I'll start off by introducing myself as this is my first post here this forum. My name is Chris and I'm from MN. I have been into z32's for about 4 years now and know them pretty much as well as I know the back of my hand. I've personally owned 6 z32's and 2 z31's. I'm now in lookout for a daily driver/power toy and having sold EVO's for almost 2 years now I have fallen in love. I've kept my eyes open since the day i've driven one. That set aside I'm still madly in love with the z32 and will be building another one someday, but for now I want something new. The EVO definately seems to fit the bill.

Being somewhat new to the EVO world. A friend of mine directed me this way and I have a few questions about possibly my first EVO.

Here's the situation.

I have the opportunity to buy an untouched 3600 mile 05 EVO MR. A price tag in the low 20's. It's in showroom condition, with the exception of a few small factory accessories installed. However the it is an Ohio state manufacturer buyback. With myself working at a dealership have accumulated the records and shows that it has had 2 transfer case replacements and continues to still have a whine in the transfer case. After having a master tech here diagnose the vehicle he informs me that the driver side axle/transfer case seal has a leak and that it caused another bearing to go out thus causing the whine. Now he has stated that there is a rip in the seal and that it was probably caused by the last technician installing the last transfer case improperably. So he's installing another transfer case as we speak and inspecting both axles to make sure that the axle wasn't the cause of failure.

I'm not mechanically declined in any shape or form however the EVO's are new turf for me. Seeing that more than likely the problem has been caused from the last technician. Do I make a move on this one because of the price and situation, or do I steer clear and wait for another clean one? I will be getting the 5yr 60,000 mile powertrain warranty with the purchase but I don't want to deal with being without an EVO for long periods of time. I also dont want to deal with dealership service advisors all the time. Upon a carfax report it also clearly states that it is a manufacturer buyback/lemon-law car.

I spoke to the original owner also and he stated they could never correct the problem.

Ideas? Thank you for you time!

-Chris

 

I personally wouldn't buy a car that is tagged a lemon, because they are hard to get rid of when the time comes. If you're patient you can find similar deals from private partys for a car with a clear title.

 

My price of $20800 too as I should have mention instead of low 20's.

 

The only thing i would worry about is if the TC's kept failing because the past owner abused the car and had it heavily modified; than returned it to stock... Oh and never finding the true TC problem, and having the replace the TC every month...

 

The car shows absolutely no sign of abuse. The tires are true. The vehicle looks like new. I spoke to the original owner he said that he had stored it for the winters and took extremely good care of it and even changed the oil at 1000 miles. He also stated that it was his second EVO.

 

Its a great deal on a 05 MR but since its tagged a lemon on carfax it isnt worth crap down the road. Pass it up. Since it has such low miles and stock tires it was probably never modded TC probably did go agian due to poor install but its not worth the car being tagged a lemon.

 

Yea i would def not buy that man...the owner can say one thing, but you know what he really did with the car....or is that only me...lol

 

Evo's are hard enough to sell second hand because everyone thinks the car has been beaten on by the previous owner and they are cheap enough that a lot of people can afford them new. Throw in that it is going to be on it's third TC, is a buy back car, and you will never be able to get much for it. That wouldn't be too much of a problem if you plan on keeping it forever but, if you plan on selling it in a few years I'd steer clear of it.

 

i will tell you my experience:

lemon law doesnt mean bad... only bad if you plan to sell it. my friend just bought a 05 BMW 745i with 11k on the odometer for $38, 000. the car is mint BUT the dealer had it down as a lemon/buy back... why? because the electronic door sensor didnt work and the dealer didnt fix it within the given amount of time in the state of Florida, so the lemon law FORCES the dealer to buy it back at full maximum value. they fixed the problem and sold it to him with the lemon/buy back stamp on the title..

Each state has different lemon laws. But my friend got a STEAL with his beemer and i think you could too with this Evo... its DEFF. a Deal to consider!!

 

I would definitely consider it because of the fact that it could be and most likely driver error. AWD cars are different and if the previous owner did launches like a honda, that would be the culprit.