Mitsubishi Evo 5
Discussion
Thinking of getting one as a daily drive for the terrible lanes around where I live and to enjoy on some of the twisty country roads and possible some old runway fun at a place very near to me. Do they hold their value and are they reliable as a daily in standard form? any recommends on a dealer to buy from? Was going to get some rally spec tyres put on and I would need decent ground clearance due to the lanes near me. What do you think? I have no experience of Jap cars but always liked the evo
Importing is a good idea, as long as you go with a good exporter then you should be very likely to get a rust-free car in good condition. (there's rusty junk in Japan too, but a good exporter will find a clean one).
On reliability, these are old cars now so you have to expect they'll need some work. I know some people have spent a lot of money on drivetrains on these, and not necessarily highly tuned either. I don't think they're terrible for reliability, but have to expect one or two issues.
I think these have decent ground clearance in stock form and should be fairly well-suited to poor country roads.
I think the Evo 4/5/6 are pretty much recognised as classic cars now, so in general I would expect values to stay about the same or go up over time. Maintenance will be a larger cost than depreciation, put it that way.
I wouldn't go anywhere near one as a daily driver now. They cost, more often that not, about half their value in maintenance every year.
As a weekend or track car however, devastatingly capable, massively engaging, full of feedback, and on a B road nigh on uncatchable. I wouldn't change my 6 for much short of a 911 GT3.
Re. rust -- they rot from the inside out. Once you can see it, it's too late.
The engines are pretty strong, unless mapped badly or sustained lateral G without oil surge/baffle protection.
Running gear, pretty strong too, unless it's been in the hands of a traffic light hero.
Interior, lol.
In a straight line, every modern hyper hatch will stroll away, but that's not the point.
As a weekend or track car however, devastatingly capable, massively engaging, full of feedback, and on a B road nigh on uncatchable. I wouldn't change my 6 for much short of a 911 GT3.
Re. rust -- they rot from the inside out. Once you can see it, it's too late.
The engines are pretty strong, unless mapped badly or sustained lateral G without oil surge/baffle protection.
Running gear, pretty strong too, unless it's been in the hands of a traffic light hero.
Interior, lol.
In a straight line, every modern hyper hatch will stroll away, but that's not the point.
Hopefully someone who daily drives their Evo will be along to comment on their daily driving experience. I can only give an opinion on the Evo 5 from a second car perspective.
I echo the previous comments about rust - this is probably the biggest issue/worry for Evos.
I Imported mine in 2017 and reliability wise it's been fine (touch wood). As Adam and Sam say, they are 20 years old now and even in stock form with limited use you'll still be splashing out to replace various items simply due to age. Mine is pretty stock but there's normally something identified when it goes for servicing that could/should be replaced (upgraded).
While values look pretty steady, I'm not sure you could realistically use an Evo as a daily and expect it to hold that value, certainly not while there is still a supply of fresh imports available...
I echo the previous comments about rust - this is probably the biggest issue/worry for Evos.
I Imported mine in 2017 and reliability wise it's been fine (touch wood). As Adam and Sam say, they are 20 years old now and even in stock form with limited use you'll still be splashing out to replace various items simply due to age. Mine is pretty stock but there's normally something identified when it goes for servicing that could/should be replaced (upgraded).
While values look pretty steady, I'm not sure you could realistically use an Evo as a daily and expect it to hold that value, certainly not while there is still a supply of fresh imports available...
If you're getting one from Japan regardless of who you use make sure it's inspected: Bad VI
I wouldn't daily one, I tried to daily my Skyline and it was only a GTS-t but that didn't work out at all - quickly picked up car park damage and was hard to keep on top of rust. Ended up getting rid as I didn't want to ruin it.
I wouldn't daily one, I tried to daily my Skyline and it was only a GTS-t but that didn't work out at all - quickly picked up car park damage and was hard to keep on top of rust. Ended up getting rid as I didn't want to ruin it.
On a cold, frozen, dark morning in January you're going to be sat in a car with terrible climate control/heatint, no sound deadening or NVH, no modern creature comforts, poor headlights (literally the worst of any car I've experienced), a terrible infotainment setup, < 20 mpg, ~ 150 mile range, etc etc etc.
