Newb to imports wants to know what to look for/avoid when buying 1st EVO?
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
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From: Dallas, Texas
Newb to imports wants to know what to look for/avoid when buying 1st EVO?
Ok, im a chevy diehard, but due to a recent buddy of mine that just bought an EVO 2 days ago, im hooked. Im looking for one as well. What should I know about EVOs when looking? What are the different options/models? I see MR, SE, etc. I want to spend no more than 25k fwiw. What year was the EVO 9 introduced? When looking at modded EVOs, anything to shy away from? Any input appreciated, thanks.
I think the 9's were made in 05. Before you buy one I suggest doing a car fax report to see how the service report looks like. You can never tell and you never know how the other person treated the car. Make sure you do a good test drive. Before I bought mine I drove it for about a half hour, it was brand new but by the time I actually bought it I had put 30 miles on it.
Evolving Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 131
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From: Bergen County, NJ
different models are the rs, gsr, se, and mr. any are fine, all have the same power but the mr has bilstein shocks, and a 6spd tranny while all the rest have 5. the evo9 was introduced in 2006 and thats the only year they will be made. when looking for a used and modded evo, check for track use, test drive it, and first check the quality of the modded parts, and the knowledge the previous owner has of evos. welcome to evom, and it would help to run your purchase past the guys on the board to make sure you're not getting screwed
The 9 was introduced in 2006, IIRC. The 9 has the MIVTEC - mitsu's vtec and a few other improvements power-wise. It's much more mod-friendly.
SE = 2007, a good blend of OEM stuff.
MR = 2005+ - the top-end evo with a 6-speed, bilsteins, forged rims instead of cast, and an all-aluminum roof (all evos get the aluminum hood and front quarter panels, IIRC)
IMO, stay away from modded Evos. You're looking for a cherry 1-2 year old car that hasn't been modded. You will pay more for the mods, but the car will last better. Most people that mod them drive it like it was intended, and that causes more wear.
Things to look for and avoid:
1) Missing heat shields. Guaranteed someone did a few mods.
2) tool marks on exhaust bolts, paint marks that don't line up, etc. Look for obvious signs that someone wrenched on it.
3) This one's harder to see since it's slightly hidden (haha) but look for cut wires on the ECU.
Now - if all you care about is getting serious HP/TQ then get one modded, but forget about warranty repairs. If you don't care about the warranty and have money to burn, then ignore everything I've said.
Personally I'm staying away from power mods until my warranty is up. Then it's off to BR heaven for me.
SE = 2007, a good blend of OEM stuff.
MR = 2005+ - the top-end evo with a 6-speed, bilsteins, forged rims instead of cast, and an all-aluminum roof (all evos get the aluminum hood and front quarter panels, IIRC)
IMO, stay away from modded Evos. You're looking for a cherry 1-2 year old car that hasn't been modded. You will pay more for the mods, but the car will last better. Most people that mod them drive it like it was intended, and that causes more wear.
Things to look for and avoid:
1) Missing heat shields. Guaranteed someone did a few mods.
2) tool marks on exhaust bolts, paint marks that don't line up, etc. Look for obvious signs that someone wrenched on it.
3) This one's harder to see since it's slightly hidden (haha) but look for cut wires on the ECU.
Now - if all you care about is getting serious HP/TQ then get one modded, but forget about warranty repairs. If you don't care about the warranty and have money to burn, then ignore everything I've said.
Personally I'm staying away from power mods until my warranty is up. Then it's off to BR heaven for me.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
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From: Dallas, Texas
lets look at this one--
what do you see/think about it?
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ighlight=white
what do you see/think about it?
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ighlight=white
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
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From: Dallas, Texas
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Texarkana
great deals
I think your best bet is buying from someone on the forum. Alot of these guys here really know what they are talking about. I bought my evo ix mr br 350 off here and what a deal it turned out to be. As long as you are dealing straight up I think this would be your best bet man...
DO not listen to everybody. Try to looking for respectable members opinions.
Get a car after research it, at least a couple times.
when you got it:
don't try to be the fastest one on the road. Somebody always faster. If you wanna be fast go to the track!
Get a car after research it, at least a couple times.
when you got it:
don't try to be the fastest one on the road. Somebody always faster. If you wanna be fast go to the track!
+1 , most dealers tends to make you buy whateva they have to offer. Always ask EVOm members first and search around very carefully when buying an EVO. Hope you get one and GL on your find. RS is the cheapest brand for an EVO and from then on you can upgrade slowly.
Don't get any mods on the car!!!!
For people that have bought them with some kind of mod, the poor craftsmanship of the person who installed it will make you pay later. I'm not saying everyone can't install things right on a EVO, but you're more accident prone to have something breaking, linking or just flat out not acting right. If I were you, I'd just buy a 2006 IX, so you get a better turbo from the VIII plus the MIVEC.
For people that have bought them with some kind of mod, the poor craftsmanship of the person who installed it will make you pay later. I'm not saying everyone can't install things right on a EVO, but you're more accident prone to have something breaking, linking or just flat out not acting right. If I were you, I'd just buy a 2006 IX, so you get a better turbo from the VIII plus the MIVEC.
God, don't get an MR!!!!! All that extra $ for nothing... You can get a IX and with that money buy a good coilover system that you can do what ever with and get the HID's and other mods for the thousands saved. Also you'll be faster with a 5-speed then you would be in a 6-speed in the 1/4 mile if you didn't know.... You having to throw 5 shift will increase your time.. think about it!
