I'm finally seriously in the market for an Evo after wanting on for the past like 12 years. Everytime I go to buy a car, Evo is on the table but gets pushed aside for something more practical, but my 100 mile/day commute is about to go to a 5mile/day commute and I should have more garage space soon so I'm looking again.

Anyway, budget is $21k max, maybe 22 including getting the car home whether that be shipping or driving. What I'm really looking for is a IX, but it seems like my budget isn't high enough to get a low mile, unmodified example.

I did however find an '03 for $19k with ~30kmiles that seems to be in excellent shape and untampered with.

Question is, given the budget, would you take a mint 03-04, sub 40k miles, untouched or a 60k-80k mile IX that has some bolt-ons. Assume both are well maintained. I plan on keeping the car for a LONG time, and don't care about ACD. I do care about IX interior/Turbo/Front bumper, etc, but I don't HATE the VIII either. Driven both and liked both. Probably won't mod the car until it's paid off and probably won't go past 350-375whp.

 

You need to think twice about the ACd. It makes a difference in handling. And the 05 MR/RS came with a front diff which also helps traction and handling. The 03-05 GSR SE did not come with a front diff.

All IX came with ACd and front diff.

whatever you pick, dont get anything with any accidents, check thoroughly and look for the stickers on the fenders etc

6 spd MR's do have some limit on the power mods. They will certainly handle your goals but 450 is pushing it.

IX with some minor mods and well maintained at 60K is a good pick. Just make sure the timing belt/water pump has been done and the tranny fluids changes have been performed regularly. Insist on seeing the records. If struts need replacing, get the MR Bilsteins/Swift combo or GTWorx spring/Bilstein combo

IX interior is better than the blue/black check VIII interior.

 

Yeah, the interior is probably the thing I care about most on the IX. So much better. I know all the differences between the models/trims. I just haven't decided if I care about them enough to justify not buying the better condition '03.

I like the idea of the ACD, just not the idea of replacing/rebuilding it. Just seems like another expensive thing to break that I won't miss that much.

I never really wanted an MR b/c of the 6-speed, but if I found an MR SE in my price/condition range, I would probably rock it and just leave it closer to stock.

 

I'd get a 9 just for the MIVEC.

 

I guess IX it is. We'll see how it goes finding one in budget.

 

Well, it looks like at least one person other than me voted for mint VIII, lol.

Here are a couple pics of the VIII I'm looking at. I think the only thing ever done to it is tint. Stock clutch/exhaust/intake/tune etc.