Your sig should say "make sure it isn't a Ford".
My first car purchase was a Ford Escort -- it didn't break down TOO often (went through 3 transmissions, and one head in the 5 years I owned it, got rid of it with SEVERE rod knock that started around the time of the head dying).
It did take one hell of a beating from me though, and I don't think I spent more than $5,000 in maintenance and repairs the whole time I had it, but it was still a piece of shit.
So far as the Evo goes, would you rather have a $500-$600/mo car payment, or $200/mo car payment and $300-$400/mo in mod money?
I vote for option B.
_________________
-Will
'04 S60 2.5T - Beater -- '90 Eclipse GSX - Toy
RIP: Raul Ortiz - 02/29/2008 -- Westley Hess - 12/30/2008 -- W.G.L. - 4/24/2010
Life member:
NRA,
GOA,
SAF