I know this is probably totally subjective, but the difference in weight is not what makes a difference between the MR and the '03 GSR. The biggest difference is how the car feels in cornering. The aluminum roof and the suspension of the MR makes the car feel very differently from the other EVOs I've driven. In my opinion, the MR feels better. It seems to have less body roll and does not "dive" as much in the corners. The biggest difference I felt was driving it in the Dragon's Tail. This is where I noticed the huge difference in the feel and the handling. Perhaps for other drivers who are more skilled than I am, the stiffer suspension is better. Maybe some of you like to make the rear end rotate... For me the best and mostr secure feeling is when the rear end follows obediently the front end and the front end goes wherever I point the wheel... The MR seems to do this better than the '03 GSR that I had. Another thing that's really noticeable is the few rpms difference at cruising speed between the 5 and 6 speeds... I don't know if the newer EVOs are different, but in the '03, the faster turning engine was always a bit of a bother. I kept looking for another gear to shift to.... Now, the 6 speed has that additional gear and it makes the car better (IMHO) for driving on the highways. Again, all this might not be worth it to anybody else. But I like those characteristics in the MR. And to get the '03 EVO to operate like that would cost tons of money if it could even be done. The aluminum roof is probably near impossible to retrofit and the 6 speed is prohibitively expensive. If I had tried to make an MR out of my '03 it would have cost me many $Ks and would probably never quite gotten there.....

 

Not worth it as a package.

Mitsu should have offered the 6 speed as an option on it's own for say $999.00

Thanks.

Also Guys, not all of us are on a power trip. The car is formidable as it is against it's colleagues. It is not a car to go drag racing with against Fireturds/Craparo/Rustang triplets.

 

The MR def feels different, but the one thing I've grown to appreciate the most is the front LSD.
I had actually pushed my 03 enough to notice the big difference with/without one.

The ride is sooo much better to me (esp with snow tires on) BUT I do miss the sharpness that my 03 had in initial transitions.

Only an anti-roll bar or 2 will give my MR that feeling is what I'm thinking

 

I picked up my evo for 28,900 out the door. I bought it with 5000 miles on it. I love the MR . My boss has an 06 Evo Ix Gsr. I drove it today. Its chipped its fun but I love my MR

 

I just got a GG MR with 16K miles for 28888 + TTR. It's completely stock and clean as hell, so i'm happy with it.

 

the acd comes in all the evos and the six speed and suspension is NOT worth 7K no matter how you cut it.....buy an RS

 

i love my mr

 

If you love the RS so much, why are you selling yours?

 

PWned!

I've driven plenty of Evos (including RS. GSR and MR) and own or have owned three (2 GSRs and an MR) since they arrived in 2003. By far my favorite is my MR, and yes, it's worth every penny! Those saying it's not have most likely never experienced one long-term and been able to compare it to the other models of Evo as I have and they aren't speaking from experience, just from their butts. Own one long-term and it'll change your mind.

All the above refers to the 2005 MR which is what this thread was about when it was started. All of this changed with the SE models, so those chiming about those models are missing the point completely.

 

+1

 

i think it's worth the MR package overall. 6th gear comes in real handy if you do a lot of commuting. plus suspension and break kit. its pretty solid

 

Yes!!!!!!!!!

 

Care to explain why?

 

I love my MR. I cannot wait to get my summer tires back on and really find out how much of an improvement the springs and rear sway made.

 

I sold my 05 VIII gsr a year ago. Semi built, it was nice.

I picked a IX MR about 2 weeks ago.......finally broke it in today.....this thing feels like my modded VIIII first off. the 6 speed is buttery smooth.....i cant say say for sure if it is worth it...but if you have the money to do, i would again.