personally i feel that the EVO(base if you want to call it that)is not that much different performance wise in comparison to the MR. Just last week i ran into an STI on the road and we were side by side throughout the whole race. Then again, maybe its the driver?

 

The driver is always a major factor in any "race." What about the technical aspects of the car? What about the car as a whole? I've driven the STi several times but I have not had a chance to drive an MR. I would love to hear from those of you that have had the pleasure of driving (or owning) an MR.

 

I also hear alot about how the STi interior is "nicer." Would you guys agree with this? I have owned a WRX and driven the STi several times. I don't agree with this. The STi interior has a "cheap" feel to me. I actually prefer the Evo AND I LOVE that "exclusive" MR interior.

Man, the more I talk about it the more I want an MR...

 

The EVO used in WRC doesn't have electronic differential. They are all mechanical including the 2.0liter EJ20.

 

So does this mean that I get to start comparing my EVO to WRX's? Awesome! I win! I win!
Even if I'm a crappy driver: I win! (in my opinion the EVO vs STi is pretty much a draw and comes down to the driver)

The MR package seems pretty cool. However, the 6-speed tranny doesn't excite me that much. Sense there really isn't a power increase I don't see any reason to run out and trade my EVO for an MR. If I was on the market though..... I'd probably buy an RS and add the comfort package (have to have AC in TX). The only thing I think the 03 - 04 EVO is missing is the front LSD. The ACD would be pretty cool, but the passive diff in the EVO seems to work pretty well.

When I was shopping I got to drive both the STi and the EVO. The STi interior really didn't stand out as a major selling point. I was the usual plastic trash you find in any GM parts bin. Do you really need digital climate control? The wheel to move power balance between the front and back was cool, but again, I think the EVO keeps its balance pretty well. I like the EVO's interior. It is simple and clean: spartan the way I like things. Also, the seats and the sun roof were big selling points to me. My EVO is my daily and having a sun roof is nice. I seriously doubt there are many drivers on this site who would be able to tell the difference in handling between an EVO with a sunroof and one without. On the STi you don't even get to make the choice.

Overall I'm glad that Mitsubishi is bringing the MR to the US market. Mainly because it shows that they are committed to being here for the long haul. It would be very easy for them to drop out and do to the US EVO what they did to the Eclipse.

 

What bugs me is all the talk about creature comforts. Why did you guys buy these machines in the first place? The STi has a little nicer interior and hits the bumps better, but that was last on my list of priorities. I bought the Evo over the STi because it handles better, is just as fast going straight, and cheaper and easier to mod. Also, the aggressive styling of the EVo just appealed more to me. The Evo is the better drivers car hands down. If you wanted luxury, why didnt you get a Lexus?

 

Guage pack sucks( NO EGT) and they're small and tucked on the bottom
Voretx yu can add on for a couple hunded bucks
Heres the link:


https://www.evolutionm.net/features/newsitem/75

 

I personally find these BBS wheels kind of ugly and dark. Id rather go for Volks. Id rather take a sunroof then 8lbs reduction in the roof and Vortex generator costs around $200 , the 3 guage combo is low, small and ugly and the little stuff like pedals and shift knob can all be changed.

 

Actually the RECARO leather looks very nice and YES sunroof is a very nice feature to have.

 

FULLY AGREE

 

*yawn* thank you, please drive through.

 

I think some of you guys are missing the point. This isn't supposed to be a comparison between the Evo and the Evo MR. I think everyone on here understand the differences quite well. I was really hoping to address the inevitable comparison of the Evo MR vs. the STi. It's great that we all think our standard Evos are perfect but in a COMPARISON to the STi it fell short because we didn't have some of the goodies.

Well, now we have all of those goodies in the MR. No matter how you look at it, it is CHEAPER to buy the MR then to buy the standard Evo and add in those components. Thus... back to the topic of MR vs. STi.

Any MR owners out there wish to chime in?

 

since there are no "owners" yet, i'll chime in as a soon-to-be-owner. just ignore the MR hating...it's tired. most of the people bashing the MR because it costs too much, etc. couldn't afford one anyway. buy whatever you like.

 

I understand your goal, but if most of us picked the GSR over the STi in the first place, how do you expect us to pick an STi over the MR. Of course, we're all gonna say the MR is better becaused we already picked the trim below it. That's why this thread has digressed into picking between the MR and GSR.

 

It's not MR hating, I'd love to have the MR just for it's uniqueness, but for an extra $5G, I decided to go ahead and buy an 04 GSR. Why, because I'm all about performance. I don't see the MR as being worth the extra 5G. Yeah, its a little faster and the ride is a little better but do you think it is worth that much. Just imagine what kind of a machine you could have for 5G worth of mods.