I feel like a broken record always saying this, but you really need to have a PPI (Pre-purchase inspection) done before buying a car like an evo. Just too many variables and unknowns to make an informed decision without one.

 

Honestly, I would just check for obvious leaks, drivetrain/wheel bearing noise, and do a quick compression test in front of the owner. If all that checks out and it drives well on it's current tune, I would buy it and drive it.

It's an evo so you should expect to fix some issues with it if you're paying 18k for it. Clean Find.

-pal215

 

This, make your purchase contingent on a inspection at a dealership or a mechanic who knows Evos.

 

Yah but to even do this properly you gotta get the car in the air. The liability of this alone is a nightmare. PPI's are pretty cheap, you get to establish a relationship with a shop, which you will need, and unless you have owned an evo or are extremely familiar with the platform you wont know the nuance things to look for. Some evo parts are extremely expensive to replace. Something as small as a bad dust shield on the drive shaft lobro joint could mean thousands of dollars in repairs.

 

True,

If the OP doesn't have the know how or tools to do the work himself, it will cost thousands to fix the smallest issues.

 

That's any car... Labor isn't cheap..

 

Buy a Carfax and go in with an offer around the $16.5k range and work from there.

How old is the seller?
How much gas was in the tank when you test drove it?
Who installed/tuned the parts?

I would be hesitant on a higher mileage Evo with a lot of modifications and pillar gauges, but the car looks clean so I could be wrong.

 

I feel like thats a really good price for an EB IX. Such a nice color.

 

Doesn't mean you can't get it cheaper

 

Right, if you dont mind waiting for a while. I dont like making rash decisions so I'm waiting for the right deal to pop up.

 

would seem to be a pig in a poke, who knows?
no pistons seems right on this one.

 

if the comp test is good = i'd be in. the OEM radiator is one of the best, most efficient ones avaiable. i'd put one back in.

 

A tuner in Houston TX wanted 400 dollars for a PPI. I told them to f off.

for 400, you would think they would at least throw in a tune or something.