I took my Evo8 '03 to the dealer's today after they called and said they had a new IX. It is the first one in my area. They also had a RS and a MR.

I drove the IX and noted that it does have better torque down low and a smoother ride. It had only 4 miles on it, so I can't tell you anything about the top end. I was offered a drive of the MR, but I really don't want to spend $5000 more for a six speed and softer shocks- I already have an advantage at most of the local autocrosses over the STi's six speed (they often have to shift more than I do), and I really don't mind the harsh ride.

The front looks cleaner, and the blacked out lights look better than the '03. The intercooler actually looks a good bit larger due to the new front bumper. Inside, the carbon fiber bits, Alcantara, and blacked out wheel look more upmarket than the '03. The dash still sucks. They have added tilt wheel, for anyone who cares.

The car I drove is Graphite Gray; against my Lightning Yellow it looks more sophisticated and stealthy. I would be giving up my sunroof and HIDs to get the ACD and limited slip front differential, but the dealer said I could keep my gauges if I wanted.

I am going to call him later for a price difference; the difference I see between trade in on my '03 with 17,000 miles and the IX GSR MSRP is $9500; if he can do it for $5000, I might trade for the extra (warranteed) horsepower, the limited slip, and longer warranty.

Anybody else thinking about trading and want to comment?

 

Thats a pretty good value for your trade-in.

I thought we had tilt wheel on the '03s?

 

I would do it !

 

Tilt came in all 03!!!!

 

The 06 has revised trannies (5spd) so you might be shifting more then before. They had tilt steering in 05 that is pretty much standard (03-4 dont have it?) The 9500 trade difference is not that bad in my opinion. New EVO9 goes for about 31? so they giving you for trade in value for about 22. But them knocking it down to 5 I would highly doubt it the might take a extra 1g. Well good luck on you decision.

 

I would do it too..I traded mine for a 05 evo another 05 because of 0%financing which was a steal in my part. But when my car was stock I got a ride in evo 9 and felt the difference between the 05 and 06. It wasn't really a big difference but I did feel the extra 10-20 whp that evo 9 delivers. Got jelous for a bit but now Im modded up.

 

yeah my 03 had tilt wheel also, its conveniently located in the exact same place as my 06, and uses the same lever... those darn mitsu designers... so smart

 

I would really like to know more about this. What has been changed?

 

I started a diff list between 03 and 06 in this thread:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=171967

 

Good list but I was specifically asking about the tranny, do you know any details?

 

My 03 has Tilt wheel, all Evo's have it. Maybe he never looked under the steering wheel?

 

from the list in https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=171967

"- closer ratio 5spd with coated shifter cables"

In other words, tranny has 2 differences: 06 has closer ratio gearing and has the coated shifter cables (was it teflon?) that they introduced in 04 or 05 I think.

There was also a rumor about upgraded synchros, but I could not find any facts backing up that claim.

 

I thought we had tilt wheel on the '03s?[/QUOTE]
they do !

 

It's not on my car. I know. I looked.

 

The clutch actually felt like it did not have the restrictor in it. The shifter action was much lighter and more positive than my '03. Of course, all of those things can be easily changed.