A 2003 Lancer Evolution GSR has recently popped up locally and I am considering looking at it for an alternate vehicle to drive around town because the current daily driver is wearing me out, (at the same time I hate driving boring cars) the stats on the vehicle are as follows.

Mileage - 168k
Single Owner
Zero Modifications (incredibly difficult to find like that)
No salvage/rebuilt title reported
clean vehicle report
Does not appear to have any non-reported body damage
Paint is in good condition
all orginal clutch, trans, diffs etc.
no rust
AC/Heat work as it should
Drives straight, and generally appears to have been well maintained


The only two things I can find wrong with the car, missing the intake tube that brings cool air into the filter box (currently pulling air from the engine bay)

Needs tires.

Thoughts, concerns, issues (price too high/too low)? Run away screaming? Or pursue further? pricing seems to be fairly inline with kbb/nada (edmunds.com is notorious for under valuing vehicles)

I consider myself fairly capable as far as wrenching on cars, so fixing minor things do not bother me in the least. Are there any weak spots I should consider?

Thanks in advance

 

It's pretty impressive if it has 168k miles and is on the original clutch, but if that's really the case, then it's not far fetched to think you'll have to replace it soon.

While I know it "appears" to have been maintained well, throughout 168k miles, there are A LOT of maintenance services that should have been done. Does the owner have any records of those things? It should be on its third timing belt by now.

 

The maintenance paper records are spotty, the timing belt is something that I was prepared to negotiate off the price and actually perform, however you brought a good point with the clutch.

 

If the clutch is still original at 168k miles that tells you the owner didn't drive the car hard at all. Personally, I would view that as a good thing! Change the belts and all the fluids ASAP.

 

Absolutely! Fluids and belts are usually the first things to go in any car I buy.

 

still curious, if a selling price of around 9000 sounds decent. Thanks for the input guys.

 

Get it, throw a full timing belt service at it and a clutch...

My original clutch lasted 209k, and wasn't that worn.
Remember if it was a highway car, you just have to shift to 5th and drive, clutch is always engaged.

 

thanks everyone.

 

turbo motor... try to get something less miles, don't get too attached, you will find a better one!

 

I dont mind the miles, I am looking for a project, so the cheaper the better. just not looking to get into someone else Frankenstein.

 

Well to give an update, I ended up buying it after a little bit of negotiation. The car is a little "cosmetically challenged" with a number of rock chips on the hood and front bumper, HVAC knob is busted (not a difficult fix, plus I already have the parts on order), and the rear tail light being cracked on the edge.

Drove it straight to the tire shop. Car is in great shape mechanically, and doesn't need anything. Now just gearing up to swap out all the fluids and throw on a new timing belt.

 

Congrats!!

 

Thanks!

 

Looks clean. Congrats on the purchase!!

 

thanks!