In the ongoing internecine feud between Evo X GSR and Evo X MR, the latter has a couple notable advantages: its mandatory SST automated manual means you don't have to puree your clutch in order to get a decent launch, and its Bilstein dampers add a slight amount of chassis-settling compliance at the track.
Still, I'm with Ed on this one: the GSR's five-speed manual may not be the best shifter ever, but it's good enough to make the GSR an easy choice over the heavier and more expensive MR. The clutch feels heavy at first but quickly becomes transparent and intuitive, and the throws are pleasingly short and direct. When I'm driving a fast car, I want to work a little for my speed. The GSR's transmission makes that job a joy rather than a chore.
As for the suspension's shortcomings, don't worry about it. A stock GSR was 0.09 seconds behind a stock MR around the Streets of Willow in our Evo comparison test.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 24,197 miles
carfreak8394 says:
01:43 PM, 08/ 4/09
The shifter and surrounding area looks like they are from a 20 year-old car. Wow.
sherief says:
01:54 PM, 08/ 4/09
A difference of 0.09 seconds probably means the GS-R was slightly faster, with the MR making up the difference (and a slight edge) with lightning-fast shifts.
audipilot says:
03:17 PM, 08/ 4/09
I find it odd that a performance-oriented car such as the Evo only comes with a 5-Speed and not a 6-Speed.
As far as the GSR vs. MR, give the me the GSR with the manual any day over the MR. As cool as all of the new dual-clutch transmissions are, I'll still take my manual.
church123 says:
05:38 PM, 08/ 4/09
More like a 15 year old car :) Reminds me of my old Integra GS-R console.
That said, remember that you're buying an econo class car (Civic, Corolla, Sentra) imbued with a race worthy drivetrain and suspension package.
Considering that those cars are stickering at $20k +/- for a nicely optioned, cloth interior model, the extra $10k or so it takes to get 50% more output, AWD, huge brakes and sticky tires isn't so unreasonable. You just can't expect to get luxury class accoutrements in the bargain.
jace88 says:
11:56 PM, 08/ 7/09
Mitsu's official stance is something along the lines of the 5 speed being much tougher and more reliable than the 6, especially when it comes to those who choose to tune up and increase power/torque.
That being said I went with MR. The SST isn't perfect and it feels a bit laggy now that I think about it, but I like being able to switch from Normal to Sport when necessary to o/t or go into a roundabout.