Yep, what Robevo said. The only reason the MR wins things (besides the info he has) is the lower center of gravity thanks to the roof. There was a Japanese car show I watched where they tested the 3. The MR was slightly faster than the "GSR" but then they added a large sheet 4lb magnet to the roof (exactly the same size as the roof) and it was a lot slower.

The MR is, and will always be, the luxury Evo. I would think the release of the X MR with the SST would prove that.

 

That 590 was on a STOCK ENGINE... no cams, no rods, no pistons... (aftermarket). That AMS engine has all of that replaced.

 

590whp wont last on any motor. 4g63 or 4b11 without being built its just a bomb. I say get an 03 8 and a x mr. DD x mr and Build the 8 to insanityville.

 

i would get a ix mr x mr is too weak. if you want a x get a x gsr!

 

What makes you say the X MR is too weak? You know the GSR transmission needs internal upgrades and a clutch upgrade to go over 350whp right?

There are clutch upgrades (1100), and coolers (500) for the MR to go over 450whp.

 

after reading all this, i wouldnt be able to make my mind up ..

ix - cheaper, spend the left overs on mods
x - less $ to spend on mods afterwards...

hmm...its gonna be a tough decision

 

This is all good and well but the OP has stated that he plans on leaving the cars stock, hasn't he?

 

What are your goals? Do you want to track the car or just drive it in Nevada traffic? What is your budgetary restraints?

Give us something to work with.

 

+1

 

everyone underestimates the X MR, IMO and if you know how to drive an evo, its not your normal automatic.
Its definetly funner and more liveable than a manual car.
Only downside is its almost 2x as much as the ix mr so its your call.
John

 

I don't know about 2x the amount. It's pretty hard to find a IX MR for 17k.

But I agree with you. The ones that say they have driven it, I just don't believe them when they say they hated the transmission. I guess I can see it if they put it in auto, and drove around a few blocks like that. But I never use auto... always in Manual / Sport mode.

 

Yea, i was just using a rounded figure and it sounded good but on an off topic note, is it better to put it in sport mode if your driving like a normal human being in manual. i only drive in manual too and have heard that putting it in sport is best for the clutch packs. Regular driving i shift at like 3k rpms like it would if i was in normal auto.

 

For most lap times don't mean sh*t as the majority of Evo drivers will never time attack their car in any type of real competition driving. You are simply inputing your point of view based on what you interests are, which is fine... "Feel" on the other hand is something you have to live with everyday and each time you do any type of spirited driving. That being said, if you want a razor sharp raw machine that can easily be modded, get the IX. You will not be dissappionted.

 

so in your opinion DD a built out razor sharp raw machine that feels everyone scrape in the road is fun? i can understand the first month you have it but after that cmon.
Im not bashing the ix's so dont throw a hissy fit. All im saying is that if you want a time attack drag racing build machine then get the ix, the X MR is much more comfortable and is much better than a ix at DD, yes the ix can hold more power than the X MR no question but all you need is an exhaust, intake, and a decent tune on the X MR and you'll be happy.
John

 

I hate the way that normal shifts, I never feel like I have instant power under my foot with that rpm range (another reason I don't use automatic, I'm the master of the car, not the transmission). So I shift a bit more aggressively than most probably do. If you're doing any sort of spirted driving, it's much better to put it in sport mode as the clamping force of the clutch packs speeds up and prevents slipping (slip == burn on clutch fibers).

This word raw comes up quite often when comparing the IX and X. Coming from a VIII (arguably a more raw machine than the IX) to a X, I don't buy the raw argument. The argument relies too much on perspective.

The IX is a great car! So is the X, but there isn't any way I'd go back CT9A chassis. Too many positives in the X to go back.

And make no mistake when you say the IX can easily be modded, the X can arguably be modded even easier than the IX. When a drop-in filter and tune (a total under $400) can net a total gain of 80whp, that's extremely impressive and no work what so ever done by the consumer.