Hey guys, my name is Jeff and Im looking into getting an EVO for my new DD. Ive got a 408 Camaro Z28 that so far has put down 515 to wheels.(not done with her yet) and Ive got a 93 V6 Firechicken that i use as my current DD. Ive been looking at a few cars for a new DD and ive got it narrowed down between the EVO, GTO and STI. I have driven all of them and was most impressed by the EVO. This is the one im looking at purchasing

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Heres some info on the car, its an 05 EVO MR with 57k. Its supposedly got a new clutch but is definately going to need a brake job because the rotors and pads are shot. I forgot to ask but i was just remembering that the 60k maintenance interval is coming up soon, which I assume includes changing the timing belt correct? If this needs to be done is this something extremely difficult to do yourself? Expensive? What do you guys think about the price? I tried to talk them down a bit but the lowest they said they would go is 20k because the car was not actually theirs. It was someone elses who was trying to sell it through the dealership. $20k is alot of money and is the maximum i wanted to spend on a new car. If I go and spend that much, I want to make sure its worth every penny. im also a bit concerned about gas mileage, do you think this thing will do ok?

Let me know what you guys think of the car and any other things to know about daily driving these cars. Thanks

 

I love my Evo and I had allot of cars. Price seems a little high. But if it is in good condition then buy it. If not look around. I have a cls63 amg and I like the Evo better.

 

I'm not really sure what kind of mileage you were expecting but on my basically stock daily driven IX I average probably 17 mpg. I do a probably 50/50 mix of city/highway driving.

I bought it new in 2006 and it still brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. As long as you can deal with the ride (can be harsher over badly maintained roads/noisy), big turning radius and frequent trips to the gas station I really don't think you have too much to be concerned about. If you take care of the car it will take care of you

 

I also DD my Evo and love it. Gas mileage always depends on the heaviness of your foot, but you know that. 20k is way too high for a car with a questionable clutch, shot brakes, and with those miles while looking pretty stock, IMO. I say questionable clutch as I'm guessing you don't know who did the work, what they installed, etc.

I'm not sure if you've heard about the MR transmission but it is a 6-spd (at least in 2006, and I assume in 2005 as well) in the same housing as the non-MR 5-spd. Thus, some of the gears are smaller and have been known to have issues when pushed hard. I personally have 500+ to the wheels on my stock 6-spd and so far it is doing fine (I don't track my car, which is where you would see the above issue most). The ad mentions 5-spd, so you might want to check on that (I could be wrong and the 2005 MR has a 5-spd, but I don't think so). Those also don't look like MR wheels.

The 60k does include the timing belt change which I haven't done yet. I've heard it isn't too bad by people I know personally and trust. I think the only other major item at 60k is the water pump, but that might not be until a later mileage service (I can't recall off the top of my head).

Actually, you are the one that mentioned this being an MR in your original post above. I don't see that on AutoTrader. Are you sure it is? If they are telling you in person that it is then this is a suspect dealer or owner. IMO with this high of miles, service needed, and they don't seem to be willing to budge much on price (and possibly telling you lies), I would walk away and try to find something else. I know there are good cars out there still. Best of luck!

*edit - for $20k or even less you should be able to find a 2006 non-MR (which I'm pretty sure this car is) which IMO has a better interior (all black, not blue on black), better exterior (headlights/taillights, front bumper), and probably less miles.

 

well the shifter and center console trim is 6-speed. and the roof looks like i can see the "rails" of an aluminum roof(mr) and lastly i don't think you could get that color(gg) in a normal gsr until the ix's came out. there are some odd things though. there's no vortec generator, gsr wheels, and the biggest warning to me is that the heat shield is missing off the exhaust manifold. to me that's a sure sign that someone threw this thing back together as stock. when you toss on a biggie turbo and tube mani you don't need that heat shield so i'm sure that they couldn't find it when they put everything back to stock. at least that would be my first thought. if you are planning on picking this up i would have them do a comp and leakdown on it.
oh, and maybe see if there's a 6th gear floating around in that box

good luck

 

^good info - I didn't even bother looking at more than 2 or 3 pics.

 

I agree with "SMACKEVO"....as well as others above....somethings a little suspect. This isnt an MR....for starters it's missing the basic "MR" Components....e.g. MR Badge, wheels,....and I thought the MR's started being made in 06'....regardless....the ad doesnt state its a MR....and MR's come in 6-spd...so if someone at the dealership is telling you so....they either dont know jack about the car....or are truly trying to mislead you....I'm actually really curious to see this car in person....cuz it does look pretty clean.....but for that price range im sure you can still find an actual MR...maybe with more miles.

