well hold on... lets get a few things straight.

1. i was one of the first in the country to be on 'the list' for the MR. which, fyi, i still am. and if i want too, i'll buy it to.

2. Mitsu's regional managers have told me several times, as well as other waiting buyers in different states, that the car will be available the second week of september. yes, no 'official' anouncement, but not some second hand internet info either....
i didn't realize Mitsu uses the lunar calender.

3. all 'hot' cars with a down-payment to hold a place for them have an estimated MSRP anounced by the manufacturer... be it the elise, the m5, whatever. the reason, so the buyer can anticipate the cost and feel like their not being reemed.

4. no car company i have ever dealt with had so much lack of info on release time and price... oh yeah, no other company has been in such financial crisis for such a long period of time.

5. the Evo MR 'halo' effect is what will get young, relatively affluent buyers like me into their showrooms, buy an Evo and mature into another model. yes, the Evo now may be small relative to absolute numbers, but not to the vitality of the company.

6. no need to call the 330i crap... listen the Evo is a phenomenal car that does performance with a mission... the 330s are brilliant, they give a healthy dose of performance with an equal dose of luxary and daily drivability... and still are one of the best engined, balanced cars made. and with respect to reliability, well there's no contest. oh, and what's Mitsu's answer to the upcoming m5?

the reason i decided to wait on an Evo or an STi? i want to see what the next stage in evolution will be... MiVEC, styling changes, etc... oh, and to see if Mitsu is here tomorrow... which i hope they will be. big fan of the company and the WRC team... just will wait to do buisness when they learn to do it correctly.

and for all the insiders and laisons to the auto industry... ask any fortune 500 exec, which thankfully i have access to several... their opinion of why the lack of info for est price and release date for a car, i.e. the MR, that is to be released soon... they'll all tell you the same thing,

something is not right at Mitsu.

remeber fish smells from the head first and sh$t rolls down hill.

peace.

 

true, but remember, england had the MR 6mnths ago. instead of tooling for an '04 run, they should have invested in USDM LHD tooling for the '05 Evos and MR and start cranking out '05s and MRs.

the car really should have been here, and honestly, they should have basically released just MRs, with two trim levels, RS and GSR and that's it. it would have lowered costs for the final units, have the RS undercut the STi by several grand and the MR GSR at the STi price. they could have had the blacked out lights and the higher lever interior.

this was completely poor planning by mitsu. what worries me, is that 1000 units are too be built and the company is racing against the clock to get them out now... i'm not certain about the reliability at this point... time will tell.

and the sti 2.5 motor is pretty well built... the euro 2.5sti is awesome. and subaru could easily bring the spec-c with the 2.5. the car will pass emissions, the only thing holding up the 2.0.

but i have a theory that it's a gentleman's agreement between Subaru and Mitsu (maybe Japan) not to trump Mitsu at this time while the company is trying to financially recover. not unusual for the japanese to say the least...

got to love the honor thing... we need more in the states.

peace and GO PACKERS.

 

I'd ask the dealer for the VIN# and Build Date for your car. You'll probably find it was built 4 - 10 weeks ago.

Cars like the Evolution have seasonal build cycles that coencide when demand is expected to wane for higher volume units. So if Pajero production is expected to taper off come summertime due to reduced demand, that's when they stick those folks on building Evolutions, or whatever else needs more work.

Trust me, you're not the only impatient one out there. Not only have I had money down for a while, but my lease is coming to an end -- soon. I'm going nuts because I'm skirting closer to the risk of not having a car (or having to get a rental -- oh wait, I can't, I'm not 25!), and even the dealership is pulling their hair because they know they have a low-milage off-lease car coming back in that they can make money hand-over-fist on but they can't sell it to the folks who want it yet.

 

Well, I think you are right-on on most of your assessments, save one.. I doubt that the FQ400 consumed much in terms of resources back at Mitsu Japan, because all the work was probably done up at Ralliart UK.. I've been there.

