sup guys here are my top choices for my first car: a 04 wrx for 18000G, 04 350z for 20000G or a 03 red evo 8 for 21000G. i really like the evo and know it has much potential of all the three. i have heard many things that have made me decide not to get an evo including the clutch,transfer case,etc. are they reliable? what should i be aware of if it were to be my first car? what weaknesses would i need to know on the 03 evos?is the warrenty transferable? the evo im looking at has a warrenty til april and then its over. is it worth getting an extended warrenty? are the mitsubishi dealers really strict on mods unlike subaru?(my bro has a subaru 02 wrx and all the dealerships are mod friendly.) what mods should be aware of once i get used to the car?whats the average they run quarter-mile stock?
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Good gracious, man, that's a lot of questions squished together into one thread. I'll try to answer them:
1) No, the clutch (weak and will probably need to be changed soon after purchase), tranny (synchros go bad, but there's a TSB - only useful if under original warranty), and t-case (known to break easily, especially if abused) are not reliable on the 03.
2) Other weaknesses would be the tire wear (you'll need new tires on a used 03 and again every 15k miles or so - $250/tire for stock Advans), the aforementioned drivetrain parts, and brakes (will need to all be replaced on a used 03).
3) One thing you'd need to know is that the Evo has NEVER BEEN MODDED. I don't mean to see if it no longer has mods, but rather to make sure it has NEVER BEEN MODIFIED AT ALL. I help people on almost a daily basis who have issues related to a previously-modified used Evo that was sorta put back to stock before being sold. Do not touch it for 21k if it's been modified in any way.
4) The warranty is over in April like you said, so although it's transferrable, it's not useful except for the next month or two.
5) I haven't dealt with extended warranties before, but Mitsu is notorious for not honoring warranty claims even on STOCK Evos. Modded Evos usually get kicked right out of the service dept.
6) We have a very well-defined set of mods that are best for a new Evo owner. You can find 2 stages of suggested mods here at EvoTuners, and I also have my own packages that I've developed for the VIIIs and IXs. I don't sell them, but my sponsors do. You can ask me about them via PM.
7) 03/04s are the slowest of the USDM Evos, but they are capable of 13.3-13.4 stock at around 101-102mph. Most people don't accomplish that, though, so you often see high 13s from stock 03s.
1) No, the clutch (weak and will probably need to be changed soon after purchase), tranny (synchros go bad, but there's a TSB - only useful if under original warranty), and t-case (known to break easily, especially if abused) are not reliable on the 03.
2) Other weaknesses would be the tire wear (you'll need new tires on a used 03 and again every 15k miles or so - $250/tire for stock Advans), the aforementioned drivetrain parts, and brakes (will need to all be replaced on a used 03).
3) One thing you'd need to know is that the Evo has NEVER BEEN MODDED. I don't mean to see if it no longer has mods, but rather to make sure it has NEVER BEEN MODIFIED AT ALL. I help people on almost a daily basis who have issues related to a previously-modified used Evo that was sorta put back to stock before being sold. Do not touch it for 21k if it's been modified in any way.
4) The warranty is over in April like you said, so although it's transferrable, it's not useful except for the next month or two.
5) I haven't dealt with extended warranties before, but Mitsu is notorious for not honoring warranty claims even on STOCK Evos. Modded Evos usually get kicked right out of the service dept.
6) We have a very well-defined set of mods that are best for a new Evo owner. You can find 2 stages of suggested mods here at EvoTuners, and I also have my own packages that I've developed for the VIIIs and IXs. I don't sell them, but my sponsors do. You can ask me about them via PM.
7) 03/04s are the slowest of the USDM Evos, but they are capable of 13.3-13.4 stock at around 101-102mph. Most people don't accomplish that, though, so you often see high 13s from stock 03s.
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Evo; hands down, no questions asked.
Dollar for dollar, mod for mod, the Evo will walk the WRX every time.
I have 15,000 miles plus on mine and no problems. I'm not worried about the warranty and a dealership hasn't even touched the car since it left the lot. If anything breaks, its getting upgraded anyway. It just has to be modded right and well maintained. I got 150,000 miles plus out of my modded 2g GS-T so I have faith in :dsm: . It looks like you have a 1g GSX so you know the routine.
Dollar for dollar, mod for mod, the Evo will walk the WRX every time.
I have 15,000 miles plus on mine and no problems. I'm not worried about the warranty and a dealership hasn't even touched the car since it left the lot. If anything breaks, its getting upgraded anyway. It just has to be modded right and well maintained. I got 150,000 miles plus out of my modded 2g GS-T so I have faith in :dsm: . It looks like you have a 1g GSX so you know the routine.
greatly appreciate the input and help on everything. so pretty much your saying if i get an evo i have to get all new parts (t-case $3000,clutch,synchros,brakes,and tires.) thats alot of work bro. i think ill still go take a look at it tho and check all the compression tests and everything checked out.
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You don't have to get all new parts. It depends how hard they were, or are, beat on.ncon4t said:
Even if the car was driven easy the "wear item" parts (clutch, brake pads, tires) will be something to look at. I drove the snot out of my 03, but I never dropped the clutch on it... my transmision shifted smoth and I didn't have any issues at all with the transfer case or any other drivetrain parts. I had mine professionaly put back to stock by Dan Buschur of Buschur Automotive (instalation division of Buschur Racing) but even after professional restoration to stock it probably would not have been the best purchase due to the heavy load the stock bottom end was shouldering under my heavy right footncon4t said:
Keith
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We can't estimate that for you. Insurance is not really based on the year Evo you get so much as it is based on you, your age, your record, your insurance company, and where you live. The "red" part is usually the highest insurance, but I don't know how much it really makes a difference. You should just call around for quotes...ncon4t said:
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There are staged upgrade guides on this site. Just go to the tech section and look for them. I also have my own idea of what's best on a stock Evo VIII as far as getting the most power for the least money, so you can PM me if you want to hear about it.ncon4t said:
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