thanks for the link ru4real on the MR 280, that was a good article and they had some nice pics of the MR also.

Anyway, I do think that Evo's are selling alright, I know that my local Mitsu dealer has sold all they have, which was quite a few, and they have gotten 3 or 4 more from a dealer in atlanta that closed down recently... even with decent sales, the dealers just need to move the 03's so we can move on.

 

now that i think of it though... we could possibly run into this problem again with the 04's because of people holding out until the 05 MR comes out... what do you guys think??

 

The evo mr's are definitely coming, and I see one good possibility in this vague debut of the evo mr's. The dealers are well aware of evo mr situation. They have a good idea of when mr's are coming, options, etc... The dealers just want to keep the mr news on the dl for the sake of 03 evo's. Otherwise, why would some dealers in california sell the 03 evo's for outrageous price of 6-7giga under window (and these are brand new ones). The dealers are pressed on time, and they know that mr's are coming no matter what.

I just think that the dealers are being punished for the high mark ups that they pulled on the 03 evo, which led to their loss of many buyers from the start. I bet a lot more evo's would be gone by now, if they only sold it when it was hot for decent price. SIlly dealers...THey've got burned...Teaches you not to be greedy... Even right now, dealers should be aware because the mr news is reaching the population on a fast pace.

 

one thing not mentioned is the fact that this market is getting more product and the market buyers is not growing as fast as the products.

Here in the US when the WRX showed up, it was what many had been waiting for for nearly 5 years. Many jumped on the wagon right away. and the WRXs are hot rally rides. Mitsu and Dubaru saw this. Now we have WRXs, STis, Evos. all fighting for the same basic market group. The STis and Evos offer more which makes them more attractive to those who found the WRX just not enough. The MR does the same as does the Spec C. That is a good amount of offering for the size of the markets buyers. The Evo is something that may appeal to the WRX owners who are just finishing up their payments on their note. But if they knew the MR was coming they'd hold on for 6-9 months.

The problem in this niche market is when this sort of thing happens, many products from many manufacturers to choose from. It's great for buyers (YEAH US!) but it makes it much more difficult to have high sales volume. This is a long term market, like the one created by small hot hatchbacks. Many in that market conitnue in that market becuase it's their thing. I am part of that market. I'd like to swap the slocus for Mazda 3 5 door. They are fun, economical, comfortable, useful, and cheap. Excellent daily drivers. But that market has had nearly 10 years to stabilize since the early Integra GS-Rs and hot hatches started coming in from all directions. The first producer to bring product to a new market either fails or succeeds VERY well. Subaru tested and found the market was there. Now the others coming in at this stage are going to have the problem of fighting for sales in a niche market pretty much until the market becomes more understood. Early hot hatchback buyers were very niche.. But that grew as others started understanding the what the fuss was about. This market is still very misunderstood by the masses. As the products offered grows and the understanding spreads.. It will then be much better for producers and consumers. Now and for about the next 3-4 years though will be kind of difficult. Those that pull out now will make it much better for the others and lose out on a growing market. Fun, Practical, Mid sized cars is the next evolution (heh) of the market as some fo the small fun car folks grow up and need a little more room. But both will continue as new drivers enter both and small car folks move up to mid-sized fun rides. But the Very Fun, Very Practical Mid Sized market is just getting out of it's infancy and learning to walk. and there will be a little falling down along the way. But sticking with it will pay off big in the next 3-4 years.

These markets also are closely tied to the aftermarket and the availability of stuff. Honda/Acura got it right and were the inital producer to introduce the Sis, Type Rs etc. And look at how many aftermarket bits are available for them.. Same with the WRX.. It was a little step up from the smaller hatches and the aftermarket is overflowing with WRX bits. That initial step and aftermarket support is something that helps tremendously strengthen the future of a vehicle. If Mitsu sticks out any hiccups along the way and can help in any way to get that aftermarket involvement fluirishing, it brings more folks to them looking for a good midsized fun car with good aftermarket options.

I think Mitsu is smart enough with some of DCs monies to stick it out and become one of the more established leaders in this new mid sized market. They and Subaru are going to go down in history like Honda and Nissan did with their Civic Sis and Nissan Sentra SE-Rs.

 

Well said!