Be prepared!
Oh and using it while there's salt around will see it eaten alive by rust.
Be prepared!
Oh and using it while there's salt around will see it eaten alive by rust.
Brave considering it as a daily even the short distances you state. Start with 4.5k for an oil change. They are pretty uncompromising when it comes to popping out to the shops. They are no Rolls Royce! Who knows however, you might love it used as such.
As a 6 owner for over a decade I could never use mine as a daily despite the fact it's the best car I've ever owned and am ever likely to own. It's sole purpose is a brisk but safe/fun blast through the back roads when the weather is reasonable.
Just how bad are the roads round you? Thing is, if you start messing with ride clearance you risk spoiling the Evo's one true power - handling. I could be wrong of course, just a thought.
For sourcing, you need to get googling as much as anything, there are a few importers around but sorry I can't help much there. I bought mine from a young lad many moons ago who'd lost his licence,,, in that very car.
Defo defo deto get it undersealed if you do buy one. If you can get an import it "should" be ok underneath. A cautionary tail of a mate who unbelievably bought one without really checking it properly. It never passed it's first MOT in his ownership. The guy who looks after mine (pro evo specialist) bought it off him and broke it for parts ( He did the MOT and called me first to break the bad news as he didn't know my mate). The thing was rotten from the boot to the downpipes. A 6 like mine,
Adam says a lot of good stuff here to, I do like the GT3 comment
And it's true in many respects. Maybe Lotus to?
I do hope you find one and go for it, I can't sing these cars praises highly enough, Jayem did a piece in a TME, i think he was quite impressed with a 20 year old motor.
Just be prepared to have a plan B/back up car for daily driving.
Good luck with the search.
As a 6 owner for over a decade I could never use mine as a daily despite the fact it's the best car I've ever owned and am ever likely to own. It's sole purpose is a brisk but safe/fun blast through the back roads when the weather is reasonable.
Just how bad are the roads round you? Thing is, if you start messing with ride clearance you risk spoiling the Evo's one true power - handling. I could be wrong of course, just a thought.
For sourcing, you need to get googling as much as anything, there are a few importers around but sorry I can't help much there. I bought mine from a young lad many moons ago who'd lost his licence,,, in that very car.
Defo defo deto get it undersealed if you do buy one. If you can get an import it "should" be ok underneath. A cautionary tail of a mate who unbelievably bought one without really checking it properly. It never passed it's first MOT in his ownership. The guy who looks after mine (pro evo specialist) bought it off him and broke it for parts ( He did the MOT and called me first to break the bad news as he didn't know my mate). The thing was rotten from the boot to the downpipes. A 6 like mine,
Adam says a lot of good stuff here to, I do like the GT3 comment
And it's true in many respects. Maybe Lotus to?I do hope you find one and go for it, I can't sing these cars praises highly enough, Jayem did a piece in a TME, i think he was quite impressed with a 20 year old motor.
Just be prepared to have a plan B/back up car for daily driving.
Good luck with the search.
Oh and just another point on residuals....
Another mate pointed out to me that there are circa 230 (ish) Evo 6's registered in the UK ( I know you are after a 5, but consider a 6?) Anyways, I expect the 5 to perhaps be even more rare?
I read one post on here on another thread (can't remember which one) where a chap mentioned he thought a lot of todays youth lust after 90's Jap weapons.
I know, for a fact i could sell my 6 for more than I paid a long time ago. That's despite having put another 30k on the clock in the time I've owned it.
They are getting rarer these cars. No one builds anything like them anymore ( Hello GR Yaris). Yet they are aspirational cars to a lot of people.
That can only be a good thing for us owners.
( Perhaps not so much for me, I'm turning mine into a garden ornament ( living room not big enough) when I can no longer keep it on the road. Because of that my wife now hates me to....)
Another mate pointed out to me that there are circa 230 (ish) Evo 6's registered in the UK ( I know you are after a 5, but consider a 6?) Anyways, I expect the 5 to perhaps be even more rare?
I read one post on here on another thread (can't remember which one) where a chap mentioned he thought a lot of todays youth lust after 90's Jap weapons.
