Test drove gsr and mr this weekend. I gotta admit, I like the gsr more. The mr overheated the tranny after about 10 min on the test drive. Seriously. That's pathetic. If I can do that on a ten min test drive, what's going to happen at the track and the drag strip???

 

I'm surprised... last I check, dealerships don't let you test drive EVOs unless they are used. In which case, a 10 minute overheat of the SST might be due to other factors. And, if you're overheating anything during a test drive... *shakes head* ... it's either your driving or the car is a lemon. Oh, and if you're thinking drag strip, why are you looking at the MR? In fact, why are you looking at AWDs period?

That being said, I traded in a car with the TC-SST for a GSR, and I don't regret it. Partly, I miss shifting my own gears. Partly, I don't trust the long-term reliability/cost-of-ownership for a TC-SST. Forget warranty, I'm talking about the price to fix a TC-SST 20, 30, 40k miles after the warranty is up.

As for the GSR needing a built motor, and the 4g63 being a stronger/better motor... Well, from everything I've read and seen, the GSR will hit ~350 whp/wtq with just basic bolt ons and a tune. Hell, the fuel system alone will support 400+ whp. That's much better than you'd do in the MR. SSP has the clutch pack upgrades, but there is still no telling if the SST can actually support that much power for a sizable period of time. Also, some would contend that the holding power of the SST clutch plates has less to do with their construction (SSP upgrade route), and more to due with the actual programming of the transmission itself.

 

The SST over heated because the salesman suggested I put it in sport mode for the whole ride. It was running at 4000rpms+ the whole time. Regardless, clearly it's going to overheat at the track. Also, the car was delivered to the dealership two days before (Saturday, I drove it on a Sunday). If you are not allowed to drive a new MR, I'd go to a different dealership/salesman.

I have to have awd for winter, I drive over mountain passes for work all year round, so I need an awd. This ruled out the boss 302, used c6 vettes, and used porsche caymans that I also would love. I looked into the 2003 rs6 as well (maintenance is killer, 35k miles per timing belt change, 6k for parts to replace the suspension that will go out), the A4 (not fast enough/to expensive to mod to what I want), the RS4 (to expensive and uber spendy (15k for a supercharger!!) to mod). Since I enjoy going to the strip, I need something that is pretty good at everything. I certainly feel the evo x supports that.

I actually have test driven two cars now with paddle shifters, the MR and a 08 A4 (I don't fit in the new versions), and I'm not sure I'm sold. I actual missed shifting my own gears as well. Plus, the GSR can hold more power, so it certainly seems to fit my needs better.

I do feel that over the next couple of years after market companies will be able to upgrade the SST reliably, it truly is only a matter of time. Once that happens, the car will be a poor mans super car. Until then however, I'll stick with a manual.