JDM reliability

[stealth1313]

I have been thinking about importing a car, specifically an evo 1-3. I see the km's on these can be fairly low, even some around 60,000. As of right now i drive a 96 talon. How reliable would a 95 evo3 be compared to my talon?

[sr20s14zenki]

As with any used car it depends who beat the shit out of it before you. For the most part I find that cars from japan are kept up very well. I saw an evo here that ran consistant 12.8 on boost up.

[Gibson]

It'll explode and you'll die a horrible, fiery death.

[Sentry]

Originally posted by Gibson
It'll explode and you'll die a horrible, fiery death.
You mean like that black GC8 STI

[stealth1313]

I want serious answers please...

[Sentry]

Ok, here's an answer. "It depends."

[Tomaz]

Originally posted by Sentry
Ok, here's an answer. "It depends."

hahaha! Sad but true.


You are buying a car from another country that you can not see, feel, drive, inspect, or test in any way. The only thing you can rely on is the inspection sheet, roughly translated, and some low quality pics on the internet.

It's like going on a date with a girl you met in a chat room. "Myspace angles" my friend, "Myspace angles"...

Goodluck! :thumbsup:

[Phenix]

or you can always pick up one that is already here

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by Tomaz


hahaha! Sad but true.


You are buying a car from another country that you can not see, feel, drive, inspect, or test in any way. The only thing you can rely on is the inspection sheet, roughly translated, and some low quality pics on the internet.

It's like going on a date with a girl you met in a chat room. "Myspace angles" my friend, "Myspace angles"...

Goodluck! :thumbsup:

For those that don't know what the my "space angles" are, watch the first skit with Yeti...

rBOfD2JBv0w

[THE GOVERNATOR]

agreed, Tomaz. some have been driven very rough. some have been sitting for 7-15 years, its a gamble really.


as for the evo reliability, well... from what i have herd crank-walk is a lot less common. apparently the story is Mitsubishi used $15 a piece engine bearings as were Chrysler used $3 a piece engine bearings. again that's what Ive been told. could any dsm guys confirm that?

[stealth1313]

Originally posted by Phenix
or you can always pick up one that is already here I'm talking about picking one up thats already landed, but in general would an evo with 80,000km be more reliable then my talon with 150,000?

[skylinegtr20]

No early evo's are basically a DSM with a different name.

[Tomaz]

Originally posted by stealth1313
I'm talking about picking one up thats already landed, but in general would an evo with 80,000km be more reliable then my talon with 150,000?

First off, stop looking at kms on JDM cars. You will be amazed how many are rolled back.

Instead, look at the car condition it's self. Then realize it is still a DSM. It will be a shot in the dark if anyone here could tell you if this car is "reliable". At least you have the advantage of knowing what to look for in this car seeing you are a DSM owner.

EDIT: Spell check...

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Although the KMs are less, you have to look at how they were done. Short trips with no full engine warm up? Long trips at operating temperature? That is a big answer into how worn an engine will be, which will play a part in reliability. I would rather have a car that had 300000km commuting back and forth to Edmonton than a car that had 150000km driving around the corner to the store everyday.

Random question: Do you think a JDM that was imported with 161XXXkm has original mileage or no?

[stealth1313]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Although the KMs are less, you have to look at how they were done. Short trips with no full engine warm up? Long trips at operating temperature? That is a big answer into how worn an engine will be, which will play a part in reliability. I would rather have a car that had 300000km commuting back and forth to Edmonton than a car that had 150000km driving around the corner to the store everyday.

Random question: Do you think a JDM that was imported with 161XXXkm has original mileage or no?

Not sure, lots of these cars probably idle in traffic for lots of their time running

[Boostzilla]

Don't buy a landed one. once the cars get here most people feel the need to constantly be in boost and bag the living hell out of the car. Check out Zen Autoworks

[Sentry]

Oh god I can't wait until R32s are legal in the states and they start importing all our old beat to fuck skyrines, hahaha.

[jdm_eg6]

depending on your source. I have owned two, and many of my friends have owned a few, from stock to quite modded. Each has had their own problems but like any 15 year old car here i would say less problems.

try www.japanautodirect.com, talk to Aaron. Once a deposit is taken he can send you around 100 cars a day from you to choose from, if your interested in one. He will personally walk down to the car and start it listen to it and voice any concerns and his personal recommendation.

Or if you want already landed, try JDM source. I have seen 3 cars go to me and my friends from there and if any issue arrises he will back you up and the cars are very clean.

[403Gemini]

I've heard / seen nothing but positive feedback regarding JDM Source on this forum :thumbsup: , if i was in the market for a RHD I'd start with them

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

+1 for JDM Source!

[SRT10Killer]

In evo 1-3 I'd watch for gear grand (seriously) like most mitsubishis and AWD cars they have been launched and have had many clutch dumps (most likely) in evo 4's I'd watch for the yaw sensor light before starting the car because it's extremely faulty, salespeople just take out the light bulb thinking no one would notice.

[stealth1313]

wont have to worry about the yaw sensor since we cant even get an evo4 here

[Artega]

JDM cars are really hit and miss.
It's inevitable that something will break in your car. It doesn't really matter how many km it has.

Do some research and see if there are lots of USDM interhangeable parts for your car before jumping in. And if there isn't make sure you take that into consideration. The worst thing is to have one specialize part break on the car and no way to fix it because its discontinued or it's super expensive.

[stealth1313]

I'm sure most of the engine and drivrtrain is interchangable with talons/ galants so that shouldn't be a problem

[SRT10Killer]

Originally posted by stealth1313
wont have to worry about the yaw sensor since we cant even get an evo4 here
many people bought their evo 4's already including myself :) Just waiting until they become legal then its transport time

[Ukyo8]

Like Artega said... It's a hit and miss.

I used to have a 180sx with 18x,xxxkms and it was absolutely bulletproof and never let me down.
But on the other hand the Aristo that I had with 8x,xxxkms was a complete piece of shit, something would break on it every other week and it started pissing oil out of every orfice after a while.

A good indication of what kind of owner owned the car in the past is by the shape of the interior, that served me
right 90% of the time, also it's a good idea to have the car inspected by a mechanic you trust..

[stealth1313]

Originally posted by SRT10Killer

many people bought their evo 4's already including myself :) Just waiting until they become legal then its transport time Gotta wait a full year or what>?

[thedave]

Import a Evo from the U.S.?