Okay, looking to purchase my first evo soon. I have never driven one, and don't know much about common problems and whatnot.

I am looking for a new daily driving car <20 000 miles. My power goals after modding is ~ mid 400 HP. I am looking at 2 cars atm, one GSR/SSL and an MR SE. The price difference between the two is about $3-4k (MR SE being more expensive) but the MR SE has about 4k miles less than the GSR.

I like the sunroof but am not a big fan of leather, and don't care about the sound system. I prefer the colour of the GSR over the MR SE but the MR SE has a 6th gear which may be good for highway driving? (debatable). Plus the weight difference shouldn't be a big deal?

I am stuck between the two! I have heard that the transmission of the MR SE is weaker, but will that affect me with my goals?

opinions wanted!

 

i like the interior of the se better and i thnk the leather doesnt hold you well around turns

 

get the gsr better overall car. the 6speed is nice and the se features as well but as you stated the tranny is not the best and if you are planning are going for 450whp or more your tranny will become the issue sooner or later and you will be paying to do a 5 speed swap like most people do. Dont forget you can buy the whole SE interior cheaper if thats what your into Save the money and get the gsr and be happy. Driving a 5 speed on a long trip is just fine on highway as well you will be cool and never miss that 6th gear.

 

how is it an overall better car? they are almost the exact same in everyway. ive only heard of the transmission being a problem when the owner really really puts a beating on the car when doing tons of hotlaps in road racing. it would be extremely hard to put that kind of stress on a street driven car.

i have driven 4 different evo's and will happily tell you i like the 6 speed 10x more than the five. i drove an 04 rs, hated the transmission, drove an 03 and really hated the transmission more and felt sloppy compared to mine, and i have driven an 06 5 speed and though it wasnt as bad as the other two i still didnt like it one bit. i think the mr transmission feels better than the rest and its not a biased opinion because ive looked at several evo's and test drove them for my brother and girlfriend to help find a good one.

i say go with the one you like best because youre not going to be happy if you dont. picking one that evom members tell you probably is not the best because we can not drive the cars for you and see if there are any problems.

 

dont know where you live but there are lots of evos on the street doing there thing. If he is babying the MR then by all means 6 speed it for sure. I dont see why he is going to get 450whp and drive it around like grandma all the time. he is going to be doing sprited driving not to mention maybe dragging autox road coursing etc. The 5speed overall hands down can handle all that and hold up with less issues then the 6speeds thats what im saying. Now is the MR a bad car i would say nope. but if you plan on making power then the 6speed is simply not going to hold it. He will end up like most doing a 5 speed conversion. Thats the point not driving on the highway its feels better

 

I don't baby my MR, and I've had no issues for 158,000 miles. Get the MR.

 

I like the GSR 5-speed

 

i dont launch my my car and nlts so i guess thats what i mean by really driving it hard

 

Spend the extra money and get the one that makes you happier. I have an 05 GSR/SSL with a 5 speed and I wish I had the MR with 6 speed.

 

I personally went with the GSR because of the SSL.
I love having a sunroof.
The leather looks and feels so much better than cloth.
The strength of the 5-speed is also a plus.
You'd be suprised how well the Infinity stereo sounds. The Sub works great, and hardly takes up any room in the trunk.

 

I have the MR and love it for all the differences in trim and performance to the GSR. They do say the stock trans is weaker, but for your mod goal it wont be a problem. Having a 6-speed is great. As far as how many miles, there are people on here with tons and someone with 200,000. Take care of the car and it will take care of you.

Your decision sounds like it might come down to how much.

 

Trim? OK. Performance?

 

yea but your not pushing 450+ either . up the power in your car then come holla. if he leaves it stock or does light mods then of course MR all day i dont see a issue if he is planning on making power he will end up doing a 5 speed swap. thats my point the op has not stated what the true intended use is yet.

 

gsr if your going to beat the crap out of it
mr/se if your going to take it easy

 

A guy here recently hit 10s with his 6-speed. 35R on E85. Trans is still doing just fine. Yeah, it's not as strong as the 5-speed, but you shouldn't make it sound like it's made out of glass. It's not nearly as weak the Subaru 5-speed, for instance.

I have an MR and I love it. But then, I don't road race (yet). If it's just your daily and you're not planning on seeing over 500 whp, go for the 6-speed.