I know, for a fact i could sell my 6 for more than I paid a long time ago. That's despite having put another 30k on the clock in the time I've owned it.
They are getting rarer these cars. No one builds anything like them anymore ( Hello GR Yaris). Yet they are aspirational cars to a lot of people.
That can only be a good thing for us owners.
( Perhaps not so much for me, I'm turning mine into a garden ornament ( living room not big enough) when I can no longer keep it on the road. Because of that my wife now hates me to....)
From a cost/practicality perspective I'd go for an 8. Simply because it's a newer car, the prices haven't got silly yet, the mechanicals will have had less time to deteriorate, likewise the body. I'm not saying that just because I've got one, just doing the maths it makes more sense.
I did 14,000 miles in mine the first year I had it, back when I was young and keen, so 3 services and the way I was driving it back then, 4 tyres at every service. Not a cheap prospect. Heavy on fuel. However, it's been ultra reliable, in the 17 years I've owned it, it's had a heater matrix and an air con rad. The other things that I've replaced were because of me making it go faster. I suspect if I'd left it alone, I would have had nothing else to fix.
I took it with me when I lived in Crete, and it never missed a beat, other than to occasionally object to the goat piss fuel I would sometimes be forced to feed it with.
I would go for it personally, a car enthusiast should own an Evo at some point in their life if they can possibly justify it. There really is nothing quite like it.
I did 14,000 miles in mine the first year I had it, back when I was young and keen, so 3 services and the way I was driving it back then, 4 tyres at every service. Not a cheap prospect. Heavy on fuel. However, it's been ultra reliable, in the 17 years I've owned it, it's had a heater matrix and an air con rad. The other things that I've replaced were because of me making it go faster. I suspect if I'd left it alone, I would have had nothing else to fix.
I took it with me when I lived in Crete, and it never missed a beat, other than to occasionally object to the goat piss fuel I would sometimes be forced to feed it with.
I would go for it personally, a car enthusiast should own an Evo at some point in their life if they can possibly justify it. There really is nothing quite like it.
OP - I do have a thread going for my 6, if it's of interest..
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If you do go for it, get it checked by a reputable / knowledgeable expert, I implore you! And definitely don't buy one without having it checked out underneath, it's more important that the sunny side.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If you do go for it, get it checked by a reputable / knowledgeable expert, I implore you! And definitely don't buy one without having it checked out underneath, it's more important that the sunny side.
Pop over to the Mitsubishi Lancer Register website and stick up your question.
Should get some pretty good advice. There are some recommended importers and then those with a bad rep.
I run an evo 9 and do 5k a year. As long as its in good nick and you underseal it (waxoil or something stronger) you should be fine as long as you keep an eye on it and keep it topped up / refreshed.
I have it serviced every 6 months (engine and gearbox) and then a full service (Engine, Gearbox, 4 Wheel drive system).
Only major consumable i had go was the AYC pump which i'm on the hunt for (they can cost 2k+ new). Tyres lasted me approx 20k
you don't buy this car for creature comforts.
Should get some pretty good advice. There are some recommended importers and then those with a bad rep.
I run an evo 9 and do 5k a year. As long as its in good nick and you underseal it (waxoil or something stronger) you should be fine as long as you keep an eye on it and keep it topped up / refreshed.
I have it serviced every 6 months (engine and gearbox) and then a full service (Engine, Gearbox, 4 Wheel drive system).
Only major consumable i had go was the AYC pump which i'm on the hunt for (they can cost 2k+ new). Tyres lasted me approx 20k
you don't buy this car for creature comforts.
Heaveho said:
From a cost/practicality perspective I'd go for an 8. Simply because it's a newer car, the prices haven't got silly yet, the mechanicals will have had less time to deteriorate, likewise the body. I'm not saying that just because I've got one, just doing the maths it makes more sense.
I did 14,000 miles in mine the first year I had it, back when I was young and keen, so 3 services and the way I was driving it back then, 4 tyres at every service. Not a cheap prospect. Heavy on fuel. However, it's been ultra reliable, in the 17 years I've owned it, it's had a heater matrix and an air con rad. The other things that I've replaced were because of me making it go faster. I suspect if I'd left it alone, I would have had nothing else to fix.
