Well as the title states, I cant wait to get back into another R.

This is my first post in a loooooong while. I traded in my 00 FBP #0053 (curious as to who now owns her) for an 03 WW EVO VIII back in late May of last yr. My primary reason for doing so was 1 stupid test drive on one of my days off from work. Yes, sounds stupid but so true.

One day back in Feb of last yr. I decided to kill some time at the local Mitsu dealership in between a couple of errands. So Im in the lot & see 4 VIII's...2 "Tarmac Blacks", 1 "Blue By You", & a "Lightning Yellow". I say to myself, "That's pretty hideous, but so damn mean-looking as well. And omG, those brakes are huuuge. Look at that factory fmic, monsterous. I wonder if this thing's all its hyped up to be."

And this is how it all started:
Salesman: "So you want to buy an Evo?"
Me: "Nooo. I'm just looking, thanks. I actually have nothing else to do right now."
Salesman: "Oh I see. Day off ey? It's really a nice car. I myself have not yet driven or even ridden in it. We salesmen are not allowed to touch them. The only person who was priveledged to drive it was the sales Manager."
Me: "Really, huh? So since Im here, can I take it for a drive?"
Salesman: "Sorry, but no I cannot allow that. And you did say, you were just looking."
Me: (I should've known by that sarcastic remark to get the F outta there)"Ok then I've got to get going. Thanks anyways. You know, this might not be just a joyride. I might just be bought, you'll never know." (still wondering in my head, WTF am I doing here?)
Salesman: "Well wait a minute, let me speak with my boss. (After about 15 min lol he comes over to me and hands me the keys. I get in it and sit in the highly supportive Recaro & grip the small, thick Momo, NICE. I pop the hood, get out and examine...the ever so ancient yet bulletproof 4g63. I start her up. A nice mellow exhaust note is prominent at idle. I look at the mileage on the digital display. "679 mi." WTF!? This thing's already broken in...GRrrrr, what liars...only the manager drove it my ***).
Me: "So can we go for a drive?"
Salesman: Shaking his head, "No." (in a rude, pessimistic sort of way)
Me: (I turn off the engine, take the keys out of the ignition & hand them right back to him. Im thinking..okay, fine. I shouldnt be here anyways. I'll get back to my errands, Im a dumbass for this)
Me: "Okay then, I dont want to waste anymore of your time. And neither do I want to waste anymore of my time being here." (I proceed to walk away & back to #0053)
Salesman: "Wait wait, lemme talk to my boss again."
Me: (Im nearing towards the R & the salesman rushes out of the sales dept. "Sorry #0053, I apologize"...)
Salesman: (Throws me the keys). "Lets go!...all ecstatic.
Me: (Tired & annoyed by this whole experience) "Okay, let's go." (We get in and I start her up again...warm it up... We buckle up & I say, "Umm, you know I'm gonna need a shift **** to drive this thing." He runs out to get one from inside & Im still kind of in disbelief as to why I'm still there. He comes back with the ****, screws it on, & I get out of the lot.)
Salesman: "You know we cant go over 75mph, & take it easy on the turns."
Me: (Thinking yea right, I've already wasted about an hr of my time here. The thing's got 600mi+ on it already. Noone would probably buy it. I'm "tracking" this badboy on the street.)
Me: (So I'm in 1st around 35mph & shift to 2nd..boy was that a job...very notchy... Now in 2nd gear while warming up the tires left to right, right to left...)
Salesman: "Heyyy what are you doing?!?"
Me: (I gim him a SHUT THE F UP GLANCE & paid him no mind. I proceed & think, steering response is rediculous on this and ultra-sensitive. We come to a red light & firmly press the brakes...hmm.. nice, even distrubution of the Brembos. I like)
Salesman: "Okay you're gonna wanna turn right at this light & there will be a nice stretch of long twisty road." Boy was he an idiot for telling me that before-hand.
Me: I lock the doors & look ahead & behind me. I also give a quick glance at the poor guy sitting next to me. I come to an abrupt stop & pull over to the side.
Salesman: "What's up??"
Me: "I just want to get into a better driving position. Im not used to sitting this high."
Salesman: "Oh sure, gotcha."
Me: I rev to about 3500. I rev a little higher to about 4700. Clutch in & feather it out. And we're OFF!!! WOT ...We get pushed back into our seats & somewhat almost immediately I had to shift into 2nd...The turbo's whistling dixie & the 4g63 is emitting an ANGRY angry growl. Third is approaching closer than the sharp turn coming up.
Salesman: "OHHHh AHhhhHh Ohhhh!!! UNrEAL!"
Me: (Quietly grinning working the suspension. "HAHAHA, yeaaaa!" The sharp turn comes up & I apex that badboy wayyy to early...****! Friggin oversteer! I let off the gas & downshift to 2nd. We come to another straight & I gun it again...WOT 2nd, 3rd, 4th! Oh ****, the road is ending. I hit the Brembos & come to a coast in 4th. I REPEAT the drive back & also manage a scary fishtail due to all the sand from the salt on the roads...but boy was I working her.
After the moronic 35 min. or so run.....
Me: "Are you okay?!"
Salesman: "Wow...errr...ummm...wow...that was absolutely incredible.
Me: "Yes, yes it was." (thinking...but I LOVE that R...we'll see after I do more HW)
Salesman: "I bet you're sold huh?"
Me: "No, I cannot make a decision today...Im not sure if thats just the right move to make."
Salesman: "Ok, call me in a couple hrs & I will see you later in the day"
Me: "Ok, yep."

