I'd go with the GSR it's local and lower miles. From my experience buying cars in other states can be a huge pain in the ***. There's nothing really appealing about an RS anyway..

 

If the car serves only as a track car, then RS will be the ideal choice for me, however, since most people drives their EVO on a regular basis, like others said, the amenities on the GSR are better for daily duties.

 

I don't see how getting fair market value for a car means that it's becoming a **** box.

 

i want the prices to go up higher so 16 and 17 year olds cant buy the car lol

 

makes no sense lol 16 or 17 year olds can buy a 30k car. Some mommies and daddies do that you know

 

Your in CA so maybe the RS. But anywhere it gets hot and humid can't go without A/C. Power windows are not that important to me.

 

I would go with the RS and keep the extra money for mods

I love my RS I couldn't care less about power windows..I had a 03 GSR and 2 window motors went out thats why i picked up the RS.

 

here are some reasons why you want the RS

Here is what this car is about:

The American 2003 and 2004 GSRs are without the helical limited-slip front differential and 6-speed manual transmission. The 2004 US spec RS models, however, do have a front helical limited-slip differential. All 2003, 2004 and 2005 RS and GSR models have the Japanese Evolution VII's 5-speed transmission. All Evos have lightweight aluminum front fenders and hoods. The basic RS Edition does not come with power windows, locks, or mirrors, an audio system, rear wing, sound deading material, map lamps or an anti-lock braking system. All Evo VIII RS models sold in the US have an air conditioning system. (Wikipedia)


For those of us who find comfort just a distraction, Mitsu has now conjured up the Evolution RS; an EVO shorn of niceties and about 146 pounds. Gone are the rear wing, rear wiper, ABS, A/C, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, the trunk trim, the leather wrap around the parking brake lever, the sound system, map lights, most of the sound deadening, some bucks off the sticker price and a good chunk of the commuter friendliness.

What gets added is a bar spanning the rear strut towers, a limited-slip front differential and a set of halogen headlamps to replace HIDs used in the VIII. Bye bye, civility; hello ferocity--at least, theoretically.It's not surprising the ABS was deleted with the addition of the helical LSD up front. After all, making ABS work along with three limited-slip differentials is a neat engineering trick that, so far, can only be accomplished with an active center diff. But deletion of the ABS probably also let Mitsu drop enough cost out of the RS to be able to pay for the new diff and still knock the total MSRP (Sport Compact Car)



Gone as well are the power windows, door locks, and mirrors. Mitsu's ardent product planners scrapped the sound deadening, trunk-compartment trim, rear wiper, map lights, rear assist handles, parking-brake handle leather, center-console lid, and keyless-entry system. The door mirrors and handles are now black instead of body-colored. Total weight loss varies between 88 and 146 pounds, depending on options. In racing, where the difference between winning and losing can be measured in hundredths of a second, every pound counts. Unlike most manufacturers, Mitsubishi doesn't charge more for its welterweight club sport model--it charges less.
This hard-core diet translates to an increase in performance without costly engine modifications and recertification, verified by our 0-to-60 time of 4.4 seconds.


the Evolution RS is just a racing seat, rollbar, and fire suppression system away from being rally-ready. The car has a front helical limited-slip differential (which transfers power to the wheel with more grip) to replace the open diff in the standard Evo. During laps at Willow Springs Raceway in the standard Evolution and the RS, we felt the RS's front end digging deeper into the pavement--allowing it, like most race-oriented cars, to exhibit slight oversteer. A trunk-mounted cross brace adds structural stiffness yet weighs less than a pound.
(Motor Trend)

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

 

Even just average condition IX's at auction are getting 18-20k so I'd say 21.5 is not too bad for a car you can inspect.

Price Miles Condition Color
03/16/11 SEATTLE Lease $26,500 14,640 Above BLUE 4GT 5 No
03/09/11 NADE Regular $21,750 24,029 Above SILVER 4GT M Yes
04/13/11 GTR Regular $20,700 23,117 Avg Silver 4CY M Yes
04/13/11 KC Regular $19,000 23,772 Avg SLV 4GT 5 Yes
04/28/11 NORTHWY Regular $18,800 34,545 Avg BLUE 4GT 5 Yes
02/17/11 GTR PHNX Lease $17,000 82,110 Below GRAY 4GT 5 Yes

 

The US rs all have A/C so no worries their. I'd get the RS if you have a warm fuzzy about it. If you feel pretty good you could even fly to the RS check it out and drive it back. My buddy and I did this with a car that was in Texas when we were in Georgia. It was a 15hr drive one way and it was completely worth it.

 

and manually rolling the window up and down to pay tolls along the way

 

gsr

 

I wouldn't worry about 72,500 miles on the RS. If it was properly maintained it will last for a long time.

 

people see having manual windows as a downside. the way i see it, i can crank them up and down faster than any motors

its a little bit of a PITA to roll down the passenger's though

 

Yeah I bought my RS with 70K miles on it. I bought it because it was local and the seller had the title. It had problems like it needed a 60K service and a new clutch. 1700+2000= 3700~4k. The cheapness evened it self out. It was a good deal but overall the GSR is a better buy even if you have to spend more.

If I were you buy the GSR and have no worries.