You can probably tell from my username I'm a former ITR owner. I've lurked here and there still in this forum. I've thought about going ITR again, but I really like turbo/awd.

I've been changing cars quite often over the years for different reasons, in most cases financial. Things are much better now that I have a stable career with a good pay raise coming in less than a year.

I've owned the following cars leading up to thinking about an EVO IX... '00 Integra Type R (did a lot of AutoX and track days and loved the car). Then I traded that for an '03 WRX. Fun car, but big mistake. I did fall in love with AWD, but the WRX desperately needed mods for me to be happy with it. I traded the WRX for an '05 STi. I absolutely loved that car. I de-winged and de-badged it. Crap happens and I was put in a situation where I lost a roommate and I had to sell it. It was a great car and it will still be missed to this day. It went to a good home though. I actually got to drive it the other day and it's Cobb Stage 2. The new owner is a cool, older guy in his 50's.

I tried to daily drive my 93 SE-R and the motor blew on me. I had to buy a car and didn't want to spend too much so I picked up an 07 Honda Fit Sport. The Fit is a great daily driver, but it's just not me. I'm at a point where I'm ready to sell/trade the Fit and possibly the (now running) SE-R also. I had thoughts of tracking my SE-R, but I just don't know how much I trust it.

I haven't driven an EVO IX yet, but I did get a chance to fun run a local, bone stock EVO 8 MR. The sad thing is I shaved a second off my best time in my STi with it and I didn't even launch the EVO.

I've got my eyes set on an EVO IX RS. I really like the idea of the RS and the price is definitely right. MUCHO bang for the buck. Will I need a radio, why yes. I'd install an alarm with door lock actuators. Short of that I can live with crank windows. It's a stripped down EVO for those of you that don't know. Raw like the ITR. No clue on actual production numbers, but they're rare.

My favorite cars I've owned are easily the ITR and the STi. I think the EVO RS will be a good car that has qualities of both of those. Point and shoot handling, yet still raw and powerful. I might miss the ABS for daily driving, but other than that I think this is the way to go.

I'll leave you with a few pics of some of my previous cars. At this point I've been going back and forth with the dealer selling the EVO RS and things aren't working out too well. Hopefully we can reach a number that works soon here.

 

i didnt read your post much as I am in the middle of something else. all i can say is stay away from wrx/sti if you want that ITR feeling. the EVO RS will give you a very "connected" feeling similar to the ITR. not too crazy about the shifter but its a fun car no doubt.

by the way, selling an MR in my sig if you are feeling spendy

 

Are you really going to race it that much? I owned an 05 EVO 8 GSR and it was great. Don't think I would have liked a stripped down version of that. Just get a regular EVO. You will still be really happy with it.

 

RS isn't rare, that's pretty much the base model (less features than the GSR) where as the SE package on the GSR or MR is considered rare.

Personally, I would get an MR and put in a 5 speed and call it a day. You get the aluminum roof, HIDs and the upgraded bilstein shocks (though you might end up getting rid of those anyway to get something more auto-x)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nholmes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">RS isn't rare, that's pretty much the base model (less features than the GSR) where as the SE package on the GSR or MR is considered rare.

Personally, I would get an MR and put in a 5 speed and call it a day. You get the aluminum roof, HIDs and the upgraded bilstein shocks (though you might end up getting rid of those anyway to get something more auto-x)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Being to drive my CW 98R (JDM SPEC) and whtie EVO IX MR ("VTEC", 6 speed, JDM Rear Bumber) , my Type R Always get more attention even it's nearly a 10 year car !

P.S. IX MR is rare, but not as rare as I N T E G---R

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by THE ONE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you really going to race it that much? I owned an 05 EVO 8 GSR and it was great. Don't think I would have liked a stripped down version of that. Just get a regular EVO. You will still be really happy with it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not sure yet. Other than some AutoXing and a few track days...I'm not building an all out race car right now.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a regular IX, but it would have to be priced right. At the moment I'm still pursuing this RS. It only has 1k miles on it so it's basically brand new. The sales staff doesn't seem to want to work a fair deal at this point.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nholmes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">RS isn't rare, that's pretty much the base model (less features than the GSR) where as the SE package on the GSR or MR is considered rare.

Personally, I would get an MR and put in a 5 speed and call it a day. You get the aluminum roof, HIDs and the upgraded bilstein shocks (though you might end up getting rid of those anyway to get something more auto-x)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Are you sure the RS isn't rare? Where are you getting your info from? I've read a lot of different threads on EVOm that suggested they are rare, but no one has any actual numbers. It's all speculation to me at this point.

I'm not too concerned about the extras the MR offers for the price $$.

