Looking at an Evo
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From: Ft Bragg NC
Looking at an Evo
Hey guys I'm new to this forum, obviously, but have some (very little) experience with forums due to other cars. I've utilized the search function and checked out the FAQs but was looking to get a more exact/personalized response.
I've been looking at getting a new car for quite a while, having daily driven the same 93 prelude for about 5 years. It's a great, fun little car, I'm just looking for an upgrade. Recently I saw someone on base (I'm in the military) is selling their 03 Evo VIII. I've always liked Evos and it meets everything I was looking for in a new car. However it is modded a decent amount and I've always been wary of buying anything that's not mostly stock. After talking to the owner and realizing he's fairly knowledgeable and seems pretty solid I'm seriously considering the purchase and will go look at the car Thursday afternoon.
My question to you is what I should ask/look for, not the basic questions but the more model specific ones, and whether or not you'd look at it as a good purchase. I'm obviously going to ask where it was built, parts list/paperwork on the parts, dates installed, any current or expected problems, etc etc. As I said before it's a 03 Evo VIII, it has 91xxx on it, the seller is the second owner he bought it with 70xxx on it. He was originally asking 18 and a half but through a phone conversation he said he'd take 16 and a half. According to him the majority of the mods have been added in the last 10k miles.
The current list of mods is quite long so I'm not gonna post all of it as this post is already fairly lengthy but here's some big ones:HKS 7460R, AMS FMIC, Deatschwerks 750cc injectors, 255lph pump, 3 port EBCS boost control ,Invidia manifold ,Invidia 02 housing ,Invidia down pipe ,Perrin midpipe ,Megan racing and Taipan XP catback, CBRD Radiator, BC Racing coilovers 32 way adjustable, ARP Head studs, GSC S1 cams, Spool up coil on plug ignition ,ETS Intake
Exedy single disk street/strip clutch about 20K on the clock (if I did buy I'd swap that clutch fairly quickly). He said on the current tune and pushing 25lbs of boost he's making 380ish at the wheels (I can't remember the exact number he gave but it was 380 something).
I'm not looking for an all out track car just something I can drive and enjoy myself in without throwing paycheck after paycheck at it. I would hang onto the prelude to drive to work (all of 4 miles round trip, if that) and drive the Evo maybe 3-4 times a week. According to the seller he built it to be a fun daily, and that's how he drove it, not ***** to the wall all the time.
I do apologize for the long post, and any help, suggestions, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I've been looking at getting a new car for quite a while, having daily driven the same 93 prelude for about 5 years. It's a great, fun little car, I'm just looking for an upgrade. Recently I saw someone on base (I'm in the military) is selling their 03 Evo VIII. I've always liked Evos and it meets everything I was looking for in a new car. However it is modded a decent amount and I've always been wary of buying anything that's not mostly stock. After talking to the owner and realizing he's fairly knowledgeable and seems pretty solid I'm seriously considering the purchase and will go look at the car Thursday afternoon.
My question to you is what I should ask/look for, not the basic questions but the more model specific ones, and whether or not you'd look at it as a good purchase. I'm obviously going to ask where it was built, parts list/paperwork on the parts, dates installed, any current or expected problems, etc etc. As I said before it's a 03 Evo VIII, it has 91xxx on it, the seller is the second owner he bought it with 70xxx on it. He was originally asking 18 and a half but through a phone conversation he said he'd take 16 and a half. According to him the majority of the mods have been added in the last 10k miles.
The current list of mods is quite long so I'm not gonna post all of it as this post is already fairly lengthy but here's some big ones:HKS 7460R, AMS FMIC, Deatschwerks 750cc injectors, 255lph pump, 3 port EBCS boost control ,Invidia manifold ,Invidia 02 housing ,Invidia down pipe ,Perrin midpipe ,Megan racing and Taipan XP catback, CBRD Radiator, BC Racing coilovers 32 way adjustable, ARP Head studs, GSC S1 cams, Spool up coil on plug ignition ,ETS Intake
Exedy single disk street/strip clutch about 20K on the clock (if I did buy I'd swap that clutch fairly quickly). He said on the current tune and pushing 25lbs of boost he's making 380ish at the wheels (I can't remember the exact number he gave but it was 380 something).
I'm not looking for an all out track car just something I can drive and enjoy myself in without throwing paycheck after paycheck at it. I would hang onto the prelude to drive to work (all of 4 miles round trip, if that) and drive the Evo maybe 3-4 times a week. According to the seller he built it to be a fun daily, and that's how he drove it, not ***** to the wall all the time.
I do apologize for the long post, and any help, suggestions, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
My advice:
Like buying any used car, ask for receipts to help support when each mod was done, who did it and how well it has been maintained. If no records, walk away.
Ask who tuned the car? If self-tuned or tuned by a friend, walk away. Too much damage can be done by a bad tune and constant knock.
Fine a shop that knows Evos and have it checked out by them. Even if it costs a bit or if the shop is far away - do it. You may waste your money if problems are found and you decide not to buy, but better that then being stuck with a bad one. If it checks out, then you have a piece of mind. At the very least, have someone who knows Evos test drive it.
And finally - Negoiate!
Like buying any used car, ask for receipts to help support when each mod was done, who did it and how well it has been maintained. If no records, walk away.
Ask who tuned the car? If self-tuned or tuned by a friend, walk away. Too much damage can be done by a bad tune and constant knock.
Fine a shop that knows Evos and have it checked out by them. Even if it costs a bit or if the shop is far away - do it. You may waste your money if problems are found and you decide not to buy, but better that then being stuck with a bad one. If it checks out, then you have a piece of mind. At the very least, have someone who knows Evos test drive it.
And finally - Negoiate!