I miss my little race car and have been planning for some time to buy a new one, however when I bought mine in 03 there was no rs,mr, or sse package to have to choose from. i got the only model they sold in the U.S. after a long debate back and fourth with many people including myself I have decided I want an evo 8 again but how do i know what package will suite my needs ? Do I want differential control? Is the six speed better or is the 5 speed ; the revised 1 or the first 1? I want a car that handles as well or better than the base model 8 and is the better choice an all around 500 hp dd

 

Sounds like your looking for either an 05 or 06 GSR or base SE. They got ACD(diff cont.), 5 speed(stronger trans), front diff(better handling) and the RS is less comfortable as a DD and the MR has the weaker 6 speed trans.

 

If I were you, I'd get an EVO IX base, or EVO IX SE if you don't want the 6 speed. You can't go wrong with any EVO IX's, or 05 EVO 8's. I wouldn't even look at the 03-04 models. 05-06 models all have the LSD in the front and rear, and ACD, and they also take to mods much better than the 03-04 (especially the 06 IX motor). THe best of the IX bunch is the MR, but if you don't want the 6 speed, then I'd look for an SE. It's got the BBS wheels, aluminum roof, bilstein suspension, hid's from the MR, just with a 5 speed. But, the 6 speed is fine. I put 180,000 miles on my MR with zero issues from the tranny. the car is still going strong with 360whp for the new owner. I sold it earlier this year, and missed it so much I bought another IX MR. good luck.

 

it is my understanding that the se has a sunroof and leather or was that just an option

 

SE does not have a sunroof or leather, only package that includes those 2 things is the SSL (sun, sound and leather) option.

 

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