 

Yes. Let's.
Whoop de doo. All 600+ dealers and everybody from Finbarr all the way down to me are all waiting with bated breath on what YOU decide to do. A nice bailout statement so you are continually justified to keep posting misinfo and hate.
My district rep has told me several times that the car is going through some final red tape for preperations and that he doesn't know the exact date. But I know, you've got a more inside track then I do.
Hardy har. As stated earlier go bug Ford about the Mustang, the 500, etc. Toyota about the X-Runner, and the Scions, the tC's delayed launch. Nissan about the Spec V Altima, 35th anniversary Z, etc, etc..
They did, they said under/around 35K.
What lack of info? The complete specs of the car are out, its been roadtested by several mags and we have an estimated price and delivery. What the hell are you talking about? Financial crisis? They got 4.5+ billion reasons why you're wrong.
Duh. No kidding, didn't you say yourself you'd be back around IX or X time? The fact that they are already developing that far into the future and that there is info on those upcoming models shows thir commitment to the Evo as a part of Mitsu future vitality. But save us all the hassle and don't come back then either.
Oh and what's the exact MSRP and release date of the M5? And what's BMW's answer to the affordable family sedan, sporty car, crossover SUV priced in the mid 20's with a 5/60 b2b warranty, 10/100 powertrain, free maintenance and roadside assistence for 3 years with 0% financing?
Right, sure. You finish by saying you're a "big fan" when all you've been doing is trashing the leadership of the company, its practisies and its finances. But are a "big fan of the company." Whatever. You're probably the type that goes to dealerships and bugs salespeople by getting into arguments over why some other car is better then whatever it is they're selling. The poor guy or girl does his best to upsell his particular product, but can't convince you but you want to "test drive" one anyway. Then when they don't let you because they realize you have no intention of buying dick, you go back and post on your fanboy website how all salespeople suck, how dealership x sucks and why company X is never going to see a dime of your money and that you're buying a Y. Tell me you aren't one of those, are you?

 

right on brother!

 

dude, i'm not. david, you crack me up. i never take any dealer for a ride or 'argue.' i tell them i'm interested in these cars, and would like to test drive. which i did and haven't stepped foot in a dealer for 9mnths patiently waiting for the MR.

first off, no hard feelings, alright? nothing personal... just my point of view.

second, i relayed what i was told... it would have been nice to hear what your district rep told you, relative to the ear full of bs i got.

the other released cars you mentioned have had an est. MSRP from the manufacturer at the time of their anouncement as well as to the month ballpark release, not seasonal time point. plus, when delayed, they notify that the car will be delayed and the expected release to the month.

third, being a fan doesn't mean you buy to buy. buisness is buisness and their no friends in buisness. you do what is financially in your best interest.

oh and show me the 4.5billion reasons they're alright... their estimated debt was 8billion US dollars. where's all the R&D money coming from from their - 3.5billion in debt? why all the recalls before? hard to test products when you can't afford to develop them in the first place.

and remeber the debt quoted was to stay afloat, not to be a viable company with money to cont to develope and produce new products.

and having the IX/X in the pipeline is expected. again, will see the follow-through of their actual release. i can make a car on off too... manufacturing it for production, that's another thing.

wake up, mitsu is a little fish in very stormy waters being followed by sharks... their cornering, as well as Subaru for that matter, of 4wd is temporary. Acura/Honda as well as every other major manufacturer will offer performance awd cars...

why? fwd can't handle the increased output of todays motors and people what the peace of mind of all weather capability.

so, nothing conflicting in my statement and nothing anti-Mitsu. Just some true negatives about what's happening. you can realize faults within something with out hating it.

 

R&D is done (bought/paid) years before hand. Our product schedule is set up until 2007 when the new platform for the Lancer/Outlander is introduced that will under pin Chrysler products as well as ours. This along with Chryslers announcement to conitnue developing vehicles with Mitsu and the world engine program coming to completion with Hyundai and DCX. The Project America platform, a one billion dollar investment, just introduced for the Galant/Endeavor and the next Eclipse is a year old, and will probably survive minimal changes for the next eight years or so and may be home to a Diamante replacement in the near future. Many investors have increased their pledges to Mitsu and the bailout package could reach 5.1 billion as early as January.

