New from the midlands!

[SCFCJay]

Hi to all!

Always wanted to get an Evo and after saving for a while I now have £8.5k and think its time to fulfil the dream!!

As one of my friends runs a Impreza and never ceases to show it off (bit faster/nicer looking than my Lex IS200) I've focused more on the Evo 8. Not sure why but im just drawn to it more than some of the older models.
Reading some reviews I have been avoiding the GSR 260 model and trying to find a FQ-300 but I wanted to ask you guys on here for your opinion on the two?
I've been told that its like owning a 'fake' evo in so far as its sluggish (in comparison)
Also wondered if any of you guys know of any decent examples currently on sale, iv been looking at Pistonheads/Autotrader etc but iv gotta be honest im not exactly sure what things to look out for, if im right in focusing on the FQ-300 etc, just as an example I was looking at these two before I was told they have already been sold (also noticed some mixed reviews for the Paul Brown dealership)
Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 MR FQ-300 4dr 28,000 MILES WITH FSH 2003
Used FQ300 EVO 8 FULL HISTORY VERY NICE CAR. MUST BE... for sale - PistonHeads (Ref 1381141)

Anyway, iv written enough, any pointers would be greatly appreciated, hoping to buy within the next week or so!

-Jay

 

[supamario666]

Welcome along Mate! The advice i would give you is look at as many car's as you can and test drive as many as you can as every evo model feel's different! Do as many check's as you can and alway's ask for the V5 reference number so you can cross reference the car's history better on the dvla website as some of us know the advert say's one thing but dvla say's another!

You may find this link useful. I use this everyday of my life and believe me it help's!

Motoring : Directgov - MOT history request

Unsure of anything feel free to ask!

 

[fq-craigus]

Welcome along pal.

Yes people who have a gsr usually get teased because they don't have a real Evo, although no one has been teased on here for a long time for it haha. Anyways, there are minor differences between a gsr and an fq300, so the stage one loss that almost everyone does anyway will see a 260 fly up into the 300's quite easily you will need
Walbro 255 fuel pump £60 ish
Decat pipe £40 ish
3" downpipe £80 ish secondhand
Boost controller £30 manual one or 3 port that can be mapped in
Boost gauge £££
And a map!

They are all simple mods and once you put a bigger spoiler on (the 260 has a small one) and remove the front number plate bracket and replace with a smaller bike plate people won't tell the difference at a glance.

So what I'm saying is, you get a car that's a decent example like James says, look at a few

 

[SCFCJay]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated, I have my eye on one at the moment but the problem is they wont accept my car in part ex due to the high mileage and age >< so I don't know whether to go for it or not because I haven't got the time or money to sell mine as well as its tax/mot r both due vsoon

 

[Evo8Frankie]

Welcome along Marra. right yes the 260/GSR is a UK based Evo. there is nothing wrong with them at all. like Craig said they can easily be tuned to well over 300BHP.

I own a 260/GSR myself running just short of 390BHP. and its not sluggish at all. But in comparison to the other models. it has...

.Basic Interior-(Still Recaro's, But Wider),
.Smaller spoiler,
.No S.A.S,
.Chrome front/rear lights,
.Silver Bonnet vent,
.No roof Ridges,

after you change all of them you will find it looking like any other model. (Roof is upto you)

But the 260/GSR has Isofix points for children. which is a good point. Oh and its the cheapest to Insure aswel ..

I wont lie when i say it dont wind me up when people have a dig at them as it does ............ a bit anyway enjoy..

 

[Dirtmatt]

Welcome along bud

 

[SCFCJay]

Another thing that worries me is insurance, say for example I bought an FQ300, id have to do nothing to it if that makes sense whereas lets say I bought this Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 4dr JUST ARRIVED MINT CAR !! 2004
Then id have to add those things and then declare as a mod which would cost even more? Or am I on the wrong lines!

 

[Evo8Frankie]

Well it would still Genuine Misti parts your putting on so id not worry too much about that.. that has a FQ300 badge on it in the wrong place :whistling::whistling:

 

[Dirtmatt]

You would need to declare, your right at being better off with and fq. Personally mate hold out for an mr fq300 or similar as you will get a better base car that way. Its easier to get a mr closer to 400bhp than the rest of the models.

Biggest thing, buy a club car or an evo from a known dealer such as extreme. You may pay a bit more but for the peace of mind its worth it.

 

[SCFCJay]

Well it would still Genuine Misti parts your putting on so id not worry too much about that.. that has a FQ300 badge on it in the wrong place :whistling::whistling:

to be honest I was just using that as an example, I don't think it is an FQ at all (looking at the spoiler and where the badge is by the gearstick also) whether or not im right is another matter entirely!
I think holding out may be my only option, bit of a bummer really as iv been thinking on it for a while and my own car tax/mot/insurnace is due next month which will be another 1000 less towards my new car!
Decisions

 

[Dirtmatt]

The evo in the link doesn't look like an fq..looks like a gsr. Frankie is on about using fq parts I think mate.

Worth taking a look on the mlr should be plenty of cars on there for sale.

Tough decision but can be better to wait on times

 

[SCFCJay]

The evo in the link doesn't look like an fq..looks like a gsr. Frankie is on about using fq parts I think mate.

Worth taking a look on the mlr should be plenty of cars on there for sale.

Tough decision but can be better to wait on times

yeah, iv looked on loads of different places, prefer to buy from trade really for a bit of warranty but I know not all places are as good as they make out to be (reading some reviews about paul brown?) although they are more to do with supras than evos? Not sure whether to read too much into them though as its a bit like trip advisor, every company has an unhappy customer and people are always more likely to complain than to write about their good service

 

[Simon@NTS]

Xtreme in Lye gets my vote

 

[SCFCJay]

Just been put onto one local in my area for sale, goin for test drive tomorrow so fingers crossed!. Only problem is no warranty with the car. My question to you guys is, at this stage in the game for an 03 evo, is it worth taking out a warranty?

 

[craig201]

yeah, iv looked on loads of different places, prefer to buy from trade really for a bit of warranty but I know not all places are as good as they make out to be (reading some reviews about paul brown?) although they are more to do with supras than evos? Not sure whether to read too much into them though as its a bit like trip advisor, every company has an unhappy customer and people are always more likely to complain than to write about their good service

Hi mate and welcome. Warning give paul brown cars a very wide berth!!! I travelled 80 miles to look at 2 cars that were total sheds. Tyres needed, hand painted bumpers, even three lights on dash stayed on he had them up for 8000 and wouldn't have given him 3000. Steer well clear and dont waste your time.:shock:

 

[ZoeX]

Welcome

 

[mart1983]

welcome to the mad house! whooooo hoooooooo!

 

[ZoeX]

welcome to the mad house! whooooo hoooooooo!

Lol that it is.

 

[mart1983]

Lol that it is.

your learning! very good. lol

 

[Nickygixer-k5]

Welcome along bud, you need to sort your avatar out though:disgusted: