Long-time listener, first-time caller.

Buying a new toy, have it narrowed to an S2000, BMW M3, or Evo IX. Have owned mostly Hondas and Toyotas in my life and have purposely shied away from Mitsubishi over the years because of perceived quality issues. The 4G63 has always been stout, but the gearboxes less so, interiors shady, and general build quality not on par with other Japanese or German manufacturers.

So here I am, lusting after an Evo IX (preferably an MR), and am a bit concerned. So I can't imagine coming to an Evo forum, openly questioning the quality of most members' cars, and hearing anything but scolding retorts, but I'm fine with that.

So, in short, would love to hear about your experience with maintenance issues, durability, and the like in your Evo.

My Evo would be mostly stock with light bolt-ons only, so no fire-breathing dragon stuff. (I've heard the MRs transmissions are "questionable" and that I should stick with a GSR, for starters.)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Love, love, love the Evo.

 

I've owned my IX MR for about a year now and have no regrets whatsoever. Don't kid yourself, to properly maintain this car, it's not cheap. Brakes, fluids, shorter OCI's than many cars, nightmare clutch replacement, it all adds up. However, it is so beyond worth it it's not even worth worrying about.

The good thing is, the brakes last a lifetime on these cars, it seems. As long as you get one with light work done to it and have reliable service records, I would not be concerned. Now, the elephant in the room is *if* something were to go wrong - then it's not cheap at all. Trans, transfer cases, engines, none of the above are very "cheap" for this car. However, with proper care and maintenance, all of the above should last a very, very long time.

The MR 6 speed does not like much more than 375 ft-lbs of torque. Stock rods don't like much more than 425 ft-lbs (I think, I'm nowhere close so I don't really bother to learn about limits I won't approach). I just took mine out and ran it on my favorite tuning road: 355 torque, 398 awhp. It's a fricking blast, man. I plan on keeping mine until it is pried from my cold, dead hands, for what it's worth.

EVO's are very dissimilar to the other cars you're considering so I would highly recommend driving one first before you commit to it. It's not exactly a BMW in terms of comfort and interior noise...

 

Thanks for the info. A lot of good information, and your car sounds very similar to what I'm looking for.

I've owned 4 NA MR2s, 3 MR2 Turbos, a WRX, 2 Integra Type Rs, a slew of Miatas, etc. I'm pretty open-minded.

Honestly would rather stick with a Japanese car. My brain tells me to get an S2000, but my heart wants an Evo. I'm here on this forum to let my brain become more comfortable with what my hearts wants. I can afford an Evo, but am not interested in constantly financing maintenance. Current car is a 98 Integra GSR with light mods. I just get in and go. I don't need the car to be fool-proof--willing to maintain and spend, but don't want to get into something that costs much, much more than the monthly car note. (Been there, done that.)

 

I have two really good friends who own an M3 and a S2000 and I myself drive an Evo 8 MR. The M3 has been a money pit for my friend. The SMG pump went out, which is very common, and getting anything maintenance done for it costs him an arm and a leg. The other guy that drives the S2000 races it at tracks and murders the competition. He doesn't have that many mods to it but is almost at 90,000 miles on it with no problems except normal wear and tear. I love both of the cars but ultimately went with my evo. I love it for the room, looks, raw feeling, and the heritage it presents. I'd say you should test drive all of them and let the car decide. From a maintenance standpoint the honda will be cheaper. Just my 2 cents

 

Full disclosure: I've never driven an S2K. Vert roadsters aren't my thing I guess.

I've owned a GS-R, B6 Audi S4, Turbo Honda, IS300, and several highly modified DSMs. Of all of the cars I've owned, nothing "stirs me" like the EVO. Want to blast off on the highway and get away from traffic? Done. Want to hang the rear end out a little on an off-ramp, mash the gas and have the car just grab and go? Done. Tight curvy roads? Insta-smile.

I honestly can't say enough good things about my car. It has virtually nothing done suspension-wise at this point. I *just* put all new brakes on yesterday and put a Perrin 25mm rear sway on the weekend prior. It just keeps getting better.

