I will start by saying hello! Im new to this forum and have been around cars all my life and was raised a Ford guy lol before you start hating let me explain! So I have owned some crazy fast turbo small block fox bodies but have grown away from them and have always been interested in EVO's and STI's and have had a little more experience with boxer motors because i have used them in long travel sand cars and i know they will make a easy 500-600 at the wheels (in a sandcar) but i have driven a few and they just feel cheap! So i am in the market soon to start looking for a EVO. I am not interested in buying a new one since its just going to be a project and a weekend car. I would like to know whats the years to stay away from as far as reliability issues and when looking for one used what to look for. I mean first thing is the guy selling it of course if he really young im sure its seen its fair share of rev limiter clutch drops but as far as finding one on a lot or from a good mature private seller. Thanks in advance and any help would be appreciated!

 

Welcome buddy. I was in your shoes once. I was strictly a Ford fan (actually still own an 85 GT). In any case I own an 03 Evo 8. To give a bit of info, the Evo 8's were made from 03 to 05, and the Evo 9's in 06. Truly any year 8-9 are good cars IF taken care of. I chose an 03 simply because it was in my price range and due to the fact that it didn't have ACD...This forum has a wealth of knowledge, search and read and you will get all the info necessary to make a decision. Good luck bro.

 

Thanks for your reply! Is there any issues with the early to mid 2000 EVO's as far as drivetrain like transfer cases trannys or axles? What kind of mileage can you expect to get out of the EVO motor as far as if you find a used one that hasnt been raced and it has 70-80k miles on it do they tend to survive past a 100k? I mean if i do buy one with high miles i would prolly find a spare motor and build it wial i drive the car with the original motor in it for a bit. You think its far fetched to build a EVO that makes 480-500hp at the wheels thats street legal? Im not looking for a full race car of course but something thats street legal that i dont have to worry about blowing the head off every time i make a hard pull? What is the stock drivetrain capable of handling on the street? (no slicks or drag radials) lol sorry for all the noob questions just a EVO virgin i have played with a few RX7's and well you end up working on them more than driving them although i love them a lot! I have also had a 300zx TT that made a good 450 at the wheels but the bottom end didnt last long Thanks again for the info!