Talk me out of buying an EVO VIII

[PETERPOOP]

Well the seller dropped the price down to my asking price of $18,500. It is a 2005 EVO VIII with the leather/sunroof/premium sound package. It has 33k miles and is stock. Supposedly still under warranty for one more year. It has had the 30k mile service done and it looks pretty good. No scratches or dents, but the front calipers are faded and so are the rears. However, I've learned that is common with the evos (lame). Also, the guy told me that the rear rotors should eventually be changed soon (lame.)

The engine looks kinda dirty but from what I can tell it has been stock since purchased from them (original owners).

However, i've been reading about how the evos suck from the factory. The clutch needs to be fixed pretty much within 50k miles and people have been having problem with the syncros being out of wack. Some have fixed the problem with syncromesh, but most take it back to the dealer and have them fix it. However, since i will only have a year left on the warranty, i'm not too excited about something bad happening to it after the warranty is done. Also i heard people are always getting new transfer case and transmission!

But the car is beautiful, rides awesome, and the power is awesome. I would definately keep this as my forever project car and put future mod money into the evo (sorry yaris). I would also get some nice 18x9.5" SSRs to put on their from garm! ;)

I've got the money for it, but after reading about all the problems with the car that happen when it is still stock, this thing is starting to sound like a money pit.

ARG

ps: I dont care if everyone has an EVO either. So yah, that's not an issue.

[texkid]

I don't know. The things that drove me away is "dirty engine", "supposedly" and "warranty" in the same sentence, and "rotors should be changed soon" on a car that has 33k miles?

I drove my Escort for almost 85,000 miles before the rotors needed to be changed. And I was driving that car like I stole it back when I first had it.

If it was me, PASS. But you're the one with check book, only you can make the call.

[Astroman]

What about insurance costs? Dunno if that is a factor but I remember my insurance was trying to hit me pretty hard when I had my LeBaron GTC. Hit me with a double whammy, convertible, and turbocharged sports car. I got them in the end though, had it down as an extra vehicle with 5,000 miles or less per year.

In my opinion, a car that needs that kind of work now, and other major work soon would deter me even if I had the money or not. I do admire them for their fun factor though.

[SilverBack]

If you still want this car have the guy fix the brake issues if he wants his $18.5K, otherwise drop it down and stand your ground closer to $18K (pads for all 4 wheels and 2 rotors aren't cheap). And as for the tranny issue, I've heard about this problem in the past on Evos. The best you can hope for is that the tranny gives out before the waaranty does.

IMO he's not offering you much promise for your money, so you'll have to play hardball with him. I personally wouldn't accept the deal for anything more than $18K as is. My 2 cents

[Astroman]

That's a good idea for the brakes, make him come down on price, or fix it.

[PETERPOOP]

The thing was, he was asking 22k, but then i got him to 20k. Then I wanted 18k, then he offerred 19,500 to give a break towards the rotors, then now 18,500k. But yah, I think I need to pass on the evo. The evo in general seemed like a great car, but the reality is showing that it has it's flaws; more so than other cars at this point.

thanks guys

[yaris-me]

I think an EVO is a good car to have, if you don't want to spend time or money modifying a car. Since you've been on Yaris World you have spent a lot of time and money modifying your Yaris. If you want a project car, buy a beater and spend your time modifying it the way you like and save money.:thumbsup:

[hatchbackkid82]

EVO is a great car. You want to think about insurance cost. Also maybe it was just me, but having a fast car, makes you want to drive fast. I couldn't just crusie in an EVO all the time:burnrubber:. Parts are another thing to think about, i'm pretty sure you can get insane amounts of hp from an EVO, but parts can get expensive. I personally wouldn't buy cheap parts for an EVO Fuel efficiency is another thing to think about. Good luck with whatever you decide. It's a great car, i would drive one if i could afford the insurance on it.

[Tamago]

you can do better

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=263745035&dealer_id=563583&car_year=2006&doors=&systime=&listingCounter=19&model=LANCERMITS&adModel=LANCERMITS&search_lang=en&style_flag=1&start_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&rdm=1245846148843&drive=All%20wheel%20drive&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&listingPriority=15&keywords_display=&end_year=2010&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&adBodyStyle=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&address=33069&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&adMake=MIT&max_price=&awsp=false&adClassSeries=&make=MIT&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=23

[BailOut]

While I understand the fun factor of an Evo the thought of running around at 17 MPG with gasoline at $3/gallon certainly steals a lot of that fun away. Combine that with the high insurance rates and low reliability and that car is indeed a money pit.

[Tamago]

While I understand the fun factor of an Evo the thought of running around at 17 MPG with gasoline above $3/gallon certainly steals a lot of that fun away. Combine that with the high insurance rates and low reliability and that car is indeed a money pit.

low reliability and low gas mileage relate to driver.. it's possible to get 26mpg in an evo without breaking it ;)

[buddyjim]

Dont buy it... really, dont.

