View Poll Results: Is the MR worth the extra money over the GSR?
Yup, ACD and 6-speed is a must!
501
44.93%
Nope, not worth the money.
614
55.07%
Voters: 1115. You may not vote on this poll
MR vs EVO: Is the MR edition worth it?
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 27
From: Southern California
I stand corrected about the "SE" badge being on the MR SE.
This is what I was thinking when I was buying another Evo... and ended up with the IX SE and some extra dough 
Speaking of shift knobs, the RS came with an aluminum ball-type knob vs the GSR's baseball. The aluminum knobs can still be had as a factory accessory.
For me, it came down to 3 factors. I really didn't want a piece of plastic taped to the roof (ie. the Vortex Generator), I hated, hated, HATED the MR badge in the shift console, as if Mitsubishi thought the buyer was too dumb to remember which car he purchased, and I didn't want the 6-speed. I did want another RR Evo, and if the MR didn't have the VG and the silly badge, I probably would have lived with the 6-speed. Did I mention how much I hated the badge on the shift console and the plastic taped to the roof?
Last edited by FJF; Jan 27, 2010 at 09:45 AM.
Now that the MR has graced our garages (for the lucky few), I suppose we should open up the "Is the MR edition worth it?" debate. I would like to hear your opinions about if you think the MR is worth the extra dealer markup for what you get in the car. My opinions are as follows:
Personally, I am not sold on playing an extra $5k to $7k for an Evo that has a 6 speed transmission and ACD. Also, I don't think most drivers can even push a 2003 evo effectively to notice the need for ACD. Obviously, the extra gear would be great for highway trips. We popped open the hood and noticed no "MR" bov, and the lights are the same as the 2003-05. Mitsubishi no doubt retuned the ECU, but how much is that really worth to us the consumers?
I think if the MR came out and was at most $32k flat it would be worth it. But I am seeing $35k and even $38k sale prices when new MR owners pick up their car.
What do you think?
Personally, I am not sold on playing an extra $5k to $7k for an Evo that has a 6 speed transmission and ACD. Also, I don't think most drivers can even push a 2003 evo effectively to notice the need for ACD. Obviously, the extra gear would be great for highway trips. We popped open the hood and noticed no "MR" bov, and the lights are the same as the 2003-05. Mitsubishi no doubt retuned the ECU, but how much is that really worth to us the consumers?
I think if the MR came out and was at most $32k flat it would be worth it. But I am seeing $35k and even $38k sale prices when new MR owners pick up their car.
What do you think?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Laval, Canada
In my opinion its not worth it. So lets say you buy a 9 MR...after you replace a blown up six speed with a 5 speed which is gonna cost you at the very least 1000$ with all the parts that you would need the only thing that your MR will have over a normal evo is the Bilstein which you would probably end up replacing with coilovers eventually. So you just paid extra for the MR badge lol
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 27
From: Southern California
In my opinion its not worth it. So lets say you buy a 9 MR...after you replace a blown up six speed with a 5 speed which is gonna cost you at the very least 1000$ with all the parts that you would need the only thing that your MR will have over a normal evo is the Bilstein which you would probably end up replacing with coilovers eventually. So you just paid extra for the MR badge lol
The advantages of the MR are realized in stock vs. stock form. Once suspension modifications are made the playing field levels out. Also the six speed gear box is a "fun" transmission to drive with. It shifts nicely, let's you have a good measure if control and if maintained and driven properly, holds up to a modest amount of power very well. However once you exceed that modest level it's usually a matter of when, not if. I know I'm not saying anything new, but if a thread this old can be bumped back to life I certainly won't be the one who gets called redundant.
103k miles on my 05 MR and countless track days and she's just as awesome as the day i bought her. no grinds or gear pop outs. can't complain with the 6 speed on the highway.
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 27
From: Southern California
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: pensacola
yes, the "stronger" transmission in the non-MR isn't as strong as people make it out to be. Mine went out at 28kmiles and i wasn't hard on the car at all and i've still to this day haven't launched my car.
EVERYONE i know with the 5 speed, either has a rebuilt trans or has 5th gear grind. If i had the choice to do it all over again, and had to spend the money on changing the transmission (which i've done) i would rather have the extra gear. Im not sure what all is involved with a built 6 speed but i think the 6speed acd and lighter wheels plus the better suspension with the better resale value on the mr is worth it
EVERYONE i know with the 5 speed, either has a rebuilt trans or has 5th gear grind. If i had the choice to do it all over again, and had to spend the money on changing the transmission (which i've done) i would rather have the extra gear. Im not sure what all is involved with a built 6 speed but i think the 6speed acd and lighter wheels plus the better suspension with the better resale value on the mr is worth it