the only thing the MR has over the others is the shark fins,brake coolin ducts and shocks. i Got my regular IX with HID, sound/moonroof package all cheaper than getting a MR.

 

Alum roof and lighter BBS Wheels. (Which the SE I have, has also Though biggest thing I miss is the Bilsteins)

 

the se wasnt out when i got my mr. i wouldve got the se over the mr any day

 

I have an MR SE...works great for the daily driving needs I have

 

I bought an MR because I thought the 6 spd would be useful in the mountains near where I live. Not so much, it turns out. I am very happy with my car, but if I were to buy one now, I would go with the RS.

 

How would the 6 speed help with the mountains? The 6-speed is superior on the street or a track. Drag racing the 5 speed owns it.

 

Wow it's funny when I see people and there like WOW a MR SE he's a BALLLLLLLLLLER! I dont care for the 6speed cause I will replace it with 5speed shep tranny eventually. Ok so the SE is a cheap version of the MR go for it.

 

I had an Evo without HIDs before, but only because I couldn't justify the premiums of the SSL package and MR model. Then the IX SE came out with the best of both worlds for a more than fair price, and when the time came, I bought one. I really do feel that it is the best Evo model to be released here when considering all factors... not saying that the other models are inferior, but the SE is the most solid overall package. Some people have mentioned that the MR gets better gas mileage (despite its EPA estimates being lower at 18/24), but I haven't heard too many numbers from owners. Personally, I've gotten an all-time high of 26.22 mpg on a round trip in my completely stock SE on California 91 octane (rated at 19/25), and I haven't heard of anything better on a stock MR yet (not saying that it's impossible, I just haven't heard better, especially on a round trip rather than a 300-mile trek going downhill with a tailwind). The gearing is just fine with me, and first through fourth gear is very similar between the 5-speed and 6-speed in the IXs, as many have mentioned. I'd say the main place where the MR shines above the 5-speed models is acceleration at triple-digit speeds (pretty much once you shift out of fourth gear) and top speed... and of course, comfort (though this was obvious).

 

I have recorded a best of 27mpg. That is with my mods in my sig on 91 and 92 octane on the way back from Socal. To note though my average speed was about 85mph with sprints into triple digits. So I do believe a typical drive with my mods could net 28mpg.

 

Deez- I agree about shifting into 5th in the SE....sucks. Basically u're good up to 120mph. The HIDs rock at night on backroads when coming home from the GFs house late at night.

 

MR is def the most suitable evo for dd - bilsteins are awesome, 6 spd also awesome and comes w/ bbs rims...i was coming from an '03 gsr, and don't miss the freeway cruising, harsh riding...but that's pretty much it...acd has been more of a pita than anything - and can't imagine getting this thing repaired when it's outta warranty...

 

Exactly my point. Their are alot more threads on this site in regards to 5 speed syncro's failing than 6 speeds failing. If you leave the car stock it is a fantastic tranny. Granted I imagine their are more evo's with 5 speeds but don't take cheap shots at us MR owners because a FEW people had six speeds fail because they beat the living crap out of them.

 

I just recently bought an SE (new). I was originally looking at an MR. Drove it, and after driving a Porsche Cayman S, I felt the MR would be much better for what I plan to do with it (Track days), and just plain handled better, was easier to heel/toe it, and felt more a part of the driver. Unfortunately, the dealer wanted $$$ over MSRP, so I walked. I then did a bunch of research on here, and found a bunch of people reporting the SE to be a better base to start with for track duty(lightest of them all, "stronger" trans etc..). Like all of you, I read the 6-speed had issues with being used hard(true or not, it's what I read, and had to consider it, since I had no personal experience). The stock Bilsteins didn't mean anything to me, as I'm gonna upgrade the suspension anyway. The MR comes with a gauge pack, who's boost gauge reads in bar, and I would have swapped that out to PSI anyway. Had to go out of town right after I got it, so I haven't been able to compare it to the MR I drove, but the fact that the thing was $4K less MSRP-to-MSRP, nevermind what the MR would have actually cost after their added mark-up, I think I ended up with a better value. At the end of the day, whether the stock 5-speed is better or the stock 6-speed is better, I'm still at least $4k ahead of where I'd be with the MR. That'd buy me a really stout transmission, or a sick suspension package. If the MR'd of been $4k cheaper, I would have bought it instead.

 

^ Good write-up. The way I see it, an MR is a great car that is worth the money ($36k-37k), but when you ask yourself is it worth the $4k-5k premium over a IX or SE for what you get, the answer becomes a little harder to answer.

 

If they didn't have the deals they had down in socal for an MR then I probably would have ended up getting another GSR. I do love my MR with the 6spd. I DD it and have gotten awesome freakin gas mileage on my way up to Reno.