Mitsubishi Evo - Buying Help!
Discussion
After owning a Lotus of some description for over 7 years, I feel I need to scratch an itch that has always been present. I need to own an Evo. I've narrowed it down to a few models that seem to fit the bill, but the various guises are quite confusing. I have a few bullet point questions ... If anyone could take the time to answer a few or all of them, it would be much appreciated! 
-How much is a service? If it's simple stuff like oil changes, can any competent mechanic carry it out?
-How rare are blue Evo 6 TME cars in comparison to other colours?
-What are common faults to look for? Expensive?
-Can you drift them?
-Is there a list that displays the differences between GSR, RS II, MR, Sprint spec levels?
I'm tempted by an Evo 6 TME or Evo 9, although I'm also open to the 7 and 8. What would you go for?
Cheers!
-How much is a service? If it's simple stuff like oil changes, can any competent mechanic carry it out?
-How rare are blue Evo 6 TME cars in comparison to other colours?
-What are common faults to look for? Expensive?
-Can you drift them?
-Is there a list that displays the differences between GSR, RS II, MR, Sprint spec levels?
I'm tempted by an Evo 6 TME or Evo 9, although I'm also open to the 7 and 8. What would you go for?
Cheers!
They are 4wd so know you cant really drift them unless you convert them to 2wd like they did in Tokyo Drift
Yes TME are rarer and demand a premium
Yes they are expensive to run , servicing is every 4500miles iirc , its best left to a specialist garage but they are simple to work on and most things can be done by a competant mechanic
Common faults are rust and general wear and tear , a well loved car with decent history is a must
The rest of your questions check out the articles on here
http://www.lancerregister.com/
Yes TME are rarer and demand a premium
Yes they are expensive to run , servicing is every 4500miles iirc , its best left to a specialist garage but they are simple to work on and most things can be done by a competant mechanic
Common faults are rust and general wear and tear , a well loved car with decent history is a must
The rest of your questions check out the articles on here
http://www.lancerregister.com/
Ikemi said:
After owning a Lotus of some description for over 7 years, I feel I need to scratch an itch that has always been present. I need to own an Evo. I've narrowed it down to a few models that seem to fit the bill, but the various guises are quite confusing. I have a few bullet point questions ... If anyone could take the time to answer a few or all of them, it would be much appreciated!
-How much is a service? If it's simple stuff like oil changes, can any competent mechanic carry it out?
-How rare are blue Evo 6 TME cars in comparison to other colours?
-What are common faults to look for? Expensive?
-Can you drift them?
-Is there a list that displays the differences between GSR, RS II, MR, Sprint spec levels?
I'm tempted by an Evo 6 TME or Evo 9, although I'm also open to the 7 and 8. What would you go for?
Cheers!
Hi mate,-How much is a service? If it's simple stuff like oil changes, can any competent mechanic carry it out?
-How rare are blue Evo 6 TME cars in comparison to other colours?
-What are common faults to look for? Expensive?
-Can you drift them?
-Is there a list that displays the differences between GSR, RS II, MR, Sprint spec levels?
I'm tempted by an Evo 6 TME or Evo 9, although I'm also open to the 7 and 8. What would you go for?
Cheers!
Servicing isn't as bad as some make out to be honest. To give you a better idea of running costs have a look at this link;
http://www.lancerregister.com/art_evobuyersguide.p...
A basic service can cost as little as £140 through a specialist and for a major service including cam belts you are looking around £500.
If you are going for a TME then you are best to go for a red one as they seem to command a premium over the other colours. I must admit I can't remember seeing many blue TMEs but there is a thread somewhere on the MLR showing how many were built in each colour but I'm on my iphone at the mo so I'm struggling to find it for you.
Common faults. AYC pumps can be faulty and show up as the three lights on the dash all lit up at the same time. A pump refurb will cost you circa £400. Any GSR/FQ will be running AYC unless it's had an RS diff fitted retrospectively. As mentioned above, rust is the main killer so try and check the underside throughout on earlier models although it isn't unheard of for later models to be suffering these days too.
As for drifting, AYC will put a stop to that but an RS diff helps although it is dependent on how the geo has been set up on the car. They are set to under steer from standard but this can be changed by a good specialist.
http://www.lancerregister.com/mlr_showmodel.php
This will help you compare the models against each other.
