Ok well i'm currently looking for an evo, prefferably an 05 viii or an 06 xi gsr, which ever one comes with the HID projectors.

Now i've talked with alot of people, and they say buying a used evo is a bad idea b/c 90% of the time they have been modded or they have been taken to the track. Obviously one way to avoid this is to buy new, but at this point in time i dont think there are even any ix gsr's left, plus i dont think those come with the hid projectors.

So i come to get your guys opinion on used evos and would you ever considering buying one. I know most people will say, to take it to a shop to get looked it, but i'd rather not do that. as far as evo's with high miles like 20k, 30k, 40k.. is there clutch issues at that point in time and tranny issues?

thanks
steve

 

first of all 05 and 06 gsr's don't have HID's.
If you want HID's already on it, you need to get an MR or and 06 SE.

You need to check if the car has been modded or not.
If it was stock and never tempered with, make sure you have a mechanic
check drivetrain parts like clutches , front and rear diff and most of the suspension
components.
Maintenance records from a previous owner will help and make sure you run
carfax just to be sure there were no major body/frame repairs done on the car.

I see that you don't wanna do most of the things I recommended but it's a must if you
want a well running evo.

If I were you, I would save up a bit more and buy a "new" evo.
Good luck with your purchase.

BTW, a hint ...."SC mitsu (south coast mitsu)".

 

I bought mine used and have had it for three years. Just look it over real good. Problem areas are the tranny and transfer case. Watch for grinds when shifting at high rpms (syncros) and a listen for a whining sound (bad transer case). Also I would look over the bolts under the hood to make sure the car is stock and not returned to stock. Also call Mistubishi when you find one you are going to buy and have them run the VIN to see if it still has warrenty and if any warrenty work was done on it before.

 

It's not much different then any other used car IMO. I bought mine used, and could not be happier. I would not really buy a modded used Evo, but something maybe with just the basics would be ok.

I bought my 03 over 2 yrs ago, with 24k on it. Got it for $22,500, and it was bone stock. I'm still running the stock clutch. The only problem I really have had is the ballast in my HID burnt out. Which I will be replacing soon.



Hell, If I could find a used IX in the same condition as mine, I'd do it again.

 

Not a big fan of used Evos myself as even the low mileage cars that I have seen have had issues. I looked at one with 4500 miles that had a bent wheel probably a tweaked suspension. Another that I looked at with 3200 miles was pretty solid but enough stupid little cosmetic issues that I decided to just spend the extra $3500 and buy new. The difference was so little b/c the discounts on new ones are pretty large right now and the used market has yet to really react to the current new pricing.

If you do buy used, try and find a one owner car with low miles and service records. This way you can feel the first owner out for yourself and gauge if the car was abused or not. A full inspection by a good independent shop that knows Evos is also a good idea as most dealerships really don't seem to put the time into it.

Good luck in your search.

 

common evos are fast cars.. so you deffintly know that the previous owner must have pushed the evo to its full potential..so if your gettying it used its probably gonna fall apart.

 

Lots of people have bad opinions on used Evos. Most of these people have little, to no mechanical knowledge. If you are a mechanic or have access to one, look the car over, do a compression check (if the let you), watch out for grinds, listen for the transfer case or rear diff making weird sounds, any type of fluid leaks, cracks anywhere in the tranny or transfer case, . Inspect for any frame damage, mis-matched paint, bent radiator core support, bent suspension components, bent shock towers,bent frame rails, dented underbody, rust, etc. Some modded Evo's can be had for a very nice price, and there are quite of few that were modded CORRECTLY and are still in great condition. You must give the car a complete full mechanical inspection before purchase. Otherwise you risk buying a damaged car. Good luck with your purchase, and shop smart!

 

Do you drive your car fast? Is it falling apart? If you don't drive your car fast, why do you own an Evo? Refer to the second sentence of my previous post.

 

Do the carfax and then use your best judgement--or have your expert look at it..

 

i myself dont like buying used in the first place... i endend up buying an rsx new after looking at all the used ones, then i ended up buying an s2k new after looking at all the used ones.. so my gut instinct would be to go with a new one.

The problem with that is...I dont want the RS, I want to spend no more than 30k OTD, I want the HID projectors (se model, have no idea what that is, someone mentioned it earlier) biggest problem would be to even locate a new evo ix. ( i want to at least keep it in the northeast)

As i read above someone said that the discounts are very large right now on new ones so...

I found 2 of them (first one is new and 2nd one is 2k miles used) but how the hell do know if its an SE or just a regular ix? I know that its not an rs.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

http://www.automart.com/vehicledetail/adid-51718557

 

You can also purchase an 05/06 with the SSL package and get HIDs.

 

How much for used? because for less than $35 you can get new MR SE.
Correct me if I am wrong.

 

i didnt read the whole thread but i will answer the title.

for used Evos, its kind of like gambling, you may win or you may lose and at the same time you need to be ready and accept if you lose and be thankful if you win.

you may get screwed by the seller and a screw up Evo or you may get a great deal and great condition evo.

 

I believe he wants to spend no more that $30k OTD.
There is no way you're gonna be able to get a new MR for $30 OTD.

SE is special edition that mitsu came out.
It's a limited production and it has all the things you mentioned.
It also has Bilsteins, hid and aluminum roof.
It's a pretty good value but I am afraid it might be out of your range.

BTW, it's just like buying any new car.
Check things but a bit more thorougly because if you don't you'll have a higher chance
of having to pay for repairs with the money you saved from buying a used one.

 

I bought my 2003 evo VIII used. w/ ONLY 17,256 miles on it. the person babied it and never even took of the plastic off from the rear seats and he was the only owner.

It was babied and i was the first person to really DRIVE the car.

I love it. Its my second wife.