for the money, besides the fact that it looks just plain ugly w/o tha wing, is there any other downfall to the RS, i mean its got all the goods except the rear wing...and some other creature comforts, but i'm the kinda person who the second i get a new car, tear out all the ac lines and compressor to save hp, if not weight...i drive a tercel for god sake...or is the mr worth it to save up even more, and be in even more debt, or is the MR just overpirced and the regular VIII fine...

 

you seem like an RS guy. NY doesn't get too hot, you dont need a/c, like Houston.

 

In your case, it sounds like an RS would be perfect... you can always get the wing, and if you don't care about the other comforts (power windows, door sound proofing stuff, etc)

 

RS plus spoiler = you

 

If you're on a budget like most of us, regular VIII. If you're always in debt like most of us, MR! If you're really going to take it all apart for weight savings etc, RS.

 

or better yet, you can consider an intercooled turbocharged Tercel with Bilstein shocks, brembo brakes, Recardo seats, Momo steering wheels, lightweight BBS rims, Advan 046, with aftermarket HIDs to save some $$ and also for sentimental reasons....

The AWD, ACDs and S-ABS are kinda hard......but don't feel bad, you can always slap on a carbon fiber wing.

 

The RS comes with A/C.

d

 

Yup, One of my techs just picked up a white RS. Has AC and the all the wiring needed for the stereo.
Personally I like the car without the wing

 

I love my RS, and I get comments all the time where people love the white without the wing, it makes it look alot cleaner..

I think the RS's will be worth more 20-30 years from now, I plan on keeping it that long anyway. If you compare it to the stripped down version of the Grand Nat'l, the GNX is hard to find and expensive.

 

GNX is a stripped down version of the Gran National? I don't think so. Everything on it was enhanced from the regular version and it was significantly more expensive. I agree that without the wing, the car is much more attractive and is one reason why the RS is faster in a straight line.

 

yup, heard RS comes with AC.. and like a $500 package that includes power door locks and windows.. i think you will have to miss out on the power steering and abs brakes though.. also, probably won't be that expensive to paint those door handles..

 

Just go with the RS. That will be quite an awesome performance jump!! Have you ever driven anything other than the tercel?

 

i dont think mitsu offers the 'urban package' with power acc. i think that was 04 only. and wtf is this about no power steering!?

 

Im kinda in the same situation but I think Im leaning towards the GSR cause I HAVE to have a sun roof. My P5's got one and sometimes I drive it just so I can use the sun roof.

 

Well considering the GNX weighs less than the Reg Grand Nat'l I would consider it stripped. The RS had features that enhance over the Base VIII, helical diff, rear strut bar?

Better look again, 05 RS comes with everything but power locks, pwr windows, no spoiler, no sound deadening/some plastic molding, no HID, no ABS(not worth a crap anyway) no speakers, deck unit (but it's got all the wiring)

Which means other than that the RS gets everything the VIII does. Including a motor, turbo, trans, awd driveline, A/C and power steering....