Pros and Cons of having a 2003 or 2004 Evolution?
Apr 20, 2007, 08:57 AM
#16
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Hey just wanted to say that I have a 2004 and I love it. No problems so far.
I ran 13.2 1/4 stock. Nothing on it. Absolutely stock. 2K later I ran 12.4 with a slipping clutch
. I am now pushing over 342 WHP and I still have some more bolt ons to go. Sunday will be my first time at the track after a new Clutch and a Custom Flash by AMS. I think I will be hitting high 11s. Also to build the trans is not that bad. Only $850 the transfer case is $900 including LSD and I have a bullet proof drive train. Evo IX will be playing catch up.
I ran 13.2 1/4 stock. Nothing on it. Absolutely stock. 2K later I ran 12.4 with a slipping clutch
. I am now pushing over 342 WHP and I still have some more bolt ons to go. Sunday will be my first time at the track after a new Clutch and a Custom Flash by AMS. I think I will be hitting high 11s. Also to build the trans is not that bad. Only $850 the transfer case is $900 including LSD and I have a bullet proof drive train. Evo IX will be playing catch up.
Apr 20, 2007, 10:00 AM
#19
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I have an 03 and do having fading calipers, but that's it.
Half these issues listed can occur with any model of any year. As for the missing features, that's what you get, but I personally can easily live without them.
And if you're worried about tenths of seconds, just buy a damn 06 RS.
Half these issues listed can occur with any model of any year. As for the missing features, that's what you get, but I personally can easily live without them.
And if you're worried about tenths of seconds, just buy a damn 06 RS.
Apr 20, 2007, 10:05 AM
#20
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Alright well I have made a list of my own, the PROS and CONS of having a 2003 or 2004 Evolution. Make your own and post it, along with any little input blirb.
PROS:
You can get them with low miles for $20,000 or so... what a steal!
They are the easiest to find
The cost of the car being so cheap makes it that much more enjoyable because you didn't break the bank to have one
2003's ALL HAD HID'S (I love those things)
Blue By You (weird blue but very original and that's why I like it, I don't know if they had BBY in 2004 though)
They are still fast
All in all I like the prospect of finding myself a 2003 or 2004 EVO VIII because the 03-04 years are the most abundant, they are not very expensive anymore and hey it's kind of cool to have the FIRST ones right? I would rather spend less, have the same car with less miles because it is a couple years older, I mean who doesn't feel alot better when having a car that is not so damn expensive out of the box but does the trick. $20,000 and $25-30,000 is a big difference for essentially the same car of close to.
CONS:
I hear that these cars have gear grinds (which means a trans rebuild right?) transfer case breaks, repeated clutch problems even after replacement... (This crap isn't cheap and I am told it even happens to EVO's that were BABIED and never modded) Now that sucks but is it true? Seems like the 2003 and 2004 EVO's are a hit or miss repair headache
They are not as fast. I guess the 2003-2004's usually run say a 13.5 quarter mile vs the 05's that run 13.1 ish and the IX's that run high 12's
All in all, it seems like if I buy a 2003 or 2004 even with low miles I am buying a problematic car, a car that on top of the expensive maintinance and replacement costs I have extra problems to take care of because of early build design flaws right?
PROS:
You can get them with low miles for $20,000 or so... what a steal!
They are the easiest to find
The cost of the car being so cheap makes it that much more enjoyable because you didn't break the bank to have one
2003's ALL HAD HID'S (I love those things)
Blue By You (weird blue but very original and that's why I like it, I don't know if they had BBY in 2004 though)
They are still fast
All in all I like the prospect of finding myself a 2003 or 2004 EVO VIII because the 03-04 years are the most abundant, they are not very expensive anymore and hey it's kind of cool to have the FIRST ones right? I would rather spend less, have the same car with less miles because it is a couple years older, I mean who doesn't feel alot better when having a car that is not so damn expensive out of the box but does the trick. $20,000 and $25-30,000 is a big difference for essentially the same car of close to.
CONS:
I hear that these cars have gear grinds (which means a trans rebuild right?) transfer case breaks, repeated clutch problems even after replacement... (This crap isn't cheap and I am told it even happens to EVO's that were BABIED and never modded) Now that sucks but is it true? Seems like the 2003 and 2004 EVO's are a hit or miss repair headache
They are not as fast. I guess the 2003-2004's usually run say a 13.5 quarter mile vs the 05's that run 13.1 ish and the IX's that run high 12's
All in all, it seems like if I buy a 2003 or 2004 even with low miles I am buying a problematic car, a car that on top of the expensive maintinance and replacement costs I have extra problems to take care of because of early build design flaws right?
Apr 20, 2007, 10:14 AM
#21
Bought my beloved 03 in 03 and as of this writing, I will forever love this car and have no plans to sell it--EVER! Kinda like my wife, I have gone through periods when I love her more or less but overall, there have been few issues that I didn't cause.
Apr 20, 2007, 10:28 AM
#23
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I got my Evo in 04, but it's a 03 model. No complaints except that the CF wing peels and I have yet to get the wing replaced by the dealer (They got me on the list). But I got it re-covered from RRE now it's fixed
The BOV can be replaced with an aftermarket one or a metal one and that will be done too.
I track my car and it's running like a champ! (Knocking on wood) The throw out bearing for the clutch is making noises but at 70k miles it's still grabbing strong for a stock clutch. Peeling of calipers, oh well....it's only cosmetic. And if you want grabbing power, get some racing pads to eat into your rotors
It comes down to this, if you take care of the car it will last. But if you decide to launch it at dragstrips all the time somethings WILL fail.
Depending on what you are going to do with your Evo, track it or drag it? There are different paths to upgrade the suspension and power to your liking. It's not as fast as a 9 with the same mods. but you will get there.
The BOV can be replaced with an aftermarket one or a metal one and that will be done too.
I track my car and it's running like a champ! (Knocking on wood) The throw out bearing for the clutch is making noises but at 70k miles it's still grabbing strong for a stock clutch. Peeling of calipers, oh well....it's only cosmetic. And if you want grabbing power, get some racing pads to eat into your rotors
It comes down to this, if you take care of the car it will last. But if you decide to launch it at dragstrips all the time somethings WILL fail.
Depending on what you are going to do with your Evo, track it or drag it? There are different paths to upgrade the suspension and power to your liking. It's not as fast as a 9 with the same mods. but you will get there.
Last edited by racerhead2; Apr 20, 2007 at 10:31 AM.
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