Okay, so i really didnt want to introduce myself but, i kinda need opinions information from current owners and experienced owners. I've googled and researched some of the information i wanted to know. I have my opinion on what i want i just, want personal experience opinions.

So, im currently in search for an EvoIX MR my budget is 15k-24k, before i begin ill share some information/mechanical history of myself.
Ive built a honda. i know i know who hasnt, but i started at 18 years old and recently sold it it was a b20b civic, with every aftermarket suspension part you could ask for. the purpose of the build was for autoX/spirited driving.
Ive owned many hondas and ive put about 3 motors in 3 different ones, started with d series then to b series enough with that ghey stuff.
I have also recently sold my 89 240sx hatch, i swapped a ka24de from the factory ka24e, coilovers, wheels and exhaust.
Since then i have recently grown out of hondas and other imports and i want a more functional track/weekend car hence the evoIX MR the track driving will be mostly auto X and some 1/4 mile runs.
so now on to the questions.
these are mostly towards current owners
Maintence im very well mechanical from steet bikes to import to domestics. internals to suspension. my question is whats the hardest maintance due to time and mileage? timing belt, trans fluid what
Should i buy a premodified evo bigger turbo tune that kind of stuff?

thats all i have for now please dont slam me i hope ill be welcome and get some good feed back. thanks

 

That's a very big budget gap. If you can, lean towards that 24k side of things to buy the cleanest example IX you can afford.

 

To find a good clean IX you'll probably be better off in the 24k range..
As for pre modified, eh I wouldn't. But even some "stock" cars have been simply just been put back to stock and been modified at some point

look for original owners.

 

Ok will do the current ones im looking at are one to two owners

 

In the USA at least not counting UK or Europe, there are 4 slightly different evo 9's. Regular evo (I believe called in Japan GSR but not in the USA called officially GSR until the evo X), evo RS, evo MR and evo SE and maybe call it 5 with the evo 9 MR SE. Search them here there are a lot of differences, if you do the RS will seem tempting! but there is no ABS which may not be best for tracking depends on you…

I currently have a evo 9 MR SE since it had 3 miles on it and currently have almost 90k.

Issues I have encountered: 1) HVAC knob being stuck and still is stuck I have to reach under the dash to turn the knob but there is a fix by taking the dash out (I already have the revised gears). 2) The IX timing belt noise which I have had fixed with the revised timing belt tensioner pulley bracket. And thats it!!! not too bad. These really don't count but $2 gas door clip broke.. Engine oil gauge not the coolant gauge doesn't like to work. And 2 window regulators on the driver side broke but for years I parked my car in the sun at work in Palm Springs 120+ F in summer and over 100 F six months a year I believe they got cooked… That last one is special to letting your car get cooked outside...

I just have basic bolt ons with a tune, so I am not making much power. However it is well documented and hard to dispute although some here may that the 6 speed transmission is not as strong as the 5 speed. The 4th gear in the 6 speed seems to be weak and goes out… So if I were to do it again I would have Gotten the evo 9 SE which is to my knowledge the same as the MR with out the 6 speed. But you still get HID's, aluminum roof, extra 3 gauges, red stitching on the leather brake cooling guides and a special lip for the bumper… edit: Those latter 3 are found on MR's with the special edition package.

Maintenance= oil change every 3k full synthetic mobil 1 extended performance is the one some people like over regular mobil one since Mobil one changed the formula. trans, transfer case, rear diff 15k-30k depending on driving style. serpentine belt and coolant every 30k, Spark plugs varies a lot… however on the IX you must use the Iridium plugs about $50-60 Alfred at Tuning technologies says to use NGK vs. Denso because Densos crack, his words not mine.. Timing belt, balance shaft belt, timing belt tensioner, water pump and 3 pulleys every 60k… and of course all the other stuff like PVC valve and o2 sensors which I don't know the interval off hand.

The above is pretty accurate info, although I'm sure a forum warrior will have to say something is wrong. lmao

In short get a 2006 Evolution IX Special Edition. Get one from a one owner. Make sure there are no accidents. All maintenance is done especially timing belt if over 60k and maybe below (how strong is an 8 year old belt)? Find one where the owner has all the receipts and has garaged the car… Bring someone who knows about evos to pick the car a part.

Good luck!

 

@wiseguy9 i appreciate all of your input i have my eyes on a special edition IX, the problem with taking someone to look at one with me is, i live in a kinda small town were theres not a lot. Of evo owners thats why i wanted other information from current owners here. Well see what happens also looking at a IX MR that's super clean the 6spd has been swapped for a 5 speed

 

No problem efaustin good luck!

 

SO I'M JUST GONNA DROP THIS RIGHT HERE : https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...e-package.html
As far as the things your looking for i have rebuilt my motor twice in the 3 years i have owned my car, although i DD'd a 500+hp car that sees routien track use...
welcome to EVOm and Welcome to the Evo world! by the way there are several of us in the area in chicago, michigan and ohio, also you may want to contact Dave Buschur his shop is in ohio and he is a known reputable figure in EVO/DSM circles......

 

In recent gathering and in more research ive came to to this conclusion dont quote me, but my stand point has changed slightly to the 03-04 gsr why, because ive read that the 6 speeds, dont hold their own after putting on bolt ons, also the mivec heads arent as durable as the 03-04 heads, also since ill probably be modifying which ever car i get to at least 400hp on 93oct and around 500-600hp on e85 i figure the viii gsr will be a well fit. Please discuss and put forward your opinion.

 

Yea the gap is because of how much side work i do im saving all my pennies to purchase one, ive sold two of my builds and currently driving a 95 chevy truck so i can pay for one in cash or most of it in cash.

 

IMHO, the IXs you'll find will be in better shape and will give you far less problems then the VIII GSR you'll find, most if not every 8 i came across when searching for my car were abused and mistreated, or had shotty workmanship(mine included) and mine has had head ache after head and i am just now getting them sorted out properly and making real power. and for a goal of 400 on pump, a IX will make that with less significant mods then a 8 will(MiVec helps) i know for a fact with a good tune a open dump O2 housing and a good set of cams and you can make 400HP on 93 with a stock turbo.... IJS, good luck in your search.

 

Thanks, ive found one viii gsr with 67 thousand miles that is was very well taken care of, hes asking 18k and all 60k maintence has been preformed. Im just sceptical on the IX's because the transmission.