Hey guys, I found an Evo that may be a good deal, but I know you guys know far more than I so I want your opinion on it.
Here is what I know:
-Body has 72,000 miles, engine has 32,000
-Evo 9 Front + Rear Seats - Leather + Suede (Recaros)
-2.3 Stroker - AMS Short Block - AMS Head (The Head has a duel valve spring)
-Short Block - CP pistons Olive Rods Everything A.R.P, Cams / Turbo / Inter Cooler} Factory Evo VIII / Clutch Act 432 it has 3K on it - Brakes also have 3K
-2mm Intake
-I mm Exhaust
-Entire valve train is Ferrea
-The Vehicle was tuned by "English Racing"
-It has two tunes E85+91 pump gas / 390 whp 370 torque on E85/350 whp 340 torque on 91 pump.

I looked at it's reports. It was wrecked in 2005, rebuilt in 2007, and its been registered since then. It has a REBUILT title in NV. The guy has another evo and an MR2 and says he just doesn't have room for it. I am not a pro but I know a little and can see things that im unsure of. I'll update things as I learn them.

Here are some pictures:



It obviously needs to be repainted but I can do that, but all the panels seem to line up right which is a very good sign.


Again I don't see anything out of whack.


This worries me a little, The mark on the bumper from the exhaust. What can that mean? I am guessing it could be burning oil or it is just running rich, either way I am not super comfortable with it. Unless its a pretty normal thing, this is a 2.3 stroker.


The dash and interior look pretty clean, and you can see the edge of the Recaro seats.


Rear seats, look really good, I think that will help with resale a little later (I know it will be lower because of the title) but still, a clean interior is a clean interior.


Alright I am no rocket scientist but I can tell there isn't a lot going on under hear, and 390hp is a lot. Does it look like its missing anything or is there anything that looks fishy? If so what do I need to specifically ask him about?


Just the other part of the engine bay you couldnt really see.


I can do body and interior work really easy and I am a fairly good mechanic. To me, the only thing that is a little sketchy is the mark on the back bumper from the exhaust... if that is not a big deal then awesome. I don't know every single brand and part that is put into it but it seems legit (if not let me know) But if this has quality parts and a better drivetrain, and will last me and not die on me, then I am all for it. A solid running ugly car is perfect, because I can make it look great again.

Any helpful input would be awesome, I am learning and know you all are smarter than I am so if there is "obvious" things then state them, but not like a jerk.

So what would you pay for this car? As in a Max "fair" price, I will get him as low as possible, but what is the max I could pay and still be getting a good deal?

Thanks.

 

Sorry but that car looks a bit sketchy.. I would take it to a local shop to have it checked out as far as mechanically. Looks like The rear lights have been swaped... front bumper swaped.. I wouldnt pay more then 8-10k for that car.. I would suggest looking at a stock or bolt on car in the Classifieds here.. you can pick up a decent one for 10-12k.

 

Thanks for your input man
And yeah I would have it looked at, what kind of things should I have checked?
I will check the turbo for play, I will have it compression tested as well.
Anything else?

 

Ask for receipts...service records, who performed regularly scheduled maintenance?, length of ownership, original owner? Type of fluids used? What mods were or are still on the car....there is a lot of questions you should be asking..

I think there is a thread on this site that goes through what you should be looking for when buying a used evo....search for it.

Get a carfax too...

IMO...car looks mistreated and poorly maintained....but this is purely my opinion based on the photos you posted.

 

I can see how you get that idea.... it looks neglected. But that bumper is off of a XI and to me besides the paint the body doesn't look that bad. I will ask him about the work and for receipts though for sure. But if I detailed the interior and engine bay, and repainted it... would you still say the car would be sketchy? My main concerns are the engine and drive train, those are the most expensive stuff.

What does the car "need" to be making 340hp on pump gas? how much does a stroker kit add, and what kind of things come in a stroker kit?

