Sp00led Ya

I am going to be buying an EVO when I get back from training in the fall and it must be used to fit my budget. I can swing about $23,000 and no more for the car because I plan to put between $8-10,000 down. I am going to school next year as well so the only way for me to afford the car and go to school is to budget myself on the EVO I go for. I want to be as safe bet as I can when buying one of these cars used and I was wondering weather it would be smarter to go with a 2003 or 2004 and just make sure it was taken care of and gone through a check up, or if I should go with a 2005 RS that has been taken care of and gone through a check up. The reason why I put the RS into the equaltion is because I can't afford a 2005 GSR, even in the fall with the right mileage and condition so the RS is a way for me to get into an 05 if it is indeed that much more worth it reliability wise and performance wise.

I was told by a few people that the 03 and 04's had problems with the transmission often regardless of abuse or no abuse, they make about 20-25WHP less than the 05's according to Wartalon as well as not having quite a few other features. My main concern is reliability, I want to own this car with as few possible problems as can be, I plan on light mods (Buschur S1 or S2 kit) and some cosmetics and that is it, I will drive it like it is meant to be driven however I will refrain from all stupid acts with the car, AWD burnout, launches, gung hoe power shifting... etc. I just really hope my EVO ownership isn't going to be a nightmare like some have had and was wondering if you guys though owning a 2005 RS (with all the stuff it doesn't have) is worth going with over a 2003 or 2004 for the sake of reliability? Thanks all.



(Not to mention, more colors )

ashton13

05 RS if you can find one...

jasonc32amg

iTrader: (2)

I'd say the '05 RS, but I'm partial to that model. The front diff. and larger hotside plus
ACD are worthwhile plus it's lighter. If the wing and creature comforts are more important then look at the 03/04. All of the years are good cars...

Sp00led Ya

Well I am thinking of which car is going to treat me better, not neccessarily the features besides dealing with the RS, what it doesn't have for the sake of reliability. Or are the 05's not significantly more reliable because an 03 or 04 would be easier to find as well

bigfishs

iTrader: (5)

Dont buy an used evo if you dont have a good amount of spare cash to put into it. You might be lucky and get a good one, but you are just as likely to get one that will go wrong on you. It could break your heart and your wallet.

Maintenance costs are high too, syn oil, pads, rotors, tires, tranny and diff fuid changes all tend to be pretty pricey, albeit less so if you do the work yourself

Save the cash, get a beater. When the time is right, get a 09 RS on 0 financing or wait for a IX.

If you do get a used one, get the VIN before hand and have some employee on here run it for you to make sure there are no warrenty restrictions on it.

Goodluck

jasonc32amg

iTrader: (2)

From a reliability perspective get the lowest mile, latest year, with the most complete service records from the most responsible owner...

bigfishs

iTrader: (5)

Oh and the 03/04's dont have 20-25whp less than the 05's, its prolly more like 10-15 whp.

Sp00led Ya

How about a complete service record 03-04 that checks out for no warrantee restrictions, seemingly responsible 1 owner stock car? Are the 03 04's that tricky? I would assume anyone who buys an RS would buy it TO drive hard, usually it's the car people buy specifically for the track.

nudge120

iTrader: (2)

I say go with the 05 RS if reliability is your biggest issue.