Thanks. I like them, but they’re set up for the track so I need to readjust, raise a bit, realign.

Man, please PM me on this. I have no back seats and would love to get some. I imagine shipping would be brutal, though.

Moved on? Try other things? If it’s any consolation, I don’t owe anything on this or any car.

 

Congrats man!

Interested to hear your thoughts on it after you've played with it awhile, especially compared to the other vehicles you've had in the meantime.

You think you'll keep this one awhile?

 

Call me crazy, I prefer a lot of things about the X:
-It’s the only US Evo to keep its SAYC.
-The X Recaros are infinitely better.
-The overall fit and finish of the X is higher.
-The 4B11 head easily outflows the 4G63 head.

I like all Evos, but at the time, the X made a little more sense. This one was a deal from a friend, and I couldn’t pass it up.

Thank you!
Enjoying it so far. These cars are visceral in a way newer cars can’t dream of being. But that definitely comes at a cost.

The only thing I would get rid of it for at this point is an Evo V or VI. I would even consider letting the R go for an X and cash if the right stock low mileage one appeared.

 

It was rhetorical. More about the common theme where previous owners, after years pass, end up in another evo in the end. Congrats on the purchase once again. She looks clean!

 

Thank you, good sir. I sure wish I’d have kept my Electric Blue IX. That is definitely the car I never should’ve let go.

 

Any plans to sell that roll bar?

 

I’ll have to cut it out, rendering it worthless. It’s welded.

 

I would say I am an atypical US Evo owner. The things most value are things I don't like at all.
Most Evos for sale in the eastern half in the US are in the snow belt and are rusted to death. They also have giant turbos, built engines, and bodies that are in terrible shape.

This car isn't that, it's built for the track, not the strip, but the things I didn't like 20 years ago about modded Evos probably need to go on this car.

I ordered and have the back seats on the way, and a quieter exhaust as well. But I'm at a crossroads. Do I put a lot more time and effort into this car, or do I sell it and move to a more stock IV or V?

The things I don't like about this car so far are the heavy ACT clutch, cams, and catless exhaust. These all effect drivability, and make these cars a miserable car to use in the city or actually drive them on the street.

Anyway, if I hang on to this one, it is probably getting a stock clutch, cams, GESI cat. It could also use a new front bumper. It's not super far from what it needs to be, but just wondering if it's worth it to do the work, or just trade for another?

 

Coming from a place where there are lots of evo 1-6s I can definitively say id NEVER trade any ct9a for them, the thought of it is just crazy to me. Having driven the iv and the v, here is my take. They are "pre-peak" evos. Comparable to an r31/32 gtr vs the later but not too late r33/r34 gtr's. That's how they were seen in Canada at least. The usa couldn't get them until now and I feel like they're expecting something really cool or a time capsule to take them back to the the 90s, while they do achieve this, they're nowhere near capable or as attractive aesthetically (imo) as the ct9a. I have to stress the aesthetics are just my thing as that's something everyone views as different depending on your taste in styling but in person the cp9a are literally just a mirage chassis, the 5/6 just added over fenders. Now if that's what you prefer, then go for it. I don't want to dissuade you. If the evo 4-6 is what you want, its definitely a worthy car to add to the collection but trading your viii? Not unless there is significant cash on top.

You found a clean evo 8 and that's very rare find these days, if we are talking evo 6.5, for collector purposes. I could see a trade justified, however the ct9a will be more special in the future. Anyway take my words for what you will, or don't. I'm also an atypical ct9a owner in north America. My performance goals match with that of the UK/Japan, with early 2000's period correct styling and parts. A responsive, light weight street car. Big numbers, huge turbos and drag racing at the strip are not my thing.

 

I don’t disagree with you on principle, but the bolded word above is where the choice becomes more tricky.

If you scroll way back on the front page of the site, I drove a CP9A Tommi Makinen for an article. I think you’re completely right about the CN9A IV- No Brembos, narrow body with 205 series rubber, and little hope for more. It’s a nostalgia trip at best.

I also don’t disagree with you about the CT9A being better- but here’s the rub- the US spec cars are heavily neutered. Especially the 2003: Viscous center, open front differential, stripped of its SAYC. The 6.5 TME I drove was a lot more exciting car than a US spec CT9A, especially with AYC induced rotation.

While the CP9A is just a Mirage, the CT9A is just a Cedia. As far as aesthetics, I’m throwing that into the “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” camp. To my eyes, the V and VI are a super aggressive looking/take no prisoners design, and the best looking Evos ever made.

Getting these back seats in, cage cut out, a better feeling clutch, stock cams, and some time with an extractor will go a very long way toward making this a much better car. It needs a little body and mechanical work as well. The time and money to complete the task are a bit daunting. The fact that there is no rust underneath this car is the one thing that is going to probably keep it in my garage longterm, however.

I very much appreciate your opinion and weighing in. I’m accustomed to sprinting with tasks, so a marathon project is going to be a character test for me.

 

ANY may be a stretch and there are obviously exceptions, agree 99 percent with you man, the aesthetics are probably the only "disagreement" but that's totally personal so its not really a disagreement. Very true about us spec 2003 ct9a's. They definitely got neutered, the dinosaur diff is hard to get passed and based on the type of owner you seem to be (wanting things more stock but also track ready) the 5-6.5 would also be a right choice. Awesome you got to drive the 6.5 tme! Must be a very different experience, they're also a huge leap in styling. Love the aggressive front end and updated look. In red they look absolutely stunning, which is why I made the exception of seeing a trade justified for such a car.

As for the viii no rust is definitely a keeper in my mind. If it were up to me id say get both if its possible .. Anyway keep us updated I will be watching this thread for those updates and how you like the car after they're complete/the next steps. Glad to see a loyal lover in another ct9a after so long.

 

Picked up some stock wheels with all seasons. Sold the IX front seats and got VIII front and rear seats (Thanks so much RallySport9 for selling me the rears!)
I did some more interior freshening up with a small steam cleaner and 30 minutes with an Ozone machine.

Going to see my dad over Thanksgiving, we are going to cut out the cage and put the back seats in.
Also going to fix the non-working temperature knob, raise it up a bit in the rear, and get an alignment.

More to come...

 

These look so good on the stock 8 wheels. As far as what you were saying earlier with debating what to do, I'd hold onto it if money isn't an issue and just return to stock/stockish. These cars are the most fun when there's light upgrades and no serious mods to detract from drivability and reliability.

Within 5 years, clean examples will be worth substantially more than they already are IMO. I'd consider it an actual investment for now.

 

Had a minor mishap with a curb and it set me back.

Thankfully I was able to fix everything myself. The older Mishimoto IC and lower pipe got dinged, so I took advantage of a Black Friday deal and grabbed the larger Mishimoto race IC and their lower IC pipe.

The KW v3s have about 30k and the main take away from the curb strike was a bent rod on one of the front struts. Instead of putting it down for weeks to have them rebuilt, I decided to just pop for Ohlins.

My daughter and I got those built and installed last week. We got the car on the alignment rack and the toe was way out. Once the shop got the car aligned well, it’s driving great again!

I had hoped to have the cage out and back seats in already over Thanksgiving, but life throws you curve ***** sometimes.

The new IC is nice and together with cooler autumn weather, the car pulls hard.

I’m hoping we can put a big dent in this project over Christmastime.

 

Cage is mostly out. Back seats in!