Sorry, I know it was only a half hearted attempt but I havent slept in 30+ hours.

[staticorex]

While I understand the fun factor of an Evo the thought of running around at 17 MPG with gasoline at $3/gallon certainly steals a lot of that fun away. Combine that with the high insurance rates and low reliability and that car is indeed a money pit.

Really? It costs me around $800 more per year to drive my 460hp GTO than my Yaris. And the insurance is cheaper for the GTO too somehow. I see your point but it doesn't really cost that much to have a lot more power and comfort.

Just ran the numbers and it spent $747 more to drive the Pontiac instead of the Yaris last year. Worth it imo.

[KCALB SIRAY]

If it was meant to be driven hard, it was...don't buy

[Tamago]

My recommendation, save the money and turn your Your Yaris into an "Evo Killer"...

More unique and rewarding IMO...

Cheers

how would he go about doing that? :laugh::rolleyes:

[hasher22]

think of your children!

if u dont have any then think of ur future children!

[PETERPOOP]

wow. lots of replies! thanks guys. i'm not too concerned about the insurance, just the car itself.

Tamago: unfortunately the mainland prices of evos don't transfer over here to hawaii. It is sickening to see the low prices of EVOs on the mainland compared to hawaii; especially supras. :P

[cali yaris]

Talk me out of buying an EVO VIII

No.

[Tamago]

wow. lots of replies! thanks guys. i'm not too concerned about the insurance, just the car itself.

Tamago: unfortunately the mainland prices of evos don't transfer over here to hawaii. It is sickening to see the low prices of EVOs on the mainland compared to hawaii; especially supras. :P

move?

[aeipee13]

if that Evo were a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo, I'd say buy it. But, after owning an AWD car and heavily modding it, i would say it's closest to dating a stripper. Fun to drive and expensive to maintain. The attention you get can be both good and bad, depending how you look at it.

see what i mean?
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Lancia-Delta_Integrale_1992_photo_05.jpg

[hatchbackkid82]

Lancia Delta Integrale Evo is money i love those cars too bad we could never get them

[aeipee13]

I saw a couple in Italy, they are seriously the perfect car.

[Tamago]

highly unreliable

[marcus]

i heard mitsu is doing a lifetime warranty nowadays...ooooops are we suppose to keep u out of it..lolz

[aeipee13]

highly unreliable

yeah the lancia is. i meant perfect when running.

[hatchbackkid82]

Yeah that's what i heard to they only come in two conditions; good and bad

highly unreliable

[marcus]

yah i heard them evo all four wheels spins when u drive..i dont know about that..

[toyo]

it might break a lot because people tend to boost it up with no tune, well at least in my country, might break a lot if you take it to the track every weekend lol

so maybe if you treat it right you'll be fine.

ohh wait, it's an evo, no way you're not abussing it

[toyo]

No.

lol

[yarisugi]

Don't do it Ppoop! Don't succumb to the temptation!

[Bob Dog]

30,000 mi on the odometer... my question always is " says who and why should you believe it?".

[Tamago]

Yeah that's what i heard to they only come in two conditions; good and bad

that would be.. bad and worse :laugh:

[blacksandiegovitz]

Do it , DO IT !!!!!

[jinxor]

Evo is a great car... but I reckon your next car should be a RWD...
since you must have perfected the FWD yaris, a rwd should be the road to take... after that jump on the AWD bandwagon...

:)

[YarisSedan]

Get ready to be hit with a insane 60k milage bill. I think on evos at 60k you change spark plugs, wires, timing belt, water pump, exterior drive belts, coolant, transmission fluid, and few other things Items that normally would be serviced at 100k on other vehicles.

[Tamago]

you can do better

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=263745035&dealer_id=563583&car_year=2006&doors=&systime=&listingCounter=19&model=LANCERMITS&adModel=LANCERMITS&search_lang=en&style_flag=1&start_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&rdm=1245846148843&drive=All%20wheel%20drive&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&listingPriority=15&keywords_display=&end_year=2010&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&adBodyStyle=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&address=33069&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&adMake=MIT&max_price=&awsp=false&adClassSeries=&make=MIT&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=23

btw my buddy just bought this car today. i just drove it.


i cannot talk you out of purchasing an evo. try to make it an MR please :)

[PETERPOOP]

btw my buddy just bought this car today. i just drove it.


i cannot talk you out of purchasing an evo. try to make it an MR please :)

it was that good huh?

[yarisugi]

Remember that house you wanted sometime in the near future?...

[PETERPOOP]

haha, true! ahhh

[ddongbap]

low reliability and low gas mileage relate to driver.. it's possible to get 26mpg in an evo without breaking it ;)

With volumetric efficiency, and having a light foot, my friend can pull 300miles out of 1 tank. Tank is only 12 gallons.

Well, thats around 26mpg. But thats when you're hitting the light.