 

Niether of these car's will ever give you what you want after owning an R.
Scrap the notion of this mitsucrap and come back home already. You are just gonna realize that after $50k+ spent in an STI and now an Evo that it can't give you the same feelings. You know what to do. Stop beating around the bush. .02

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yellow Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you sure the RS isn't rare? Where are you getting your info from? I've read a lot of different threads on EVOm that suggested they are rare, but no one has any actual numbers. It's all speculation to me at this point.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm basing this off of how many RS Evos I see around town, on the web, on autotrader.com and so on. It's the rally spec version, made for the track... it's far from a limited production car like the ITR.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yellow Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Are you sure the RS isn't rare? Where are you getting your info from? I've read a lot of different threads on EVOm that suggested they are rare, but no one has any actual numbers. It's all speculation to me at this point.

I'm not too concerned about the extras the MR offers for the price $$.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm almost certain I had read an article in some magazine specifying that the Mitsubishi Evolution RS model will only be produced in a limited number.

 

The RS really isnt' the Evo equivalent of the ITR. The ITR gave you many great upgrades over the cars below it, including upgraded suspension, seam welds, and a more powerful engine.

The RS doesn't give you anything that the others do not, it's more close to the Integra's RS model (when they made RS's). It lacks the Bilsteins and BBS's and 6 speed of the MR, and only adds an aluminum roof on top of what the base Evo IX gets. It subtracts most everything else.

The Evo RS makes for a terrible DD, I can tell you right now. If you care anything at all about gas mileage, it is not for you. If you don't mind poor-ish gas mileage, are capable enough to put in speakers (just 2 is fine, it's pre-wired) and a head unit, then it's not that bad, but for most people considsering the Evo I'd say the base or MR is where it's at.

IMO the RS is rare in that few people buy it, not because of any limited production run.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nholmes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">RS isn't rare, that's pretty much the base model (less features than the GSR) where as the SE package on the GSR or MR is considered rare.

Personally, I would get an MR and put in a 5 speed and call it a day. You get the aluminum roof, HIDs and the upgraded bilstein shocks (though you might end up getting rid of those anyway to get something more auto-x)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dumbest idea ever, spend 3k extra on a 6-speed, just to ditch it? If you want the 5 speed, get the SE GSR and some take off bilsteins and save 3k (not to mention the price of a 5-speed). The SE comes with HIDS, BBS, and aluminum roof. The IX SE will be the rarest of all evos since it was only produced for a few months, but they still made quite a few <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR 00-0477 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Niether of these car's will ever give you what you want after owning an R.
Scrap the notion of this mitsucrap and come back home already. You are just gonna realize that after $50k+ spent in an STI and now an Evo that it can't give you the same feelings. You know what to do. Stop beating around the bush. .02</TD></TR></TABLE>

Typical close-minded R owner

In terms of comparing it to the R, he isnt talking about it being the highest model evo, but the rawest best peforming model, which is what many conisder the R to be of the integra line

No radio, no power anything, no sound deadening material, etc

I personally would still get the IX SE if I were you todd. You really only save 100lbs or so by getting the RS model over the regular IX. I can deal with that weight for all the small yet important convience items

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PIC Performance &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

IMO the RS is rare in that few people buy it, not because of any limited production run. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ucb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
In terms of comparing it to the R, he isnt talking about it being the highest model evo, but the rawest best peforming model, which is what many conisder the R to be of the integra line

No radio, no power anything, no sound deadening material, etc

I personally would still get the IX SE if I were you todd. You really only save 100lbs or so by getting the RS model over the regular IX. I can deal with that weight for all the small yet important convience items </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is exactly what I was getting at, but sadly this forum has missed my point. Sure the MR comes with some extra goodies, but the RS would be the car of choice to build for racing IMO.

The SE might be a little out of my price range. We'll see.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ucb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dumbest idea ever, spend 3k extra on a 6-speed, just to ditch it? If you want the 5 speed, get the SE GSR and some take off bilsteins and save 3k (not to mention the price of a 5-speed). </TD></TR></TABLE>

The idea being you sell the 6 speed and put in the stronger 5 speed so your not rowing through the gear box.

SE would cost you even more cash than an MR (though you get the 5 speed), not really much benefit there either using your logic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR 00-0477 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Neither of these car's will ever give you what you want after owning an R.
Scrap the notion of this mitsucrap and come back home already. You are just gonna realize that after $50k+ spent in an STI and now an Evo that it can't give you the same feelings. You know what to do. Stop beating around the bush. .02</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not sure I can agree with you Shawn. I think an EVO IX will give me the best combo of the ITR + STi. I've fell for turbo + awd and I can't help that.