To make this incredibly long story short, (sorry btw...I wanted to express at least somewhat of how I was feeling at the time & didnt want to leave out key details)

I got back in the R and it just didnt feel the same as before the drive in the "beast". I was sort of depressed & confused lol. I hit vtec in 3rd & it made me smile...a little.

So I did more hw on the VIII & finally decided to trade the R about 4 mos. later. (Dumb mistake I later found out...as you will soon see in just a bit)
After signing the papers, I took delivery of my 2003 Weightless White Evo w/ 4 mi. on the clock & traded #0053. (purchased it NOT at the same dealership as the test drive BTW)

During leaving the Mitsu dealership I honestly had this gutt-feeling...this feeling of regret...a feeling of uncertainty...a feeling of guilt. I took a long look at the ITR and to be completely honest with you, there was this lingering doubt there...I know some of you are probably thinking this guy is nuts, Its just a friggin car for God's sake...let it go. Well I guess the R is "just not a car to some". It somewhat becomes a part of you. Its insane I know, but so true. I've NEVER had any ''real connection/love" for any other car before..& I've owned 5...4 of them being performance oriented.

So I finally got past the guilt & the regret after about a mo. I was loving the Evo...just in stock form it was pretty unreal. Snow drifting was a blast. Summer cruising was awesome. I was smitten.

After about just under a yr, the eminent problems started to arise. (Mind you I do NOT abuse this car. Spirited runs, hell yea. Nothing I wouldnt do in the R...besides snow drifting that is...)

1. 8kmi- Warping/bad pad transfer to rotor problem... covered under warranty
2. 12500kmi. - Clutch was sliipping...NOT covered under warranty...needed to replace it w/ an ACT street..$450 + install
3. 12700kmi - Bad wheel hub...replaced under warranty
3. 14kmi. - The red paint on the Brembos started to peel/chip/fade like crazy! (no harsh cleaners/chemicals used nor had any brake service done yet)..NOT covered under warranty. Btw, I gave Shitsubishi all hell regarding this. They would NOT help me. Brembo corp. was useless as well.
4. 15kmi.- Paint chipping on passenger side wheel well...have not yet taken it in yet for this. (next wk)
5. 15kmi - More of #1. But this time it was NOT covered under warranty.
6. 16kmi - Tranny/drivetrain noise. Boy I hope its not the Tcase or synchros that a lot of us Evo owners has experienced. (Taking it in next wk)
7. 16kmi - "Over reving" of the engine when friggin upshifting...Intead of dropping the revs when getting on it, itl go up a few hundred rpm. (this too, next wk)

BTW, I have the following few mods on the car & was able to produce a modest 276awhp/282awtrq...(on stock exhaust)
-HKS RS Intake
-Walbro 255
-ACT street
-Hallman MBC
-APS BOV
-Dynoflashed (custom/road tune ECU)

MITSU SERVICE IS HORRENDOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im tired....
Hopefully that's all for now but I wouldnt be suprised it it weren't.

