest of the car is just of sh|ty quality, that's why if you buff a red EVO your buffer pad comes out red.

It's a Japanese car, you're not buying it for trim quality.

 

oh youll be noticed... i love red evos black evos look slick... but red just stands out.. besides in my school almost every car is black

 

ive had my red 03 for almost a year and the only thing a pig has gotten me for SO FAR is..

no front license plate

pathetic bored pig. I am glad he didnt give me any **** for the catless turboback and the 20% tint, i got LUCKY. It is somewhat a flashy color, but i love it especially with all the black accents on the evo (ex hood scoop)

 

red! red! red!


There is no comparison to a freshly polished and waxed red evo, although on a daily basis the other colors might look better. The red has just a thin clearcoat.. practically no existant and chips super easy.

 

I'll have to disagree as well... if it was clearcoated, red would not come off when you rub it with a wax. My silver car didn't shed a flake of paint, even when debadging it. My red Evo can barely take a wax well. Either it's the worst clear coat I've ever seen, or it's just not there like on other colors.

 

if its coming off when your waxing you dont know how to wax. I hear alot of complaints about how some waxes are crap or whatever.. but in reality the better compounds only mask the the fact that the person isnt doing it right. I was at a millitary academy for 4 years and learned a little something about polishing and waxing.. some people would sit there all day and could not get a shine on their shoes and its because their hand movement was poor. You shouldnt be pressing down hard. The only time i have had red come off is when i was trying to polish out some areas that were damaged by adhessive remover.

Go to walmart.. you can get 16 microfiber towels for $10. gently apply the wax with a light touch..then gently remove the wax.

 

yea, I've got one... answer is you want black... actually moreover you want silver, blingin and lower key.