Ok, I've been beating myself up on this subject for nearly 2 months now. I've read differnt forums, visited Mitsu's site. Looked at many differnt cars (specifically Mazda 6's, STi's, and Evo's). Checked my finances, my abilities as a person (re: bodyshop manager) and my resources.

Now, before a flame starts - I did attempt a search. Granted, I'm not good with serches (re: I tried "Differnt Package", "SE MR RS", and a few other combos). So my question is:


What's so special about a MR/SE/IX that makes them so much more than an RS? Or vice versa? What exactly are the Pro's/Con's.

Sofar, all I see:
Differnt costs, differnt exteriors, differnt lux's.

I'm not really seeing any differnt ride heights or anything that would indicate "Better" suspension. Nor am I really seeing anything on the engine that indicates better performance. Do the RS's perform as good as an IX?

Reason being, is I am looking to buy one. Specifically, a wrecked one. That kind of limits me if I find a "Definatly repairable" car. I don't want to feel jipped getting an RS if the MR has such better componets between it's bumpers.

The other concern I have, is (and I've seen talks on this, but...) if there is anything that is exclusivly wrong with any particular year/model (re: looking for an 03+). I have read about stainless lines wearing holes, specific gears (3 and 5, on VIII's) goin out. I have also heard of a couple of issues reguarding heating on the blocks.

I'm pretty much set on the Evo, I am however, not set on any particular package. Reason being (as stated) is my lack of understanding between the packages. Hell, if all an RS is missing is premium sound - wtf? Heh, point across yet?

Pre-Thanks for the awnsers. Also a pre-thanks for the flames.

 

there all basically the same but with little minor upgrades ...it all depends on what u like and how deep your pockets are .....i personally own a GG EVO IX GSR non SSL i would defenetly like to have the HID's though

 

K, now we're talking acronyms that don't mean anything to me. GSR? SSL? I am assuming the GG applies to the color.


I should mention color isn't an issue - I noticed one of them only came in a couple of colors. I've got some pearls at work I intend to play with to make some custom colors.

 

Well for starters the RS is about as BARE as you can possibly make a car. I'm sure i'll miss some things in this list :P. I don't have info on the SE so i wont bother listing it. Someone else can chime in

http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/j...en-us#specsTab

Evo RS:

• Urban packet (AC, Radio)
• Helical front diff (04+, ACD on later models, no AYC)
• 5 Speed only
• No power locks or windows
• Aluminum roof
• Forged Lower Control Arms
• Forged Lower Links

Evo GSR:

• Radio
• Power windows/locks
• Wing
• ABS Breaks
• Optional Boost Gauge
• 5 Speed only
• ACD

Evo MR:

• Radio
• Power windows/locks
• Wing
• Vortex Generator
• ABS Breaks
• Boost Gauge
• ACD
• AYC
• 6 Speed
• Aluminum roof
• Forged Lower Control Arms
• Forged Lower Links
• Bilstein® Shock Dampers
• BBS Rims
• HID's

 

GSR, ACD, and AYC kinda confuse me.

Basically the MR edition has some bolt on goodies you can probly get for cheaper by buying aftermarket - some of which are a moot point if buying a wrecked car. Though the Aluminum roof, 6speed, brakes, and control arms are something I wouldn't mind having.

So the lowest I would want - would be the GSR (re: power, and I'm lazy).

P.S. Thanks again. Trying to figure this out so I can kind of narrow my searches down.

 

GSR means the regular VIII's or IX's ACD active center Diff, AYC Active Yaw Control JDM cars only Not on US Models

Control arms on the MR are the same as the other models, the Shocks adn springs are different.

 

Alright guys, thanks for the info. I'll prolly get the GSR then - unless I can find an MR.

 

mr se is basically an mr with the appearance package.

O lift kit
red stitch interior
diamond black bbs wheels

around 1200 extra from an regular MR

 

I was where you were a couple of weeks ago.

I dispatched STi due to the fact that it didn't move me as much as the Evo did. They are very close to IMHO. It's like 9mm sidearms, a Glock will get the job done as well as a Beretta.

Okay here are my really loose noob opinion on teh packages:

RS: $26K
Personally I think this is strictly for those that are hardcore modders. I.E. they will spend anotehr $5k in mods quickly for trakc and stuff. Buying one for regular commuter duties does not make sense.

IX: $28K
IX, to me is the winner and a good compromise. It's got the same engine and trans and for $2k you get a little bit more creature comfort.

IX SE: $30k
This is what I got. The SE gave me a little bit of exclusivity, red stitchings, aluminium roof, HIDs, front spoiler. To me worth the $2k difference just in the HIDs alone.

MR: $32K
This is the top of the line. To me the IX SE gave me what I needed except the 6 speed.

MR SE: $32.5K
If I was getting an MR then it would be the SE version, again for exclusivity.

Good luck. Anyone you get is okay, they all have the same engine (assuming 06).

 

^^^ I don't know where his numbers came from but,

MSRP is: RS:29774, IX:32024, IX SE:33874, MR:36924

these attachments were scanned out of the mitsu evo brochure

[ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

 

South coast I believe.

 

The SE comes with the front lip

 

for 2006: Go to mitsu site and look at trim levels. performance features are virtually identical except the RS is the lightest and comes with an aluminum cross bar in the trunk.

The RS has a thinner lighter trunk lid with no wing and an aluminum cross bar in the trunk, an aluminum roof, no trunk liner, no stereo, no power windows or locks . it also has regular non aluminum pedals and an aluminum shift knob, and boost, volt, temp gauges, and no ABS.

The price increase to the IX (steel roof) is for ABS, sound deadening, Carbon fiber trim, the wing, the stereo, power locks and windows, painted doorhandles and mirrors, and rear window wiper. the SSL (sun,sound, leather) package adds full leather seats, a sunroof and a better sound system.

The SE is a IX with aluminum roof, BBS forged wheels, HID lights and red stitching on the seats.

The MR has bilstein shocks, forged wheels, vortex generator (the sharktooth thing on the roof), 6 speed, gauge cluster, some other body stuff like brake cooling air guides, and aluminum roof. The only thing SE can add on the MR is the red stiching, it already comes with the aluminum roof and BBS wheels and HID.

The only thing I miss on the RS is The power locks and I didn't think that was worth 2k, I like the clean look of no wing and no rear wiper. it also came wired for stereo.

you can't really go wrong with any of these but I would guess that you would get more value back out of fixing up an MR.

 

Mik-what are your plans for the car? AutoX, Drag, Track, just daily drive?

 

I intend to daily drive. I've got a lucky drive of 3 miles / 2 minute to work in rural area. But I also intend the car to replace my Camaro, yet meet the family requirements of my Explorer. Of those I have searched/ridden/driven, the Evo sofar seems to fit the father in me yet appease the kid in me. If you catch my meaning.