Well after the painfull STi vs MR decision I got down to haggling and came out at $29,995 for 2005 STi - discounted very nicely and in any color I want. Then I went next door to Mitsu and was told not a penny off the MR ... Ouch

It's a nice car and all but $6,500 difference?!?!?!?

I also have had an offer excepted on a 2003 with 6K miles for $22K

So I was curious as I sort all this out has anyone bought their MR for under MSRP?

Bill

 

Bought my MR for $35,500, $1,000 off of MSRP. Had to have it brought in from Annaheim because none of the Northern CA. dealers were willing to deal. When I told them what I wanted to pay they all laughed and sent me packing...and I was paying with cash. They told me that I was smoking crack if I thought I was going to find a dealer that was willing to sell me the car for under MSRP. Had three different dealers tell me that... "You now it's a limited edition"..bla bla bla bla. And they all smuggly said, "Well when you realize that you're never going to get one for that price come look us up again." I loved it last week when one of those dealers called to inquire if I was still looking for one and I got to tell him that I found one for the price I wanted... sweet justice. But to further answer your question...I also own a '05 STi and the MR is not worth $6500 more. The two cars each have there advantages. The MR is awesome in the corners, the STi is awesome in it's power delivery. The STi has power all through the rev range and in every gear where as the MR needs to be in the right gear and in the right rev range to take advantage of it's power. So if you want a car that's going to be very quick on the freeways and handles very good get the STi, if you want a car that handles brilliantly on twisty roads and can hold it's own in the straight bits against most common cars get the MR. Kind of depends on what you want. The STi has more frills and it's dash design is one of the best. The MR seats are awesome but the dash is one of the worst I've ever seen...have to have the steering wheel in school bus position or the seat leaned way back in order to see your speed and the dash illumination is pathetic, on it's brightest setting it looks like most cars on their dimmest. Glad I own both...

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=128308

buy that....hehe

 

I would wait to see what the IX comes with. And if you still want the MR you'll probably get a better deal since it would be the old model.

 

Ill have to agree with Dus10. I've never driven an MR, but i can say that it is fairly similar to the STi, only with a lower displacement engine. If u can get the STi for $6500 cheaper, then go for it. IMO, they're oretty much even, it just depends on the driver's preference. Anyways, good luck, and im sure you'll be happy with either car.

 

I say wait on newer model or get a 05 GSR u still get ACD! plus a wing!

 

Buy the 03 for 22k. Then you'd have mad loot for mods. IMO

 

Who else has picked up an MR for under sticker and how much? Heck, neither of the two local Hartford, CT area dealers I dropped by would budge an inch on the evos no matter the model.

I've just got back from showing my wife the local 03 Evo 8 with 6K miles - and might agree with one of you who said just get the 03 and have $$$ for go fast parts - seats would be first, I hate the seats.... ANyhow I could deal with the 03 as is and trade it in on IX this fall...... Mmmmmm

 

If it were me, I'd go for the STi. Like everyone else who looks at an Evo, I'm looking at the STi. One of the big things that does it for me is the side airbags. The main reason I like the Evo is it's athleticism, if I could get an STi at the same price, though, I couldn't argue. Maybe I'm just a scarey-cat, but I like the assurance that I won't get ****ed up, again. Really, the performance difference doesn't justify the cost, so I say either GSR or STi. Then again, I don't own either.

 

I disagree unless your reving below 2800 RPM where the 2.5L really kicks the 2L butt. The MR has smoother power delivery thus I feel it's has better power delivery on the track. The STi had more omph and then nothing above 6 grand. True the evo feels slow but put them side by side it's alway a dead even or close race.

Is MR work $6500 more? Yes if it make you happier and no if your looking for value for the dollar.

 

I just picked up my MR for 34 with an amazing 1000 over what I owe for my trade in that I only put 1000 down when I bought it on a 60 mo term..I think I made out pretty nicely..Plus there were only 2 graphite gray mr's left anywhere even remotely close to where I live..There are NOT many left..I just got my MR on friday and could not be happier.

 

i say get the '03 and mod it, and when the IX, and eventually the X come out, trade it in or sell it. I mean '03 and '05's look identical on the exterior, and the ACD and front diff only really stand out if your car sees lots of track duty.

Thats what i did,i found a brand new '03 never been titled or registered for 24,900 with full factory warranty. Why take the depreciation hit if you already know you are going to go for the 9 or the next STi.... I mean I plan on driving this car for 3 years only have fun with it and then move on to something else.... i got it so cheap i may be even able to keep it with along whatever else i get ... (C6 ZO6!)

IMO....

 

Got my MR for 34.5, zero down, no payments for 90 days, better interest rate than my credit union.

I'd probably go for the STi at that price...that's below invoice.

 

You could get a GSR for around 29500. If it's a price thing and you like the evo's handling better, I'd go with a GSR over an STi.

 

I'm sure there are differences in individual cars. I know that I have to shift the MR a lot more than my STi on the track and in the twisty roads in order to keep the car in it's power band. The STi seems to have grunt all over the place and you don't get the sensation of turbo lag like you do in the MR. In the MR I have to downshift a lot more before corners other wise while trying to accelerate around the corner it seems to bog for a few then when the turbo spools up you get that old school Porsche 930 feel around the corner...hold on. The Evo is a cornering machine though and is very controllable even when getting the rear end out a little. Just a different car than the STi, if the Evo had a 2.5 liter engine it would be absolutely perfect in my humble opinion. But to each their own.