Want a used EVO, what 2 check?
Aug 23, 2007, 08:16 AM
#17
Drive the car for more than 10 minutes. If you are seriously considering purchasing the car you should take it for an hour drive. If the dealer turns into an ****-hat find another dealer or put some good faith money down to prove you aren't simply joy riding.
Just because an EVO has been tracked doesn't make it a bad purchase. These cars were designed to driven and most drivers take very good care of their car. Even a weekend warrior should last for 150k miles.
Long story short.... you check the things that will cost you the most money to replace.
Here is what I would do:
1. Engine cold - Check antifreeze for any signs of oil or milky white substance that would indicate a head gasket problem. Also check the oil for any signs of coolant. The overflow tank is always a good place to do a quick inspection.
2. Check for signs of leaks. If you see any kind of spotting under the car from oil or water you may want to track down the source of the spotting.
3. When test driving the car drive it hard. Find an unpopulated area and run through the gears at redline. Make sure the car shifts smoothly without grinding and make sure the clutch holds. Another good test is to get into fourth gear at 2k rpm and stand on the gas till redline. Make sure the car doesn't sputter and the clutch holds.
4. Check the tires for wear and balance and verify alignment. Tires are expensive to replace. Especially advans. Make sure they have even wear and are a good brand. Take the car to 85 to verify no wobbles or pulling.
5. Ensure brakes are not warped. Three or four hard stops from 60-30 as well as one hard stop from 85-30 should do the trick.
6. The transfer case is the number one problem on 03-04 cars. Make sure it doesn't have the whine of death. Take someone that already owns an EVO with you if you can. They should be able to notice if something isn't right.
7. Look at the overall condition of the car. If it looks rough it probably wasn't maintained like it should have been. Most EVO owners that care will not let the outside look like the inside of an outdoor **** house. One of the most noticable things is curb rash. If all the wheels have rash odds are its been neglected. Also look at the overall interior. Most people don't care enough about the recaros to not eat taco bell while driving. If there are happy stains on the seats that could indicate a dirt bag owner.
8. Lastly don't over look the little things. Make sure all the lights work. Make sure the washer and wipers work. Check each lock to ensure the key works. Check the glass for chips or cracks.
DEFINATELY CHECK TO SEE IF THE CARS WARRANTY HAS BEEN VOIDED.
Just because an EVO has been tracked doesn't make it a bad purchase. These cars were designed to driven and most drivers take very good care of their car. Even a weekend warrior should last for 150k miles.
Long story short.... you check the things that will cost you the most money to replace.
Here is what I would do:
1. Engine cold - Check antifreeze for any signs of oil or milky white substance that would indicate a head gasket problem. Also check the oil for any signs of coolant. The overflow tank is always a good place to do a quick inspection.
2. Check for signs of leaks. If you see any kind of spotting under the car from oil or water you may want to track down the source of the spotting.
3. When test driving the car drive it hard. Find an unpopulated area and run through the gears at redline. Make sure the car shifts smoothly without grinding and make sure the clutch holds. Another good test is to get into fourth gear at 2k rpm and stand on the gas till redline. Make sure the car doesn't sputter and the clutch holds.
4. Check the tires for wear and balance and verify alignment. Tires are expensive to replace. Especially advans. Make sure they have even wear and are a good brand. Take the car to 85 to verify no wobbles or pulling.
5. Ensure brakes are not warped. Three or four hard stops from 60-30 as well as one hard stop from 85-30 should do the trick.
6. The transfer case is the number one problem on 03-04 cars. Make sure it doesn't have the whine of death. Take someone that already owns an EVO with you if you can. They should be able to notice if something isn't right.
7. Look at the overall condition of the car. If it looks rough it probably wasn't maintained like it should have been. Most EVO owners that care will not let the outside look like the inside of an outdoor **** house. One of the most noticable things is curb rash. If all the wheels have rash odds are its been neglected. Also look at the overall interior. Most people don't care enough about the recaros to not eat taco bell while driving. If there are happy stains on the seats that could indicate a dirt bag owner.
8. Lastly don't over look the little things. Make sure all the lights work. Make sure the washer and wipers work. Check each lock to ensure the key works. Check the glass for chips or cracks.
DEFINATELY CHECK TO SEE IF THE CARS WARRANTY HAS BEEN VOIDED.
