I am another guy who thinks the '05 GSR is a better value than the MR. For me, the only difference between the two is 1 gear, suspension/wheels, lighter roof.

Let's make all the differences worth the same amount 5K/3 = 1700 each.

The roof is not going to help a whole lot and whether it lowers the Cg 2mm or 10 mm is still more expensive than just 150 dollar springs lowering the car 1.5 inches.

The suspension is supposedly a little softer. Not really what I am looking for, especially for 1700 dollars so let's attribute the 1700 dollars to saving 2.5 lbs per wheel. I can get Enkei RPF1's for 1000 for 4 rims. They are less than 16 lbs each. Better value? Undeniably.

The 6th gear is obviously not going to make much difference on the top end due to the ratio being so close to the 03/04 5th. So each gear keeps the RPMs up a LITTLE bit compared to the 5 speed for better spool/response while going through the gears. All I have to say is, I hope you shift fast enough to take advantage of that. Because with the 5 speed, you save a whole shift in the travels to top speed. That's more than you think and with the way most people shift, more than the few hundred RPMs the 6 speed is going to give you.

So my conclusion is that if you plan to make modifications to the car, be it suspension or rims OR power, the GSR is obviously for you. If you want to buy the Evo to keep it stock regarding suspension and rims but mod only for power then the MR is a better value.

Personally, I change everything eventually. Already I have changed my suspension, power, etc. Wheels will come soon. I have an 03 that will outhandle and outaccelerate the MR many times over. I have a TOTAL of 33K in my car and the MR is going out the door so far it looks like at an average of 38-39K.

When compared to the 05 GSR, which comes with all the same stuff except for the suspension/wheels (basically), the difference is even greater.

 

if you've got an EVO, i don't know what to tell you... the choice is yours. but if you DON'T have an EVO, then get the MR for god's sakes. unless you want leather and a sun-roof of course.

there's no such thing as having enough money to buy a GSR but not an MR. take it all, don't be scared.

the MR clearly has the upper hand. it all boils down to whether or not you want a sun-roof and leather.

 

My opinion, of course.

 

The motto of the guy who gets outrun by the guy who spends a fraction of the amount. We have one like you here, too!

 

Sorry you don't agree with me or the Mitsubishi engineers on what effect the roof has on handling.

It's not so much the weight, it's where it is removed from in the case of the roof. And yes, unless you bought you RS to race I don't think you'll notice the 66 pound difference, compared to the VIII since they both have a front helical for '05. Of course you do get that aluminum roof, but let's just leave that out of this.


The first time I noticed the difference from the front helical I was on turn two at the big track at Willow Springs doing about 90 mph, if memory serves me correct. It was about five miles per hour more than the open front diff Evo. Sure, you're right, you can feel it on the lower speed corners also, I was going back to my first experience with the RS, December of last year. FYI, no moments occurred during that test.

All I am saying is that the roof does contribute to the overall handling improvement, it's just so many are discounting its importance. It all works together as a package.

 

lol

i'll keep that in mind if and when someone in a decked out skyline burns me on the freeway when i'm rollin' my murcielago.

analogy if you didn't notice, please contemplate.

 

How can the MR be "better" than the GSR for having the 10.5 hotside, when both the MR and the GSR have the 10.5 hotside? Please explain that one?

I had a conversation with my friend this morning (an '03 Evo owner) and when I mentioned how many of the MR's features are across the board on all the '05 Evo's, he was surprised. He didn't know. Just like I didn't know 2 weeks ago. So when he was surprised, I felt happy that I created this post (but all it has brought me is misery and heartache! ). That is all I was trying to do - edumicate my fellow Evo addicts. You aren't hearing this stuff in the magazines yet because they are so focused on the MR. Also, I think Mitsu was really late in getting '05 M.Y. info out the door. And after all this rigmarole, you still don't realize that all 05's share the same turbo! I feel like I have failed you as a teacher or something

From the get-go, Neil was condescending (Quote: "Seems that many people don't really understand just how important and how much of a benefit that roof is.") so you must excuse me if I occasionally stoop to that level. I have tried to be conciliatory, but I will obviously have to try harder.

