Well I guess I passed the CIA background check. 48 hr wait to post? What are they looking for? I hope they didn't find out I have a Subaru!

Anyway, I'm looking to buy an Evo 8 - it'll probably be an '03 to fit my budget. I've done plenty of internet searching, but I can't get the search function to work on this site - what gives?

Ok, that's not my question. I test drove an 8 at a dealership and liked the interior, handling, and of course the speeding tickets I'll be getting. The salesman told me that no Evos come with cruise control and I've read plenty of lamenting about the lack of cruise. But I thought I read at least one post that said they had cruise (they said it was touchy at 72, I think), and I see lots of ads that list cruise as an option. Are the ads wrong, or did some come with cruise? I know it's not what the car is about, but I use it sometimes to avoid getting tickets and of course on long trips.

So, I'm not crazy about the version 8 hood and bumper. Sorry, I'm 35 and the park bench on the trunk will have to go too. So, can I put a version 7 hood and bumper cover on a USDM Evo 8? Going back through the vendor classifieds, I think it was Bulletproof that sells them and says you can... but I thought I read somewhere that we got the pointy front end to pass the 5mph crash test. If that's the case how does the v 7 bumper cover fit over the USDM bumper rail? Or do I have to install a JDM rail? And I've never had a fibergalss hood, will it be all flexy and lame?

Also, do the Evos have fogs in the headlight assembly? Not that fogs do much, but I think a car is more visible in bad weather with 4 lights instead of 2 - especially when they're physically separated - ie fogs down low.

Lastly, what do I need to look out for when buying a used Evo? I know there were issues with the clutch and synchros. I would assume by now - if it shifts fine - it either survived or they were replaced. The one I looked at was losing some black paint on the hood vent (not peeling more like extreme fading) and the exhaust guard (cover plate) showed signs of heat. Is this a red flag or to be expected? Anything else to look out for?

Hope this wasn't too long. Thanks, Z

 

Here are a few pointers.

1. Carfax it and find out where it came from and who owned it so that you can see if the car has been abused or not.

2. Buy it stock if you can.

3. there will be more members to help you.

this is my 2 cents, anyone else want to add, feel free.

Good luck and welcome to evom.

 

+1
Also there are plenty of non spoiler or low profile spoiler trunks out there. Or you could take it off and fill the holes.
The evo is like any other car, change the fluids including tranny and t case and you'll be fine, and the more you beat a car the higher odds that you'll brake something.
I have 25k on mine with no problems, I drag race every summer and do some autocrossing, its lightly modded and im still on the stock clutch.
Take care of your EVO and your EVO will take care of you.

and like 4g63 said there are plenty of people here to help/guide you.

 

1 more thing.

Welcome to the group.

 

Agreed, if there are mods look for only bolt on's and no internals. The biggest thing is just do the footwork. If it seems to good to be true it is. The only thing that would make me kind of eerie now is all the blown engines coming up lately. Good luck and welcome.

 

one more thing to look at would be some of the CA dealerships. At South coast Mitsu you can get a IX RS for like 25K out the door. The March pricing is listed if you search for it.

 

Blown engines???

In what a highly moded or stock Evo?

 

+1... I'd like to know too. I've heard of stock 4g63's coming close to 600whp.

 

I generally look at the actual bolt heads to see if they've been wrenched. If not chances are there weren't any mods. The problem with buying from a dealer is you have no idea what the guy who drove it is like (unless the car is new). If the guy has kids, chances are he wasn't at the track every weekend.

Anyone have an answer for me on the version 7 question?

Thanks, Z

 

The pricing at South Coast Mitsubishi is a MY 06 IX RS in the 25K neighborhood.

Here is the link about the blown enigine data https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...t=blown+engine

It just seems like were hearing about a lot of blown engine lately was my only point.