Personally, I would be looking for a 9GT as a daily driver as they come standard with an RS diff but some of the GSR comforts. If you go with a later model investigate getting the ACD mapped as it is meant to transform the handling.
Any more questions feel free to ask!
Forgot to mention, Evo's are relatively cheap to get 400 bhp out of and seem to handle this sort of power with ease. This will put a huge grin on your face and humble a lot of exotica.
There are a vast array of tuning options which can take you up to 1000 bhp + depending on how deep hour pockets are. Realistically for a road car, you won't need anymore than 500 bhp and to do it properly and have peace of mind you will be looking at £10k +
There are a vast array of tuning options which can take you up to 1000 bhp + depending on how deep hour pockets are. Realistically for a road car, you won't need anymore than 500 bhp and to do it properly and have peace of mind you will be looking at £10k +
I own a 6 and i reckon it'll be quite considerably more expensive to run than an Elise. Expect high teens generally mpg wise, under 15 extra urban, less than 5 on track :P
Mechanically Evo's in my experience are very reliable though. Stock engines are capable of 400 bhp and 400 ft lbs all day long, and the gearbox is good for 600 bhp (the 5 speed, not 6)
The RS models come with an RS diff instead of AYC and rubbish brakes, no electric windows and black door handles. Some lame scenesters put the black door handles on GSR's etc...
I've found evo's to chew up inside front tyres in my experience, they also enjoy munching consumables such as bushings and drop links at a ridiculous rate.
BTW, don't get a canal blue TME, hideous colour.
Mechanically Evo's in my experience are very reliable though. Stock engines are capable of 400 bhp and 400 ft lbs all day long, and the gearbox is good for 600 bhp (the 5 speed, not 6)
The RS models come with an RS diff instead of AYC and rubbish brakes, no electric windows and black door handles. Some lame scenesters put the black door handles on GSR's etc...
I've found evo's to chew up inside front tyres in my experience, they also enjoy munching consumables such as bushings and drop links at a ridiculous rate.
BTW, don't get a canal blue TME, hideous colour.
RKi said:
Mechanically Evo's in my experience are very reliable though. Stock engines are capable of 400 bhp and 400 ft lbs all day long, and the gearbox is good for 600 bhp (the 5 speed, not 6)
That might be your experience but you might be lucky , it certainly wasnt my experience , in fact all my mates who have Evo's have had engine failures, some have had multiple failures. The TME's are well known like some Evo 7's to have issues with rods breaking even at stock power levels. The 6 imo shouldnt be pushed past 350hp , the later 8 MR engine can handle 400/400 but only at a push and then with the acceptance that it will be on borrowed time Having owned a couple of Evo's 8, 8MR and 9. They are very easily tuned to 400BHP with a EBC (Electronic Boost controller, Decat and fuel pump and remap) which for me was more than enough on the road. The engine is bomb proof, I've never had any issues even with the huge power increase.
Only thing that deters me was the looks, huge wing, side skirts, carbon lip etc, but for the price I doubt you will get quicker round a track.
Only thing that deters me was the looks, huge wing, side skirts, carbon lip etc, but for the price I doubt you will get quicker round a track.
I think pre-Mivec (Evo 8?) 360bhp is optimal. Mivec likes 400bhp. The Evo 6 standard turbo runs out of puff after 360bhp. If you get an engine failure at these power levels it's going to be because of boost or mapping issues. Mod it properly and you won't have any problem.
I loved my Evo 6 but I'd probably buy an Evo 9GT now. More refined, stronger and probably the peak of Evo development.
Never had tyre wear issues on mine but it was always on R888's. Drifts are great fun and AYC does not stop you drifting - you just need to be rather committed to get it done!
The one bit of advice I'll give you is 'buy cheap, buy twice'. If you buy coilovers worth less than about £1500, then you'll need to replace them within 20,000 miles. Same goes for brakes - cheap stuff won't handle track days.
I loved my Evo 6 but I'd probably buy an Evo 9GT now. More refined, stronger and probably the peak of Evo development.
Never had tyre wear issues on mine but it was always on R888's. Drifts are great fun and AYC does not stop you drifting - you just need to be rather committed to get it done!
The one bit of advice I'll give you is 'buy cheap, buy twice'. If you buy coilovers worth less than about £1500, then you'll need to replace them within 20,000 miles. Same goes for brakes - cheap stuff won't handle track days.
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