The dealership I bought my 2004 Evo VIII through got 3 MR's in the day I went in to sign papers. They had the sticker price at like 40,000- so I had no doubt I was making the right decision.

Dont' get me wrong- the MR rocks. I like the wheels better, the turbo is a bit larger and of course the active differential is there, but those vortex generators are ugly!! I'm happy with my car, but if offered the MR for the same price- it's a no brainer.

 

Don't like the Mr's six speed. I didn't like the six speed on the STi either. Love my EVO's five speed. Don't have to shift as much

___________________________
Rally Red EVOVIII

 

Six speed envy

 

Not only does the MR weigh slightly more than the GSR this year, but that weight is in a very undesireable location. The Evo is already nose-heavy, but the MR's heavier transmission sits in-line with the front axle. That, combined with the heavier HID's and the foglights that the GSR lacks means the MR should have be even further away from the 'ideal' weight distribusion of 50:50 as compared to the GSR.

6-speed envy indeed

Joe
www.joe250.com

 

Joe stop beating on the MR already

 

I think the MR has some nice advantages over the others, but then again, the RS has some too. Wouldn't it be great to pick and choose the best from each? Anyways, I think it is great that everyone is sharing what they know about the various models so people can make an informed decision.

And on that note, here is some great info John H put together regarding the 5 vs 6 speed. If I understood his calculations correctly, if you rev the motor to redline and then upshift, this is where the RPM's will end up in the next higher gear. You want the RPM's to be higher, where the motor is making more power.


GSR:
4661/5050/5129/4888

MR:
4677/5163/5369/5523/5588

I see a nice improvement in 4th and 5th, so the 6speed looks better gearing-wise for the track. For autox work, I would think you are worse off with the MR's trannie, additional weight, and weight distribution. Some of that is offset by the roof, wheels, and suspension.

Again, each Evo this year has its pros and cons. Look over all the data and make an informed decision.

Joe
www.joe250.com

 

Hmm, the MR's 6-speed looks perfect for a big turbo upgrade (no need to worry about 4th to 5th gear lag). However, on the stock hair-dryer either setup looks to be more than adequate.

l8r)

 

Can,t reallt justify the 11 grand higher than I paid for my 03. I love the looks of the gray one and after driving the handling was much better. I think a set of coil-overs will fix. After all my work I just cant justify the trade. I just asked for the Vortex generator for Chrismas.

I do have to say though if I did not already own an EVO I would go for it!

 

Driving my MR is worth every bucks!

 

Did anyone ever think that Mitsu did this to make money? They had the ability to make the MR when they first released the 03 Evo. But they didn't we got a "watered down" evo then next year we get LSD front and rear, So people go trading their cars for the 04, now 05 we get a 6th gear, ACD, and LSD in the front, So what happens people run out and trade their cars in to get the new one. Next year it will be something new. Be happy with what you have because there will always be something new in a year. I'd say if you have the money fine.... But what can you get in aftermarket parts with $8K... Can you say Turbo Upgrade? Like I have read here and totally believe most people will never push the car to even notice the ACD, the 6th gear is nice but not worth $8K.... The suspension is nice but you can do better with the $8K you have saved when you got the 03/04. The roof is ummm a gimic.... Also with the $8K you can get something you would really notice like 400WHP.

 

Nope.. I'll be putting in a front LSD relatively soon... That's all I need... Keep that damn ACD.. When that schit breaks, better get a bank loan to fix it... You think Mits is gonna warrantee that? ACD is just another part to turn and break... I'm not a big highway driver so I don't really need the 6 speed... With the power I have for the moment, the 5 gears are quick enough, damn...

 

The MR actually makes considerably more power than the '03 EVO 8 stock..... Today at Dyno4mance, a stock '05 MR made somewhere around 225 whp on the DD dyno .... Stock EVOs are in the 195-205 whp range....

Oh yeah, can you them them apart?

 

The RS is a nice car, and yours might be faster than some MRs. But.... They are different cars, for me the MR is much better. I think it's way better than the GSR (I traded mine for the MR). The comfort, the ride, the quiet and that 6 speed tranny are just great!


Easier to distinguish from this perspective.....

 

I drove home yesterday in a 'standard' 05 Evo rather then the MR.

I'd probably prefer the Bilstein shocks, but the BBS wheels and 6 speed weren't enough to make up for the $6000 price difference - not that I didn't think about the 6 speed, but the top gear ratio in the 6 speed is only 2.5 percent taller then the 5 speed so freeway cruising would be about the same and more gears in the same basic rev range just didn't seem worth it to me. The other features like aluminum pedals and the vortec generators don't make much difference too me one way or another.

Jim

 

Did you consider that the MR comes with the aluminum roof, HID's, and guage pack? If it's worth it or not, I guess it depends on what you want. Personally I think the 05 RS would be best if it comes with Bilsteins .