not to be smart, but how do you drive if you have only managed to keep a clutch for 7k miles?

 

Go for the GSR and not the auto MR. I'm sure I'll get flamed for calling it an auto but when I test-drove in one I was not impressed.

 

I had the same dilemma. After I test drove both and I bought the MR right away.

 

Get the 5 speed. IMO, I have trouble calling something a "sports car" with an auto tranny. There are a few exceptions.

An Evo IX was my first manual transmission car. I had no problems learning. Clutch never needed replacing or even slipped. I enjoy manuals so much more now. My daily driver I just bought a few months ago was a 5 speed Honda Fit. I told the wife, our next car would be a stick shift. She's still not happy with me about that.

Point is, people still drive manuals for a reason: the feel and control they offer. No super advanced 23x clutch slush box is going to give that back. Isn't the GSR cheaper as well?

No need to flame me, but if you can't tell...I really don't like autos.

 

Mr

 

I know the MR is rated at 22 mpg highway like the GSR, but the MR runs less RPM's from what I have asked of people here. Although i'm with some of the others with the idea that the tranny is untested with power. I don't think Mitsubishi would be dumb enough to make a weak tranny knowing that the Evo is one of the most popular cars to mod... BUT they did lower their warranty years on their powertrains for 08 so who knows. If I could afford the MR I would have a hard time deciding as well too so I can understand your dilemma.

 

+ 1 for the MR

 

get the gsr u'll like it in the long run!

 

If you want to feel more one with the car, I would go for the 5 speed GSR. If you want the performance, but also want to be comfortable with the conveniences in a car, than the MR is your choice. Don't laugh, but I want to give you an example out of my own personal experience from a few years ago...........I bought an automatic RX8 (with the paddle shifters) and the car was an absolute blast to drive. After a while I started to fall in love with driving, and I regreted not getting the 6 speed manual everyday that I had my RX8. If you love driving, then get the 5 speed GSR.....PERIOD!!!!!!!!

 

I daily drive in my GSR and I also learned how to drive stick on my evo. I havent blown my clutch or anything....dont get me wrong ,I burnt the hell out of that thing but I am 17k miles strong, still able to drive and even occasionaly launch the the thing(THE BEST FEELING EVER).... you cant get that with the MR....

I chose the GSR because I love manual trannys. Shifting never gets old, but thats just me. Leather seats would be nice, but id probably slide around alot more.

so whichever you decide to buy, dont let your inexperiance driving manual transmissions decide for you. To be honest I think you will be happy either way....ITS AN EVO!

 

just curious... but what was it like going to an Evo from an RX-8? Those things are really cool looking but sooooooooooooooooooooooooo slow. I've seen minivans that had better 1/4 times.

 

My commute used to be like 15-30 miles a day on the freeway to CSULB. Now i graduated and dont really commute much. This will be my first manual car if i get it.
Sorry for the confusion, i want 320HP at the wheels. So thats gonna be like 380? 400 at the crank? im just guessing here. I dont care about leather. I want to hear the God Damn engine, im so sick of all these car companies making their cars quiet. I just read on here that Vishnu does a ECU reflash for like 500$ if u mail it in. Adds like 100Hp and you have to do nothing to the car, *sorry, i know off topic.
Kisada you pretty much convinced me to get the GSR. Thanks dude.

 

I'm in the same dilemma. Why don't to test drive both cars and make your choice off your experience in them? That's what I plan on doing.

 

I hate to say this, but the RX8 may be the better sports car when you compare it to my Evo IX MR. I admit my Evo does have so much more explosive power, handling, and grip......But the RX8 is just different in its own way. I used to drive late at night through very tight and dangerous curvy/winding roads in Southeast Texas.......And the Evo can't touch the RX8 in how athletic a car can be in those kind of roads, especially if you were going as fast as I was at 90-100+ miles on those kind of roads. The RX8 feels much lighter when compared to the Evo also. If I had a chance to go back to a 6 speed RX8, I would actually think about it and I already have thought about it. The Evo is special in its own way, and the same goes for the RX8. I hate it when the RX8 gets knocked for its lack of power time and time again, but that is its main fault, I admit. If you ever ask me if I regret getting my IX MR, I say no.

 

my friend had one and like I said... I think they are awesome looking cars.. but his mileage was HORRIBLE and when he took it to the track the best time he ever ran was a 16 flat... now you could argue that he just wasn't a good driver, but he's run many cars and always has a good RT and such. Perhaps his car was just slower than the average RX-8. I honestly don't know why they didn't do more for the power in those cars, even the aftermarket for them sucked! Perhaps Mazda should just use a normal motor since the RX-8 had no power and while the 7's were bad a@@, got WAY to hot and failed a lot ( from what I read anyway )