Hi-

I just read the entire thread "Beginners Read Me: New To Your Evo Or Looking For An Evo?," and all I could really find about identifying a stock EVO was this paragraph:

"Remember you would like to find one as stock as possible. Look at the radiator fins. Are they slightly bent; does it looks like someone has been playing around in there, maybe changing turbos and putting the stock one back on? Is the stock intake solid, or does it feel loose like it has been put on and off a few times?"

That said, could I have some more specific tips on selecting an EVO that is truly stock/never been modified? Are the items listed in the paragraph I quoted the ONLY things I can look for, or are there other signs of previous modding (I should also note at this point that I am NOT mechanically inclined, so simple descriptions and/or pics would help)?

Alternately, would taking a potential purchase to a Mitsu dealer for a pre purchase inspection be a good idea, or would they not be familiar with aftermarket changes?

Note also that I am mostly inquiring about EVOs at dealerships. It seems that private sellers are usually pretty good about listing mods.

Thanks in advance.

 

I'm sure most mitsu mechanics would be intimately familiar with typical mods done to an Evo. Probably the best place to take it to would be a shop that works on Evos because they would know all the normal places to look.

Also try taking pictures of the engine bay, interior, exterior and undercarriage if possible and post them on here. Most of the folks seem pretty good at spotting modified Evos.

 

there is a ton of luck involved....I found mine bone stock RR IX with SSL siting by the road at the Mitsu dealership two days after it was traded in.

Good luck man and stock is the way to go. How much are you looking to spend there is one for sale here a bone stock GG IX MR.

 

lol just to let you know finding a evo that has NO mods what so ever is called Evo X. lol i can tell you 99% of evo have some kind of mod. EVEN a turbo timer is a mod only a exhaust is a mod intercooler pipes is a mod Boost guage widband guages mods. Finding a evo thats is not loaded down is what you should be looking for baby mods like exhaust guages timer is not bad. And even if it has mods you should be doing a boost leak test transfer case test and a compression test for sure that will tell you majority of everything you need to know about any evo.

 

yeah your gunna have to look around one or two pop out every once in a while. a small thing you can look for in a engine bay is for any broken or missing wire ties and clips

 

Really good ideas, on both the Evo shop and posting photos here. Thanks!

 

I'm looking for a "fun" second car, so probably $20K or so.

 

I have thought hard about the Evo X. I even test drove one, and liked it a lot. But they are just a little too expensive for me right now.

Really good point. I wouldn't mind the sort of thing you just listed, like exhaust, turbo timer, gauges.

 

Another good suggestion. Thank you.

 

I would have to say luck as well! I sold my 3000gt the day after I saw the EVO I wanted.

With 34k on the clock with the mods being a boost gauge, HKS exhaust, HKS BOV, Tien springs, and Works Flash (things that I would have done myself) I only paid $17,000. He had to get rid of it! Just keep looking man.

Goodluck

 

Thank you! And might I say that $17K sounds like an awesome deal.

 

the fifth evo i looked at was the one..42,000 IX se gg...bone stock and i mean BONE stock...other dudes tried to play me like i was stupid i could tell there was stuff done...the first one guy said was stock but as soon as i pressed the clutch in i knew it wasnt factory...that or very worn out..but i consider myself lucky to find a truly stock evo! and it is def worth searching good luck!

 

Thank you! Glad to hear you lucked out with you....one thing I'm hearing is that patience is the key.

 

It definitely is. Took me 5 months.

 

Well thanks a lot guys. I am not the TS but am also looking & this thread has answered a lot of questions so far.