Hopefully this would be informative to potential buyers, what are some common issues to look out for when buying an Evo?

 

All the normal high wear and tear parts like clutch, brakes, sometimes transfer case. Obviously these things should be "felt" when test driving the car. Whining, weak/slipping clutch, noisy brakes (although sometimes new pads are loud). The paint sucks, so that should be factored into the price if it's chipping, faded. The clearcoat on the wing sucks, along with the brake calipers.

This is good too: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...oking-evo.html

And this: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ds-inside.html

 

if possible take an evo owner with you

 

don't forget the attention from cops

 

I've had my evo for 3 months now.. and the breaks suck, they make allot more noise and vibration than my STI on the same kind of pads (hawk hps+). also be careful when grabbing the door handle, the paint is very bad and will start to come off on the inside of the door handle.

 

evo 03 = mis-firing engine code

 

You mean P0300? There is a fix for 0300, I used to get it alot. It was a problem for 04 models too.

 

The most common Evolution problems are their owners. Folks who haphazardly bolt on parts with the help of an even more clueless friend, beat the cars to death, and then complain about build quality. The cars are very sturdy and reliable, IF properly maintained. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case.

 

Dude your brakes make noise cause u need anti-seize compouns on the back of the pads lol...They are the same basic brembos that were on the STI you had...Now the door handle I have to agree on unfoutrunantly cause they do have laminate coat wear for sure...

 

From my research, here's a list of things that seem to be common issues:
-Clearcoat/paint
-Stock intercooler couplers/coupler clamps tend to leak.
-Gear grinds. I think the two common ones are 3rd and 5th.
-Transfer case seals leak.
-Brake caliper paint fading/peeling
-Stock clutch not liking hard launches (not a surprise)