Again, sorry for the long-*** book but I just wanted to express my feelings and experiences regarding one of the biggest mistakes of my life thus far. I'm also giving some of you potential Mitsu/Evo buyers some advice...Be very weary.

You think its just ME who's having problems with my Evo??? Guess again my friends Im only 1 out of a biiiiiig crowd.

I have approx. 3 yrs left to pay this car off & I simply cannot keep it for that long knowing the co. of "The best backed cars in the world" will NOT back me up as advertised. Im not asking for much. Its a friggin brand new car....Now dont get me wrong, there ARE Evos running mechanically good & there ARE some good Mitsu dealerships around the nation. But there are way too many bad cases. Its sad to know that I'd have to travel hundreds or even thous. of mi. to get the customer service that I and the car deserve.

And I still respect the Evo...Its rediculously fast, handles so sweet, etc...But Mitsu seems its going down the tubes & their ongoing bad relationships with their customers does not help at all for their rep. It just seems like Im running into problems right after another so its plain just gotta go.

HONDA>MITSU, period. Im a dumbass for the change and let me flame myself for it. I admit it. My decision last yr=

Now my plan is to get the EVO running mechanically right again & trade it (maybe within a yr) for the ever so loved Acura Integra Type R. You know that saying: "If you love something, you should learn to let it go. If it comes back, then it was meant to be"...or some **** like that lol

Im done for now so welcome me back! Cause it sure feels good to be back on this forum!


Modified by bRian_0053 at 2:05 PM 4/9/2005


Modified by bRian_0053 at 5:37 PM 4/9/2005


Modified by bRian_0053 at 5:59 PM 4/9/2005


Modified by bRian_0053 at 9:24 PM 4/14/2005


Modified by bRian_0053 at 9:27 PM 4/14/2005


Modified by bRian_0053 at 9:35 PM 4/14/2005

 

Good story. I guess theres a reason why mitsubishi is about to go out of business.

 

haha, where's hooptie at, he'll agree.

 

Wow, sorry to hear that you had so many problems with your EVO. I agree with you 100% with everything you said in your post. For me, the problems the EVO gave me within 2000 miles was unacceptable and i traded it in for a S2k before the car could depreciate even more.

 

Wow....I don't own a type r but i LOVE my gsr. I can only imagine.

 

you modded the fuel system, computer system, and yet, you wonder why youre getting a noise from the transmission?

evo's / sti's are great values, if you dont care about the warranty or things breaking

 

interesting to hear, it's good that some people experienced with the Mitsu Evo share their story cause a many of Type R owners i'm sure have had some thoughts about getting a Evo. to bad Mitsu service and poorly built cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bRian_0053 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Now my plan is to get the EVO running mechanically right again, & trade it (maybe within a yr) for the ever so loved Acura Integra Type R. You know that saying "If you love something, you should learn to let it go. If it comes back, then it was meant to be"...or some **** like that lol

Im done for now so welcome me back! Cause it sure feels good to be back on this forum!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

/wipes tear from eye...

To tell you the truth, if the Evo was offered up here, I may have been in the same boat... All we have is the Ralliart Lancer

With all these new fast cars coming out... I still don't know if I could really let the R go...

 

if hindsight was 20/20 and the proverbial words of wisdom of " i told u so, i told u so"
you should of gone and checked out a STi. i think ur experience would of been a little more enlightening.

u could be one of the few who actually has a lemon. dont get me wrong, i love EVo's and think they are a bad *** car but i dont know if i would actually own one.
also EVo's are very expensive to upkeep too.

just my 2 yen worth.

