The decision that will break or make my decision to buy an evo or a regular lancer is the maintenance cost. The dealer was trying to scare me off (which is not a very good thing to do for a customer) by saying maintenance was $5000+ a year. This is probably the worst estimate I've ever heard. He also even made the remark that brake pads cost $3000 (and no, I'm not adding extra zeros here). Could anybody please give me a realistic estimate of the price to maintain an evo per year (or per 5 years).
Also for comparison, could anybody give me the maintenance costs of a regular lancer?
And before I forget to ask, how often do parts need to be changed?

 

the stock brake pads cost about $300, if you get a shop to do it for you and resurface your rotors, its about 2.5-3 hrs labor. so your looking at about 600 for brakes(front).....rear brakes are just a tad cheaper

as far as maintence, it all depends on how hard you drive your car and how much you drive. yes if you look at the prices a regular lancer will be cheaper. all their parts are a lot cheaper then the evo. but then again, the lancer will never be able to perform as well as the evo.

the lancer will be cheaper, but its not much. and theres no way you will be spending 5 grand a year on maintence unless your racing every weekend and drive a lot. so far in 4 months i only spent 50 bucks on maintence(oil change, did it myself) and my car is my daily driver

 

wow...way to give the guy horrible advice... the evo is very expensive to own. Tires, (which only last 10-15k miles or so), cost about $800 minimum to replace. The brakes are 600ish. It takes mobil 1 only so those oil changes are expensive and must be done very regularly. It guzzles gas and uses premium only... etc. The difference in running costs between an evo and a lancer is very large. If you're concerned about those costs, the evo is simply not for you, you probably cannot afford it.

 

well it depends if your gonna race the evo or not. the evo uses premium fuel, i use eunos synthetic engine oil on mine (i think that more expensive than the Mobil one), haven't changed my tires and my evo have 12k miles on it. Heard the clutch is the weakest part on the car. dont just consider the maintenance, you have to think about gas, insurance.. if your gonna choose the evo you wont be dissapointed.

 

I pay MUCH more in maintenance costs than anyone I know. In the past year, I've replaced tires ($500), Clutch ($800), and brakes ($500)

Add premium gas costs/labor (depending if you're gonna have someone else do the work) and it adds up to a small fortune. Definitely don't recommend the evo if you're looking for something that has low maintenance costs. If you're asking, it's probably too much...

 

ok like i said, its all in how you drive your car. if you get an alignment, you will get more life out of your tires, they come with horrible alignment for tire wear from the factory. the oil changes are not expensive if you do them yourself either.

if you dont beat the **** out of your car and can drive good, you wont be needing a clutch for a while. but if you go launch your car all the time and race a lot, then of course you will be spending more money to keep the car maintained

 

Its not 5000.

Brakes can be done by yourself for just parts and resurfacing the rotors. Its an easy DIY job. Good pads will run you between 150-250 for the front seat and less for the rear. But those should last for a bit if it just a d/d.

Tires - once the OEs are gone - get a different set. Ya, OE were great but there are cheaper options out there (Falken 615s / Kumho MX...)

I also do not run Mobil1 anymore. Amsoil for me is just about the same cost and its a better oil. Looking at 50 per change (DIY).

TC and trans fluid changes can also be done DIY. So TC fluid is 35 and trans is about the same. Again, those dont have to be done often unless you race it. For a d/d you should be ok for some miles.

No dealer deals anymore? I had free maint. for 50k (oil, rotate tires, 30k service (coolant flush, tc fluid change...)

 

where'd you get your fluids, i spent 120 for TC, tranny, and rear diff.

 

save tons of money and do the basics yourself...pads, oil changes, plugs, flushes etc...fluid changes...also if you're not a complete idiot you can do most installs yourself.

 

In the last year i have done clutch 1k, headgasket and timing ect 400 bucks(did it myself), and oil changes

I have spent about 2k on maintence but i drive it everyday

 

You may want to look this thread over first, then decide.

 

if i didn't work on cars myself and took it somewhere to get maintenance performed, i definitely wouldn't have an evo.

 

For the TC/rear diff - $35 (1 container will do 4-6 TC & diff changes):
http://www.mitsubishiparts.net/catalog/?section=489

Currently I have BGI in my trans - can be had for $33 for 3 qts. I will soon be running Amsoil 75w-90, cost for me is about the same as BGI.

 

those quoted numbers from dealer is exaggerated but yes evo maintenance is probably the most expensive thing you've ever faced.