Ok, so first of all, my friend flips cars. he buys them, then turns around and sells them. so this brings me to my current situation. he has a red 03 evo. i have ALWAYS wanted a red evo. a 9 preferably, but i like the 8's as well. it has a complete evo 9 interior and evo 9 wheels as well as brakes (prob the same as an 8). the car is in pretty decent shape considering it's age. a few dings here and there. the handles are fading and the guy before had the mirrors painted black....?? lol but besides that, its a decent car. the bad....needs a clutch ASAP! i've heard that is a pita job. i do however have access to a shop (my dad owns one so i have lifts, air tools etc and i am pretty knowledgeable with cars (had built honda and currently own a decently modded 05 wrx (mostly all work done by myself). the other thing....since it is an 03....it has 130,000 miles on it. the miles are 80% highway (he drove a long way to work each day) if your from maryland, he drove from cecil county all the way to washington d.c. on a daily basis. the guy is in his 40's. the car was stock for most it's life. the last 5-10k or so miles it had hks 280 cams with a full tbe. those are the only mods on that were on the car. my friend has since taken it back to 100% stock. since the stock clutch lasted so long and the most people his age (previous owner) are pretty mature, it's probably safe to think the car was taken care of.

im going back to look at the car tonight to give it a good look over. as well as try and drive it with the clutch as it is lol

the deal is going to be a straight trade. my car for the evo. i want to get some mods off of my car, but not all. my car is a 2005 wrx with 83k on it. the KBB value on my car is around 11k and the evo around 9.5k

i'd like to get some input on what to look for. i read on these forums about transfer case noises etc. also, is 130,000 miles too many? the timing belt was replaced along with the normal parts with the service. so if anyone could help out on what to look for i would greatly appreciate it.

thanks!!!!! and sorry for the long read.

i really would like to get this car. it's a decent step up from a wrx and i have always had a soft spot for evo's.

 

check the transfer case, as in drive it and listen for whining, clutch is not that bad if you know what your doing, plus there are write ups everywhere that walk you through it. i have an 03 with 110k on it and its fine.

 

cool and yea, I'm taking a buddy of mine who has an evo 8 with 120k on it to check it out. i don't think i want to go any further than tbe, but we'll see.

 

anything else i need to look for?

 

Cops.

 

cool dude

 

Depending on where you meet I could possibly come up from calvert and take a look at the car with you to help you make the decision.

 

that's awesome of you to offer, but that's a hell of a drive. i'd be getting it from a buddy of mine plus another friend of mine who has an evo8 will be going with me. my buddy lives in dundalk (the guy who has the car im interesteded) so that would be a long drive for you lol

 

Yeah.. 130xxx miles is a lot so I would be careful. I myself would spend more on getting one that has less miles and is in better condition.

 

yea that's like the only thing that worries me. it could fine and then a week later something happens.....that's my luck tho lol

 

I mean I can look around for you if you wanted to wait and find one that is a better deal

 

i see what happens tonight and let ya kno. the only way im gona be able to get one is if i trade my buddy. if it doesn't look good then i will just keep my wrx. it's not i don't like my wrx lol it just seemed like an opportunity to upgrade a lil. i apprciate your help

 

do a compression test on the cylinders that will give you an idea of the condition of the engine and how well it was taken care of.

 

yea i def plan on doing that. i kno looks can most definitley be deceiving, but the engine bay looks really good for 130k.

 

Mileage means nothing. Good luck.