 

man i think subaru and mitsu have already gone down in history with wrx and evo... just maybe not in this country... not yet at least

 

In 2010 when there are 5 manufacturers with hot mid sized cars that are fun and the market is 5x what it is now, then it will be history. write now the future is still being written. SUVs were niche.. Now they are mass market and their history is written.. Things could go bleak and it could just be a flash in the pan.. It's all between the bean counters and those with there ears to the ground evangelizing products for companies. Some pioneer inroads into new markets and thrive, some wuss out and keep their tails between their legs, Some come to dinner with a half baked bowl of raman and the stink ruins it for many.. It's ripe right now and it's all a matter of how committed to this market the two players are right now. AS it looks, things are good. VWs R32 right now actually might be a stinky dish.. It's trying to be everything to everyone.. That is not this market. This market is epitomized by the Evo and STi. The R32 IMO is a fish out of water.. That kind of thing is not going to do well and consequently cause alarm for others. If Ford or Dodge threw in a AWD Turbo mid sized well priced sedan, this would explode. It's like all the court clowns sitting around waiting to see if the big wigs in the room give the thumbs up. Subaru and Mitsu have already done the brave thing and started dancing. They aren't waiting for someone to tell em it's cool. But if one of the big players started cutting a rug.. oh man.. look at SUVs everyone has one.. If Toyota or GM threw down a fun hot performance sedan, it would be the next thing since the SUV craze..

 

Hmm, I'm not sure. I was always under the impression that these cars, STi and Evo, were halo cars that help push sales of their more mundane cars. Mitsu and Subaru aren't here to break sales records with their rally cars. They do that by selling Outbacks and Galants. These cars just give them some more visability and an edge to their lineup. Back to the original topic, I think having the MR here is great. I can't justify trading my car in, at least not yet , but at least now it's an option.

 

The Evo has been a niche car, and has been in the 10 years or so that it has been available. It is unlikely the Evo will become the "meat maker" for the company - this car is not what generates income, it generates an image. The cars that generate income are cars like the base Lancers, Civics, etc.

s4awd is right. The Evo IS a halo car, and it has done it's job rather well, because it seems like the new Lancers are selling pretty well. People will come into the showroom, see the Evo, and be like "wow." Then the salesman will be like "well, we have these other sport-like offerings..." This is what the average buyer and what the average joe will be looking at.

High performance vehicles will ALWAYS be a niche market - regardless of what type of vehicle/chassis it comes in.

 

I went to the car show today in New York City where mitsubishi represenatives informed me that the new Mitsubishi Evolution 8 mr edition will not be available in the United States until the 2006 model year range. If you look at the Road and Track premier magazine, Speed, it is stated that the car is slotted to come here for 2005. We have to remember that the current evolution [which was the first year] was a 2003 during the 2004 year range. Again like many other people, I am dissappointed in Mitsubishi not bringing the car here for the next model year.

I was really looking foward to owning the evo mr. Since I really am in the market for a new car, I will have to seriously think about whether I want the current evolution or if I should look at other cars altogether.

I hope this helps.

 

I don't see it becoming the tuarus and camry replacement, but the market growing to the point you see the Si and SE-R market. self sustaining with everyone having a similar model. RSX, SRT4, Ion Redline, etc. Those hot hatches took a chance, found a market stuck with it and the market has grown to the point it is very viable. This market still has room for growth.. These will not be meat and potatoes of the industry. But this niche is moving towards becoming a sufficient market to warrant long term strategies..

Niche markets are not usually addressed by any mass producer.. Those are by definition those left to small mostly hand crafted goods.. For cars probably Enzos and McLarens and Caterham 7s/Birkens.

The Sis and SE-Rs are not a niche, they are a mid volume product that has seen much growth in its segment in the past 15 years. Heck enough growth to bring back the Mini..

 

It all depends on if you are going to track your evo often or not. I dont, I say go for the gsr or the sti. I dont track my car because I dont have the money to do so. No MR here. I like the headlights and tail lights tho. Same powerplant, just better turbo I guess. Those can easily be upgradable with aftermarket parts. Get a gsr and spend the extra cash on a turbo kits. That's my take on this issue. Late....

 

I don't follow what your saying. Maybe I'm missing something, but wasn't the 2003 EVO VII available in the states for most of 2003? We are just 4 months into 2004.....

 

That's three models you named...and only two brands..

Where is this "product" your speaking of??

The WRX sold well becuase it was a car Subaru had been tempted to bring over for years and when it did..

It was hands down, the most performance you could buy for the money!!

But I don't think the market is growing faster then the buyers within the "demographic"..I think it's the opposite. It's an enthusiasts car which will reduce the number of buyers that desire the vehicles..READ: It ain't no daily driver or "Vanilla" vehicle..There really isn't a lot of cars to choose from in the market, it's that the market is simply "niche"..which is more diffivult to sell in..

I think this is what you were saying..Sorry if I am regurgitating info here..

 

and holey long post Mister2zx3!!

This is an "MR" thread NOT "MC" ..(Magna Carta)