I know this is a super uber noob question, but from what i understand with few consmetic changes one can convert evo viii to evo ix, my question is any newbie who is out in market for a used evo, what are the things to make sure one is looking at a evo ix NOT a evo viii dressed up like a ix (both external and internal)

kindly don't flame me :P

 

look at the date it was built on the inside of the door, or get the VIN number and do a search. This is only 100% way you will know.
Other ways, but someone could change them if they really want.

 

Someone would have to go to great length to swap in the MIVEC 4G63, so you could look for that. The VIN is the best way.

 

thank you, my friend is looking to get a evo ix and another friend of ours told us that it is actually a evo viii dressed like ix so he is really nervous, meter says 5000 miles and is unmodded, its standing at a local importer's showroom (he imports used jdm's)

will tell him to check the door and vin, i believe manufacturing date is nov or dec 06

 

The Vin on a 2005 will look like this...

JA3AH86D35Uxxxxxx

and a 2006 will look like this...

JA3AH86CX6Uxxxxxx

with a late 2006 production date, though, it's an IX.

 

check the valve cover if it says MIVEC then its a IX

 

All responses are correct. Check the VIN and build date. Also, look for the ACD as only 05 and 06 came with it, the seats, steering wheel to name a few.

 

all of the above, the rims are diff style, the intercooler on the 8 is different.

 

Intercoolers are the same - just look different behind the bumpers.

+1 to everything else everyone state. MIVEC on the valve cover, black steering wheel, seats are different, VIN number is the easiest way to tell for sure...

 

Didn't you ever see the commercials?

"Don't ever buy a used car without a carfax history report"

 

+1 on the vin

 

evo 9 is faster lol

 

+1 on the Mivec.

 

yup + 1 on Mivec valve cover

 

importer's showroom... does he have a website and some pics?

+2 on the mivec