I took it with me when I lived in Crete, and it never missed a beat, other than to occasionally object to the goat piss fuel I would sometimes be forced to feed it with.
I would go for it personally, a car enthusiast should own an Evo at some point in their life if they can possibly justify it. There really is nothing quite like it.
I did 14,000 miles in mine the first year I had it, back when I was young and keen, so 3 services and the way I was driving it back then, 4 tyres at every service. Not a cheap prospect. Heavy on fuel. However, it's been ultra reliable, in the 17 years I've owned it, it's had a heater matrix and an air con rad. The other things that I've replaced were because of me making it go faster. I suspect if I'd left it alone, I would have had nothing else to fix.
I took it with me when I lived in Crete, and it never missed a beat, other than to occasionally object to the goat piss fuel I would sometimes be forced to feed it with.
I would go for it personally, a car enthusiast should own an Evo at some point in their life if they can possibly justify it. There really is nothing quite like it.
Good man, ditto!
Bought my 8 in 2007, I wouldn't daily drive it now through due to rust\fuel cost etc....but totally bullet proof bar yearly battery.
Wouldn't bother driving any Evo as daily now
I think the only Mitsubishi EVO I'd buy to daily on terrible lanes would be the Pajero.
http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/mitsubishi-p...
http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/mitsubishi-p...
MDMA . said:
I think the only Mitsubishi EVO I'd buy to daily on terrible lanes would be the Pajero.
http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/mitsubishi-p...
As my my Mum did when she was 63! http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/mitsubishi-p...
50 mile round trip every day!
I REALLY enjoyed that car, it’s not really fully understood by lots of people who think it’s only a Shogun with a body kit!
All the above comments are spot on about the Lancer EVOs but if I had to have 1 car it might be my EVO
OP if you are only going to do short trips see if you can get yourself an RS
Edited by don logan on Monday 7th December 23:56
Any for sale now in decent, non-rotten low mileage condition are firmly in the ''future investment'' price range and as such only really make financial sense if they're being bought to be treated purely as pampered garage queens, to use it daily and put miles on it, especially on rough muddy country lanes, it's very unlikely to hold or increase it's value imo.
My V needed a new AYC after 20K, a new clutch, new disks and a new starter motor.
Other than that it needed a service every 4.5K
Not a cheap car to run, but one of the best I have ever owned.
Driven properly hard.
Tough buggers.
As a daily driver ?, totally fine, quite comfortable and the ride is not harsh. Stiffish but with enough complance so that its not crashy. I drove mine all the way to Milan and back again. Epic trip that only took 17 hours from Milan to Lancaster and that included a couple of hours waiting for the ferry and having to stop every 150 miles to refuel (it doesn't half drink fuel at 145) and a run over the Vosges mountains rather than sticking to the Mway.
never felt tired or sore, great seats and driving position.
Nothing on the roads in Italy came near it for pace in the mountains and the tunnels around lake Como.
Almost ran over a policeman
Oh, I even went off road (got lost) and the ground clearance is actually quite good for something that fast.
The only thing it doesn't have, is a high top speed for all that power, but it is shaped like a brick.
Other than that it needed a service every 4.5K
Not a cheap car to run, but one of the best I have ever owned.
Driven properly hard.
Tough buggers.
As a daily driver ?, totally fine, quite comfortable and the ride is not harsh. Stiffish but with enough complance so that its not crashy. I drove mine all the way to Milan and back again. Epic trip that only took 17 hours from Milan to Lancaster and that included a couple of hours waiting for the ferry and having to stop every 150 miles to refuel (it doesn't half drink fuel at 145) and a run over the Vosges mountains rather than sticking to the Mway.
never felt tired or sore, great seats and driving position.
Nothing on the roads in Italy came near it for pace in the mountains and the tunnels around lake Como.
Almost ran over a policeman
Oh, I even went off road (got lost) and the ground clearance is actually quite good for something that fast.
The only thing it doesn't have, is a high top speed for all that power, but it is shaped like a brick.
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