But you have to try to look at things from the other side, just for once. All year long all I heard from people was how the Evo cost too much, that the people who wanted one the most were teens and 20 somethings who couldn't afford a 30 grand car. Then there were the techno people who said the STi was better because of DCCD this ,and 6 speed that. So what do they do? they come out with a cheaper Evo, and an Evo that "matches" the STi's features, both building on a car that already bested the STi in head to head tests. Then they give the whole car a longer warranty. So why should they bring over a car with all those features for a car buying public who didn't exactly snap up all the '03 Evos (I've still got one left and many dealers have that and more) when Americans as a whole have been very finnicky about the vehicle to begin with. They are going to make it match their competitor in specs and price and nothing more. They didn't call it a RR (remember that? when we thought it was going to be called Ralliart Racing, everybody b!tched) but they called it MR edition, so as not to say it was the full JDM MR, but close nonetheless. (people are still b!itching) The whole JDM style car would probably cost 34K+ and Mitsubishi just doesn't think there will be enough buyers to justify that expense. Don't blame them, blame all the people who talked all that **** about buying an Evo and wanting this and that, but have neither the means or intentions to do so. They have no choice but to try and "save a couple of bucks."

 

Hey man, the RS does come with the aluminum bits, that's the kicker. It's going to be light... real light.

g

 

Clearly everyone has different motivations. Some people feel the extra parts are worth it, others don't... Some are hung up on the cosmetic items, for those it's probably just as well that it has come out this way just because the car is going to look awful once you put the lighted windshield washer nozzles and a CF hood on the car anyway.

For me, the MR is VERY much worth it because I will be doing SCCA AutoX in A-Stock and the bilsteins should save me from spending $$$ on aftermarket shocks. (which is one of the only mods allowed) The AL roof, hell if that's worth .1 sec it's worth it. The forged wheels will be a good choice to mount race tires on.

Basically for anyone planning on trying to campaign the car for a national or regional tour, all the MR Edition pieces are worth it.

At this point, the only thing that is going to screw me is if they re-class the MR to SuperStock or something, haha DOH! If that happens, I'll just mod the hell out of it and do SM and Trackdays.

 

I doubt they'd class the MR above Class A because the MR is just a trim level, a package. People are forgetting that... the MR is the US is not another model. =p

 

True, but it's a trim level with a lower Cg, different shocks, wheels, and transmission. I think there are fewer mechanical differences between a porsche boxster, and a boxster S... the S is in A-Stock while the regular boxster is in B-stock. Then again the S does have more power, and the MR does not.

We'll see, it'll be interesting. Much like the Evo VI TME, and the Evo VII... I think the IX will be nearly identical to the MR mechanically. (AL roof, 6-speed, bilsteins, etc...)

 

I think they will keep the MR with the 05 STi's. I mean if the MR gets killed i mean moved to SS the 05 STi's will follow.

People can learn how to do a rain dance and no problem in SS

 

Yes, I expect they will be classed together no matter what. Otherwise, it wouldn't be any fun!

 

Still a lot cheaper to buy an MR and black out the tails, get new seats (if that's your thing) than chasing down a new tranny, diffs, struts,wheels, turbo and new code for an 03 evo (which I'm hapily doing). We all bought these things because mitsu can package this isht up cheaper/better than we can build it aftermarket, or we'd all have turbo'd lancers. They (Mitsu) have stayed true to the philosophy of spending money on the mechanicals and just enought to make everything else bearable. I supose this may put me in the #2 catagory but F' it! I feel they deserve some props for having the nuts to get said philosophy into producton and into the US, inspite of a fikle market pre-ocupied with non-driver oriented perceived value. Thanks to all the people at Mitsu fighting the good fight! I hope the rest of em' get/got fired.
Go buy an Audi or you will be condemed to cause your dealer problems and complain on the internet... I see it all the time. #2 #2!!!!

 

Talk about jealous people. Its going to cost right around the same as a GSR. And with a few mods be better then your lunching gsr

 

Can you please tell me what constitutes being "another car"?

If you consider the USDM MR just a package, I hope you have the sense to understand that with your thinking, the JDM MR is just a package level too. Do you?

There is an MR package, it's $700 and only for the MR from what I can tell. It includes badges, guages, vortex spoiler, shiny pedals, shift knob, and quite a few others that would otherwise be pricey options on the GSR. It's on the order sheet, I don't remember exactly what it's called. But yes, that is a package.

The car it's self is not just a package, when the 05s get here go tell your dealer that you want a base model but with that "MR Package", tell them to just whip up an aluminum roof, 6 spd and new suspension for you before you pick it up and see what he says.

 

One other thing. If the MR only came with these lights and seats that have hurt everyone's feelings so much. That would have been just a package as well. Perhaps in the US we would appreciate that more? This is the land of trailer queens..

 

good point. if the MR had the cosmetic upgrades but no mechanical changes, would people actually still buy it? if so, they are just ricers anyway.

 

hahaa yup

 

Speaking of upgrading, are all those cars and bikes in your profile upgraded or still owned??!

It's more than just black seats and tailights. If the expensive items like the six-speed and what not are in fact arriving, what is the deal with keeping out the little touches that make the car so unique??!

Why would someone upgrade to the MR from the 03 Evo 8??! Great question. For me, it was more than just the tranny and roof..it was the WHOLE PACKAGE! Read: The newest EVO that isn't the same as the previous ones!!

I was really looking forward to a car that had some appointments that set it apart. Now, why bother taking the step...it isn't worth it anymore!

 

Yes, I still have all those bikes and cars. The Boxster and 330i is completely stock. The NSR250 PGMIII is completely stock. The CBR1000RR (going to be my track weapon ) is 2 weeks old, basically stock with only ohlins rear suspension and revalved racetech forks. The Ducati 748 & 998 have tooooo much mods to list. Cost me more than $75k for the 2 ducs with mods.

I used to spent alot on "upgrading" cars, but i guess I learned my lession. I remember back then when i was still in highschool, I've imported tons of parts from UK and try to convert my Merkur XR4ti into a Sierra Cosworth RS500. That was really stupid.