$4000 difference to get the 2005?? If I understand what you said correctly, You will be WAYYYYY happier keeping the 2003 and putting your $4k into it instead of getting a 2005

2003+$4k mods>2005

 

I would definately check for boost leaks. Just because you get decent boost doesn't mean its not leaking out. I checked my car when it was stock and it had three. Now I check it every oil change.

 

Well Lazeum here it is. my thoughts may help u bcuz i have an '03 AND an '05. here are the differences that i noticed albeit some may be of no importance:

door seals are thicker on '05s & sometimes have to be slammed

'05 feels stronger due to the 10.5 hotside (vs the '03's 9.8)

'05 feels slower off the line than the '03 (drag only, not including RS models)
driver's side buttons are raised on '05s, flush on '03

'05 shifts better than '03 (i had issues in the '03 until i swtchd to Royal Purple fluids)

the '05 can take a turn a little hotter than an '03 since it has a front LSD vs the
'03s open diff ('03s are better known as 3 wheel drive...)

you lose the I/C water spray in the '05 but the car is prewired for the JDM
water spray (check the fuse diagram on the driver's side lower dash cubby)

'05s dash is shinier producing more daytime glare (unless u wear polarized sunglasses)

'05s only get std HID's w/ the SSL package-otherwise stock bulbs suck (silverstars work great)

'05s cupholder is bigger than the '03

'03s trunk closes better than '05

the yellows are different-03-04 paintcode Y01 is actually Dandelion Yellow (evo7 color)whereas the '05 paintcode Y12 is Lightning Yellow (shared with stock Lancer)

My Conclusion:
if u really want an '05 get the MR. otherwise either fix up your '03 (& get rid of those all seasons) or spend the extra $ & get the '06 (preferrably MR also). remember the last year of a bodystyle is always the best model cuz they throw everything on it b4 they redesign it...

 

get a new RS..

 

OK, It's obvious that I will do a mistake to switch from 03 to 05.

Your answers are constructive and help me in the mean time to solve my issues
I'll keep it then and go for mods pretty soon

 

Oh and regarding my all-seasons
They are not so bad, As I daily driver, they are doing pretty good. Not as good as the advans but enough to have troubles.

So far, I've never had any traction problem (and I'm still faster than any other car on corners & ramps )

 

I declined the offer. I keep my 03.
Thanks again guys for your support

 

Don't do it....unless u are getting a 06 evo IX MR.....

 

To close this topic, I declined the offer. I keep my 03.

Then for the smoothness issue, I've checked the car with other EVO owners from mievo.net. The dump was reversed probably by the previous owner. My car is muuuuch smoother right now.

I just hope it did not damage the turbo

I gonna check the boost leak as well. I made the tool in the mean time.

Thanks all again