Just got back from the Mitsubishi dealer......

[shadow1077]

thats a good price!. i got mine for 28k but mine also has the SSS package(they gave me money off if i bought a Rally Red too). im very happy i bought the Evo. the handling is simply amazing and the power is good. the MS3 has more low end torque(it spools faster) and feels faster but the power drops off too early. if the Mazdaspeed had a better aftermarket than i probably would have stayed with the MS3 (and saved money) but it doesnt and the Evo has an amazing aftermarket. a guy at a meet said he made 355whp with just a TBE, Intake, and tune. both cars are great, its just the MS3 is FWD which hinders it a bit.

Yeah thats what i feel when i test drive the evo. I can tell one of the major weakness is the FWD on MS3. Low end MS3 is good, but when it reaches high RPM it just a dead horse. But in practicality of daily driving I know FWD is already ideal enough. But the feeling of the AWD even it is not snowing or raining, I can definitely feel a big diff on my MS3.....

 

[HOBDisease]

I actually liked the new STi interior, but at almost 40k? Hell no. I love my MS3.

 

[derspi]

Yeah, pretty much both the STi and Evo have uglier interiors than the MS3. Quality on the STi interior is similar to the MS3 but it is noticeably worse on the Evo which is disappointing when you factor in the higher cost. I know you're paying for the performance and AWD but like someone else mentioned, up here in Canada, the price difference is just too hard to ignore.

I picked up my MS3 in '08 for $31K (CAD), whereas the EvoX starts at $40K and an MR gets up to $49K. For that kinda money, I would rather get the BMW 135i I've had my eye on for the last 2 years.

 

[HOBDisease]

Oh yeah, and Mitsubishi tried to make the dash and the gauges to feel more like german cars, and they failed, miserably.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

i'd say if the car was in the conditions you outlined i'd have walked away from a financial standpoint too.

that said, drove a few Evo Xs lately and have been very impressed, something which you won't catch me saying often about a mitsubishi.

 

[HOBDisease]

*Yawn* You know you like the STi better.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

*Yawn* You know you like the STi better.

the older ones, yes
the newer ones i hate

 

[714ms3]

the older ones, yes
the newer ones i hate

I used to agree, but in person the new STIs are not that bad at all.
Also Nismo, you can order the Vishnu chip and squeeze an extra 75 horses for only $500.
I know the aftermarket on the Evo is much better, but that was not my main concern. I just need a car that covers all metrics, and it seems as though the MS3 fits my needs better (plus I only owe 14,000 left on her).

 

[Captain KRM P5]

e MS3 fits my needs better (plus I only owe 14,000 left on her).

smart man right here sometimes its not all about power and potential but the big picture

 

[ms6acton]

smart man right here sometimes its not all about power and potential but the big picture

but its soooooo pretty lol

 

[DeanSweet]

well.. since we now own a 2003 Lancer I am going to add my .02 here...
I spent saturday morning replacing all the belts, oil+filter, plugs and air filter and I can't believe how cheap everything is. The bolts that create the tension on the alt and main serpentine belts feel almost silly? Nothing like the mazdas I have worked on over the years. I know its just an ES model but I am sure the Evo doesnt use anything different for the tensioners but geez... it was kind of scary wrenching it. Each turn was like, am I going to have a make a trip to the parts store soon? I prolly won be buying another mitsubishi anytime soon.

 

[squidmotion]

smart man right here sometimes its not all about power and potential but the big picture

you said it... that is smart thinking in these dark times... well... these cloudy times.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

You made the right choice.

 

[240ka]

Yeah thats what i feel when i test drive the evo. I can tell one of the major weakness is the FWD on MS3. Low end MS3 is good, but when it reaches high RPM it just a dead horse. But in practicality of daily driving I know FWD is already ideal enough. But the feeling of the AWD even it is not snowing or raining, I can definitely feel a big diff on my MS3.....

Get an AP and that will change. You will make power to rev limiter but I shift between 6300-6500. It feels so much better being able rev pass 6k and even better hearing the DISI scream up there in the power band

The car sounds quite a bit different with a tune. Sounds like I added a dp.

 

[watchurwrist]

MR tranny

How new is the tranny on the Evo X MR?

Is it too new to determine reliability? Talking to an owner, he said Mitsubishi transmissions in general are a weak point.

When I tested the GSR, I liked the performance, especially the handling. I wouldn't want a GSR to be my DD due to the loud noise (I think it's the engine) in the cabin. Also I didn't like the seat that couldn't adjust for height.

I was more impressed with the sti, but bought a '09 due to price.

That said, I believe the ms3 is faster on a highway due to powertrain loss of awd.

I would like to drive an MR as I understand it's more liveable.

I'm waiting to see and drive the '10 ms3.