Aug 23, 2007, 08:35 AM
#18
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Drive the car for more than 10 minutes. If you are seriously considering purchasing the car you should take it for an hour drive. If the dealer turns into an ****-hat find another dealer or put some good faith money down to prove you aren't simply joy riding.
Just because an EVO has been tracked doesn't make it a bad purchase. These cars were designed to driven and most drivers take very good care of their car. Even a weekend warrior should last for 150k miles.
Long story short.... you check the things that will cost you the most money to replace.
Here is what I would do:
1. Engine cold - Check antifreeze for any signs of oil or milky white substance that would indicate a head gasket problem. Also check the oil for any signs of coolant. The overflow tank is always a good place to do a quick inspection.
2. Check for signs of leaks. If you see any kind of spotting under the car from oil or water you may want to track down the source of the spotting.
3. When test driving the car drive it hard. Find an unpopulated area and run through the gears at redline. Make sure the car shifts smoothly without grinding and make sure the clutch holds. Another good test is to get into fourth gear at 2k rpm and stand on the gas till redline. Make sure the car doesn't sputter and the clutch holds.
4. Check the tires for wear and balance and verify alignment. Tires are expensive to replace. Especially advans. Make sure they have even wear and are a good brand. Take the car to 85 to verify no wobbles or pulling.
5. Ensure brakes are not warped. Three or four hard stops from 60-30 as well as one hard stop from 85-30 should do the trick.
6. The transfer case is the number one problem on 03-04 cars. Make sure it doesn't have the whine of death. Take someone that already owns an EVO with you if you can. They should be able to notice if something isn't right.
7. Look at the overall condition of the car. If it looks rough it probably wasn't maintained like it should have been. Most EVO owners that care will not let the outside look like the inside of an outdoor **** house. One of the most noticable things is curb rash. If all the wheels have rash odds are its been neglected. Also look at the overall interior. Most people don't care enough about the recaros to not eat taco bell while driving. If there are happy stains on the seats that could indicate a dirt bag owner.
8. Lastly don't over look the little things. Make sure all the lights work. Make sure the washer and wipers work. Check each lock to ensure the key works. Check the glass for chips or cracks.
DEFINATELY CHECK TO SEE IF THE CARS WARRANTY HAS BEEN VOIDED.
Just because an EVO has been tracked doesn't make it a bad purchase. These cars were designed to driven and most drivers take very good care of their car. Even a weekend warrior should last for 150k miles.
Long story short.... you check the things that will cost you the most money to replace.
Here is what I would do:
1. Engine cold - Check antifreeze for any signs of oil or milky white substance that would indicate a head gasket problem. Also check the oil for any signs of coolant. The overflow tank is always a good place to do a quick inspection.
2. Check for signs of leaks. If you see any kind of spotting under the car from oil or water you may want to track down the source of the spotting.
3. When test driving the car drive it hard. Find an unpopulated area and run through the gears at redline. Make sure the car shifts smoothly without grinding and make sure the clutch holds. Another good test is to get into fourth gear at 2k rpm and stand on the gas till redline. Make sure the car doesn't sputter and the clutch holds.
4. Check the tires for wear and balance and verify alignment. Tires are expensive to replace. Especially advans. Make sure they have even wear and are a good brand. Take the car to 85 to verify no wobbles or pulling.
5. Ensure brakes are not warped. Three or four hard stops from 60-30 as well as one hard stop from 85-30 should do the trick.
6. The transfer case is the number one problem on 03-04 cars. Make sure it doesn't have the whine of death. Take someone that already owns an EVO with you if you can. They should be able to notice if something isn't right.
7. Look at the overall condition of the car. If it looks rough it probably wasn't maintained like it should have been. Most EVO owners that care will not let the outside look like the inside of an outdoor **** house. One of the most noticable things is curb rash. If all the wheels have rash odds are its been neglected. Also look at the overall interior. Most people don't care enough about the recaros to not eat taco bell while driving. If there are happy stains on the seats that could indicate a dirt bag owner.
8. Lastly don't over look the little things. Make sure all the lights work. Make sure the washer and wipers work. Check each lock to ensure the key works. Check the glass for chips or cracks.
DEFINATELY CHECK TO SEE IF THE CARS WARRANTY HAS BEEN VOIDED.
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