 

My friend had the exact same experience as you, he had a 99 EK9 and loved it to death but was tempted by the power of the EVO, he bought a Evo5, whoch gave him nothing but trouble, and then traded up to a VII about a year ago, again nothing but problems, and then got a new JDM spec VIII (officially imported by Mitsub from japan) and has only out 3k miles on the clock and its been back to mitsub 4 times already with stupid things going wrong on it that should not happen to new cars...he currently has it for sale and is on the look out for another EK9...he will be dropping down 6 years if he can find a good 99 model for sale but as he said, he doesnt care, he wants the reliability and sheer pleasure he got from the EK9

 

i agree about the STi thing too.

2 of my Friends had very similar problems w/ their EVO's.
Clutch is a given on those things!
Carbon rear wing chipping,etc etc.

But I drove one and was sold..had to have one.bought a ITR and kept that for awhile.saw a White STi and just plain fell in love!

I don't hear too much of STi problems (and I'm on the forums)
but yet I hear EVO problems all the time and I'm not on those fourms.

Mine has had no problems except a 6th gear grind that is being taken care of this coming weekend UNder warranty ( found a dealer that will replace my 5th & 6th Gear syncros, and its got 25K on her.
I'm so glad I got the STi ovr the EVo...but yet miss my ITR every now and then.I honestly think if I had found a CW ITR instead of Blk..I would still have it to this day.

Good luck sir...I'd get another ITR too.

 

Evos are nice..... theft rates are low
ITR are dependable.... theft rates are higher
Either way we all lose..... Although a STi sure sound nice......
next to a s2000, and g35

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StinkyTofu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow, sorry to hear that you had so many problems with your EVO. I agree with you 100% with everything you said in your post. For me, the problems the EVO gave me within 2000 miles was unacceptable and i traded it in for a S2k before the car could depreciate even more. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea its sad...brand new car with less than 16kmi and all these damn problems. What problems did you get before you traded it in?
I bet you're loving the s...especially since the nice weather is finally here. I bet it sees most of its time on the roads/track than in the shop.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 255.255.255.255 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you modded the fuel system, computer system, and yet, you wonder why youre getting a noise from the transmission?

evo's / sti's are great values, if you dont care about the warranty or things breaking </TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, I know of lots of stock Evos that are or havd had tranny noise/problems. Its happening to the modded AND unmodded.

Great values are great. But as I and many owners have come to find out, Evos "have no warranty."

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Roboto &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">interesting to hear, it's good that some people experienced with the Mitsu Evo share their story cause a many of Type R owners i'm sure have had some thoughts about getting a Evo. to bad Mitsu service and poorly built cars.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep its truly such a shame.
Now Im not here whatsover to bash Mitsu or especially the Evo. Everyone, dont get me wrong...Im just expressing my feelings & the likes of others who have gone through these helpless experiences dealing with the car & its make.
The Evo is truly an awesome machine but I just simply cannot vouch for its long-term reliability & definitely Mitsu's customer service.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stick &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if hindsight was 20/20 and the proverbial words of wisdom of " i told u so, i told u so"
you should of gone and checked out a STi. i think ur experience would of been a little more enlightening.

u could be one of the few who actually has a lemon. dont get me wrong, i love EVo's and think they are a bad *** car but i dont know if i would actually own one.
also EVo's are very expensive to upkeep too.

just my 2 yen worth.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know I know. You're absolutely right..."I told you so."

As far as the STi. I did research that as well. What I didnt like were the seats, which aren't as supportive as the Evos. I also was weary of the 2.5l that was introduced here in the states...vs the 2.0 that JDM land has standard. And it was the handling as well on the Evo that also sold me. It literally feels like a big go-cart.

Although the STi will leave your face flattened after a good launch off the line followed by wot's. The trq range is so sweet on that thing...its everywhere.

