Looking into buying a bone stock 2003 evo 8 as a daily driver - have read in numerous places that the '03 model year was plagued with a lot of issues. Has anyone on this forum recently gone through the process of purchasing a used '03 with 60,000+ miles, anyone having reliability issues? Perhaps I would be better off getting a '04?

I've read all the newbie threads; but none of them touch on the reliability aspect. Any input from more experienced forum members is appreciated

Thanks in advance!

 

Any car can have reliability issues. If its maintained correctly you shouldn't have to many problems. I know the sun roof sucks on the 03-04s. I'm sure people have more info then me though!

 

Reliability issues are more "owner" inflicted. Do your maintenance and you won't have problems.

I have an '03 with 195,000 miles on it. I still drive it as much as I can.

 

Just hit 130k mi. in my 03. I have done plenty of drag racing as well.

 

This. Take care of the car and the car will take care of you.

 

I know this isn't helpful but good luck finding a bone stock 03

Something I've noticed with "said cars being plagued with issues", the problems are usually owner related.

I bought my 05 almost 2 years ago. Had 20,000 miles. Basically new. It's been plagued with problems because of what parts the previous owner put on it, nothing to do with the car itself.

When you buy one, price out all of the maintenance costs that you will run into down the road.

• Clutch replacement was way more than I expected
• Good idea to have 4 matching tires. Even if you just bought 4 news ones, put 2,000 miles on them and then someone slashing one tire. Tire stores will rip you off saying you need 4 new ones. FML
• Premium gas always
• Tune when you first buy the car even if you just want to keep it stock and DD, retune after every major modification is installed (or anything that changes fuel,air or exhaust flow.)
• Choose a good reputable shop. Research here and you can find one easy. (I drive 4 hours to my shop just because of their awesome rep.)
• All regular maintenance in a timing manner, may have to change spark plugs more often but luckily coppers are less than $10 a set.

I could go on forever. Just think about all the things it takes to own and maintain an Evo, then decide if you even want one.

When looking for a 2003 Evo 8, mileage will be high but just talk with the seller and see how well it was maintain. You will get an idea what condition it's in. Like others have said, if the owner takes good care of the car, it will take care of you.

 

i just bought an 03 3 months ago with 95k on it. ive had some issues but most were just stuff u would run into on any car. had a bad tie rod had one of the feed hoses start leaking couple rear bushings could use replaced and the spring seat has worn through and makes some noise. 1st owner worked at the dealer till it had bout 75k on it and took religious care of it and the last owner took really good care of it too got some extra fluids he bought. cant complain i got it for under 14k. stock except for a busher racing turbo back and evo 9 dv. just do some history checks and make sure it was taken care of and ask alot of questions. mine has some rust that needs taken care of but thats what happens when the car is from michigan.

 

I've had my 03 for about 4 years and aside from mini batteries dieing and vacuum plugs coming off I haven't had one problem that wasn't a fault of my own.

 

They are all the same.
Depends on who owned them before you and how they took care of said vehicle.

 

am i having deja vu?

 

03's are fine... i had one for 2 years n had no problems with it.. every problem i had was making to much power and blowing things up

 

Yes, me.
Got the car with 104k miles.
6th owner so it's been around the block a lot.
Came with blown coil overs and a broken boost solenoid so my boost was uncontrollable.

Even after it's abuse from the previous 5 owners, it still ran strong and compression was still good at 135 across all cylinders. Just spent more time replacing all the cheap-*** parts and fixing what was wrong with it. Other than that, it started up every morning when going to work all the way til I decided to take it apart for a build.

 

thanks for the info, would you recommend buying from a private seller or thru a used car dealership?

 

nice, can i ask how much everything in total cost you before you decided to take it apart?

 

I have an 03 evo I bought a year ago. Previous owner took it around the ring several times and Ive made about 30ish 1/4 passes and no problems but I know it has been well maintained.