I wanted to take some time to talk about my car.

I get so sick of people that find every flaw they can and then going online and *****ing about it for days on end. We hardly ever hear about how great the car is and I think that is just sad. If this site is for Mitsubishi enthusiasts, then why do we only complain?

First off, let me explain how I maintain my car.

When I picked up the car, it had 8 miles on it. I followed the factory break-in procedures religously. No hard cornering, no high revs.....I didn't even take it over 3,500 RPM until after 250 miles, and even then I kept it under 4,500 RPM's until 750. At 750, I figured that the turbo had been spun enough that any internal self-clearance issues had been taken care of, so I started running it a little harder. I would take the car at WOT up to 6,000 RPM every now and then, just to make sure the boost would come alive and really start to enjoy the car. At 800 miles, I had the oil changed. I wanted them to inspect it for metal shavings or any other foreign deposits. They said it was good to go - no problems - and that I need to really start enjoying the car. At 3,750 miles I changed the oil again, using the Pit Pass schedule. At 6,500 miles, the transmission, transfer case, and differentials were drained and refilled. Again, the fluids were inspected for contaminants. No worries. I guess all those posts of bearing wear and gear shavings were isolated incidents. They also did the work for the ECU wiring "recall" at this time. At 7,500 miles, the oil was changed again under the Pit Pass program. My tires are rotated at every oil change (except for the 800 mile change). The last time I had it serviced, I had them check the tread depth. I can't remember what the actual depth was, but they said it was about 2/3 of what I had when brand new and they were really supprised they were lasting this long. They also said my brakes looked to be holding up really good and there were no signs or warpage.


Now let me explain how I drive it:

I never launch the car, when I take off from a stop, I always keep the RPM's under 1,500. The clutch is all the way extended BEFORE I get on the gas. There is no need to slip the clutch like an idiot. When changing gears, I make sure that I am completely off the throttle before pressing the clutch pedal. With the hard intake pipe and conical air filter on my car, you can hear the bypass valve open before I press in the clutch. When I shift gears, either up or down, I always speed match the RPM's. Once again, there is no need to slip the clutch nor is there a need to drop the clutch at the wrong engine speed. I have never missed a gear and I never grind the synchros. I shift fast, but there is no need to yank the **** out of the shifter just to get it to go into second with that horrible "second gear grind" that everyone complains about. I have been in a friend's Evo when he did this and it is something that I never want to hear in my car. The clutch line is still rubber and the restrictor is still in place. When I brake, I always leave the car in gear, downshifting and bliping the throttle when the RPM's get too low for compression braking to have any more use in that particular gear. THe motor is always warmed up for about 5 to 10 minutes in the morning before driving and always timed after every drive before shutting it down. Do I baby the car? No. I run it hard through the gears almost every day at least once. The car has seen over 7,000 RPM's on countless occasions but I have never hit fuel cut. I do a fair share of hard cornering and have even stepped the back end out of line a few times just to feel the car slide.

I have never had a complaint about this car. It always does exactly what I want it to do. If the paint is too thin for you: get it repainted. Mitsubishi paint has always been sub-par compared to other makes. Besides, the thin paint is weight reduction, right? If you don't like the plastic interior: too bad - It's a Japanese car. If the ride is too stiff: sorry - it was built for rigidness. If the car gets poor gas mileage: learn how to drive - the throttle is not an on / off switch. If you are hearing all kinds of rattles, squeaks, and vibrations: remove the baby toys, mice, and your mom's purse from the car before driving.

This car is a $30,000 car that can outperform almost every car on the road. The fact that it does it with comfortable seating for 5 makes it even more appealing. After all, I can't remember the last time I was able to get a Toyota Camry to 4 wheel power slide. I love driving this car.

