1.)The stock shift knob. Replaced with a Works Grab which is IMO the best possible replacement shift knob on the market for the Evo. Even the girlfriend commented on it being 'cute' and I didn't say anything about it being there.

2.)The stock engine/tranny mounts. Buschur's front/rear and AMS's cam/tranny mounts FTW! With the stock mounts, I have no idea how people can put up with the horrific drivetrain undulations during braking and throttle inputs. Not to mention what all that moving around does to your shifting.

*I am certain that this is the best money spent on any Evo that spends more time at the track than the street. I've used Cusco replacements and a host of other Group N bushings on my STIs with great results.

3.)The stock brake pads. I do not like their feel and their span of modulation leaves little to be desired. Thankfully, I have new Pagid Blue 4-2 front/rear to replace them. I will be using them with new aftermarket rotors.

4.)The stock suspension. Needs major help. Driving the RS aggressively with a light fuel load and no spare/tire jack demands attention, at all times. For anyone on a budget and those who would like to keep their RS out of a ditch, at the very least consider MR Bilsteins as I feel they would help tremendously on the street. No worries for me as this will be remedied shortly.

5.)The stock exhaust. UGH!!! Need I say more? I have something in the works just for me, and it is unlike anything else on the market. It will be fully SwainTech coated as always front to back.

Enough of the gripes, here is what I like!

1.)No wing! Thank God. Goes great with the RS moniker= 'R'ental 'S'eries.
2.)$27k. Being able to buy a car with this much potential, in a bare bones package is what I've been wanting for the past eight years since selling my '98 Type R.

 

Sounds good

 

I have to disagree. After owning my RS for just over 4k miles. The engine mounts are fine. I daily drive it to work and home and have no radio and havent changed a thing in that department.

The stock shift knob I think is great. Great feel and beats going out and spending money when the OEM is fine already.

Brakes pads work fine for me. They stop the car and thats all I ask for.

Stock suspension is a little rough for a daily, but this is no benz so I dont mind. Upgrading... whats the point?

Stock exhaust, I love it. Quiet, quiet, and yes I love how its not loud.

The car is perfect as is, I dont understand why all of you go and change everything. Unless its an all out track car, there really isnt a point.

eh, just my 2 cents.

 

1) Eh, it's a shift knob. Hahaha.

2) It's a street car, so it's a little soft in the bushigns. But I haven't noticed any issues with engine movement during hard driving effecting braking, throttle inputs, or shifting. Maybe you need to be smoother on your inputs?

3) The stock pads suck ***.

4) Stock suspension needs minor tweaking as the car understeers a bit. Again, it's a street car. A Buick is a car that needs MAJOR help. If you're feeling too loose on the light fuel load, again, maybe need to be smoother on the inputs? I haven't had any issues. I find it a little odd that you feel the car is too sketchy coming from the Type-R. Loose is fast, especially in FWD!

5) yeah, it's damn quiet; 350z's and G35's have a better exhaust note when they get on it. Nice on the highway though...

My major gripe with the car is the notchy tranny; easier to find the gates than the 350Z 6-speed, but it's not nearly as nice as any Honda tranny where the lever just falls into place like butter. And it could use more power of course

 

In a perfect world, the Evo IX RS would be the ultimate 2nd, sleeper, weekend, hobby car etc. to own. I could only imagine throwing a couple K or more in mods in to an IX RS and shaming 99.9% of all everyday cars you would ever encounter. Cheers to the IX RS owners!