Hey, total noobie to this board. I was going to buy a Mazdaspeed 6, but I'm getting frustrated with the delays and found a an Evo VIII at a dealership in town and I'm thinking about buying it. The only option it doesn't have that I would have put in if I ordered it is the sports meter kit. I was thinking about trying to find out if the dealer can install that option-- but then I looked at the pics of it, and it looks like the guages are not positioned very well in teh factory kit. Does anyone have any opinions about that?

Would I be better off to look to the aftermarket for guages? Anyway, just looking to hear some opinions on the matter.

 

stock gauges are pura caca!

To clarify, they are small, hard to read, and IMO not very attractive. There are so many great options as far as gauges go that unless the car you really want (or bought) already has them on it, I'd say go aftermarket. Now on the flip side, I've heard of some loser dealers that actually have tried to void warranties for nothing more than aftermarket gauges, which is ridiculous... I have Autometer SportComp (which a lot of people don't like) but they're simple and cheap yet look great and they're silver to match my car most importantly they are clear and easy to read:

 

Ok I sell mazdas and Mitsubishis, The Mazdaspeed 6 is a great car but we can't get them until they make them. The car should be out by the first week of October. As far as the Evo goes with the sports gauges it costs a pretty penny and they are hard to read, go with a aftermarket set and be happier.

Lewis

 

Here are the part numbers from donjacobsauto.com (i.e. mitsubishipartsstore.com), their prices are probably the best around that I have found.

You will need -

INSTALL KIT, BLACK, CD/SPORTS METER 2004 MITSUBISHI EVO $47.94 MZ598263EX
GAUGE KIT, SPORT METERS 2004 MITSUBISHI EVO $371.40 MZ592038EX

I personally like the stock look of the gauges, and they are just informational anyway. It's not like you are going to be staring at them constantly while driving.

When I bought my 2005 Apex Silver I bought the above plus all my other Mitsubishi genuine accessories from Don Jacob's Mitsubishi and then had the dealer install them.

The sport's meter kit is going to take 3-4 hours to get installed. You could also have a reputable tuner shop install them also for a little less on the hourly labor rate, it's up to you.

Good luck.

 

Those Autometer gauges look like crapt BTW, too much white! I would rather have the stock gauges than those white Autometer guages that stick out like coke bottle glasses...

Go with Defi over Autometer next time. I had the Defi Boost gauge on my MR before I traded it in and it's an extremely nice gauge for the money.

Some day it will go back in, but I like stock for now.

 

Thanks for the advice everybody. I think I'll probably look into the aftermarket.

Also, just as an aside, I don't blame the dealer for the delays-- they can't force the factory to deliver. I'm just frustrated with waiting for the car and watching the value of my trade-in plummet... I'm also frustrated with my dealer because he's very ambivalent about the sale. I never get any good answer or a phone call or anything from him. I also can't get any confirmation that they actually ordered the car. I'm wondering if he only got so many allocations and used them on cars for the lot instead of mine. I just don't have a good feeling about the guy.

 

They're not white, it's just the angle/reflection. They are silver bezel and face and they look great in person. They match the stereo and the car perfectly. There's no doubt that Defi is super nice, but considering I bought the Autometer used from a wrecked Evo for ¢ on the $, the immense cost difference is something I'd rather spend on more power!

 

Take it from me, don't buy from him. I sell cars for Mazda and Mitsubishi. My dealership is a no haggle no hassle dealer, so we get to be honest. I don't even make commission so I don't care how much you spend. Other dealers are going to give you the run around and not a straight answer. Before you buy anything if you have any questions please contact me. I hate to see another tuner get screwed.

Lewis

 

Get the EVO, don't get a Mazadaspeed 6!

 

I would second this, the mazdaspeed is more luxury and is not going to handle as well. Yes i know it says Mazdaspeed but they are offer really high end features on the car and lets face it it's not as nimble as the evo in any trim level.

 

 

SicLanEvo,
Yeah, thanks. That's why I was liking that Mitsubishi dealer I was working with. That's the kind they are, I think. Or at least, the guy I was dealing with was like that... he just pulled out the invoice, showed it to me, and told me he wanted $100 over it. Anyway, as it turns out, the Mazda dealer showed me his system, and my car was built on 9/8, and now has a VIN number, so it's now just a matter of delivery. So despite some of the issues-- I don't think he was ever really not straight with me... just very ambivalent-- I am going to buy the car I ordered. Heheh, though, I was on my way to the dealer to cancel the order (and then go buy the Evo) when he was finally able to tell me the car was on its way for sure.

As for the other guys-- I know the Evo is much much more car but I'm looking for a daily driver, so the added luxury is okay for me. On the side I will be operating a race car on the track, so I will still get my mega speed fix.

Thanks for the help everybody.