Yes, Evos are expensive to keep up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mugenracer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My friend had the exact same experience as you, he had a 99 EK9 and loved it to death but was tempted by the power of the EVO, he bought a Evo5, whoch gave him nothing but trouble, and then traded up to a VII about a year ago, again nothing but problems, and then got a new JDM spec VIII (officially imported by Mitsub from japan) and has only out 3k miles on the clock and its been back to mitsub 4 times already with stupid things going wrong on it that should not happen to new cars...he currently has it for sale and is on the look out for another EK9...he will be dropping down 6 years if he can find a good 99 model for sale but as he said, he doesnt care, he wants the reliability and sheer pleasure he got from the EK9</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, I definitely feel for your friend. I agree, I dont really care as much about the raw power anymore. I want my reliability back. I want my revs back. I want my damn R.


Modified by bRian_0053 at 6:01 PM 4/9/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr.Fairlady &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> i agree about the STi thing too.

2 of my Friends had very similar problems w/ their EVO's.
Clutch is a given on those things!
Carbon rear wing chipping,etc etc.

But I drove one and was sold..had to have one.bought a ITR and kept that for awhile.saw a White STi and just plain fell in love!

I don't hear too much of STi problems (and I'm on the forums)
but yet I hear EVO problems all the time and I'm not on those fourms.

Mine has had no problems except a 6th gear grind that is being taken care of this coming weekend UNder warranty ( found a dealer that will replace my 5th & 6th Gear syncros, and its got 25K on her.
I'm so glad I got the STi ovr the EVo...but yet miss my ITR every now and then.I honestly think if I had found a CW ITR instead of Blk..I would still have it to this day.

Good luck sir...I'd get another ITR too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats good that you're loving the Sti. Its a fast car as well. Although Im not quite sure of the reliability on them 1st hand. Anyways, you're our ARCH RIVAL! lol j/k I dont support Mitsu VS Subie...or Honda VS VW...and others alike. I say we're all damn car guys here who love performance. What does it matter. If you're an *** to me, I'll be an *** to you. If not then good, lets talk cars...too many haters in the world who think they have big *****. Its one thing to have pride in your car, another to be an *******. lol sorry I got carried away...

And yea, CW is sweet.

 

Damn, sorry to hear about all the problems. To be honest, this is what swayed myself and some of my friends to get Subarus instead of the Evo. Granted I also miss my old integra, but right now I'm just having too much fun with my WRX :D

 

Hey Sergio, long time no talk! Are you driving the Wrx Sti or the Wrx?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bRian_0053 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yea its sad...brand new car with less than 16kmi and all these damn problems. What problems did you get before you traded it in?
I bet you're loving the s...especially since the nice weather is finally here. I bet it sees most of its time on the roads/track than in the shop. </TD></TR></TABLE>

There were just a couple of things wrong with the car that i did not feel were normal. The biggest problem was that the tach would bounce to redline and then engine would decide to shut itself off randomly when i was driving on the road. It would happen every 600 miles or so and then proceed with a check engine light. Took it to mitsu and this is what one of the service representatives told me:

"I just bought a brand new house and its not perfect. Just like my house, your car is not going to be perfect. There will be problems here and there. BTW, you need to stop driving the car hard and it won't give you problems."

Another problem was the abnormal paint chips behind the rear wheel well on both the driver and passenger side. My paint was showing signs of oxidation. Rattles were already evident at only 600 miles. Just so many little things culminated into a very bad feeling for the car, i decided it dump it. I also missed VTEC too much

Yeup the weather is definitely getting nice here. I plan on taking my hardtop off for a few weeks. My car has seen three track events and I do spirited drives every once in awhile. The car hasn't given me any trouble whatsoever and the only thing i need to do is change my fluids regularly. Honda

 

Good review. Can't believe I actually read all of that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StinkyTofu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey Sergio, long time no talk! Are you driving the Wrx Sti or the Wrx? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Damn, been a long time man! I have just WRX (05 Crystal Grey)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good story. I guess theres a reason why mitsubishi is about to go out of business.</TD></TR></TABLE>

exactly...

 

good to know that..mitsus are not dependable

 

Let's just say that Mitsubishi does go out of business. Let's say that they go out of business and which results in the Evo getting canned in the states and around the world. For the United States only, my question would be, what company has a product that could then be sold to rival the market for the STi? I cannot think of another company. This is good news for Subaru I'm sure, but shitty for US consumers if we only have one thing to choose.