I'm trying to decide between 2 cars, and I know this decision is very much subjective, but I would love some opinions. Here are both options with my personal thoughts beneath each. I am looking for the perfect dd evo. If price was not an object, I would get the 4300 mile TB IXMR I test drove and call it a day. I am trying to keep in mind that this is in fact a dd and both cars would be more than awesome...

1. WW 05 VIIIMR - very close to stock with 16k miles (asking 23)

The Good: it's an MR (6 speed, bilsteins, aluminum roof, HID's, suede seats), it has 16k miles and maintains the factory warranty of 5 years/60k miles because its almost stock
The OK: I like the evo IX styling more… the VIII interior is cheaper looking (no carbon trim, silver steering wheel instead of black, older looking black suede with blue insert seats). this can all be fixed though for not much money. the outsourced 6-speed is apparently not as stout as the mitsu 5-speed gearbox
The Bad: the VIII's came with an advertised 10hp less but dynoed almost 25hp lower than the IX's stock for stock. the IX's have variable valve timing heads and a bigger turbo compressor.


2. TB 06 IXSSL - very close to stock with 32k miles (asking 23.2)

The Good: Condition seems to be amazing. SSL package (HID's upgraded stereo, sunroof (nice), full leather recaros). Lower mileage 06 means ill have a nice warranty for a while. It’s a IX so I get the good engine, carbon trim, black steering wheel etc. I like the IX styling more
The OK: not sure if I like the SSL package over the SE/MR package. I know the alcantara in the MR/SE is not real suede, but it still is pretty sweet.
The Bad: price is a little high… I'm sure I could talk him down. crappy enkei wheels. Not sure if I like the full leather recaros.


I have a stupid complex where I want the best possible engine for the car I am looking at (hence why I have purchased a z06 over a standard vette and a b5 s4 over a b7 because the b7 rs4 being available in the US). Is the variable valve timing REALLY worth it? I currently own a 2001 Ford lightning with 380hp stock from the factory. The 99-00's came with 360 stock and I am glad I have the updated model. I dont know if I would regret giving up the engine of the IX for the MR-ness of the VIII. Essentially, I really cant decide which is more car for the money in this specific case?

Help.

 

Okay first thing.. VIII's are SUPER rare if that means anything to you. I read somewhere that only 1000 were made. That and the VIII has low mileage. Thats a good plus.

In your situation, you kinda have the pros and cons in BOTH cars. It also depends on what you wanna do. VIIIs are usually for big turbos and stroker setups because they're typically cheaper. But in your case, the MR tranny wont be able to hold that big of power, so you're going to have to swap a 5-speed into it. IXs are typically better for basic bolt-ons because IXs respond really well to them. Theres nothing wrong with going big turbo or putting a stroker kit on an IX, but they are generally more expensive.

 

i dont' think the VIII is rare at all.


I would tak the IX all day long. It's the best evo ever made.

 

yeah, i got the impression the VIII was alot more rare... that being said, i have no big plans for the car besides a dd. both have very conservative tunes as is.

 

i think he meant VIIIMR's

 

I'm sorry.. Not the VIIIs themselves but the VIII MRs are rare. And for dd, I've read both stories that people can feel and cant the difference between the Bilstein shocks and the KYBs. I have an MR myself and I love the ride quality. Not to stiff and handles great.

So for your mods, what are you thinking? Just a tune?

 

I would go with the IX for the mivec and tranny as well as the looks and interior. Tough choice.

 

the VIIIMR comes with an Ivey Tuned ECU, 3000 miles on SP performance slotted rotors front+ rears, Hawk HPS pads front+rears, ATE blue Brake fluid, Bridgestone RE01-R tires @8/32nds 245/40 17, and i believe a catback

the black IXSSL comes with a WORKS Adjustable Sway Bar, WORKS ECU upgrade, Mitsubishi MR Gauges (dealer installation).

as they sit, they are very nicely modded for my dd. if i keep whichever car i buy past warranty, ill do headers and full exhaust and whatnot. in the meantime, i've got the 500hp Lightning to keep me busy with modding

 

I would trust the Ivey Tuned ECU more than the WORKS. I've seen good things about Ivey tuning.. But I've seen some bad things with WORKS tunes. Friends of mine recommend staying away from WORKS tunes as well.

My friends told me that my MR shifts more smooth than the 5 speed, so thats a plus for the VIII. But then again, MIVEC responds really well to just bolt ons. So thats a plus for the IX. I think you cant go wrong with either one, but the VIII has less miles. Which means less miles that it could have been ragged on.

 

the IX was owned by an old dude though... and he's got all the maintainance records.

ahh why is this so tough

 

I have an 8MR and I like the car but I should have bought a 9SE. 9s have more space in the ecu for Tephra Mods. Yes the 8MRs are rare. Way less than 500 but more than 200 in each color. The 5sp is stronger too. I always worry about breaking my trans.

 

How much power are you putting out?

 

ive talked to some of the tranny shops .. cause i was getting my evo 8 5 speed done and the MR tranny are pretty much max out frrom the factory .. so i would say get a 5 speed evo mivec engine

 

I heard MR trannys are limited to 300 WTQ in the 4th, 5th, and 6th gears. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears are beefier than the 5 speed. Also, MR trannys usual break due to road racing conditions, not normal DD conditions and the once in a while spirited driving.

 

the 9se is the one i want the most. problem is, stock ones are far too pricey in my mind... especially when they arent that much different from the GSR with SSL package