Is the EVO MR the king of performance in the USA for under $40,000?

[3000ways]

5 years ago if you wanted a really fast NEW car for under $40,000 in the USA you had few options. On the Domestic side, there was the Mustangs, the Camaros, and the Firebirds. On the Import side there was pretty much just the S2000. Euros, um think again, maybe a BMW 330I and I believe a Audi S4 (perhaps). Fast forward to now and there are many options, from 350Zs, to the Mach 1 Mustangs, and Supercharged Cobras, to Pontiac GTOs, and Mazda RX-8, Neon SRT-4s, EVOs, STIs, Elises, and the list continues to grow. So in the Fall of 2004 perhaps the best ALL AROUND PERFORMANCE car will be released in the United States and it will not only cost under $40,000, but it will cost under $35,000. The car I am speaking of is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR. Yes the EVO MR, from just an all around performance stand point it has no new cars that can touch its performance. Ok you don't like how the EVO MR looks, fine, I agree with you, the EVO could use a make over. You don't like the fact that it's 4 doors, fine I feel it would be better too if the EVO had a coupe version, but regardless of all that (the 4 doors and the styling) the EVO MR is still the best all around performance new car for under $40,000 and possibly well over $40,000 for now stock for stock.
Here are the stats on the EVO MR-

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR (Mitsubishi Racing)
2.0L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
280HP@6500RPM (Yeah Right!)
295TQ@3500RPM
6-Speed Manual
3080Lbs
AWD
0-60- 4.3 Seconds
1/4 Mile- 12.9 Seconds
1/4 Mile Speed- 107.6MPH
Skidpad- .98g
Slalom- 70MPH+
Braking- 117FT
$33,000

So where did the stats come from, the car has been tested and these are the numbers, but if you look at it, the car is probably even faster. First off let's compare the EVO MR to the regular EVO. The regular EVO is capable of 1/4 Mile times of around 13.2 to 13.5 (not counting the few that go faster than this and slower than this), these are the times that most EVO owners in the the USA have been running their EVOs stock (A friend of mine owns an EVO, and he ran 13.3 at Carlsbad raceway stock), also magazine such as Road and Track, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Automobile Magazine can second this with their tests. (Note- if you need more proof and timeslips, check out different EVO forums)
Now when compared with the EVO MR, we see the first major difference, is weight, yes the EVO MR weighs between 200-300Lbs less than the regular EVO. This weight loss is acheived with switching the stock wheels for BBS 17inch lightweight alloy wheels. Also weight is taken off the car by swapping the steel roof for an aluminum one (Why don't more car companies do this?). This reduction in weight is good for .2 to .3 tenths off the 1/4 Mile. So the EVO now is a 12.9 to 13.2 car.
Now comes the increase in power. The stock base EVO is rated at 271HP and 273TQ, but the EVO MR is rated at 280HP and 295TQ, I'll leave it up to you to believe or not to believe if the 280HP rating is correct or underrated. The engine uses a slightly larger turbocharger which uses a larger turbine nozzle with matching cam profile and a new imporoved wastegate, all this gives the EVO better mid to low range power. The increase in power is good for atleast another .1 to .2 tenths off the 1/4 Mile. So now were at an EVO that is doing the 1/4 Mile at around 12.7 to 13.0.
Then there is the new and improved 6-Speed manual gear box that will come standard on the EVO MR. The signifigance is that the new 6-Speed is said to be much more presise allowing the driver to keep the EVO in it's power band. The Six-Speed has been proven to help the EVO accelerate quicker, a possible .1 to .2 tenths of the 1/4 Mile (maybe more). So the EVO is now around 12.5 to 12.8. So it is quite likely that the EVO MR can achieve mid to high 12 second 1/4 mile times stock.
To go along with the EVOs extra power, lighter weight, 6-Speed Manual, quicker acceleration, is also a much improved handling system. The EVO already was a great handling car to began with, it get's better on the EVO MR with stickier tires and a revised suspension system with Bilstien shocks. The brakes I believe remain the same but the EVO is one of the best braking cars in world, 117FT doesn't it do it justice, I've seen it tested 60-0 as low as 106FT. Top Speed for the American EVO MR with no speed limiter should come in over 160MPH.
So now that you understand how and why the EVO MR is so fast, can you decide on wether it is the ALL AROUND PERFORMANCE champ for under $40,000 in the United States? Can any car match it's combination of speed and handling and braking in the USA for under $40,000 or even $50,000 (Not counting the C6 Corvette and ZO6 which cost well over $40,000 compared to the EVO MR $33,00).
Please try to stay on topic, I know that a Cobra or Camaro or any car at that, including the Base EVO can be tuned to be faster, but the EVO MR can also be tuned and quite easily, and regardless the question is stock against stock, not aftermarket tuned against stock. I also I'm only interested in all around performance, if you don't like the EVOs styling or 4 doors, that's fine, but that has nothing to do with performance. Also try to keep it new cars, if you would like to throw in a used car then that's fine, but please don't use like a 96 Viper against the new EVO MR. Also let me re-state the question, can any new car for under $40,000 in the USA match it's combination of speed and handling and braking? Is the EVO MR the king under $40,000?

