OK, I always heard how the IX is so much better than the VIII. I bought into the hype. Don't get me wrong, I love my new car, but there are some things my 03 had that I really, REALLY miss. My IX is a regular base IX (GSR), so some of the things have to do with that.

1) I miss my HIDs!
2) I miss the VIII's gearing, especially 4th for acceleration.
3) I miss the 5th gear for fuel economy. My VIII made 140whp more than my IX and still got 5-6miles per gallon better than my IX.
4) The IXs are louder. I don't know if there's less sound deadening or what, but the exact same exhaust is a lot louder in the IX. Even stock to stock, the IX is louder than the VIII


Now, I can't totally hate on my new car, so here's some improvements, but they've been documented ad nauseum:

1) Mivec
2) ACD
3) Front LSD
4) Way sexier front bumper (I hated that stupid plastic triangle)
5) Nicer fabric in the interior
6) Slightly bigger stock turbo


Can you guys/gals think of any more things that you liked better about your VIII?

 

my 9 has HID's... as for comparision. its been so long since i had my 8 that i cant remember that far back

 

things I like bout my VIII that where improved.l. or already had..

1) evo 9 turbo
2) already had the lsd-evo rs
3)dont really care for the acd
4)I can live with out the Mivec,
5) installed Hid's gotta love them.

 

the evo viii was the first offerd to the us. i like the ix, but it can live with my viii forever!

 

i had a totaly diff evos. Then i had GSR SSL now i have RS...
and still i wouldn't change my RS for the GSR SSL.

i personally didn't find anything against the IX ,compere to the VIII.
but maybe just me.

 

This is my first Evo IX MR and I love everything about it and I wish it had a better sterio sound.

 

Get a nice aftermarket deck and the stock speakers are actually pretty good.

 

+1 got an eclipse, speakers sound pretty damn good..

 

I bought the RS knowing that I was going to put a kick a** stereo in it.

Alpine IVA 900
DLS Iridium 6.2s
Focal Sub 11"
forgot which amps (lightest I could find)

Car looks very low key with a sound system that rocks. Oh and a Viper paging Alarm.

 

There you go, finally. Everybody keeps saying how nice IX's are. I love my VIII, and no MIVEC or LSD can make the $15000 difference. I owe $15000 on my Evo, no way for that stuff I'm going to spend the money, for the price of MR I can one very, very sick Evo....

P.S. I don't really like IX's bumper

 

Im not jealous of anything on the 8 compared to my IX. Sorry.

 

and vice versa. sorry too

 

 

I refuse to bite into IX v. VIII but in my opinion:

HIDs are an option- You should have gotten it
4th gear shifting? Ive never heard this gripe...maybe 1-3 for traffic but 4th?
Fuel Economy? Hahahaah...did the VIII get 30mpg? Get a Prius my friend
Louder - When I test drove the VIII, I could hear the engine CLEARLY through the fire wall. Even my friends were asking if it were normal.

This is basically a thread griping about things that someone who does research about the car they're purchasing would have known. Kick yourself in the *** for that one

 

HID's were only an option as part of the "Sun, Sound, and Leather" package. For those of use who drive our cars on the track, that package is highly unappealing: slippery leather seats; extra weight and decreased headroom from the sunroof; and extra weight from a sub in the trunk. No thanks!

The lack of headroom is the big killer. It becomes a major issue when you're 6'1" tall, drive with a proper upright position, and have to wear a helmet! I wish you could get the HID's separately. I guess the new SE package takes care of that.

Emre