So yea, don't let the turbo and high hp/liter fool you.

[Tamago]

it was that good huh?

spine-tingling good.

[PETERPOOP]

I'm lookin at a 2006 EVO IX with 15k miles now......

[escotric]

Honestly, with a budget of $18,500 and looking to purchase an EVO VIII. I would consider buying a BMW M3. With research and network you could possibly get an M3 for $18k flat.

gs430?

[PETERPOOP]

i prefer the evo. thanks though

[Tamago]

Honestly, with a budget of $18,500 and looking to purchase an EVO VIII. I would consider buying a BMW M3. With research and network you could possibly get an M3 for $18k flat.

gs430?

stay away from an $18,000 M3. it's gonna be your worst nightmare.

[vten]

ok, here's my .02 cents ...

evo vs m3 for $18K...I'll take the evo any day...eventhough you have to fix the brakes, clutch or something minor ... , but an m3 without the extended warranty is a nightmare, I don't know if you guys familiar with an out of warranty euro car ....you'll wish you never bought the car .

I have a w211 E55 AMG, service A would cost you around $500 and the B one would around $1K , Im talking stealership price ...and if ever my brakes fail ...$2K would go buh bye easy....and did I mentioned the cost of header back exhaust for the car ??? $8k .

off course the maintenance cost would be lower if you hire a back yard mechanics, but would you let your " close to 6 digit car" being hauled by a dirty mech ??

I maybe gone overboard ....anyway that's my .02cents ....Buy the evo instead :biggrin:

[Darb]

Talk you out of an EVO VIII?

Alright. (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18484)

[PETERPOOP]

sorry darb, i don't want an automatic. :P

[Darb]

sorry darb, i don't want an automatic. :P

But it's super auto! :laugh: I dunno, I like the flappy paddles.

[Mouse]

Are you gonna keep your yaris?

[marcus]

i was just on the lancer meet last night with 4 evo is there..one red one has one sick wheel offset on it..damn..gorgeous car.

[PETERPOOP]

Are you gonna keep your yaris?

yes

[rob323]

Do some more research on Evo's.
Brembos only fade when tracked.
You need access to a workshop with the right tools to flush the gearbox and diff oils.
And an 8MR is a much better package than an 8, but I would still grab an 8 if the price was right (but then I would still take a 6.5 over any other model anyday, I'm weird like that).

[PETERPOOP]

Do some more research on Evo's.
Brembos only fade when tracked.
You need access to a workshop with the right tools to flush the gearbox and diff oils.
And an 8MR is a much better package than an 8, but I would still grab an 8 if the price was right (but then I would still take a 6.5 over any other model anyday, I'm weird like that).

Actually the guys on evolutionm.net said that fading calipers are a common thing and happen to most/all EVOs, when raced/tracked or not.

[rob323]

My mate's MR has 40 000 kms on it and has never seen a track and the paint on the callipers is perfect.
Early Brembos (on the VI's) faded with age.

[PETERPOOP]

Consider your mate lucky?

[rob323]

Actually, what I said is misleading and I apologise.
I have seen some pink ones on VI's and VII's that have come from Japan, clear coat totally gone and the red faded to a poxy pink colour. I don't know if that is due to salt on the roads or maybe the type of brake dust eating away at the paint.

I have also seen ones that look very dark red to a burnt brown colour. These were on cars that were definately raced frequently.

And my mate is unlucky, his wife drives the MR most of the time and regularly gets a fuel consumption of 10 litres per 100km. Disgusting really.

[Mouse]

If you're gonna keep the yaris then why get an evo? Get a C5 Z06, S2000, or 350Z. Try a Miata for $5000 and drop in a LS2 for another $5000...and you got a car that can handle and haul ass...all while saving yourself $8500.

Have you looked at the Mazdaspeed 6....it got really good reviews on Top Gear.

[PETERPOOP]

If you're gonna keep the yaris then why get an evo? Get a C5 Z06, S2000, or 350Z. Try a Miata for $5000 and drop in a LS2 for another $5000...and you got a car that can handle and haul ass...all while saving yourself $8500.

Have you looked at the Mazdaspeed 6....it got really good reviews on Top Gear.


I don't like corvettes, hondas, and I don't really want a 350z (although I love the deep dish rims you can fit on there).

IDK, but there's something about an EVO that I've always been interested in. I like the AWD and being able to launch out of the hole like a rocket. I'm not into drifting and don't really care for a RWD car. Definately don't want another FWD car.

I don't have the time to do the miata thing. The EVO would have been a slow "project car" that would already have significant power for me.

IDK, we'll see.

The guy with the 06 EVO 9 told me that my offer for him was too low. He told me he went to the bank yesterday to see if it was enough. I guess he hasn't paid it off yet. He's going to see if he can get his asking price and maybe let me know today if he will sell it for my asking price.

[Mouse]

The only mazdaspeed anything that were crap were the MS Protege.