[VQuick]

As far as brand new goes, the 03+ Mustang Cobra might be able to touch it. I think they go for somewhere in the mid $30k range. That might be it.

Of course, the MR isn't here yet.

[kfoote]

Hmm, that's less impressive numbers than I had been expecting from the MR. The Mustang Cobra should be faster in a straight line, and for daily liveability I'll stick with the STi. I had really been expecting the MR to weigh less and have more power.

[3000ways]

Originally Posted by kfoote

Hmm, that's less impressive numbers than I had been expecting from the MR. The Mustang Cobra should be faster in a straight line, and for daily liveability I'll stick with the STi. I had really been expecting the MR to weigh less and have more power.

Again people I said all around performance, the Cobra may be close to the MR acceleration (sorry but the Cobra is not faster), but it's ALL AROUND PERFORMANCE is not. The STI may be me easier to to live with (yeah with no radio and stuff, you act as if the EVO is just miserable to live with, which it is not) that has nothing to do with all around performance. Please before you comment read the whole post, I know it's a lot, but it's a big claim that should be backed up with alot of information.

[LjasonL]

Whee, a $40,000 car that sacrifices ALL luxuries (even A/C!) to be a small amount faster than the base model. Sign me up

I'll stick with the regular EVO any day. Just as fast everywhere except a closed course, cheaper and more livable.

[LjasonL]

Originally Posted by 3000ways

yeah with no radio and stuff, you act as if the EVO is just miserable to live with, which it is not

I don't know what magical fairy land you live in, but I've owned cars with no A/C before, and it IS miserable! And that is also performance related, because if I'm hot, tired and fatigued with sweat dripping into my eyes, I'm not going to be able to perform to my full potential, am I?

[3000ways]

Originally Posted by ldelaysionl

I don't know what magical fairy land you live in, but I've owned cars with no A/C before, and it IS miserable! And that is also performance related, because if I'm hot, tired and fatigued with sweat dripping into my eyes, I'm not going to be able to perform to my full potential, am I?

First off the EVO MR does have A/C and a radio, so what are you talking about, in the post I told you where the lost weight came from, please re-read. I was not dissing the STI, I was just saying the EVO and EVO MR are just as easy to live with. Anyways none of this is on topic now is it, can the STI hang with EVO MR performance stock for stock? No. It's a simple question, and yes the EVO MR is a better car than the base EVO especially with it's 6-Speed Manual (which is more durable than the current 5-Speed), lighter weight, improved handling, and yes easier to drive FAST. The base EVO is also an awesome car, believe me I'm a big fan of both the EVO and EVO MR. Please stay on topic.

[TatII]

you are also forgeting to mention that the U.S. spec EVO MR will also include the active differential found on the japanese and european models that allows you to manuelly set the car to run on either tarmac, gravel or snow.

[youngvr4]

the o3 mustang cobra IS faster than 12.9 buddy. the cobra will eat that evo for breakfast!! even with the awd launch the cobra still pulls on it in the 1/4 and is still going. plus the cobra has a higher top speed and will kill the evo-8mr on a highway roll.
and it doesn't peform bad from wha ti've heard on the tracks. not as good as an evo-8 but very impressive

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by kfoote

Hmm, that's less impressive numbers than I had been expecting from the MR. The Mustang Cobra should be faster in a straight line, and for daily liveability I'll stick with the STi. I had really been expecting the MR to weigh less and have more power.

yes at first it seems that the numbers hardly changed, but what they really worked on was the powerband. It has much more in low and mid range than the regular evo. And this in certain courses will make a tremendous difference(especially autox)

Originally Posted by ldelaysionl

Whee, a $40,000 car that sacrifices ALL luxuries (even A/C!) to be a small amount faster than the base model. Sign me up

I'll stick with the regular EVO any day. Just as fast everywhere except a closed course, cheaper and more livable.

You are thinking of the Evolution RS that is the striped down cheap version. In the MR they used lighter wheels, a new roof and other lightweight materials to lower the weight and I belive it still retains all the amenities.

And the MR is not slighty faster than the regular evo its significantly faster. Its the equivalent of the spec C. And we all know how bad a spec C would kill a regular STI.

