RichEd223

Alright well I am a soldier, a 68E in the USAR which is a Dental Specialist. I have very few bills/debt so if I deploy I am surely buying an EVO when and if I come home. I will have roughly $25-30,000 cash in hand and plan on putting $15,000 or so down on a used EVO. The X is too much but now I have the dilemma of which EVO should I shoot for. I could look for a low mileage 2003 or 2004 for say, $20,000 but I also get to worry about the brembo fade, the wing fade, 3rd and 4th gear grinds, the transfer case issues... it seems as if the 03-04 EVO was the worst to buy in regards to problems weather it was beat or not. I also have the option of buying a 2005 which I'm sure can be had for $25,000 or so... or hell even a 2005 MR. I love the graphite grey and I hear the 2005's were pretty safe from the notorious issues of the 03-04's and they were indeed a faster car. Now I know I can't afford a IX MR but I could probobly swing a IX... considering they would be around $25,000 in the next year or so especially with the release of the X. I would like to know what path to take, the smartest one for the best car, the leaste problems as well. I plan on some springs, flash, TBE, some wheels and maybe window tint and other tid bit cosmetics and calling it a day. My friend is in the same boat but he's going STi... I'm just not a fan.

scottatyamaha

iTrader: (21)

Buy your self a EVO 9 GSR SE...it is the best EVO you can buy.

gsrboi80

iTrader: (38)

03-04 are ok as long as you check it out first, buy responsibly, and know how to maintenence it properly. I have 70k on my 03 without issue and the woman has 40k on her RS without issue. The 05 is a little faster that the 03 - 04 but nothing a $200 part couldnt solve.

If you want to have the most power stock go with a used IX. You can certainly pick one up for the cash you have

Good luck eiather way you choose you wont be dissapointed its an EVO

El.BlueEvo9

iTrader: (4)

Buy a IX and then get a mail in flash form Jestr

RichEd223

I like the look of the IX alot better... but I also don't want to spend a dime more than $25,000 even though this is a good year + down the road. I want the EVO that will give me the least trouble, any EVO I will love I'm sure. UGH Eblue is the sex though and so isn't GG

gsrboi80

iTrader: (38)

Any used EVO can potentially be trouble. I dont care if its an 30k mile 03 - 04 or a 30k mile IX. The potential that it was beat on and misued is there and the things to look out for apply for both cars equally.

A compression and leakdown test, and a drive to listen to the drivetrain on the car would greatly ease your worries

mudduck

iTrader: (5)

I went with a new IX GSR, and have been very happy with it. If you are planning on basic mods - TBE, MBC, flash - go with either a new or lightly used IX - it will make as much power as an VIII with the same mods above + cams.

If you were going to make an 800whp 42r powered drag monster, buy a cheap, used '03 and go to work on it.

Remember, you're buying an Evo, so be extra careful buying used as you can't be sure how someone has treated the car. That being said, many of us on this forum perform regular oil changes/maintenance as well as put only the best mods on the car - it would be better to purchase a lightly used, well-maintained, enthusiast's car than some grannydriver's stock Evo that never saw an oil change...

Good luck

Ride927

iTrader: (1)

i got a IX SE and it was worth it... not having to worry about how hard i can push my car beacuse you dont know how th previous owner drove it. or rigged up stuff..

get a new car with a fresh start and the only person u can blame if it gets F&^*ed up is urself...

good luck on ur purchase.

gsrboi80

iTrader: (38)

^ What Im saying is if you buy used You have to check everything so that you have no hidden surprises. Know what to look for so your sure there is nothing rigged up.

If this is done I see no problem at all

space

if buying used, just perform the critical check ups and you should be fine.

LilRico

iTrader: (21)

I'm deployed right now as we speak, and what I did was give $16,365.35 for down payment. I got a $15,000 loan (to make credit) and got a brand new 2006 EB IX. I don't regret it one bit! Now, once you get back it will be near imposable to find a new EB EVO IX, so I'm sure you can get a used one near your budgeted target of $25,000. I ran into huge amounts of issues finding the EB IX, the biggest one was finding it with a sun roof. None were supposedly available in the US. and that's back in January of 07, so I had to buy my without, since it was the only way to get the EB new.

If I were you, like I told my soldiers, a IX is so much easier to get big power from them getting basic bolt-ons! You don't need to upgrade the fuel pump when doing simple flashes, also get a good set of cams, a good intercooler with good set of pipes, a good intake, TBE and just with that alone you can see over 330 AWHP! Easily! Think about it... any other questions let me know!

AWDaddict

iTrader: (1)

I got a deal on my VIII recently. 9k miles for a 03.
Just gotta shop around.

I say if you plan to keep it stock and plan to have good power, the 06 IX would be the best. If you plan to mod it, then perhaps 03 and 04 would be good. It all depends what you want to do down the road.
I had to settle for VIIIs becaues brand new car would run 10k more than an used Evo.

RichEd223

Rank? Branch? MOS? I hear the term soldiers so I am assuming that you are Army. I would also like to know how much I can expect to come home with as an E-4? Am I guessing right when I say $25-30,000 in my bank? I have a $8,000 in secured debt between toys and my car so I don't have much of a monthly payment. I shell out maybe $300-400 a month in payments? I want a clean, nice, unabused all mine EVO. I like the look of the IX and I would be going with basic bolt ons. Maintinence and bolt ons, and little cosmetics are enough for my wallet even if I only owe $10-15,000 on it.

LilRico

iTrader: (21)

Well, I'm a E-5/SGT, your right about the branch I am in the Army, I am a Comm's guys, but anyways, if you already have $8,000 you got a good head start! Now my question is how long are you going to be deployed for? In my case I had to be here 365 days boots on ground, if that's what you're looking at then save $16,000 if you can. Reason why I did it is because my payments a month from USAA is $268.00. I had to give that amount because I don't have any credit history nor do I have an excellent credit score due to that history. Anyways, a $268 a months payment is more then comfortable for that car and if you so wanted, a extra 6 months is all you would need to pay off the car, if you wanted! For a EVO IX Buschur Racing and Warrtalon have came up with an excellent package that would allow you to mod your EVO and make 330whp and put you in the low 12's for only $1,270 extra!

Warrtalon/Buschur Packages:
EVO IX a Warrtalon/Buschur Packages:
IX - $1270 = 330whp
VIII - $1575 = 300whp
12.26 @110.0 - 93oct WT/BR

Before I forget, remember that while you're deployed all your credit cards will go to 4% and no matter what your car interest will also go 6% so if you have any debt owed on a credit card or have high interest rates on another vehicle, being here will give you some slack for a year because that's how long they'll adjust your interest rates for! Anyways, I hope this helps, let me know if you need anymore information, I'll be glad to help!

VtexGt3

iTrader: (14)

the biggest thing buying a VIII nowadays if finding ones that aren't beat on, or messed up. You're safest bet is just to get a IX, but you'll prob be able to save alot more $$$ if you get a VIII, however that requires you to really go out there, check out the cars, and the people that are selling em to you.