Absent from this forum for about a year after selling my '05 MR, I have been dissappointed with all the articles about the new larger, heavier, and slower EVO X. I went in to my local dealer and they remembered me from my previous EVO MR purchase and could not have pulled the new EVO X MR off the showroom floor fast enough. I am so happy to say I was beyond impressed and regret being so down on the new X from all the so-so media coverage.

First impressions: Not your old plastic cabin with a hot motor. It's a BMW Killer inside and out. The new interior with SSS and paddle clutch system is a kock out. Totally blown away with how far the car has come.

Driving: I did not find the soft suspension or body lean so many articles claim. The MR springs are stiffer right? Brakes are huge! Power and shifts in sport mode are F1 all the way!!!! Just lightly driving this new MR with only 19 miles I hit six digits on the on-ramp before the highway without getting above 5k rpm.

Equally blown away by the price of over $43,000. It's a payment close to $800/month. I can see it in this car, but then, it's this car vs so many others at the same price???? Tough to track this car at this price.

Here is my question: For track guys, do you get a 2004 Z06 for $24,000 or the new MR for $43,000 or GSR $33,000 no options??? So many other tuner options too: Redline Saturn, G8, BMW 135i, .......

As a true EVO lover, I would love to have the new MR because it's the coolest car on the planet. I just don't have the cash right now. Will try and post pics now.

 

suspension is stiffer in the GSR compared to the MR and you can probably get a 2008 GSR with the SSS for $31K. Trade off is that you can only get a 5MT but the transmission looks like it will take more HP.

 

The MR's springs are softer than the GSR's. And what do you mean "so so media coverage?" The car has gotten fantastic reviews since it came out. The only negative comments about it were from evo 9 owners on this forum. Either way, glad you liked it, although saying that the interior is a BMW killer is a bit of a stretch. It is a fantastic car, but if it were me I'd go with a GSR. It's more raw than the MR, is stiffer sprung so it handles a little bit better, and it has a stick which is the proper tranny in an EVO but to each his own.

 

I couldn't sleep at night because my GSR just wasn't fast enough (it's still stock), so i also bought a 2008 c6 ls3 powered vette. both cars do different things well...having a back seat and ground clearance is still nice sometimes too. awd for the bad weather and so on, but in fairly stock form, the vette pretty much dominates. I will say that the evo is easier to drive on the limit so the learning curve is short.

the GSR 5 speed ratios are livable unless you commute a lot on the highway, but the bigger gripe, for me, would be the grindy synchros until it gets warm.

MR is cool, but it may not be able to support big mods...GSR development is coming along though.

the redline is cheap garbage, and that's coming from the gm people. The 135...I was interested in it, but why pay big BMW money to not get the prestige associated with more upscale models.

 

"Fantastic Coverage?"

You're right, but when you love a car so much, the coverage is not good enough. Speaking more from a track perspective, Every article talks about how the car has grown up and is less racy or edgy.....SOFTER. Overall, the coverage is very positive I agree.

As for the interior, okay....maybe not BMW killer, but previous MR interior killer! At least you could pull up to a BMW event and not have to hide your interior anymore.

Thanks for the tips on the GSR. My early research is just starting. Interesting how the GSR has tighter springs???? Curious about the MIVEC and DSC Clutch with upgrades in power. I love the paddle shifters, but the GSR with SSS would probably be the best track car choice. Maybe the X RS MR will be just what I want?

 

GSR all the way. You can get leather seats if thats important to you for like $1300. You can also get one with the SSS package for 31-32k. As long as you don't mind a little noise (easilly overcome by the rockford sound system) at 80mph then the 5 speed is awesome. And I'm guessing that if you owned an 05 MR then the GSR would be perfect for you since your not gonna be upset or expecting higher quality interior.

 

So far, the GSR is better for me because I would be putting in race seats, race belts, harness bar, etc.... Also, would be setting up Robispec suspension and huge width rims/tires the first week. After break in, I would start adding the Buschur Racing Stage III package. Would already have all the bushings and struts bars in place top and bottom. I just love that SST. And, I love the MR since I had one previously. But, this X GSR is much closer to MR than past???? I don't know.

As for the C6 above. I agree in stock trim, it's the best. However, my modded Z06 (now sold) was not as fast as my modded Evo...on track. Something about going to Porsche, Vette, and Viper events and passing them in an EVO is just more fun!!!!

 

The SST won't handle the power that I'm guessing you will be going for. And all your other upgrades would negate all the other extra stuff the MR comes with.

The X is different then past models. The MR is not the clear cut better sports car. Mitsu has even stated themselves that the GSR is designed to maintain the more raw race car for those that want it. That's why it has the robust 5speed and then stiffer suspension. The MR is if you want a more comfy ride, leather seats, more noise dampening, and an auto transmission.

The GSR is for you and don't get hold up on the fact it's not an MR, cause that doesn't mean anything for the Xs.

 

With all this talk about how the SST tranny is weaker...

I STILL have not seen a single thread posting up the limits of the TC-SST tranny. Nobody has yet to break it due to too much power.

Isn't still just speculation so far?

 

The dealer where I bought my GSR has had to replace 2 SSTs already. Don't know if the cars were modded.

 

especially if the title says pics....

 

for me is an upgrade.
But seriusly. the MR is an awesome car. soon they will solve the SS-T problems too. So will be good to go.

IF i would never try to be seriously build my car/ as my budget let me/ i would pick the MR too.

Go for it!

 

why does everyone think the bilstein shocks and eibach springs mean the car is less capable.. i just bought a jdm premium model which is a combination of different trim levels in japan. One is the High performance package which includes the eibacj springs, bilstein shock absorbers, high performance tires and two piece front rotors... this is what the USDM MR gets as well and everyone seems to think that there is a compromise in handling when in Japan they state that this package enhances handling and cornering!

 

well i dont know really any MR over 340 whp. yet. So why would break anything yet?
In the other note there is many complain for the overheating SS-T even with stock car.

 

Mitsubishi has stated that the trans isn't rated for higher than 350 crank hp.
As far as the problems with the trans, search and you'll see threads (one with a dealer promising to get to the bottom of it) from guys that have overheated it, from track driving, and IIRC, there was one(or more) about the shift mapping not keeping up with the added power. That one right there is the reason why I didn't get the MR, and I reeeeeeeeeaaaallllly was looking forward to driving that thing on the track. They'll fix it though, and when they do, I'm confident the thing's gonna flat rip around the track.
To the OP: If you saw a sticker of $43k, and really want the car, I have two points of info for you: 1) the dealer isn't gonna get that much. Car sales suck right now, and the market has shown that it won't support a $40k Evo. Low-ball 'em. There's good chances since the price is so high, they've had it in stock for a while, in which case they've been making flooring payments on it. They'll be motivated to get rid of it. 2) MR's start at about $38k. You'll be able to find one with that sticker. If you're gonna be tracking it, you prolly won't want all the upgraded garbage anyway. I track mine, and therefore got the base model GSR.
As far as the '03 Vette. I too entertained a Vette before I got my Evo. I found mag's *****ed about the suspension and steering on the thing up until '08 actually. I guess Chevy did a change in the steering/suspension that finally fixed whatever they were *****ing about. Vettes have always shown their mileage too. The leather cracks early, they start to squeak and rattle, and the steering and suspension gets loose a lot sooner than it should. Pretty much all American cars do that though.
Not to say that an older one won't work. Heck.. that's why the aftermarket exists