Alright, so I've been looking locally and statewide for an Evo and happen to find one here in town. I took the vin # down and ran it through carfax and found out the car had 2 intances where the odometer reading was inconsistent, which was prior to the sells. It looks like the first owner rollbacked the odometer prior to trading in or something. Car was then sold to 2nd owner, who looks to of defaulted on the loan, which resulted in the car being auctioned off and brought from indiana to texas.

Should I stay way? Here's the link to the vehicle. It looks clean and free of dents on the outside. Only thing that worries me is the the bay area looks to have been tampered with. Missing manifold heat shield; missing plug cover; and the fact I don't know what parts have been changed. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ype=b&make=MIT


I plan on checking it out this week and checking with the dealer to see if he can give me a true mileage (probably won't). If he can't I'll hire a mechanic to help me out. Does anyone know what a mechanic does to check this? I don't want to get stuck with an incompetent mechanic.

 

not an honest car...i'd stay away...

 

The engine bay looks much too dirty for only 15k miles.

 

For a used Evo, I would try to stay with these principles:

a) Less than 10,000 miles
b) No mods (although they could've easily turned it back to stock)
c) Mitsubishi dealership, Carmax (CarMax will at least warranty the car as well)
d) NO independent dealers that usually buy these cars off auction. A trade-in is ok BUT that usually means the owner was just trying to get rid of it--a big sign of less care from the original owner)
e) One owner only
f) Clean Carfax with no inconsistencies

It's difficult to find an Evo that will necessarily give you all these things but they tend to assure you less risk. Note that you always have risk buying a used Evo, even if it only has a few thousand miles on it.

 

G/L finding an evo with less than 10K on it. just read up on what your looking for so your not getting one thats used and abused. and make sure your getting it from a reputable dealership or person. id stay away from this one but thats just my opinion. and why did the prev owner put a 1G dsm bov on? lol thats stupid

 

True, they're not common, but currently there are 34 Evos in the country that have less than 10,000 miles. There are 18 cars with fewer than 8,000 miles on them.

With that kind of mileage, I'd be willing to buy sight unseen.

Oh and it helps to be close to South Coast Mitsubishi, the largest Evo dealer in the country.

 

I would stay away from this one. Too much for an 8 regardless of the miles. A mechanic would def be a good idea . I dont know if youve done your homework but parts for the evo are extremly exspensive so if you buy a lemon ( I did ) it could cost you thousands upon thousands to get it in decent shape. Then you would have an Evo that "runs" as opposed to a "modded" Evo just like me.

 

I decided to not even bother with it. I figured if no one has scooped it up yet in this town, then something must be wrong. You're right, I don't want to be stuck with a potential lemon. The car I select will be treated as my daily, meanwhile I work on the eclipse. Then, I'll wine and dine her with parts.

Thanks for all of the advice. I've been putting in some hardcore researching, and browsing time looking for THE ONE. I've always loved the look of the Evo 8 and 9, so sticking with these models. I know I'm going to have to be patient looking for one with ~35-40k ish miles or less, but my $21k loan expires next month so I hope I can get my hands on one soon.