2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X MR: Cement In Its Legs

I checked out a new MR at my local Mitsu dealer yesterday; the MSRP was over $43,000(!). For that kind of money I'd buy a very clean E36 M Coupe with the S54 motor for HPDEs and a nice used A4, 3er, or similar for my daily driver.

I think it's time to retire Sadlier to Consumer Reports. The EVO X is plenty acceptable even in harsher riding GSR form. Cars that are too stiff lose grip over bumps but the X stays stuck over all sorts of rough pavement (or curbing at the racetrack). In fact I think the X has a little too much pitch and roll. It could use a little more stiffness but mitsu clearly wanted to maintain some compliance.

As for pricing negotiate. My GSR stickered at over $37k + tax. I walked out with the car for less $34k with tax and 0% financing.

The dealer HAD a GSR that stickered for $34K and it was on sale for $27K. Now THAT'S more like it...

So um like, the GSR rides the same as the MR? I thinks not. I think Sadlier is all a bit to sensitive, touching dashes on cars everytime he drives them and complaining that the MR's ride is horrible..

there is a new MR sitting on a lot not 5 miles from me right now with a 10K off MSRP sticker in it,meaning these things can be had for 32k.

I should clarify I'm referencing the GSR in the fleet, and the post from another poster..

@church123,

"Cars that are too stiff lose grip over bumps but the X stays stuck over all sorts of rough pavement"

I don't doubt that this is your experience, but in my experience, the MR actually has a notable tendency to skateboard over midcorner bumps. We all remarked on the Mini Cooper S Convertible's tendency to do this on the MCS/128i comparison drive, and I'd say the MR is worse than the MCS in this regard. There's just no real shock absorption to speak of.

"In fact I think the X has a little too much pitch and roll"

Here I'll agree. Having driven both the MR and the GSR (before all the mods) on the Streets of Willow, I can attest that they both lean more than expected in corners. In part, this could be a function of the sheer height of the Evo. This is a really tall performance car (there's those Caliber roots). It's taller than most family sedans I've seen it parked next to.

@cx7lover,

"So um like, the GSR rides the same as the MR?"

Dunno, I haven't driven our GSR recently. All I know is that the MR bangs and crashes its way over broken pavement, and that's not becoming.

-JS

yeah, i too was surprised by the stiff ride.

"I think it's time to retire Sadlier to Consumer Reports."

Nope. Keep tellin' it as it is Josh!

This what this blog is about. One man's/woman's passion is another man's/woman's poison. If you like the EVO's Conestoga Wagon ride then great, but others might not.

All too often with hyper-performance cars we get caught up in their athletic abilities, forgetting that the car also has to do daily chores, in which those great "performance" aspects could well be a distinct liability.

There's this contingent that wishes Evo to be a fun seeking race track go cart, and one wishing Evo to work on real roads as a real car.

Wouldn't an adjustable suspension allow you to lower it for track duty/glass smooth roads, and hoist it back up so Evo can clear speed bumps and other real world hazards?

Given there are several such suspension setups for the WRX and STI, how about one for your test EVO?

wow, I'm shocked that you found the MR skipping over bumps. Are you sure they pulled out the spring spacers? I find that my Evo X GSR handles mid corner bumps better than anything else in my fleet right now (09 honda fit and 09 335i)... it does roll a lot but mid corner bumps don't seem to upset it at all. I'd expect the Bilsteins to be better, but maybe not.

that's just it kurtamaxxguy, the EVO X is in no way a go kart. Mitsu could have made it that way but they chose to give it decent suspension travel and real world bump handling ability. Calling the ride "connestoga like" is just hyperbole. Yes it will tell you about what is happening at the contact patch, especially at low speeds, but it won't buck you around or fight you on bumpy roads. I've put 2k miles ok mine in the last month on mine mainly on the 405 freeway and rank it's ride at speed better than my old G35c, my CRX and about equivalent to my S2000. And while it may not soak up little imperfections like 70 series tires on my Tahoe, it's overall ride and composure are better

I recently traded in my 03 GSR (CT9A) for a 08 MR (CZ4N). They gave me $13K for my trade-in and knocked off $10K from the $43K sticker. Would I have paid full price for this car? Heck no, but at $33 the car is worth every penny.

There is no denying that the car's roots are from an econo-box; I knew that purchasing my first one. You're paying for what's in front of the firewall, plus the drivetrain that makes this car the "e-ticket" ride. I personally can say that the VIII was much more raw and a 100% attention was needed at the limit. As for the CZ4N, the electronics take care of all that. Good thing too because the steering on the CZ4N is considerably deadened compared to the CT9A. With the Bluetooth, nav, and leather, the newer Evo is much more lux, but needs some more sound insulation to reduce the "whap."

I have to agree with church123. The new X rides nowhere near is harsh as the old one. I thought it was pretty great. Maybe Josh should drive an EVO 9 first.

P.s. This car looks GOOD in black.

And church123, any idea how much power the dual clutch transmission safely handle if one wanted to modify it?

Thanks.