Gonna buy one out right.. hope fully under 30k miles and was wondering what to look out for and be aware of. I plan to buy from a dealer... IF I can find a gsr. I don't know as much about these cars as I do vw's.

Any help would be awesome.. I have some time before I decide on the car

 

Check the seats for staples sticking out or wear in specific spots that could indicate the seat is about the rip.

Check if it has been tuned or not, that could indicate if it had any mods.

Try and find one with mud flaps if you live in a colder climate.

If you live in a colder climate where it snows, and your city uses salt to combat icey roads, you're gonna have to get your AYC inspected for any damage, rust or corrosion. If you live in a warmer city I'd still get it checked out.

If during the test drive the gear box feels notchy from 1st - 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. Try and pretend like it's OK because apparently it is... When it's time to spend money on the car, there are a few fixes ppl swear by.

Other then that, have it mechanically inspected and enjoy ride.

 

So Its normal for the box to feel notchy from first to third? I still haven't test driven one yet so not sure what to expect.

I do live In a snowy part of the country but I expect to buy out of state. Is the ayc known to fail that early?

 

Basically there is no certain time to when the AYC pump will fail. It all depends on what the car was driven in such as snow and salt. Luckily, mine has yet to go (knock on wood) at 68k miles and this is my second winter with the car and is my DD which sees salt and snow when it has to. If you're buying out of state, looked towards the south that doesn't get much snow and you should be alright.

 

2010+ is the way to go. Try to buy one with factory warranty and the rest is common sense.

 

if possible bring along a mech or a friend who knows this car.
if u dun know this car, the dealers may sweet talk u when things aren't suppose to be.
moreover its wise to bring along an unbais third party who can save u from making a costly judgement.

 

Well I am a mechanic but I've never worked on one of these. Appreciate the help.

Why do you say 2010+ is the way to go?

As far as the winter with the car.. how do you like it?

 

I would run the vin through mitsubishi too and see what kind service has been done. I just did this recently and discovered I'm most likely on the stock clutch lol

 

U got pm

 

The 2008 models had some known issues with timing chain stretching and the t-case coming overfilled from the factory. They also ran rich as **** on the OEM map.

In addition, they also lacked some features like Bluetooth. And the AYC button was in a crappy spot on the steering wheel.

 

The timing chain is going to stretch anyway.

Such is the nature of chains.

 

I agree, aside from Bluetooth or other options that might have been offered after 2010, I would focus on care, maintenance, miles, etc.

 

You should be in luck finding one soon. Within the next year or so there will be people turning in their leases. Mitsubishi had a pretty good deal for a while (they may be still doing it, I didn't check) 3kish down and 250 a month for a GSR. I wont say all, but most should be unmodified unless someone felt like putting money into a lease. The leases were 24 months and 24,000 miles so you'll have a bit of warranty if you can pick one of these up.

I'm turning mine in November 14'. Glad I did this as opposed to buying, as while the car is fun as all Hell, its just not practical as the Subaru I had.....sorry to disappoint, but probably going back that way.

 

Hmm well I wasn't planning on buying it for at least 5 months.

I heard the practicality wasn"t that great... especially the no 6th gear thing.

Is it hard to daily or what? I plan to eventually track the car (years away).
I have also been toying with the idea of an sti but the evo is just so appealing.

 

I've never once had someone bring up the fact that it doesn't have a 6th gear, test drive one, and go "Yeah, it's too loud."

I don't have problems talking on the bluetooth system even at 400+ HP... well except when the open dump is crapping fire.

It's not the worlds most practical car for other reasons, not because it doesn't have a 6th gear. Like its tiny *** trunk. That's by far the most impractical part of the car!

They're just fine for DD. The OEM clutch is light. You can get them rolling from a dead stop with out using the gas.