If we continue *****ing about our cars and never talking about all the good things that they can do, then what are potential buyers going to think? More importantly, Mitsu will look at us like a bunch of babies who are ungrateful. Hell, I remember back when everyone on tha Talon Digest used to say they would give up vital organs if Mitsu would just bring the Evo over to the US. Now that it is here, everyone just complains. Now, don't take this post the wrong way. I am sure there are some isolated incidents out there of legitimate warranty claim. For those of you who have real problems, hopefully you will find a resolution.

I am simply stating how I have treated my car and the joys that I get from driving it. This car is great and I am happy as **** to be fortunate enough to own one.

Now, warranties.....Here is my view on them. You modify, you void. However, you should only void the parts that the modification can be proven to cause premature wear on. There should be no "Master Void" button that they press to completely void your drivetrain warranty just because you install a turbo timer or smemthing. This is more of a business ethics concern than a driver's concern. I think Mitsu is just trying to cover their ***. If people didn't try to get stupid **** fixed under warranty (partially due to this and other forums) then they wouldn't have to worry about having such an aggressive stance with the warranty work. We have let the bickering go so far that now people probably take cars in to dealerships and say "I don't know why my clutch failed at 2,500 miles. There was this guy on an internet forum who said that he launched his car about 30 times and his clutch never wore out. I only did it 10 times and now mine is gone. I think you should warranty it." Sounds stupid, but I bet someone out there reading this has done that. You don't have to reply, you know who you are.

I am going to get off my soapbox now. For all of you who want to complain about my post, feel free. For all the people who agree, please answer up so that I can see that I am not the only one. This is open to public discussion. I am just sick of people ONLY complaining and never praising. Do you want Mistu to take you car back? Is it that much of a trouble for you to keep running? Let's hear it.

Alright, I'm done for now.

 

I'm with you. I feel bad for those that have had 'real' problems and been given the run around by Mitsu, but my car hasn't let me down in any way in 8000 hard miles. I would buy another one without even thinking twice.

 

I am happy that you car is holding up well at 7500 miles. And while I would think most people that know how to drive are having similar results I am more concerned about long term like 3 or four years. In my mind a car should not have any problems the first year. I have had four hondas since 92 and none of them have any problems at all. I also think that a crappy paint job is no excuse at any cost. I love the way the Evo looks and drives but am a little scared of the long term.

 

GREAT POST and here is why. I track my car a good amount of time, not drag racing road racing and I know that if something craps out I will pay for it. I don't understand these people that think mistu is dumb. You have people looking at your car that do this all day everyday and you don't think they can tell if you drive it hard or have been to the track? I think the MAIN problem is most people who goto the track do not have then money to fix the car if something craps out and are screwed if it happens that is why they are so pissed off. I love this car more then my $80,000 NSX. This car rocks and after getting a ride in a modded evo the power curve is UNREAL. It's like a damn race car for the street with AC and a cd player. I love the dash it does what it was designed to do. I hated the DAMN AC in my NSX and the POS Bose system. This car is perfect and if you want something that has no problems get a damn NSX, want to get 330-350 to the wheels in the NSX spend 10,000 on the comptech supercharger don't have the money then STOP *****ing or get a accord. ALso this is funny as hell "If you are hearing all kinds of rattles, squeaks, and vibrations: remove the baby toys, mice, and your mom's purse from the car before driving."lolrof

 

I think it will be okay long term, I am ready to repaint the car if it needs it as well as getting any motor work done or a new one if needed. If you are looking for something good for 5+ years stick with the hondas. This car is new and my paint is great! I use zaino on it so far 2 times and have had it for 4 months.

 

This has been discussed many times before, on many other car forums. Everyone doesn't complain. The ones who complain carry a louder voice to others. We members represent a small percentage of owners, and from this, there is an even smaller percentage who have problems.

 

I’m with you guys. 3500+ miles on mine and not a problem. The Evo has great performance for the money. You have to jump another $10k or $15k in price (the STi is probably the closest) to get a car that will do what this one will do. Where can you find affordable performance like this and still have the car be a daily driver? I personally think it is a good looking car, too. My friend who drives a nice Z3 stated that he was amazed by how many people where staring at us while going down the road. The 50+ year old guy at McDonalds this afternoon complimented me on how nice the car was. I get compliments a few times a week from total strangers. It happens all the time.