Yes I still want another ITR...preferably a clean, low mileage, non-salvaged titled, non track wh0red beatdown racecar for the right price. I'm chasing a dream at this point. My old ITR would've been paid off a few years ago and still be worth nearly $18k it seems today. Of course I'm basing this off things other prices I've seen on here and Autotrader, etc.

 

I think it really depends on what your exact desires are for what you want to do with the car?

I mean are you looking for a DD that you can autocross whenever you like? Then knowing what you've had and like and the AWD Boost thing I'd definitely suggest the EVO, any of them. I love my MR in complete stock form for autoX, it rocks. But it's not most competitive in SCCA stock class. And as for launching, you can smoke the **** out of the clutch if either you aren't careful or don't remove the pill from the clutch reservoir.

Now if you plan to track it often then I'd caution about the MR 6 spd thing and tell you to look at an SE like suggested above. I wouldn't push the RS simply because I don't think the missing power windows, ABS and radio, etc will make you that much more nostalgic about a Type R because the R had all that stuff and the 00-01's had AC for God's sakes. I would not try to compare an EVO to an R, it's just different like apples and oranges.

Now if you really intend to track the car hard and often, I'd push you towards either a used EVO or something that you can buy outright for several reasons:

1) Mitsu warranty claims process sucks T. Rex Nads and you know if you track you're gonna want to, or may have to mod it in one way or another.

2) If you track often there is always that possibility of incident either with the car blowing up, or car to car fender creasing, or you all by yourself into a wall or more.

There's no doubt I like my MR. I DD it, and occasionally autocross it. But I have absolutely no intention to mod it more than the mud flaps I already added and the snow tires that go on every winter. I sometimes think of tracking it because I think it'd be uber happy tear-assing all over some tight course with nifty elevation changes, the tighter the better but I always come back to the warranty thing and of course the 6 spd issue And that I already have a perfectly good track *****.

Food for thought. This years Expo was my first track event in over a year and first Expo since #3 and I came out of it saying to my wife on the way home just how much I love the R, how special it is to me, that I'll never let it go. It just does what I want everywhere I want, when I want. It's easy to work on, inexpensive to maintain for events and to mod in comparison to either the STI or EVO.

Yes maybe I have the best of both worlds but I'd sell the EVO, I will never sell the R.

PS, FYI my R will outbrake my EVO without breaking a sweat.

 

there is one for sale at holmes honda in des moines used 1200...white evo rs

 

I'm ditching the R for a IX RS. I love my IX MR for daily.

 

I sold my 00 Civic Si w/a B18c5 and bought a 06 MR. I must say everyday I miss my honda. When I go to track events thats when I really start to miss it. The EVO is a boring car on the track IMO. It is to damn smart and almost does everything for you. I just got done building a SPEC Miata and it blows the EVO away in fun factor at the track. Yeah it may be 5 seconds slower at the same track but it is a blast to drive. BTW RS EVO's are the hardest/rarest to find.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kidloco51 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I sold my 00 Civic Si w/a B18c5 and bought a 06 MR. I must say everyday I miss my honda. When I go to track events thats when I really start to miss it. The EVO is a boring car on the track IMO. It is to damn smart and almost does everything for you. I just got done building a SPEC Miata and it blows the EVO away in fun factor at the track. Yeah it may be 5 seconds slower at the same track but it is a blast to drive. BTW RS EVO's are the hardest/rarest to find.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You miss your Si after buying an EVO MR? Seriously??? I guess I can see what you're saying about tracking your EVO. I did a couple track days in my STi and it was fast, but I think I had more fun tracking my ITR. I'm sure a few mods to this EVO RS would change my feelings on that though.

I'm glad someone else confirmed the fact that the RS' are indeed rare. They're not something everyone wants, but the same could be said for an ITR.

I'm looking at making a deal on this RS this week. I'll be sure to update this thread for those of you that care. Maybe I'll do a short comparison as well.

 

I'm looking for a WW IX RS.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Furley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm looking for a WW IX RS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're getting one too? I don't think there's anymore (brand new) nationwide. You got your eyes on a used one somewhere?

 

I'm looking for slightly used. I'll have South Coast find me something when I'm ready.

 

well if your looking to save money i'd say pick up another type R. prices have dropped alot in the past few years with the K motors out. i've seen a couple of type r's go in my area for about 9-10 k with 70-90k miles and clean title as well.

 

i understand what your looking for but i think you would be way more happy with a mr or even a gsr spending that kinda money and coming from a sti witch has a lil less performance but alot more comfort not sure of your funds and were they are coming from (bank loan/ finance) but i traded my bluebuyyou 8 with 80k on it and got 17k for it and had a 9mr special edition for a few months but you will miss abs and cruise control