The dealer won't let you test drive a car that you have a genuine interest in?
I'm in Hampton Roads and both dealers in this area allowed me a drive in 2008.

 

Just called another dealer 50 miles away and same response. Apparently they don't give out Evos for a test drive.

 

Wow they must not want to sell the car, salesman let me drive a GG and my PB cause he said I might like driving one better than the other. I was also going to drive a RR Mr but dont like the paddle shifter.

It all comes down to preference, when I got my GSR the salesman let me drive any Evo I wanted. He asked if I wanted to drive the MR and I said sure, before we even left the lot I knew I wouldnt like the paddle shift crap. I told him turn around Im not driving it he said just try it. I told him no thanks I prefer the Evo as a manual car, he turned the car around and we jumped in a GSR.

 

It sounds like you'd be better off with the MR. The MR has all the creature comforts and the dampening for fairly comfortable daily driving without sacrificing the raw edge of the GSR. From what i've heard, the SST in the MR is very very good, and has successfully converted some manual-shifting purists to the twin-clutch side. I would really go and give the MR a shot. And considering your desire for a modest increase in power, the MR would be appropriate, as the stock transmission actually limits you to around 350 WHP anyway.

 

On their behalf, from experience they know most serious New Evo buyers want a vehicle with minimum mileage. That's what I wanted and got, but I was allowed to test drive it without having to jump thru any hoops.

Whenever I've taken out a New performance car for a test drive, I let them know I'll respect the car's break-in. Used cars are a different story, heh-heh!

 

What?

 

GSR all the way. So used to driving a stick that when I switched to automatic for a short period time it just didn't feel right. I would always have my hand on the shift knob. Later I may want to switch to automatic, but as of right now I need my manual shifting until I get tired of doing it. Which is basically never in my evo x.

 

I can't comment on the MR as I haven't driven one, still wanting to though. But to me there's no better feeling than having a stick and clutch interaction.

 

I'm so glad I saw this thread. Like you, money wasn't really an issue as we pretty much only had Base GSR's, RARE MR's, and plentiful MR premium packages in 2008, and after tax, they would all cost around 50 - 65k. For myself with 10 years of manual driving experience in my old integra that I used for DD, occasional auto-X, and spirited runs, I thought what the hell, buy the fully loaded top model MR as all those reviews online rave about it.

The twin clutch was neat for the first 2 weeks, but then I realized that even in manual mode, it has a mind of it's own. It thinks about engaging the clutches too much. If you're coming to a stop, but say the light turns green and you want to go, it will think for a bit before it gets going. I have loads more to say about how disappointed I am with the SST, but I'll cut to my final point.

For anyone who hasn't or has no desire to ever master manual with the revmatching, double clutching, and heel toeing, then the MR will exceed your expectations. Speaking just for myself, manual has and always will provide me that bridge that links human to machine. Give me any manual car and once I sit inside, it feels like I've put on a "mech" suit that I can control freely as if I'm moving my own hands and feet. With the Twin clutches, it feels like I'm disconnected. It's ultimately maximum control of the car that you will lose with the twin clutches. If you've never had that feeling in a manual car and would rather be multi-tasking and doing other stuff, then you probably won't miss it. It's literally the night and day difference between driving the evo, and riding the evo.

I've since already tried trading in the MR for a GSR, but I can't afford it as Canadian prices suck! As soon as my MR is paid for, I'm really looking foward to getting a beater s2k... it's going to be a hell lot more fun!


This guy is a jerk... I'm jealous of his X! If you live in the states and don't get the SSS package, you should buy it anyways, come to Canada and swap for my MR!

 

Spartan,
I too live in the Mid-A and the MR is a good choice if you have to commute in traffic. I commute from Columbia, MD to SE DC everyday and I have been using the MR more and more. My normal DD is a 350Z 6-speed and traffic on 95 and 295 is horrible in the afternoon commute, the MR in auto mode in traffic is a left leg saver and I find I'm not as tired when I get home. We also have a 03 VIII GSR which of course is a manual and we use that as a weekend toy/track car. All in all it depends on what you want, the MR isn't limited by horsepower in the transmission but by torque, 350whp is fine with the SST but anything higher then 350wtq may (will) cause problems with heat and slippage in clutch packs. I hope this helps.

Greg

 

I was in the similar situation as you b4 i bought my evo but i got to test drive both cars and went with the MR. like you i was coming from few manual cars before. and when i test drove the MR i loved how fast and smooth it shifted so i jumped on it. but after driving it for around 2k miles i was somewhat getting bored of it. i rarely drive it in auto mode only when im in traffic or feeling lazy. power wise id wish id gotten the gsr just because it can make more power w/o tranny issues, but up to 350awhp should be good for the MR.
hope that was any help for u, and id say u find a way to test drive the MR before buying the car. if the dealer wont let you test drive the car, i say talk to someone else at the dealer. thats just not right. i would never buy a car w/o test driving it

 

i was thinking about the same thing when i first started looking at evo x's but i just can't go away from having a clutch and a stick...MR???no thanks.

 

Hey, I still have my 1996 Integra, which I am going to replace with the Evo.

When you switch the paddles to full manual I thought it does not change gears unless you initiate through paddles.

BTW thanks to everyone for your input so far. It is very valuable and there are quite a few titbits which I would'nt have picked up even if I did get a test drive.

 

Easy MR vs. GSR Decision Chart:

 

I test drove a few MR's before i ended up buying a evo..I will NEVER buy a car without driving it first..I don't care if its brand new with 0 miles on it...