Joe
www.joe250.com

 

With all this debate, I think it boils down to the following conclusions:

1) If you don't have an EVO, the better 'out of the box' EVO experience will undeniably be
the EVO MR.

2) If you have an existing EVO, evaluate what 'YOU' think are the cars shortcomings for 'YOUR' driving style. Some people on the board are drag racers, some are road-racers, and some just have the car for bragging rights. If you don't care for the power, suspension or wheels, as by now you have modded those already, well unless you've done a bad job or are discontent with your mods, try the MR. If not, then you're just probably looking at getting the car for bragging rights.

As for me, well I have an 03, with Vishnu stage 1+ and Ohlins suspension. And I've bought a Thule roof rack with bike attachments, so i've spent about $5k already in the car. Would you believe it, after all that I still find the MR attractive. That grey color is killer, I love the wheels, the trick bilsteins, aluminum roof and 6-speed, ACD... I think Mitsu really put this car together as a holy grail of all previous EVOs.

To debate the car is useless, this is a supercar for a mere $35k, I have friends with NSXs, 911 Turbo, M3, Z06s, and I still they still think this car is the shiznit... are take it very seriously.

My two cents.

Steve

 

oh yes, i'd have to second those motions

a recent MR owner and i had a brief conversation on the phone while we was driving back from out of state. he stated (not in these exact words), "i've owned 911's and NSX's" (i believe he also stated S4... nonetheless, another high liner), "and this is the best car I've owned yet."

 

All this discussion about the MR is making my head spin. My bud has a 04 RS which I've driven a few times and was very impressed with it's handling and speed. Friday, he calls and says he's got several other friends together from SLO town and how about we head down to drive the MR in Huntington Beach. Well, I was reluctant to go for this as I knew I would be tempted to buy one. We get down there and I drive it and practically fell over myself. While the RS is nice and should work well on the track, the Bilsteins soften the susupension enough that I shouldn't have trouble with the wife and kids. Needless we worked out a deal for the MR and me and one other friend drove out with our graphite cars
about 10 Friday night. Imagine a white RS and the two MR's heading north on the 405!
While I hadn't planned on spending the money, it's no regrets. The 6-speeder does make a difference as you can keep it in the powerband longer than with the five.

 

Ehh, I had to go back and edit that one. I was referring to the fact that in the test, the MR beat an '03 by a considerable margin and left out the comment that for '05 they all have it.

Everyone is going to have to get used to the fact that the EVO is going to get better every year. It still makes no sense to argue what someone can do with so many mods on an '03, or a used '03 to show up someone else who just bought a current year model brand new. There will be modded MR's too. It is all so futile.

Please explain to me why someone WOULDN'T want a car that rode softer, but handled BETTER at the same time?

 

preach it!

 

It needs no contemplation. I would rather have a Skyline than a Lambo or Ferrari. The ONLY car over 70K I would buy is a 911 Turbo X50. Anything else is a waste of money. Heck man, a modded Evo could take a Murcielago.

I'm not one to pay for names, "hand built," or anything else that markets added value but does not add value. I would rather have something put together by a computer and robot than a human hand. Then it won't be nearly as flawed.

I don't buy a car to impress other people (ie. Lambo), I only buy to impress myself.

I'd rather have a nice house, big garage, and 50 autos, motos, and watercraft that serve many purposes than 8 Ferraris and 2 Lambos. Just my 2.

 

And for the opinion on the 05 GSR, this is a 'great buy' if you don't care for the wheels, suspension, grey color, 6-speed, aluminum roof, and prestige.

In essence you are buying an 05 GSR for the ACD and front LSD. Power-wise, buy the 10.5 hotside for $200 and you essentially have the same power as an 03-04.

As for me, the only thing useful in an 05 GSR is the front LSD, and I would rather buy a Quaiffe.

 

It's not that I said that it's the best part of the handling improvements, I said people are discounting how effective it is, like it means nothing. All of the improvements work together to produce a better handling Evo. I'm sorry you don't agree with me or the Mitsubishi engineers as to the roofs effectiveness.

Dude, chill out. I was looking around your well-done web site and didn't really see the results of you first year of Pro Solo, so I asked? I liked the whale story, that was cool, nice pics also.