Hey guys,

Newb to the forums here, I've been reading about the evo for a while now and am about to make my EVO purchase. I am looking to get an EVO IX MR with SSL in white. I just have a few questions before I join the evo family.

I know this has been beaten to death but still want more input, 6-speed vs. 5speed, is it worth it?

Also, I plan on modding the car but not heavily till the warranty is up. I am only going to do the cat back exhaust and suspension upgrades for now. My question is, in regards to the suspension, I noticed the MR has inverted struts. If I were to move to an aftermarket setup, will it use the same struts as say an VIII or a regular IX? Or will there be a completely different suspension setup for the MR? (sorta like different suspension on my TL Type S as opposed to regular TL). The reason I ask this is because I don't want to be limited to manufacturers for the sheer fact that I may have an MR and its different.

Also, any major problems in the IX? From what I've seen, there hasn't been anything too big but is there any rare occurences that posed a big problem to any IX owners?

Thanks in advance for any input guys. Hopefully I'll be joining the EVO family real soon.

 

You need to ask what you are primarily going to use the car for. The 5-speed is preferred in the 1/4 mile because there is 1 less shift. If you are going to track it, the six speed might offer more for you. If you can afford both, why not go with the MR. I don't think the suspension should matter much except that the MR's stock is better than the normal IX. Hope this helps a little. I have a VIII 5 speed. I like it but an extra gear to cruise in on the highway would be nice.

 

1/4 mile times and track times are not affected by the 5 speed / 6 speed option. If you're making it to 5th gear on the drag strip, you're doing something wrong.

1st thru 4th gears are very similar between the two transmissions. Having a 6th gear is much nicer on the freeway.

 

it'd be tough to get SSL on an MR since it isn't available! HID's standard, no sunroofs in aluminum, sorry!

 

sounds about right to me.

 

I sent you a private message with some more information.

 

if you're swapping complete coilovers, it's fine but just springs is a no-no. no one that i know of makes lowering springs for the MR and yes they do take a different spring rate than the GSR,RS even though they'll fit the bilsteins.

 

6th gear must be nice on the highway. I have a regular IX and when I am doing 60mph in 5th, I am at around 2800-3000rpms. If you value a calmer suspension as well, I'd say the MR should be worth it, but I didn't see it that way.

 

i don't think it's even possible to have a sunroof on an aluminum rooftop... not strong enough... sorry bro... and the interior of the mr's are actually nice... i like the seats, and the stock sound system is good enough... and it is nicer on the freeway with the 6th gear... but other than that, everything is almost eqiuvalent to each version... but whatever floats your boat... it's just my .02 cents

 

Yea I would absolutely do coilovers, I wouldn't want to do just springs.

And hondafan, sorry but you're wrong. The MR is possible to do SSL. I already went things over with the dealer in New Jersey and it is possible. Just requires a 2 month waiting period and $$$. Anything is possible for the right amount of money. Gotta pay to play, and I know the GM there and did lots of favors for him in the past so he didn't get me too bad. We are going over figures on Saturday. I know some may flame me for trying to get SSL in an MR but you must understand, I am coming from a TL Type S and have grown quite acustom to some luxury. Also, something like a car is a big investment, why not get it the way you want it without regret. And as far as weight, I think with the power output of the EVO, I'll survive the added weight.

The best weight reduction is for my fat @$$ to go on a diet anyways. =)

EDIT: oh and thanks for all the input so far guys. keep them coming!

EDIT#2: they told me it was possible using all mitsu parts as well with warranty in tact. The post above was made in assumption that it was going to be built with a steel roof.

 

well i guess you're so special that is gonna make an MR with a steel roof so it can support a sunroof just for you! ha, good luck pal!

 

My dealer offered me the sunroof for $1000 dollars and to cover my seats for another $1000, i don't think they knew what they were talking about though.

 

Yea, like I said in a PM from boost4fun, I made it specifically clear to the salesman that the only way I will take delivery is if the SSL package is genuine mitsu products and done correctly. I am hoping to be able to check out a IX with SSL to verify what genuine actually looks like. I am going in on Saturday to make sure everything is in writing and get the final figures. I understand your disbelief in the situation and was quite skeptical myself and rest assured, I will cover my *** on this deal on Saturday. I will let you guys know how it turns out. Any other comments from you guys before Saturday's negotiations will be much appreciated.

And hondafan, I understand you are quite skeptical and I don't blame you one bit. But the sarcasm I could have done without...I am not some dumb kid (I am 20 and still a kid). I work at a dealership myself and know what shady stuff goes on behind the sales desk and rest assured, I will do everything possible to cover my ***. Thanks for the info about the suspension too.

Also, one reason I am leaning away from the MR is that I don't really need all interior CF pieces, they aren't really important and the guages are a waste of money because I plan on using DEFI accessories. So I am debating whether all the other amenities provided in the MR package is really worth it.

Maybe I should describe my driving style for better input from the vets. I am going to use this car as a daily driver. Normal driving for me is actually quite aggressive, mostly highway. The only type of racing I've done so far is drag because there is no road course or autox in my area, but I am trying to get into that. Maybe you guys can give me some of the pros and cons? Thanks again.

 

daily driver the MR is nice for the 6-speed highway gear. as far as the sunroof, they can dress up a GSR with the MR goodies, wheels, interior bits, guage package, badging, suspension, 6-speed, but trust me, if it has a sunroof it is lacking one of the prime reasons to buy an MR, the aluminum roof-the one thing you can't bolt on to make a look alike. you can tell if the roof's aluminum cause it has raised ridges near the doors where the steel roof is completely flat.

 

Thanks for the info dude. Just what I was looking for in my decision actually. The main reason I wanted the MR was for the 6-speed option. Since an aluminum roof, mainly for weight purposes, is not a big issue for me, I am curious as to whether I can purchase a GSR with the 6-speed option instead of decking out a MR with SSL. Suspension wise, if I plan on going aftermarket, I shouldn't be concerned with the inverted Bilsteins (should I?). And thanks for the tip about the roof verification. Little details like that become valuable info.

Any other input? The last 1.5 hours has been lots more helpful than my 3 months of trolling. =)