If there is one knock about the EVO, it does come down to price. They are expensive for a clean car and they just beg to be modded. Doesn't have to be anything outlandish, but they can just get better and better with minor little tweaks. Still on my to-do-list is an ACD reflash from acd-tuning.com.

And now I want to go drive it, again

 

While I own an Evo, and enjoy my Evo, I am not an Evo "fan boy" like many on this site. I own, or have owned more cars than I can think of right now from a Ferrari 360 all the way down to a 1980 Toyota Corolla.

Here's the reality. All the money and engineering and value of this car went into the engine and drivetrain, trying to make the base economy Lancer into a performer. Mitsubishi did an excellent job making a well handing, well performing car for the money. In stock form, driven by a respectful and responsible driver, it will last FOREVER like every current Japanese import.

The downside of what mitsubishi did, is that the interior and plastics are CRAP... Other than the interior bolt-ons like the momo steering wheel and the recaro seats, the rest of the interior screams "I AM A BASE LEVEL JAPANESE IMPORT" And while the plastics in the car are better than what GM is using these days, it's still not up to typical Japanese quality. The layout and design of the interior is decent, but not up to par for a $40K car. You will develop some squeeks in the plastics over time, and the transmission of engine/road noise into the cabin is high.

The good news is that this can all be upgraded/improved with some know how, with some customization to make the car your own.

Now, as for your concerns about reliability. You don't have to worry about it. If the car is well maintained, and not constantly abused, it will not self destruct. The reason you hear about things breaking is because the car begs to be abused. And without self restraint, you will constantly beat on it.

I own a 06 MR SE (6 speed transmission, red stitched seats, different front air dam), which I purchased new off the lot, and have put 145K miles on it.

During the past 6 years here's my maintenance list:

-I've put 2 clutches in it (stock clutch is crap, 2nd clutch was replaced only because the throw out bearing clip broke).
-I just changed the origional stock rotors last week
-I have put a couple sets of brake pads on it
-changed the oil every 5K miles
-changed the transmission/Transfer case/rear diff oil once.
-shimmed the AC compressor (pretty typical failure on the Evo)
-starter rebuild (starting to see more of them on here)

Mine is mildly upgraded with a canned tune, K&N drop in filter, downpipe, high flow cat, and Greddy exhaust. Springs, sway bars and a few bushings have been upgraded.

I drive the car mostly on the highway. I also tow a trailer with it, and when I have some extra testosterone in my system, I will make a few WOT pulls through the gears. but other than that, it's my daily driver, that I enjoy quite a bit.

PS. I owned an S2K for about a year, and while it's a really fun car, looks great and will last forever, it's just not quick/fun/fast until you beat on it like a red-headed stepchild, then dear god, hang on for dear life.

 

The ego is a great car hands down as long as its been maintained. It was never really made for comfort. To me it can be a drivers car as along as the car isn't doing a majority of the work for them. The car can last for a good long while just as long as the owner maintains it and that the right people are working over it.


As far as modifications do it right the first time with the proper parts and you should have no problem so that you doing have to look back on stuff. Change the oils especially on the drive train ahead of time and don't beat on the car.

 

I have owned a STI and two typeR. The reason I went with the evo is simply because of the mods that are available. I researched for a year and found a 2005 electric blue SSL salvaged for $4000. I spent $3000 on body work and OEM body parts and with a$20,000 Budget I had enough to build a fun car. I guess it boils down to want you want out of the car. If you want 750 or higher whp then start looking for a evo 8-9. It's cheaper to build out those cars. If your looking for a newer evo and your not concerned about building out the car but more for looks then go for a X-IX. Just my 2 cents.

 

Also if you use it as a winter vehicle, the Evo is incredible in the snow. I have run mine anywhere from Tahoe to Michigan winters and it is by far the best handling vehicle I have ever driven in the snow.

 

Excellent point. Last year was my first with the EVO in the winter. Put some Hankook winters on and zOMG, it's not just capable, it's a @&#+#&$ blast in bad weather. My neighbors became accustomed to sideways entrances into our subdivision, lol.