2003 Evo 8: Restore or Replace?
Jan 10, 2021, 02:02 PM
#1
2003 Evo 8: Restore or Replace?
At a decision point with the Evo. Car has 133,000 miles, and I’ve owned it since new in December 2003. It is bone stock. Trying to decide if I should restore it, or sell it and go with a 2021 STI.
There are a few spots of rust on the car that concern me, see the attached photos. There is one on each rear wheel well, and one on the left side passenger door frame at the back of the door / front of the frame. I assume I can have someone cut all this rust out, and weld in fresh (I have found both used and new quarter panels online) material. Additionally I have a small rust spot on the trunk lid. After getting these fixed, I’d then have a few miscellaneous dents taken out and have the car completely re-sprayed Tarmac Black. I also need to re-clear the wing, and refresh the interior (buy new/used seats or dye the ones I have).
In the last three years, I have replaced the clutch, oil pan, both front wheel assemblies, gas tank and filler neck, and brake lines. Everything but the clutch was largely due to underbody rust after 17 years of winters in Connecticut (By the way, the Evo with snow tires is a beast in the snow). I’ll add that the timing belt, brakes, plugs and wires, and all other routine maintenance items are up to date.
What do you think? Worth investing in? Rough costs to restore with a very good re-spray? Love the car, and money is not too much of an option. I already have this Evo and a new Passat, plus three motorcycles, so I’m not looking to add a third car as I’ve got no garage space for a third, so it’s either restore or replace. Any guesses what repairing rust and re-spray would cost? Any recommendations for shops north of Atlanta, GA, should I choose to go this route?
There are a few spots of rust on the car that concern me, see the attached photos. There is one on each rear wheel well, and one on the left side passenger door frame at the back of the door / front of the frame. I assume I can have someone cut all this rust out, and weld in fresh (I have found both used and new quarter panels online) material. Additionally I have a small rust spot on the trunk lid. After getting these fixed, I’d then have a few miscellaneous dents taken out and have the car completely re-sprayed Tarmac Black. I also need to re-clear the wing, and refresh the interior (buy new/used seats or dye the ones I have).
In the last three years, I have replaced the clutch, oil pan, both front wheel assemblies, gas tank and filler neck, and brake lines. Everything but the clutch was largely due to underbody rust after 17 years of winters in Connecticut (By the way, the Evo with snow tires is a beast in the snow). I’ll add that the timing belt, brakes, plugs and wires, and all other routine maintenance items are up to date.
What do you think? Worth investing in? Rough costs to restore with a very good re-spray? Love the car, and money is not too much of an option. I already have this Evo and a new Passat, plus three motorcycles, so I’m not looking to add a third car as I’ve got no garage space for a third, so it’s either restore or replace. Any guesses what repairing rust and re-spray would cost? Any recommendations for shops north of Atlanta, GA, should I choose to go this route?
Last edited by redcat; Mar 14, 2021 at 05:15 AM.
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driven168 (Jan 10, 2021)
Jan 11, 2021, 10:53 AM
#5
Frame rail in front of the rear subframe mounting bolts are the two most concerning spots on the CT9A chassis. As said above the rear sidemember rails often go as well but are easier to fix. I've seen a lot of different EVOs rust and if your body is that bad I can't imagine what the chassis looks like. Mitsubishi release one of the best JDM cars in the USDM market and did nothing to protect the ungalvanized steel in crucial spots. You'll find undercoat in the middle of the chassis but nothing in the rear. Very poor manufacturing/quality control.
Best of luck
Best of luck
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Jan 27, 2021, 05:25 PM
#6
I'd hold onto it and breathe some life back into it. I bought mine with a Rebuilt Title and plan on restoring it to it's former glory. Also, if you need a Daily I'd suggest the WRX over an STI. I had a '16 STI for a bit and am now dailyb driving a '20 WRX.
Jan 30, 2021, 01:54 PM
#7
I have an appointment next Saturday to bring the car to a restoration shop in my area. I've seen their work, and it is impressive. They do everything from basic mechanicals to full frame-off restorations.
Assuming there is not massive rust elsewhere once we get it on a lift (The rust in the pictures was just under the paint, and there is still much good metal there.), I'll write the shop a big $$$ deposit, and they will pull and paint all trim, repair rust, fix all dents, sand and reclear the wing, and respray the car. I will also talk to an upholstery shop about cleaning and dyeing the seats, or something more drastic to get them refreshed as well. I considered the STI (and also BMW's and Audi's, although getting these in a manual transmission is a real challenge), but for $40K for the higher-end STI's, I decided to reinvest in the Evo. I think if at a later date I do sell it, the work I am having done will increase the value of the car significantly.
If everything goes to plan, I will repost with photos in mid-March.
Assuming there is not massive rust elsewhere once we get it on a lift (The rust in the pictures was just under the paint, and there is still much good metal there.), I'll write the shop a big $$$ deposit, and they will pull and paint all trim, repair rust, fix all dents, sand and reclear the wing, and respray the car. I will also talk to an upholstery shop about cleaning and dyeing the seats, or something more drastic to get them refreshed as well. I considered the STI (and also BMW's and Audi's, although getting these in a manual transmission is a real challenge), but for $40K for the higher-end STI's, I decided to reinvest in the Evo. I think if at a later date I do sell it, the work I am having done will increase the value of the car significantly.
If everything goes to plan, I will repost with photos in mid-March.
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Feb 1, 2021, 06:05 AM
#9
Plan is to keep it. I've done so much on the mechanicals over the last 4 years (some of the routine stuff, and some not so routine, although the car is still completely stock), it would take a lot of bad news this coming Saturday to change the plan.
Very cool. You've got more talent than me. Probably not many of us original owners left. Good luck to you with the refresh, and keep us updated with pictures.
P.S. I also noticed your "Join Date". Probably not many have been hanging around here for 16-17 years either.
Very cool. You've got more talent than me. Probably not many of us original owners left. Good luck to you with the refresh, and keep us updated with pictures.
P.S. I also noticed your "Join Date". Probably not many have been hanging around here for 16-17 years either.
Last edited by redcat; Feb 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM.
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redcat (Feb 24, 2021)
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redcat (Feb 24, 2021)
Feb 19, 2021, 08:27 PM
#15
I think you made the right choice and i love that you're an original owner. Any newer subaru isn't going to be nearly as special as a viii ct9a or even worth as much as time goes on. These cars are aging very well and are about to become even bigger icons. Well worth the restoration and love to see you put it in good hands. Subbed. Very interested in seeing the results.
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redcat (Feb 24, 2021)