Originally Posted by TatII

you are also forgeting to mention that the U.S. spec EVO MR will also include the active differential found on the japanese and european models that allows you to manuelly set the car to run on either tarmac, gravel or snow.

To add to that, the MR has a superior tuned ACD than the regular Evos.



Anyway bottom line the cobra should still have the edge in straight line racing(if that is your cup of tea). However there is no car currently in the US (below 40K) that will be able to touch it on the track.

[3000ways]

Originally Posted by youngvr4

the o3 mustang cobra IS faster than 12.9 buddy. the cobra will eat that evo for breakfast!! even with the awd launch the cobra still pulls on it in the 1/4 and is still going. plus the cobra has a higher top speed and will kill the evo-8mr on a highway roll.
and it doesn't peform bad from wha ti've heard on the tracks. not as good as an evo-8 but very impressive

There you have it doesn't perform as well the EVO 8 on the track so won't perform better than EVO MR now will it. Look 1/4 mile times I don't know, all the Cobras I've seen and read about have all ran low 13s stock, so I really don't know which is faster through the 1/4 mile because I guarrantee you the EVO MR will be faster than 12.9. It was tested by Road and Track at 12.9 who also tested the Cobra at 13.3, so yeah that's besides the point, the EVO MR is still the all around better performance car. Is it that hard to understand, stop just talking acceleration, when asked for all around performance. Also you know what I'm not a 100% sure on if the EVO MR has a radio also, but again people I'm talking performance. Stop and think before you type, I don't think the Cobra is a better all around performance car than the base EVO, so it's definitly not gonna be better than the EVO MR. Gosh simple question guys?
Also the Cobra is computer speed limited to 155MPH, so please think before you type.

[TatII]

psssst* "active center differential" hello? the evo mr will have that, and combined with a lighter body, stiffer shocks, and a 6 speed, the evo mr will be much faster then the current evo 8.

[youngvr4]

Originally Posted by 3000ways

There you have it doesn't perform as well the EVO 8 on the track so won't perform better than EVO MR now will it. Look 1/4 mile times I don't know, all the Cobras I've seen and read about have all ran low 13s stock, so I really don't know which is faster through the 1/4 mile because I guarrantee you the EVO MR will be faster than 12.9. It was tested by Road and Track at 12.9 who also tested the Cobra at 13.3, so yeah that's besides the point, the EVO MR is still the all around better performance car. Is it that hard to understand, stop just talking acceleration, when asked for all around performance. Also you know what I'm not a 100% sure on if the EVO MR has a radio also, but again people I'm talking performance. Stop and think before you type, I don't think the Cobra is a better all around performance car than the base EVO, so it's definitly not gonna be better than the EVO MR. Gosh simple question guys?
Also the Cobra is computer speed limited to 155MPH, so please think before you type.

it is beyond easy to remove a limiter, when i think of top speed i don't look at whats its limited at but what it really can do. i was simply stateing that the cobra is a 12.7 1/4 mile car. and as you read i admitted to the mr bieng a better handler. there is no need to get an attitude with me man. i do think before i type, and my statement stays a cobra will rape a mr on the roll. i respect you so please respect me. don't give me sh!t.

[Mr Payne]

A Z06 (2003) can easily be had for under 40K. 04's are leaving the dealership for 44K.

With that being said, I think it would be fairly close. The EVO has shown to be a better handler than a Z06 (although not much better), and the Z06 is faster in a straightline. This EVO appears to lessen the straightline performance gap (it traps a lot faseter in trap speed).

[kfoote]

Originally Posted by 3000ways

Again people I said all around performance, the Cobra may be close to the MR acceleration (sorry but the Cobra is not faster), but it's ALL AROUND PERFORMANCE is not. The STI may be me easier to to live with (yeah with no radio and stuff, you act as if the EVO is just miserable to live with, which it is not) that has nothing to do with all around performance. Please before you comment read the whole post, I know it's a lot, but it's a big claim that should be backed up with alot of information.

Originally Posted by kfoote

The Mustang Cobra should be faster in a straight line

Where did I ever say that the Cobra is a better all around performer??? Being a club level driver's ed instructor, there is no way I would take the Cobra over an Evo on the track if I had to decide between the two.

The EVO is much more stiffly sprung from the factory than the STi. One of my coworkers bought an EVO and has complained that the ride is almost too rough for daily use, and in his opinion, the STi is more liveable. I don't know where you got the idea that I think the EVO is miserable to live with. Of the cars I was looking at, the EVO was my second choice after the STi.

Originally Posted by TatII

psssst* "active center differential" hello?

Hi. This is the single biggest improvement I can tell over the EVO VIII, and it's significant. The DCCD and the 6-speed transmission are the only reasons I bought the STi over the WRX.