I own a GT-R but I am considering getting an Evo X MR instead. I've been reading these forums for the last few days and I am really concerned about what I have read so far. I understand fully how people generally post negatives more than positives, but I would appreciate comments on the following things I have read...

The transmission can only handle about 300 ft/lb torque (even though it is rated for 350) and there are no upgrades out there right now to improve that. I read that there are clutch upgrades but they don't really help the max (only make the clutch last longer) and if you want to track it (even stock) you have to add transmission cooling.

The launch control sucks and wears down the clutch significantly.

400hp can be achieved with minimal tuning, but quarter mile times are still 12.9 to 13.0.

The seats are very crappy and tend to fall apart.

The paint quality sucks and big chips in front of the rear wheels are to be expected.

Dealers are bastards about the warranty if you modify anything or they think you have tracked it.

I know a few people who own Evo IXs and Xs and they seemed happy with it which is why I was considering the move (as well as for financial reasons and just for a change), but these forums scare me a little. I realize that the Evo would be quite the step down in terms of performance but I thought that for about 5k, it could be made to be as fast as the GT-R, but now I am questioning that.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I realize that most will probably automatically respond with the statement to get GSR instead but after driving dual clutch for a while it is hard to go back (also the reason why I am sticking with awd).

 

The seats in the MR ARE NOT CRAPPY. You are obviously reading about the ghetto cloth seats in the GSR. The Leather seats in the MR are far better.

Nobody has proven that launch control wears down the clutch plates significantly. However, many people have reported that the transmission will often report that its internal oil temp is too high, especially when using launch control.

Dealers are bastards, and so is Mitsubishi corporate.

 

if 1 person likes something, they maybe tell one other person
if one person hates something, they tell ten people

Lot of people said same thing about the GTR-crap launch control, warranty voided easily, tranny blows, etc, etc. But they don't hate the GTR half as much as they wish they had one.

SST tranny, well, it wasn't designed to be modded really. If you want big horsepower, you'll have to get the GSR for now.

Paint quality isn't bad, but you might want some mudflaps for rock chips.

seats aren't crappy, quite comfortable actually
my dealer is way cool, they'll warranty anything, modded or not.

A GSR will likely make you happy, but MR won't. Do you want power, or automatic shifting? Cuz those are your only options for now. And its half the price of a GTR.

 

Keep the the GTR.

 

I think that you have a fair general idea of what our problems are. We don't have many gripes with regards to performance, only really cosmetic and build-quality things.

400 whp probably involves more moderate tuning than "minimal" tuning. You can hit about 350 whp with a couple bolt ons and a tune, but getting to 400 might involve more than $5000worth of parts and work.

I don't know too much about the MR because I own a GSR, but my understanding is that the stock MR transmission will only support up to around 350whp anyway.

 

There was another member who made the switch from GT-R to the MR. I can't remember his name, but if he sees this I'm sure he'll pop in and post his experience.

From what I remember, he seemed relatively happy when he got the MR. He began modding it. And, that's all I remember. That was a few months ago. Things may have changed for him.

EDIT:

Here's the guy I was talking about. Sleestack...send him a PM or read his story: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...r-touring.html

Also, here's an interesting article of modded Evo X vs. GTR: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ck-battle.html

 

why the downgrade? too expensive? LOL

 

If you don't have to switch, I would not do so for "SEVERAL" reasons.

- you will not get the performance on par with a GTR
- seats in MR are nice, but the GTR not only has nice seats, but overall 100%+ better interior
- you will not get the same service/treatment from any Mitsubishi dealer
- not sure where you live but here, no loaner cars and no Mitsu Service/Parts are open on weekends

I like the EVO but if I could make the switch to a GTR, there would be no questions.

 

As much as I love the Evo...keep the GTR, you will not be able to get that low end torque or all that midrange back from a 2.0L. Both are great platforms though, so the X MR wouldn't be dumb but if you can, keep the GTR.

 

keep the GTR unless you cant afford it anymore. for 5K i doubt you will get the GTR performance unless you can do everything yourself including tuning.

 

from what I understand the 2010 evo X addressed many of the issues people were reporting in the 08s

 

Is anyone getting big paint chips? Up north where I live we gravel the streets in winter and after two years I only have a small handful of little rock chips but nothing big. I do however have Ralli Armour mud flaps and 3M coverage on the front end and rear door areas. 2010 side skirts supposedly help a lot with chipping in the rear door.

LOL the seats are actually awesome. There is the minor fabric issue with GSR seats but MR seats are excellent.

 

Seats in the GT-R are awesome too haha.... Don't do it unless you have money issues!!!!

 

Not true.

Here's are some threads from the Dyno subforum:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ford-cams.html
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...e-retuned.html
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...hp-91-oct.html

These are just the first few I found, there are more examples.

Yes, overheating after a few hot laps is a known problem, but as you mentioned there are cooling upgrades available. The transmission is still relatively new, I'd expect more upgrades to become available as the aftermarket catches up.

I'm not sure what "sucks" means here, but repeatedly launching a 3500+ lb AWD sedan from a stand-still will affect the drivetrain, and things will wear and break over time. This is not exclusive to the MR, "OMG, stock clutch is teh suckzz!" threads (from GSR owners) are a dime a dozen here.

400whp takes more than minimal tuning, see threads mentioned above. And I'm sure I've seen better times than 12.9 from even stock MRs.

I've only seen/heard of the GSR cloth seats having staples pop out (my passenger seat popped a staple recently, but only after 18 months of use.) Easily warrantied.

True, but easily preventable with clear bra or the Aero package side skirts. And the 2010s come with revised side skirts so this may be only be a concern if you're buying an '08 without the Aero package.

Hit and miss--some are good, others are terrible.

I like my GSR, but I'd love to own MR. I'm a big fan of the SST.

No, give it to me!


Good luck!

 

Keep the GTR if you can.