if someone stating one thing is better then another, that in My eyes is not a helpful opinion... as well as a post of you laughing??? no im not 12 years old, and i been an evo owner for quite a long time, i see your one of these guys who just got your evo and have that mindset that its better for some odd reason. mind you the 8 he speaks of has alot less miles and from what he posted just recently has less work done to it then the 9.

So explain to me HOW IS IT BETTER ??? because of red stitched recaros, 9 front, and mivec? that makes it better i think not sir. the bumper, the seats even the head can be bought for a fraction of the price. the lower mileage 8 wins in my opinion. dont care about the year what matters when buying one of these cars is how high the mileage is and how much work is done to it

both the cars are the same with minor exterior tweaks and motor tweaks... please dont give a guy a biased opinion because you own a 9. Thats what alot of 9 owners on these forums do... lets be real with him... thanks for your helpfuly post by the way...

 

There's actually quite a bit of difference between a 03 and a IX: Front LSD (the IX has one), ACD, no syncho issues with the transmission, MIVEC (no, the head can't be swapped easily) that allows one to run more boost safely via its revised cooling passages, cams, revised ECU, a stronger TC and that's just off the top of my head. The SE also includes an aluminum roof.

 

Yep, the '03 is a one-owner car from PA... Lol, I just realized they have the CarFax right on cars.com. So, I think I'm going to have to begin negotiations. They apparently bought the car at auction per CarFax, so now I'm just wondering how much they'll come down in price.

I am kind of bummed the IX SE has that damn intake manifold... I agree with 'blackened wings'... The car must have been abused. An MR in Maryland just popped up, but it's black and I loved my '03 better than the '06 MR, so.......

I do see the advantages to the IX vs VIII, especially with the MIVEC. But, for a person like me not wanting to mod it out or anything, I think I may as well go with the VIII.... or like someone mentioned wait a while longer if I can't get it at a more reasonable price.... My Honda isn't dying any time soon I don't think (as long as I'm gentle with 4th gear).

 

looks like the 9 has a fmic also.missing the underhood shroud

 

Black '06 MR's for the win!! They are my favorite (and what I own).

It's not necessarily that the SE was "abused" its just clearly not stock. If you are looking for a stock used Evo, well we all know how rare that is. If you do find a stock car, its either insanely expensive or its been reverted. The exhaust manifold means the previous owner was at least running more boost and tuning it. You wouldn't retune at factory power levels if you are going to the trouble to swap the exhaust manifold. Since you don't know who tuned it and what other mods it had, you would want a good shop to check it over before putting your money down. In this case, the VIII seems like a better bet for you. The difference between the MIVEC/larger compressor housing on the IX won't be really noticeable at stock power levels. When you raise the boost and get some lopey cams it makes a huge difference.

FJF, kinda funny how we keep agreeing with each other in various threads.

 

I saw that car run through the auction(manhiem auction) about 2-3 months ago. It originally sold for 26k+++ auction fees.
Their is nothing fishy about that car. it still has the factory tires on it, they are probably dry rotted lol but its never been moded.
It was left in a climate controlled room. I was eyeing that car as well.
If they are asking 25k for it they are losing money on it. I guarantee it.

 

okkk.... so compare an 2006 evo 9 to an 05 evo 8. there is ACD in an 05, it also has a stronger TC as well and the 10.5 hotside. and i've Never had any issues with my tranny. basically the same... and the 05 MR as well as RS also had an aluminum roof as well. there might differences with an 03 to an 06 which is the discussion but there are no significant differences to an 05 evo 8 and a 06 evo 9 besides the mivec. thats why i get annoyed with these newbs talking smack PEOPLE WAKE UP THEY ARE DAMN NEAR THE SAME CAR......

mivec, 9 front, red stitching seats, different wheels and tails, DO NOT make it a complete different or better car then an 8. the only thing i ever liked about the 9 was the front end looked meaner then the 8 front and that is it.

 

^Done with this guy. LMFAO!!!

Make them sit on the 8 for awhile. I am pretty sure at the asking price, they are not going to sell it for awhile. Go in there and see how far you can get them down. If you are not willing to pay that price, walk out. Go back a week or so later and say are you ready to sell it yet.

 

The one with the stronger transfer case.

 

The people that keep claiming the 03 has been tracked by the miles are wrong. That car is an unmolested all original car. I have looked at all the bolts on the engine, body, interior, exhaust, etc from bumper to bumper with my own eyes.

 

I would go and look at the 03 and see what condition it is in. As for keeping it stock and the fact that you are a parent the se interior is amazing. If it were me i would go and buy the 03 and just put the se interior in that

 

My suggestion is to look at both cars and drive them. Pick the one you like better. I drove an 03 a while back and thought it was ok. I recently drove an 09 MR and bought it. I just liked it better. I knew it was the car I liked. Drive both and then make a decision.

 

Could the '03 really have gone for $26k at auction? Really? Or do you work for the dealership? ....just asking.

Yes, I've been sitting on it for a while. No one in their sane mind would pay almost $27k for it. I think now that they've dropped, it shows motivation to sell; and they might get some interest from anyone else that's been just watching/waiting????

 

Tough decision but id go with the 06 because its more updated and newer and even looks better!then again the 03 has extremely low miles..either ways you cant lose!! Goodluck bud!

 

Yeah, those Advans....... if not dry-rotted, are almost worn out anyway.