My friend is selling his 03' EVO 8. I am thinking of getting into this car knowing it is a project. The outside of the car needs work and has a couple things to fix. It needs a paint job and it has a pretty big scratch on the right side that covers both doors. He took it to a shop and got an $800 estimate to fix it. Also on the outside it is missing the weather stripping on the roof. It has BBS rims with a bit of curb rash. The inside is clean as far as the seats. The head liner is coming off though and the factory radio isnt working. Also the rear left window does not work.

The car has 83,000 miles. He blew the stock motor and swapped in a SBR 2.4l block. This setup has only 2500 miles. The motor is fully built. It has cams, pistons, rods, 1600cc injectors, headstuds, valvesprings with a ported head, new water pump, reserve and head gasket with a gasket kit. Tranny and transfer case are perfect. Needs a new Walbro fuel pump soon and the clutch needs a rebuild soon. The air conditioning is missing a piece to it for it to work like normal. The car currently has a blown stock turbo. My friend ran out of money and cannot afford to keep working on this car. So I am going to buy it. I want to have it on E85 so I would need a double pumper and a new fuel system. Also I am thinking of putting in an FP Black. I think I should be in the 500hp range with this set up. This is my goal for now.

Since the car needs some work my friends is leaving the car for me for $8500. I looked around for prices on all the stuff I need to buy and it looks like 4-5 grand will get me running pretty good. I already have a car (Nissan Versa) and this is my daily driver. I want the EVO to be my fun toy. I will be able to afford it. Do you think I should buy it? I am really considering buying the car. I would like for some opinions and for some help.

 

Only you know your finances but your already saying money is going to be tight going in so why do that to yourself. Especially on a car that needs a bit of work.

 

I was going over the numbers and the money isnt going to be such an issue after all.

 

I have to 100% agree with him for once lol. As stated if it going to put a strain on your daily life finacially then its NEVER worth it. If its going to alter the way you live then again not worth it period nobody likes being broke or barely having money to buy the food they like our go out with friends etc all for what a car. the only thing that evo has worth the time is the built 2.4 and unfortunatly with all the other problems it has it not worth it for that price. you can buy a evo a used 03 evo complete now for 13k granted it will not have a built motor but it will be complete ready to drive

 

The money is not going to be an issue after all. I want to get this one because it has the 2.4 already. I have my Versa for my daily driver and I could have the EVO at the shop getting worked on.

 

now you say money is not a issue but if it is then only you will know. again the car is still not worth the coin. you need to get a compression test and leakdown test done on the motor to make sure its still good. something you never mentioned and are forgetting if your not doing the work yourself then you will have to pay a shop to peace this puppy back together and do the clutch job etc. thats even more money added to the cost so your not looking at 8500+5000 any more you will be adding another cost to it. its already 13.5 then add labor and who is to say they dont find more wrong with it or the motor is trash. still not worth the coin get another used one already and save up for a built motor that way you can buy it on your watch

 

Yea thats true. How much do you think a built motor will cost?

 

these are averages prices man. dont for get there are different version when in each class meaning 2.0 or LR2.0. This is just the shortblock not including the built head or anything.

2.0 = 3050
2.1 = 4200 - 4600
2.3 = 3550
2.4 = 3200 - 5200

 

A full build will be like 15k. I think imma get this EVO and put in like 7k and have it fully built looking clean. I think ill save a lot then buying a 13k EVO and building a motor for it. What do you think?

 

I'd stay away from it myself. Finding an EVO that was only driven to church by an old lady on Sundays might not happen but...

 

haha nice mental image by user above
but yeah man everyone is right it might be just a headace for sure i mean
if a shop is doing it u might as well tack on a little more money than they quoted u on **** never goes that right u might as well spend the money and get a evo u can drive everyday u enjoy and not have to dick with problem but buy am unmolested evo and build it to your standards