 

I have seen this car on Ebay, its in Vegas isn't it? I would say it is running a bit rich and there is some soot collecting on the bumper. Lots of parts swapping on this car: IX front end, IX seats and IX tails. To me it looks like a good car to turn into a track only vehicle. With all the stuff thats been done, just don't know how reliable its going to be. I agree with desiromeo812, I wouldn't pay more than $8-10K for it.

 

Yeah its the one on ebay, I figured it was running rich, which can be corrected, as long as it isn't burning oil And the swapping doesn't bother me, to be honest changing the bumper, seats, and tail lights isn't a big deal to me. The guy says it runs really well, I am going to have a friend of mine check it out though. I would be using this as a daily driver mainly.

 

In my opinion I wouldnt worry about that exhaust on the bumper, for what it is expecially I don't see anything wrong with it, mine has the exact same thing, it could be rich but it's better to have a safe tune then lean. Mine has the exact same thing and my car is black. Looks like the soot is shooting out the side of the muffler onto the bumper so maybe has a hole on the side of the muffler or its just because of the angle of the exhaust and bumper cutout but but also hard to tell from a pic

I would just make sure the motor is legit, as in is a stroker and is a built stroker. In the mustang world I've heard alot of people say "has a stroker motor" and it was just a bone stock bottom end.

 

its interesting to have a stroker motor with what looks like only an intake pipe and exhaust... Unless the motor was damaged with the car and the owner decided to stroke it.. But being tuned by english racing is a good thing.. definately iffy, i wouldnt get it as a DD thats for sure... good luck tho

 

theres no way thats built lol...? the motor looks stock.. theres absolutely no gauges in the car (not saying people dont do that but its def a sign) Ask him if the car has cams then see what he says and listen to the idle.

Something seems fishyy

 

Yeah I was wondering about the looks of the engine, but to be honest, a stroked engine and a stock engine look the same on the outside.... Haha Since this was bought at an auction and rebuilt, my guess would be that he bought it for cheap enough that he decided to stroke it. And not having gauges worries me, that's a sin on other cars... But I for some reasoned assumed they were on the pillar for some reason, but you can't even see so I'm stupid. I'm trying to get more information, but it's slow going over the eBay mail system :/

 

def sketchy. hey, in a perfect world mayb he is telling the truth and everything is fine. but at first glance, i would not walk, run, away.

the black burn on the exhaust is normal. most of the cars on here have that spot on their bumper. Its not a big deal, might just be running a hair rich.

the fact that so many parts have been swapped, no gauges (who builds a high boost motor and doesnt spend the money to monitor vitals), paint missing everywhere etc shows its been neglected.

ask about cams and other mods then take a video of the car idling/driving. Your saying 340hp is a lot, but thats nothing for these cars ESP with a stroker, i would be hesitant about that as well.

best bet is to get all the receipts, his name etc, and give english racing a call. they are very well known and respected on here and I am sure they would be happy to tell you more about the car if they in fact worked on it.

gl bud, jus remember, theres always plenty for sale, so if something seems fishy, youll find another one.

 

Yeah what he said above me ^^^^^^^

I was real interested at this friend's 03 evo before i got mine I was getting ready to go check it out and then called me and said he had sold it to a friend, I was like wtf and did get mad but I woulda done the same too so I understood, Thennnn I found the car I bought later on which had over $20k under the hood, only 30k miles and much better condition for only $5k more, and was all blacked out which I love. Sooo don't rush, I'm so glad he had sold it to his friend instead of me or else I would have never find mine for the good deal, especially since has had problems since the new kid bought it and he sold it back to the original kid haha Just like girls....There's other fish in the sea...and better ones

But yeah ask for receipts/pics/proof of the motor or someone legit that has seen the engine work done, the engine bay looks pretty dirty for a car the engine has supposedly been out but I wouldnt be surprised if it was replaced and is that dirty. Mainly depends where he lives and drives too.