All this has nothing to do with when the MR is out and when we know the price. No one ever said Mitsu had the AWD market cornered, they just happen to have a very high performing AWD supercar. If I had an Evo on my lot right now it would be the only new Mitsu car I have with AWD. Even though Monteros come standard with it, we order most all Outlanders, Endeavors and 'Sports as 2wd. So the death of FWD (or 2wd) is greatly exaggerated. Honda, Toyota, and Mazda lots are the same way. I don't deny its coming, but it isn't as dramatic a picture as you would paint it.

Mitsu a small fish, okay fine. But a small fish that is partners with one of, if not the biggest conglomerate in the world.

 

i'm curious...how do you know you were "one of the the first"?

p.s. it's ok if you decide not to buy but please stop trying to justify yourself by bashing the MR and Mitsubishi. thanks.

 

On the contrary. Looks like there IS a contest. But as long as your paying more and have more status, I guess it just doesn't matter right?

 

Mitsu Press Release:

Mitsubishi Motors Reveals Name Of Its New Truck
New Truck and New Eclipse Models Previewed at National Mitsubishi Motors Dealer Show


September 23, 2004 -- New Orleans -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today announced that "Raider" would be the name of the company's new midsize truck to be unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Mitsubishi Motors dealers attending the national franchise convention were treated to a preview of the new truck, along with the new Eclipse sporty coupe also scheduled to debut at the Detroit show. Both new vehicles feature interior and exterior designs created by Mitsubishi Motors Cypress, California design studio. The Eclipse is slated to go on sale in summer 2005, followed by the truck in early fall.

The truck's styling emphasizes sportiness with a bold stance and aggressive attitude and incorporates signature design cues from the Mitsubishi family of vehicles - including Endeavor and Galant. The all-new Eclipse takes a dynamic, muscular stance and hints toward a performance and handling package that will re-excite the sporty car segment.

The Raider will include a standard V-6 and a V-8 engine option, two different cab configurations, and unique interior and exterior styling distinctive to Mitsubishi. The Raider, based on the Dodge Dakota midsize truck, will be built in the Daimler-Chrysler plant in Warren, Michigan.

Raider available feature highlights include:

4.7L V8 with 230 horsepower and 290 pounds-feet of torque
Fully boxed steel frame
Independent front suspension with coil-over shocks and
live axle and multi-leaf rear suspension
Extended or double cab in two- and four-wheel drive
500-watt audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer
Bluetooth (R) technology.
The new Eclipse will offer more powerful four and six-cylinder engines than the current generation, an available 6-speed manual transmission and many interior feature upgrades to appeal to discriminating buyers. The Eclipse will continue to be built in the Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal, Illinois.

Eclipse available feature highlights include:

3.8L V6 with 260 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque
5-speed Sportronic or 6-speed manual transmission
18-inch wheels
650-watt Rockford Fosgate (R) audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer, MP3 playback, nine speakers with a 10-inch subwoofer.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, and research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States and Canada. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 650 dealers. For more information visit http://media.mitsubishicars.com.

Attached visual: Sketches of the production versions of the Raider truck and new Eclipse sporty coupe.

Mitsubishi News Bureau
Tel: 888-560-MMSA (6672)
Email: newsbureau@mmsa.com

In addition, DCX and Mitsu signed an agreement to keep the current ventures going, with no guarantees on future ventures. The current ventures include the Global Engine Alliance, the COLT/SMART platform and engines, and the C/D platform development for the Neon/Lancer replacements.

 

when the mr gonna hit showrooms??

 

An interestingly, no official pricing or official showroom date info for those cars either. Duh. All you guys are worked up over nothing.

 

"Yeah man - big up" Spoolin Evo - enjoy your Sti - you really can't go wrong with it.

I admire your conviction. I'm an Evo fan however, and I've articles of Evo 5 from years gone bye in my drawer. That's how long I've been patient. My MR will be here next month - think I'll hold out just a little longer.

 

Hey F****95 - do I detect a bit of hostility man?
like, don't blow a gasket over this man - it's not worth it.