Cars / Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII / IX

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII / IX (2003–2007)

CT9A · 4G63T 2.0L turbo I4

Verdict: The last cable-throttle Evos many enthusiasts still want. Buy on rust-free chassis, timing-belt proof, and a healthy transfer case/AYC — not on boost gauges alone.

At a glance

Risk 4/5 Market: USDM VIII/IX icons

Must-have records:

Timing belt + water pump
Transfer case / AYC service
Clutch history
Compression / boost leak-down

Live listings

Bring a Trailer →Cars & Bids →eBay Motors →AutoTempest (incl. Craigslist) →

Heads up: some of these links (eBay) may become affiliate links, so EraBoard could earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes our ratings. Disclosure.

Saved searches open on each site. We link out and never copy listings or photos.

Parts & tools: Shop parts at Summit Racing.

Buy-risk rundown

Issue	Symptom	How to check	Typical cost (as of Nov 2026)
Rust (strut tops, radiator support, rear wing base, boot floor)	Bubbling paint, soft metal	Lift and probe; check wing base carefully	Structural rust often exceeds value [1][2]
Timing belt (interference 4G63)	None until failure	Demand dated invoice	Cost not yet verified on this page [1]
Transfer case / AYC pump and fluid	Whine, AYC warnings, binding	Test drive; scan; check fluid service	Pump rebuild paths exist; cost not yet verified [3]
Gearbox grind / clutch wear	Notchy shifts, slip	Cold and warm shift test	IX MR 6-speed needs extra attention; cost not yet verified [2]
Accident / cut springs / mystery tunes	Panel gaps, scraped undertray	History report; compression; boost leak test	Walk away from undocumented builds [2]

Cost figures checked against the sources below in Nov 2026. Bracketed numbers refer to the source list.

Notes

USDM Evo VIII (03–05) and IX (06–07) differ in aero, ECU, and (IX) MIVEC — don't mix checklists blindly.
A specialist PPI with compression and a boost leak-down is money well spent.

Before you buy

Use our printable pre-purchase inspection checklist and get a PPI from a marque specialist.

Sources

SHBC / Car Repair Guide, Evo IX buyer's guide (accessed Nov 2026)
ReDriven, Evo VII–IX used review (accessed Nov 2026)
Auto Torque, Evo AYC/ACD pump repair (accessed Nov 2026)

Last updated 2026-11-05. Costs vary by region and shop.

Newsletter coming soon.

A weekly email of hand-picked listings worth a look is in the works. Until then, bookmark the model pages; their live searches update all the time.