Now as far as gas....I only have a Evo X GSR...and I'm assuming they all perfom relatively the same when it comes to gas mileage.....(damn turbo bro)....and I think it might take you a few months to get a feel for "your" evo before you can really calculate a gas mileage....because I only drive mine on the weekends and maybe a day or two out of the week and.....well....it doesnt really last.....might I suggest a boost controller? : )

 

The advice sounds good to me and when small details like a missing heat shield show up be careful. It could mean modding was done or a front end accident. Plus you are paying for an MR and getting non forged wheels.

 

thanks for the replies guys. Heres a little more info on the car. They said that the previous owner was some evo tuner guy. I assume this guy installed the new clutch and when i test drove it, it grabbed hard and engaged very smooth. Seemed perfectly fine.

I am positive its an MR. It has the 6th gear cause i used it on the test drive. it also has the MR logo on the center console. I personally like the wheels it has on it over the stock MR wheels. the car seemed pretty solid to me other than the brakes. If I do buy this car I am going to give it a closer inspection next time.

They are not willing to budge on the price much because I guess this evo tuner guy still owns it and is trying to sell it through the dealership.

 

as far as mods I am going to keep this thing fairly stock. Just intake, exhaust, boost controller, bov and tune.

do the 5 speeds do better in gas mileage than the six speeds?

 

I dont think so.....because all in all the turbo is relatively the same size....I believe the 6spd's have more torque....so really there is'nt a "this ones better than that one"......You have to remember...if you decide to tune it...then you really should forget about gas....and HONESTLY....I wouldnt use this as a daily driver.....for example I use my old Civic Coupe EX for work and daily driving....does that suck?...YESSS!! because it always seems to be those days when I see some clown driving a lame Celica, or WRX....and I wish I were driving my Evo X...to give him some "Act-right"...but back to my point.....gas is one thing.....Maintenance is another.....member the tires only last for 5 to 8000 miles.....(depends)....and oil changes...well whoopdie doo....thats only $60 bucks...unless you do it yourself.....but yea bro....gas.....just let it go...in all seriousness....because even if you install a boost controller and discipline yourself to be easy on the pedal.....well....you still need to use the premium gas.....so one way or another your gonna have to just get use to it......


THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE U IS SOMETHING YOU PROBABLY ALREADY TOLD YOURSELF.... Be Patient.....because if you really like the "Evo" then get exactly what you want....(within your range of course) and make sure you have that...."Peace" about it....just keep reminding yourself that there is an evo out there for you....that someone else is trying to sell.....and.....If that dealership doesnt allow you to take it to a Official Mitsubishi Dealership to have it checked out then....you really should walk.....because repairing an Evo....isnt cheap....so stick to your guns....keep looking and get exactly what you want.

 

My fuggin' head hurts. Can you insert <over> instead of the periods? At least that way we could make an assumption about your form of communication.

Back to topic - OP, regardless of whether you like the wheels better, I would insist that they knock off money for the fact that you don't get the better wheels, along with anything else that is missing (heat shield, VG, etc.). You might like a PB&J sandwich better than filet mignon but I don't see why you would want to pay for the filet if all you're eating is PB&J.

If the previous owner was a tuner I'd tend to steer clear of an overpriced car. Especially since this "tuner" has to sell the car through consignment, or whatever this situation is. A "tuner" could simply mean he owns a tactrix cable.

I agree with being patient, mentioned by the former poster. I wouldn't try to force the issue of buying this car just because you want it to work. Take your time, do your research, and get yourself into a better situation that will eventually come along. Best of luck!

 

I guess I was a little stuck on that one because it was an MR. But now Im starting to realize thats a little bit too expensive and its gonna be even more expensive doing a full brake right away too. There seems to be some better deals out there that i think im going to look into. thanks guys.

 

look on this forum and you will find plenty of cars for sale a lot lower than 20k, and in the forum you can see the history of the car and the owner.

 

[quote=yahu;7895196]My fuggin' head hurts. Can you insert <over> instead of the periods? At least that way we could make an assumption about your form of communication.

Lol.....the (....) in my sentances are basically pauses in my statements. (over) In other words, when I type several periods"...."It is the same as me taking a breath or slight pause (much like real communication/talking) over.

But, anyways, I agree with this guy too bro. Don't over pay, because we all hate regret (over) And Yes!, doing a break job on this car is expensive.

Best of Luck....(over)