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Some advise on buying an evo VIII

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Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:05 PM
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Some advise on buying an evo VIII

Test drove a nice one today, and to be honest I really like it. It isn't without its issues, but overall it's a clean 03 with low miles -> 32K

The good.
>Low miles
>clean exterior
>clean interior
>relatively stock

The bad:
>Buscher exhaust is WAY too loud, will need to track down a stocker
>Tein springs much too harsh for my intended driving, but he has stock springs I will reinstall if I buy it.
>short throw shifter is next to impossible to use in a relaxed manner
>has had paint work done.... the really bad, it doesn't show on carfax, so who knows what really happened. The owner was shocked to hear this, but my brother is a bodyman and pointed out the mud via pin holes and the paint work via tape lines and over spray on the trim. The work isn't bad, decent actually, but it is there.

>The extent of work is the rear doors and rear quarters. Some mud work done on RHS rear quarter.

>there is an evap code causing a CEL -> P0466

------------------------------------------------------------------

In the end, I don't think I will find a cleaner car, depsite the paint work, especially not locally. I want to make a fair offer on the car, looking for thoughts and opinions on what the car is worth. I have my ideas, but looking for more knowledgeable input

here are specifics on the mods:
Cosmetic:
Factory Enkei wheels powdercoated "Black Chrome"
Factory HID headlights w/ housings painted "Black Chrome" to match wheels
Evolution VII tail lights
Carbon fiber exhaust sheild
RalliART hood vent
Evolution VIII factory door sill plates
Windows tinted legal limit & windsheild visor strip

Sound:
Kenwood Head Unit
Aftermarket (have to check what brands) front & rear speakers

Performance:
HKS 272 intake & exhaust cams
ARP head studs
Walboro 255 fuel pump
Hallman manual boost control
HKS mega superflow intake
Factory turbo w/ ported 10.5 hotside (ported by Buschur Racing)
Factory ported exhaust manifold (ported by Buschur Racing)
Factory ported O2 housing (ported by Buschur Racing)
Buschur Racing 3" turbo back exhaust system
Upper & Lower intercooler hard piping kit
Oddessey mini battery w/ custom battery holder
Tein lowering springs
Rear trunk bar
RMR lower arm brace
MR blow off valve
S-AFC II
B&M short shift kit w/ stablizer bushings
Apex'i boost guage
RalliART red radiator shroud
Weapon R catch can

Last edited by Zivman; Sep 19, 2010 at 04:07 PM.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:12 PM
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I would pass, but it's your cash.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by mnauelg1702
I would pass, but it's your cash.
because of the paint or mods?

my brother looked it over pretty well, and no panels have been replaced. 99.9% of people would not know there was any work done. The paint doesn't scare me 'if' the price is right.

the question is, what is the right price?
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:15 PM
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Wow.... That dude HAD drove that car pretty hard too have all that done to it... I would rather get a stock evo and do what I wanted to do instead of going to another persons work.

Price....I could not even give u an estimate. But I would say don't get it.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:16 PM
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The paint more than the mods. How does she feel when you drive her.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by mnauelg1702
The paint more than the mods. How does she feel when you drive her.
feels solid, and very snappy. car is clean on the interior it's on stock clutch and it feels goods. IMHO it drove really nice despite the exhaust drone.

Car was tuned at a local shop to around 300 whp

also want to add the car was purchased this past march by the current owner. he is selling due to personal reasons that I care not to disclose on the forum
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by TxFAkuma
Wow.... That dude HAD drove that car pretty hard too have all that done to it... I would rather get a stock evo and do what I wanted to do instead of going to another persons work.

Price....I could not even give u an estimate. But I would say don't get it.
find me a stock 03 with low miles for a fair price and I will buy. I have CASH in hand just waiting for the right car
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:42 PM
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http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?op...topic=101690.0
Old Sep 19, 2010, 04:44 PM
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Well are u in a hurry too buy an evo? If not u might want to do a little bit more shopping... I really don't have the time too try and find u an low mile evo... But u Also don't need an 03 I know that the 03's have had recalls... So u might want too look into that aswell.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 05:20 PM
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cool, but I really don't need a fully spec'd out track car.... and I am not willing to pay 24+ grand for a 7 yr old evo.

fairly stock, low miles, FAIR price. This is a second, DD type car for me that I want to have some fun with. I don't need to rely it to go to and from work, but I do want it to be comfortable enough to take my family and friends with me in and not feel like I am tooling around town in a wannabe boy racer

I am a motivated buyer and would prefer to buy sooner than later. Weather here is getting colder by the day and my Z isn't much fun in sub 60 degree weather

Last edited by Zivman; Sep 19, 2010 at 05:23 PM.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 08:34 PM
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The safc II is a bit unusual. Most people use the stock ecu, no need for a piggy back. Also, don't be afraid to look at some higher mileage cars. I looked at a ton of cars before I purchased mine and alot of the low mileage cars were really beat up fealing. Like they had been modded alot. Alot of the higher mileage cars are probably dd and have had an easier life and less modded.
Old Sep 19, 2010, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jy951
The safc II is a bit unusual. Most people use the stock ecu, no need for a piggy back. Also, don't be afraid to look at some higher mileage cars. I looked at a ton of cars before I purchased mine and alot of the low mileage cars were really beat up fealing. Like they had been modded alot. Alot of the higher mileage cars are probably dd and have had an easier life and less modded.
did some more in depth searching on the net and found 3 more that were at least worth contacting the sellers about... though a little further way -> 275 miles. Out of those, I think one is pretty legitimate without too many miles. I am not opposed to higher milage cars, but higher milage usually equates to worn interiors... which I do not want

oh, and I upset a guy selling a salvage title car asking clean title money. I was upfront about the kind of money I would be willing to pay for it before I drove 200 miles to see it. When will people realize a salvage car was salvaged for a reason and it is branded.... it will never be worth KBB
Old Sep 19, 2010, 09:10 PM
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Where is snowy tundra
Old Sep 19, 2010, 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by mnauelg1702
where is snowy tundra
mn




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