So I too was really drawn to the MR right from the start. The showcar just looked awesome and the details sounded great - everything we love about the Evo, but a few small improvements here and there. Now that the 05's are here and we finally know all the details (including MSRP), I started looking very seriously at trading my '03 Evo in for an MR. This would cost a fair bit, so I tried to justify it by comparing features between my '03 and the MR.

The biggest difference in my mind is the bigger turbo and revised wastegate, followed by the addition of the front LSD and ACD. Yes, the new grey looks great, the wheels, suspension, and aluminum roof would be nice, but nothing I had to have. R&T's Speed Magazine also mentioned the following about the JDM MR:

"The new turbocharger uses a larger turbine nozzle with matching cam profile and a new wastegate with two solenoids, designed to control boost pressure. The result is better low- and mid-range power, bringing torque up from 273 to 295 lb.-ft. peaking at 3500 rpm. The U.S. version will likely get a boost in horsepower, too, probably to around 285 bhp. " - http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....ber=1&preview=

Did the USDM car get revised cams? There is nothing I can find in Mits USA's press releases about this, so as of right now, I honestly don't know. That said, the journalists who have driven the US-spec MR have all said that the MR has more usuable power in the mid-range. For the type of driving I like to do, this should be perfect.

BTW, I researched what little info is out there on the ACD. Sadly, unlike the STI, this system will not allow more than 50% of the power to go to the back wheels, which I was very disappointed to hear. And why would I want to send more power to the front??? Unless I'm driving in icy conditions, I wouldn't. But apparently, the ACD can react much more quickly to conditions, and will actually release at turn-in, to improve handling. So ACD sounds at least somewhat benefitial.

Front LSD? I know in autocross, its a great thing I bought a lot of expensive Hoosiers this past season due in great part to spinning up the inside front wheel exiting turns. That doesn't apply to most of us driving on the street (Shiv - obviously this does not include you ), but everything I've read in the magazines and heard from autocrossers running the FLSD says it helps pull the car through turns upon exit. Another nice improvement to the car's handling.

What about that 6-speed? Someone is going to have to convince me that there will be a significant difference when I'm driving down a twisty road. Does it really help keep the car in the powerband better than the 5, or does it just add another overdrive??? Looking at the ratios makes me suspect the latter, but I'd like more input from others in the know. I hear over and over and over how the 6 speed boxes are better than the 5's, but from people I don't think really know why that is/could be. The 5 has worked great in my '03 (once I added the Kartboy shortshifter) and now with the additional power of the '05's, I think keeping the car on the boil should be that much easier. I am currently of the opinion that the 6-speed is more a marketing decision than an engineering decision. Moving on.

So again, the larger turbo and the addition of FLSD + ACD are things I think I will really feel and make driving in the twisties more enjoyable. However, these are standard across the board for '05! Suddenly, the GSR started looking really interesting. For $5,000+ less, I could have most of the 'substance' of the MR's improvements. Hmmm....

A few other things in the GSR's favor. Weight - the MR actually weighs more than the GSR model, despite the MR's aluminum roof and BBS wheels. I guess the addition of the 6-speed and HID's accounts for this. Also, all MR's come with the 'trinket package' of overpriced port-installed options (pedal covers, extra gauges, etc.), that probably add a pound or 2 that is likely not accounted for either. And the lighter doors are standard across the board this year as well. So for all we keep hearing about the MR, the GSR has most of the performance enhancements, with slightly less weight.

And can anyone at Mitsubishi USA tell me where in the hell the MR showcar's headlights, taillights, and badges went??? These were some really nice visual improvements to the car that really complimented the new graphite grey color scheme. Once again, the US gets left in the cold. Yarg!

Lastly, the Bilsteins are actually softer than the stock KYB's (I pulled my '03 suspension and noticed 'KYB' stamped into the back of the shocks). Yes, softer will offer more grip, but I would think it would hurt the car's ability to transition quickly and exaserbate body roll. I haven't driven the cars back to back so this is just speculation on my part.

Almost forgot - the 05's have the longer warranty and now 3 years of free maintenance. Just one more thing to push me towards trading in my '03.

In conclusion, if all these great things you keep reading about the MR interest you, take a long look at the GSR*. I imagine its real world performance is equal to or better than the MR and is costs considerably less. Especially when you hear that dealers are selling '05 GSR's for $750 over invoice (ask me how I know) and initial reports are of MR's going for MSRP and above.

Hope this helps.

Joe
www.joe250.com

* Please note I left the RS out of my comparison for the simple reason that I believe most people who would consider the MR are in a different group from potential RS customers. The MR is primarily a street car, as is the GSR, while the RS is intended for the track. That said, I think if you can put up with no ABS, remote locking, or power windows, and more interior noise, it is an excellent value.

 

Nice write-up! However, I thought that the only main difference between the 05 GSR's, and the MR's were that the MR's had the ACD while the GSR's continued with the viscous diff?... I know they both share the same larger turbo and they both have a FLSD, but I thought those were the only components they shared?... Also I'm not really sure if the MR has the exact same FLSD as the GSR, but I know the GSR's share the same helical LSD as the RS's.

 

What Joe said

If you buy an MR, you might beat me by just a little and you would've spent about $5-7K more than me. However, if I buy a GSR and put $5-7k into it, I will completely destroy you...period.

 

when the 05 showed up at the meet...i believe i rememeber of them saying that the 05 will also come with ACD...

