price

[JanSolo]

Getting an 03 Evo seems like the best deal to me. You can easily get it for invoice at most of the dealers around here and if you are feeling bold, talk shit to the dealers since you know the car market is very soft right now. I did that when my wife bought her WRX and it was SOOOO FUN. When they did not give us the price we wanted at the Subaru dealership, I apologized for holding them back from the droves of waiting customer lining up to buy the new WRXs they had left. Of course, there was no one else there except for us and they had 20+ WRXs there. Ahhhh... good times.

Back on topic.. if you really hate the system, you can just spend the cash to upgrade it. But - be warned. I spent more money on installation of my speakers than the actual speakers themselves. Make sure that the speakers you get actually FIT correctly. I was told that the speakers I was getting did, but of course it was all lies. 300$ later, my rear, front and sub was installed.

Another Cupertino person! I live on the corner of Stevens Creek and De Anza next to Portal Software.

[jfx]

How much would the EVO be at invoice? Without the sunroof, which I believe is the only option (correct me if I'm wrong).

[vtluu]

If this link doesn't work, just go to kbb.com (Kelley Blue Book) and look up new car pricing on a 2003 (or 2004) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. (Funny, KBB doesn't even have Evo listed as a 2004 vehicle.)

The CF wing is an additional option, even though it's usually installed. Add $600 (I think).

[jfx]

vtluu: Is the CF wing you're talking about the smaller one? If so, I don't really like how it looks, especially when you have to pay extra for it. I think the standard wing is a huge part of the sweet, head turning appearance, which the EVO gives off

JanSolo: Are you sure the 04's come with leather and better sound options? If it does, then it just MIGHT be worth waiting for. Leather recaro seats sound nice.

Another question, I heard the BOV sound opens up a lot with an AEM intake or most likely, an aftermarket, but how audible is it stock?

Anyway, thanks for all the help so far. Sorry for my "newbieness" :roll:

I've given Stevens Creek Mitsubishi a call and should be going down for a test drive this weekend if I'm not busy. Hope it goes well and that I'll be in my new white EVO soon

[JanSolo]

JanSolo: Are you sure the 04's come with leather and better sound options? If it does, then it just MIGHT be worth waiting for. Leather recaro seats sound nice.

Another question, I heard the BOV sound opens up a lot with an AEM intake or most likely, an aftermarket, but how audible is it stock?

Yes this is true. It was in the latest issue of some damn car magazine that I cannot recall the name of. Bummer.

The BOV on the Evo is a recirc. You can change it to a vent, but you will probably bog the car. Secondly, changing the air intake on a stock Evo is not recommended. If you really, really want a nice whoosh sound from you BOV, the best thing to do is visit WorksRally.com and order their BOV, which is both a vent to atmosphere and recirc.

I know that is what I am going to do - though they might not sell to me since I participate in petty negativity from time to time.

[jfx]

Ah, two more things. I knew I had more questions but couldn't remember them until now. How does the 91 octane affect the EVO compared to the 93/+ they get in other states. Any noticeable problems? Performance? Detonation? etc

I've also heard about EVOs having clutch/transmission problems? I haven't read much into this but is it something that needs to be worried about or taken care of once I get my car?

[vtluu]

The CF wing is the big wing we all (?) know and love. The standard wing that comes on the Evo is supposed to be lower plastic one--but the fact is most Evos come with the CF wing (and therefore have their MSRP bumped up by $600).

If you're going for a bit more "stealthy" look--don't want to unduly attract the attention of cops and/or ricers, the low wing will help a bit. But yeah, I like the big wing too. 8)

[JanSolo]

Ah, two more things. I knew I had more questions but couldn't remember them until now. How does the 91 octane affect the EVO compared to the 93/+ they get in other states. Any noticeable problems? Performance? Detonation? etc

I've also heard about EVOs having clutch/transmission problems? I haven't read much into this but is it something that needs to be worried about or taken care of once I get my car?

I have not heard of any detonation issues with the Evo, though the STI is another story.

The Evo has clutch problems in theory if you like to do clutch drops at 5k rpm on a regular basis. Don't do that and your clutch should be fine.