Originally Posted by TurboTylerIX

Upgrading to a REAL car

Originally Posted by staatz

So...you're getting an STI!?

Originally Posted by Corey

My SE stickered for almost $34,000. You can get them for around $28,000 or a little more with low miles. They are less than a MR when new.

GSR is basically what EVO owners call the base EVO when comparing them to a RS, SE, or MR.

You could buy a 8 if you like. It would save you money in the long run, but finding a low mileage one may be a little harder than finding a low mileage 9. The only year EVO's came standard with HID's were 03-04' minus the 04' RS. The only problem is finding one without a sunroof, color, and mileage you want.

I'm not sure how much it would cost to convert a 8 bumper to a 9 bumper, but the JDM 9 rear bumper is about $699 shipped from what I've seen and it is not standard on any USDM model. IMO....if you want it to look like a 9, just buy a base 9 in the color you want and add the parts you want.

Visually....the only things they really changed was the front bumpers and wheels from the 8's and 9's.

Like I've said 4 times already.....buy a base 9 and use that as your blank canvas and go from there. Why spend say 28,000 on a SE when you can buy a base 9 for like 25,000 and put a $300 SE lip on it and a $250 HID kit? See where I'm going with this?

The only real reason why I have a SE is because the guy that bought my 04' Cobra was selling his EVO. He wanted my car and I wanted his. I wanted a red SE, but they didn't make them. I wasn't too crazy about graphite gray, but beggers can't be choosers I guess.

Originally Posted by TurboTylerIX

Really? I thought the standard 9 had steel everything? so the SE, RS, and MR only one-up the standard by the roof? (in terms of Al parts)

Originally Posted by Jedi_Gill

He is correct, all Evo's have aluminum fenders, hood and trunk. The only benefit of the MR is the Alluminum Roof. And if it bothers you that much don't get one with the sunroof and eventually get a carbon fiber roof from AMS.

But if you ask me.. I love my sunroof.. Unless you plan on building a drag car I can't imagine not having my evo without it.

Originally Posted by TurboTylerIX

Thanks Bro, this post was very helpful to me. Sounds like a base 9 is the way to go, I guess if i decided later that I really want a lightweight roof I could always get the AMS CF roof. haha

Originally Posted by TurboTylerIX

Just to give an update, I just bought a GG IX SE with only 2500 miles on it!!! I love it. The GG is a really nice color too and im happy with it, especially after i just got my windows tinted dark. I want to sell the wing, but i cant post in the for sale forums....that blows! They need to fix that. How many posts do I need before I can post in there? Is there another forum that is good for buying/selling stuff for evo's???

Originally Posted by Corers

Evo 8's has HIDS, 9's were actually downgraded (unless you got the package that included the HID's or an MR)

Originally Posted by DSMEVOLUTION

Hmm, I thought SE's came in white. I may be wrong though. The aluminum roof is nice but the average driver will not be able to tell the difference. It sheds less than 15lbs. I do know that. If you want HID's then get a standard 9 with the SSL package. THe trim is nicer in the interior but you also get a sunroof and HID's.