Canada is NOT getting what is pictured above - Thank god!
We will be getting the Evo in late summer of 04' as an 05' model.
There will be some "refinements" to it (most likely called an 8.5)
And we will also see a factory backed rally team in the north country too, eh?

It's amazing the info you can pick up from the "right" people at an SCCA Pro Rally!

 

Well if that is true I'd most likely pick up a 04'/05' model here in the USA.

Hopefully they wont butcher the look and features of the car.

 

Interesting Tid-bit today from the local Mitsu dealership, the clutch lines were mentioned in a Mitsubishi sort of informative discussion with their sales people. They know it's a problem, and they most likely will use a braided clutch line on 2004's. However, she said most likely they will not be recalling the 2003's for the clutch lines. She mentioned that if someone came in with a 2003 and saw the 2004's came stock with the braided line, they would most likely work a deal with them to install the braided line either for free or discounted.

There was also talk of not having Synthetic Oil from the factory.

One last thing, she mentioned the prices of the 2004's going up to the 34000 range, which could quite possibly mean ACD, maybe AYC. And maybe a fricken boost guage.

This lady likes to stay on top of her cars, good source, cool lady

 

What exactly did they say? That's such BS if they don't recall our cars for the braided lines.

 

One of the car magazines, I think it was Car & Driver, said Mitsubishi was considering selling a stripped down version with no A/C. If they do it the car will become available around December/January.

 

Basically, when I mentioned that a lot of people were having trouble with their clutches, she quickly retorted and said, "Yeah, they mentioned that to us in our meetings" (and even added the words "rubber hose line" to my statement). She also went on to say that it was a "known problem" and that it was "something they will probably fix on the 2004's".

As for them fixing the 2003's, recalls generally are to fix safety issues. This is not a safety issue. It's a quality issue. If they ever produce a TSB (maybe they have?) then I would think you could go to your local dealer, complain of a very inconsistent clutch, often causing you to grind gears, and they would know how to fix it, i.e. a braided clutch line.

 

Sounds like the lady has been reading a little too much evolutionm.net

If I recall, the 2004 Evos are already on their way to the dealerships with no changes in price or features. Though the braided clutch line could be something they sneak through.

 

If they are paying any attention to this baord then I think they would be very aware of how to easily improve sales. Options.

Some people want more luxury - Cruise Control, heated mirrors, refridgerators, Navigation Systems, Visor Mirrors, Leather, etc.

Some people want the remaining performance pieces that all other super cars have and The Evo super car somehow missed out on, Sequential Manual Transmission, 6 speed, Under body paneling, AYC, ACD, etc.

If they added just a bit over a handful of options to tack onto the current Base Evo, I know I'd pick 4 of those options and hand over my money.

It would allow the car to appeal to more people. Granted it dilutes the pure nature of the car, but people are going to slap in hundreds of pounds of audio thingys and don't mind all the extra weight, so why shouldn't Mitsu capitilize on this.

With $4,000 in possible added cost, they're going to have to bring me my 6 speed SMT, Cruise, and under body paneling to reduce drag and throw in free wet tshirt/bikini wearing asian model car washes for 3 years whenever needed.

 

A stripped-down Evo is NOT what needs. This car shouldn't have to compete with the SRT-4 or WRX price-wise because it already has them beat in so many other ways.

They need an Evo with the ACD/AYC and other options first, not a lesser one. The car is already probably the least amenitied automobile a person could spend $30k USD on.

They also need the regular Evo to be FIXED. Fix the clutch, the stone-chipping right rear wheel arch, and the other niggling issues the car has - some people experiencing water being sucked in the intake and causing reduced performance and engine cutting out when driving in rain storms, and the below-crappy paint quality.

All paints these days are fairly crappy simply because they're mandated to be water-based or something like that unlike the better paints of the past. But that doesn't mean they can't slap a couple layers of clearcoat on the sucker.

I'd GLADLY give up 5lbs of weight to have more clearcoat on my paint. 5lbs is a stop at the toilet before a race, or removing something from your trunk. Come on now, .

 

I get this great EVO magazine from Japan and the newest issue has this tastey tidbit. If some can translate.....




Here is the magazine it comes from. It has all the EVO parts and cars you EVO owners can only dream about. If someone wants an issue, let me know I can get few more copies. $30 plus shipping. They cost a lot. Magazine is 17" wide by 12" tall. Much bigger than U.S. Publications. Anyway enjoy.

 

From what you can see in those pics, it sure looks very similar to the 8. The front end is pretty nice though. I think it will be the X before there are major changes.

 

It's an evo 8 with aftermarket bodykit.

 

looks like F&F 2

 

I agree.

But im still curious about the evolution IX. If there is another evolution coming out. Im just goin to wait to get that.

 

I heard the EVO 9 will be a totally new platform shared globally w/ the new dodge Neon due out in 24-30 mos? It makes sense since the chrysler/Mitsu camp is a joint partnership. Basic structures & glass should be shared like usual? I read it in a Euro mag like CAR or TOP GEAR or something. The car above looks more like plastic surgery(if any?) - not a total evolution of any previous car imo.