 

Good post, Joe, and that's why I'm considering the GSR over the MR, especially because of price.
I'll give up the AL roof, 6-spd, Bilsteins, wheels, and interior trim, but the latter three are things I would upgrade anyway, and buying the GSR gives me a lot more money to mod.

 

3K: Check out Mitsu's media site. This is one of the better sources of information:

http://media.mitsubishicars.com/deta...37861&mime=ASC

They list all 3 of the 2005 Evo's as having the same ACD.

Also, I just looked again at the weight differences. The differences are slight, however, I kept thinking the MR was going to be significantly lighter than the GSR. But again, it is in fact (slightly) heavier. You'd never know that from most of the MR hype.

Curb weight:
RS - 3219
GSR - 3263
MR - 3285

And of course I'm using the #'s for the GSR without the moonroof.

Joe
www.joe250.com

 

what is the gsr? where do i find info? can i buy one in the u.s.?

 

A car is more then the sum of its parts, particularly the Evo and more specifically the new MR. If you haven't read the M/T writeup, (or have and are still not convinced) why not go and drive the car yourself? I understand the limitations of a typical test drive and the limited accesibility of the cars, but if a write up by professional drivers isn't convincing enough - what are new owners still in the break in period on an internet forum going to do for you?

I don't think anyone can "convince" you of anything. I think you are going to have to experience it first hand yourself - but it sounds as if you have made up your mind that the MR is not worth the premium price it brings, and that's cool - this forum has seen its fair share of MR bashing over the last few months. But to go on an complain about the MR trinkets detracting from its performance, but complaining about missing cosmetics is confusing to me. You seem like a performance oriented guy, your site looks well laid out and professionally done - why are cosmetics suddenly an issue?

We can try to overanalyze the car by talking about its weight, its mix of features, but the end result is the car wowed the MT staff, beat the '03 car out by a considerable margin and the '05 STi by convincing gap. It did this despite the "shortcomings" you point out about its weight and softer shocks. Maybe Mitsubishi's engineers are smarter then you give them credit for. Perhaps the lower center of gravity from the al. roof and lighter unsprung weight of the wheels make that much of a difference. Maybe there are things that aren't covered in a press release, that aren't written in the brochure that Mitsu has done that we might NEVER know, because they want to keep their edge of producing one of the best sports cars in the world? Isn't it great that the car is here at all?

 

I was about to say something rude, but I just looked again at the Mitsubishi media page I linked to and realized that they don't use the term 'GSR'. My bad. It is simply the middle Evo in this year's U.S. lineup. The RS is the least expensive the most stripped down and arguably the fastest. The GSR is next getting most of the latest improvements, but still running the 5speed and conventional roof. The MR is the top dog, getting all the latest gizmos and cosmetic upgrades.

Also, if you look at Mitsubishi's domestic market website for the Evo, they do market the car under the GSR name, but their option packages are fairly different. I won't go into all of that as it could get confusing quickly.

Joe
www.joe250.com

 

David - great questions. First, please don't misunderstand - I am NOT bashing the MR at all. As I stated, it impressed me from the very beginning and I'm really pleased the U.S. got the car at all! My main point is that the changes that amazed the magazines so much are available on the GSR as well! If the mags had test driven the GSR, I'm sure they would be nearly as impressed.

So why haven't the magazines done anything on the GSR? Because the MR is the new kid on the block, because the MR is the new 'top dog' for MItsu USA, and because Mitsu is really pushing the MR and not the GSR. The MR is serving as the halo vehicle for the whole brand and the GSR will naturally be somewhat ignored. I'm simply pointing out to people that the GSR appears to be far-and-away a better Evo for the money this year.

And why am I complaining about the cosmetics? They are definitely secondary to me (hell, I didn't want the Evo at first, at all, since I don't like 4doors, but the car's performance made me overlook it). That said, the taillights are one of the few things on the car that I haven't liked since day 1 and it appears I'm not alone on this one. Mitsu finally comes out with a very nice improvement to it (and the headlights) on the JDM MR, but leaves them off the US car. Why? And again, I was trying to justify the upgrade from my '03 to the cost of the MR. Dropping the nicer headlights and taillights, replacing the nice MR badge with that lame puffy sticker, and then foisting their cheap PIO options on us at a ridiculous markup didn't help at all.

Again, would I like to own an MR? Absolutely, but not if I'm paying for it. Out the door, the MR was quickly approaching the (admittedly, base) price of a new Lotus Elise! Money is a factor in the real world, so my opinion - the GSR is far and away a better deal than the MR this year.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Okay.

The MR is our only new product this year, and the press loves pointing that out in these trying times. The fact that 2 new vehicles were launched last year and 2 next are overshadowed because we only have one "new" car. So there is a lot of HYPE over the MR. I wish they did bring along a '05 GSR too and maybe we'll learn more later when someone does test it. Maybe that's by design so people won't see that the MR is only marginally better then the GSR, like you say. Good point. We'll see. However, I can't blame them one bit for wanting to cash in on people willing to pay extra for exclusivity. No one complained one bit when they were able to get their Evo way back of sticker or at invoice (or below).

 

WORD!!!

 

And at what Bay Area dealer is this happening?

 

OK, this simply does not sound right AT ALL. I think you're wrong. Why in the world would they have the different modes? I think this is COMPLETELY wrong. Please show me where you found this.

 

Comparing stock cars to modded cars is pointless. It may make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but it doesn't really matter.