I think some of the problem is that a performance car is not going to behave like your standard car and this caught some folks out. The Evo will not have all the goodies of a luxury car either, but we all knew this going in. I believe some people bought the name while not understanding what came along with it. I read the owner’s manual and the WARRANTY and it all seemed fairly clear. The Evo needs special attention in order to last, but if you take care of it, it should take care of you.

For those of you who have cars with such horrible problems, then maybe you should sell it, or get the Lemon law to work for you, and get something that gives you less heart burn.

Best wishes,
f86sabre

 

excellent post, every car has there problems,
evolution is an awesome car, Only problems i have had is 5th gear and 5th gear synchro went out the 3rd week i owned it with 2400 miles on the odometer, and i had a seat frame replaced,from the fabric pulling apart from the frame.,(common on passenger car recaros)other then that, no complaints, Clutch is still perfect after 12,000 miles, and I havent babied my car the whole time ive owned it, its been driven hard on occasion, the way it was meant to be driven, and done everything ive asked of it.

Kyle M.

 

Like I have said before, I have owned two seperate Eclipse GSX's. THe first one went up to 140,000 miles or so (and about $5,000 in aftermarket parts) before I sold it. The second one had 92,000 on the odometer (and about $8,000 in aftermarket parts on it). I never had either of these cars in the shop for any repair work. Well, I did have to change the front driveshafts twice on the second one, along with the center differential....but I was being stupid. Drag racing and doing 6,000 RPM clutch sidesteps for fun will do some damage, especially with an ACT 2600 in place.

I got what I deserved when I had to change the parts on that car. I abused it, I paid for it. Other than that, I never had a problem with either of them.

I think the Evo will be similar. Treat it well and it will be there for you. Keep in mind that these cars are maintenance heavy, but they are worth it. I don't know many people who drive Lambo's that can't afford maintenance on them. I also don't know many people who drive Ford Excursions who can't afford $300 or more a month in gas. It comes with the territory.

Enjoy the car and keep all your worries in the same place as you keep the competition: The rearview mirror.

 

hehe.. Your post mirrored my rant in another post earlier today! Good job.. At least I know others feel the same way..

 

Agreed, I have 1300 miles on my car in only 2.5 weeks. It has its minor nuances; any car does. I love it, and it is a helluva car for the $$$.

 

No problems here either. 3100 miles.

 

outstanding post!!!!

 

i havent had mine for a long time , barly hitting 500 miles on it . I love the car , i have had other vehicles that have been completely modified and that gave you problems or required a lot of maintance .
The Evo hasnt even seen pass 5k , and before 300miles it barly saw 4000rpms . To be honest this is the first car that is new that i have baby this way. It reminds me of my previous project , went i had the bottom end built and had to break it in for 1000 miles .
It seems odd that it requires all this attention from the beginning , but is worth it once you have pass the first 1k miles on it . Each day im impress with the car , the way it handles and how it attends to come to live on the rpms . I can wait to go pass 6k rpms but i must wait for the proper breaking period. Most peeps forget that launching an AWD from a stand point attends to hurt the drivetrain . I use to drag race a lot (at the track ) with my previous project and bosted an axle , 4 times the clutch (running slicks can do some damage) is all part of drag racing .
Im glad that mitsu brough the car to the states (since we have miss so many) and everything from factory is great no needs for swaps or huge upgrades ... Mitsu gets 2 thumbs up !!!

 

12,600 miles with HKS downpipe, cat-back, RS intake, Apex'i AFC, and turbo timer. i drive hard and fast but just never any high RPM launches. clutch is holding just fine.

having lots of rock chips on the front bumper and engine hood. but thats only because the car is accelerating fast most of the time

having rattles coming from both drivers and passengers side. but with the windows down, sound of the turbo + 'pshhhhhh' of the BOV + the exhaust note will make u forget all.