FYI the Elise engine is the Celica GT-S engine that's been tuned by Lotus for 190hp compared to 180hp, and is mated to the Euro Celica GT-S 6-speed tranny. And the first fed Lotus Elise ever was delivered yesterday (07.15.2004) to customer #1 who's had a pre-order for the car for over 2.5 years. Don't expect to get one though unless you've been on the waiting list for over a year or are willing to pay well over MSRP.

Also if you try hard enough you can more then likely get some dealers to go down to invoice if you pre-order. I know several people who did this recently with the 2005 Mustang (V6 and GT), and with the Pontiac Solstice. You're garunteeing a buy of a car that wont sit on their lot and take up space for cars they can offer at OVER MSRP. It might be a little harder though since it's a little more limited then those other cars. But pre-orders garuantee sales #'s for dealers and .

 

I just went to my local dealer to put a deposit down on the MR he has coming. I walked out without a deal...here's why:

He wanted me to put down a $1,000 NON-refundable deposit for the MR at $1,000 OVER MSRP, yet he STILL doesn't know what the price range will be. Supposedly, his regional manager told him they expect the price on the MR to be $36K to $38K. Wow...that's a chunk.

 

Hey gtr, did u see Mitsubishis web site? Did u see that all the models will now have the changed Differential and the bigger turbo ? do u think that the stock 2005s will have them? if thats the case the only difference between the Stock VIII and the MR woul dbe the six speed and the lighter roof

 

Yes, all of the 05's have ACD, front helical diff, and as of right now the only mystery would be S-AYC for the rear diff. I personally think it is possible for to see how this diff would hold up in the US market. At this point it would not a surprise if they only issue a certain number of release of EVO MR all with S-AYC.

As you know it should all be evo 8.5 now. They should all have the 4 ply headgasket. Huge oil cooler you can see above the intercooler, larger turbo, revised boost control, and improved cooling jackets.

Comparing a USDM 05 "evolution" vs. USDM MR would be a 6-speed, roof, bbs wheels, and bilistin shocks. At this point this is all we know from the offical Mitsubishi website we all know. Personally, i was hoping for auto climate controls/double din (the real GSR).

 

They just tell you that so when they come out and they are only $33-$34, you won't feel so bad for paying $1,000 too much.

 

And what if it's $35-36??
Or $32-33K??

Hmmm??!

 

Dude - Let your phone do the walking.
I called around until I got MSRP from no less than the sales manager - then went in with my check book. Simple.

 

Sure is, if you live in an area where lots of MRs are going to be coming in. In my area, only one dealer out of the 12 within a 2-hour drive had an MR on the way, and it only had a single MR on its allocation. I didn't really want to start calling every dealer in a 300-mile radius.

 

I must be crazy. I'm driving 250 miles to get mine. And just because I like the salesmen that much! There are plenty of Mitsu dealers closer.

 

Daayyyyymmmmn.

Sorry to hear that - maybe you can call around then mail in your check or pay pal or something - and when it comes just dreac it in on the 500 mile trip home?!

 

Probably they will save that for the Evo IX - Probably to be released Fall of 2006.
I am personally waiting for the Evo X before I make a changeover. That is supposed to be the full redesign (good or bad - who knows?)

 

Hmm...buying the first model year of a car from a company that has had millions of recalled vehicles and is in a cost-cutting frenzy would not be my idea of a brilliant move, but that's me.

 

I agree. Already took the plunge with the EVO8. We'll have to see how things turn out. Because I own an Evo, I reserve my long term replacement plans with the next Evo iteration. This most likely will change when the time comes. A few years back I was into coupes and German performance. Now look what happened.

 

Sorry if this is a newbie question here but I think I know the basic differences between the EVO VIII and the MR (US editions).

What I know:
1. Lighter roof
2. Bilsteins
3. ACD (although I gues all '05s get this)
4. BBS wheels
5. 6 M/T

What I don't know:
1. Weight Difference between Evo, RS, and MR?
2. Power differences if any at all?
3. Color options? I heard graphite or red, but do we know more now?
4. Leather seats, etc. I thought I read the MR would have standard leather seats and a high end stereo, but I could be confusing this with the GSR.

I would like an MR and I am considering one over the new C6 vette, but why is everyone so excited about this MR unless it is drastically lighter? All the other features seem pretty marginal.

 

1. Nobody knows the exact weight difference.
2. No power difference across the 2005 models (all are slightly higher than 2004) if you can believe Mitsu's press release.
3. Arrest Me Red, Pansy White, Graphite Gray, and Camry Silver
4. No leather, no high-end stereo (those are part of the premium package on the GSR)