New to the forum, enjoy the insight and knowledge being passed around. I feel it is important that we stick together in our love for the EVO and give as much support to each other as possible because as a cult car, that’s what we need and deserve. Sappy but the truth...
I have loved and wanted an Evolution since the prospect of the six coming to the states, so it’s only natural that now that I can barely make enough, I buy one and secure my destiny. As much as I have searched I could not find anything on buying a used EVO. I want and plan on getting an 05' preferably RS, because of ACD and better turbo, along with the cool features of the RS. But what I want to know is, what I should look out for? I know there are the inherent problems of..... The “Stealer” voiding your warranty for looking at him wrong or someone BEATING the crap out of the car before I get it. I mean I have heard of a factory notice on 4th gear grinding? But what should one know to arm themselves with when looking at a potential EVO? I think it is a new phenomenon, buying a used Evolution, because the cars themselves are not that old. I have aligned myself with RRE. so that they can inspect a potential car right before money is exchanged as a precaution.
Any help would be awesome or if you know of a good low interest lender, I’m in the socal area. Thanks.

 

Some tips I learned:

1. Dont go to Medina Mitsubishi, OH for a used evo!!

2. Check the car over thoroughly, make sure body panels have the vin # stamped onto them ( I just learned this the hardway) if they dont its a replacement panel

3. If it has an aftermarket clutch under 30k miles 10:1 it was beat on....I had an 04 I bought used with 8500 miles and the stock clutch was still good at 28k when I traded it back in. The stock clutch will last a long time if driven properly.

4. Check the carfax....even if its clean, that doesnt mean the car has never been damaged (learned this the hardway as well).

5. Check all edges for ripples, factory paint will have no ripples on the edges. but a car that was re-painted will not have a factory finish on the edge and will feel rough or bumpy.

6. Tell the dealer you want to have your trusted garage look it over, if they wont then walk away from it. Thats the only way you can be sure your getting what they are selling you. This is where i messed up, and why im now driving an 06, thanks for Medina Mitsubishi which again I dont recommend anymore.

Some of these points I just learned, thats life....so now im sharing some things to look for, and be catious used evos arent always the best route but there are good ones out there....Good Luck

 

Save the extra cash and get a new IX RS from south coast mistu (~27K$ I think). You will only be paying 3-4 grand more that for a used one. If you get a used one, you may or may not spend all or some of that extra cash on a new clutch, or tranny upgrade fix brakes, tires etc anyway.

 

Bought both of ours used were both checked thoughly. No problems at all with eaither of them saved 10k on each vs. buying them new. I have put 30k on mine since I got it and its perfect. As long as they werent wrecked. Theres nothing that cant be fixed. Some people dont want the hassle but to save myself 10k works for me. I havent had to fix anything on eaither car they are both A++. Just standard maintenence

 

Go to the doctor and get a perscription for some anxiety meds so you wont worry about parking it out side of your garage

 

So what is your issue? That is a pretty open statement, to make a claim like that maybe you ought to put some reasoning to back it up.

 

december last year i bought a used 03 evo VIII with 11k in miles. It was obviously modded heavily. The one thing that i found that disturbed me most was the fact that the rear leg to the drive-train was missing. Because of the condition of the bolt holes etc. Im under the impression that the piece was removed in place of a c/f replacement.

I also understand how expensive these parts are so i also see why they didnt leave it on the car when they traded it in. Nevertheless, it sucks The boost silenoid was also gone and was just routed to the wastegate so i didnt even have enough torque to realize it wasnt AWD. (perfect disguise)

My question is, what can be done legally to get this fixed, since the dealership did advertise (with paperwork i have and on cars.com) an AWD Evolution

thanx in advance ..bRaVo

 

I have my reasons, I just cant say yet......

 

I would never buy a used Evolution. I pity the fool who buys My Used 2003 I just traded in.

 

So your car is missing the driveshaft to the rear differential? That's not good.. It isn't even functioning properly, then. Take it back.

 

LOL. sorry, ur name is 1_900_hustler and u got owned by the dealer ship. thats grand. i thought its kinda funny. kinda like a guys last name is palmer and he doesnt have his left arm. git 'r done. wasnt the car u bought red cause i think there was a video floating on here w/ ur rwd Evolution AWD car. id beat the guys butt that sold it to u.

 

Exactly!

 

To answer the main thread topic.. Buyer beware. It's a performance car and people tend to thrash on them. I would really consider a new RS (If you really want an RS). You can get one for around 27k from South coast mitsubishi.

 

Dont talk to me like im an idiot, thanks...Mods arent always the issue atleast for me, mechanically I know what to look for but body work isnt something I have a great eye for....First I know what a dealer does. You dont know my story and im not ready to tell it yet. Carfax is actually imo now not that accurate....which i will be making a call to as well since the reported my ex car as fine when it really wasnt?. Somebody can have a car fixed under the table or themselves which would never be reported to carfax, trust me I know.....The once over, ha! Funny thing that is. A once over by the dealer selling it is different than a once over done by another place who isnt making any money on the deal....Again I just learned this the hardway.

Yes you work for a dealership and we all know will protect it for all its worth but come on, the used car buisness is shady and thats all there is to it. I lost my respect for a certain dealership and there owner which now falls under the terms of shady to me. Life is funny, learning the hard way is the only way to learn. Im now smarter after my whole situation.

 

Note to self: DO not buy High_Psi's car