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Hey guys. Well I have come to a serious crossroads and I decided I would turn to the people who should probably know best. First let me say I know this is an EVO board so the answer will probably be slightly biased, but please try to be semi objective. Thanks.
I currently have $10k laying around for me to drop into my car and I am trying to decide if it would be best for me to put that $10k into my already modded 1990 Exlipse GSX (see bottom for list of mods) or put the $10k as a down payment on a 2006 Evo MR. Also let me say first and foremost that I have no problems at all with my GSX except of course for the fact its a DSM so it breaks once a week. So its not like im replacing a problem.
The main thing is that it is going to be one car or the other. The reason is because if I buy the EVO I am of course going to Mod the hell out of it, and I cant afford to seriously mod 2 cars. So if I buy the EVO the GSX is sold or of course I just keep the GSX, screw the EVO, and drop $10k into it.
I would really like to know what you guys think would be best. Let me give a quick synopsis of my thought pattern. I dont care about the 06 being new and my DSM being old. Hell everything on the DSM is new or would be new anyway (engine, tranny, etc.) However the EVO MR is a DAMN base model car, its not made for luxury or convenience only performance. And of course since I plan to MOD the hell out of either car, im most interested in performance. I do however need to be able to drive the vehicle on a day to day basis. Of course I have a DD, but I want to be able to drive my MOD car anytime I want as well. I am the type to like to get the most performance wise out of my car. I mod them as much as I can as hard as I can as long as I can still drive them regularly. I dont care about how one may look cooler then the other. I realize that of course the EVO MR is a far superior vehicle stock, but how about putting an extra $10k into my already modded GSX (see bottom for mods) with that in mind is it that much of a difference even if I were to of course mod my EVO MR as well? I dont care about a car payment. I can afford it easily. One of the main things that just popped into my head is emissions. I live in GA where there are of course emissions. My GSX is ODB I and passes easily even heavily modded, my EVO MR would be ODB II. Would emissions then become a problem for me? Of course I have no problem paying a "tip" to the inspector to "help" my EVO MR pass. Oh and I plan to keep either car I decide to go with until the end of time.
Oh well, guys what do you think? $10k down payment on an 06 EVO MR or $10k into my already modded GSX? Also please actually view the mods below that I already have as they are important factors. Thanks a lot guys. Also please put your reasons for voting the way you do.
List of Mods in 90 Eclipse GSX:
Bolt-On Mods
SAFC, MMCD Datalogger on a Palm VX, 3" Buschur Exhaust with Apex N1 can and 2.5" downpipe
Engine Internals
Buschur stage 3 shortblock, Buscher Stage 3 Head, JE pistons, Eagle rods and ARP fasteners throughout including head studs, Prothane motor mounts
Suspension Mods
Suspension Techniques 1.3" lowering springs, Koni yellow adjustable struts, GAB Sport 8-way adjustable rear shocks. Greddy strut tower bar, Buschur rear strut bar
Sayajin, from everything you said, it's obvious that you have to make your own decision. It really has nothing to do with what we suggest, because we don't know your goals. I am a former DSM owner. All 3 of my DSMs were 1Gs, and all 3 went mid-to-low 12s, but I never went above a small 16g and never touched the engine/head. I got tired of dealing with my DSMs breaking down and having problems, so I just got rid of my last one and bought an 05 MR. I've never been happier, because I basically went from problematic old cars that did mid 12s to a new car that could run 12.9s stock while outhandling almost anything on the road. With about $900 in mods, I've gotten it down to 12.2@111 while still using the stock cat, so I would only expect the 06 MR to be even more potent. The only problem will be that you won't be able to spend that $10k until tuning shops find out exactly how to deal with the MIVEC. If you went ahead and got an 05, then you could mod the living hell out of it and probably have 600whp in a matter of weeks, since it sounds like you can do most/all of your own work.
The downside of going with a new Evo (other than the 06 MIVEC issue) is that you will have a 30-35k car that will no longer be an old beater that can break down all the time without worry. You will have a significant amount of money spent on it, and it will have a high probability of serious problems especially with 10k in mods. If you really have so much money that you can buy a 35k car and throw 10k of saved-up money without any worry of it breaking, then I say go for it. You will have a world-beater that is brand new and that looks great. If you are like most normal people and can't just toss away 45k on something fairly unreliable, then you may want to think about it. Also, if you are only concerned with outright performance and no amenities, how about looking at an 05 or 06 RS, so that you do away with the unnecessary features (less weight) and avoid the 6spd. I love my 6spd, but is causing a serious problem in that it can only reach 110.7mph in 4th gear, which means I am stuck at 12.1-12.2 and unable to hit 11s. You would be well WELL beyond the power I'm making, so maybe this wouldn't stop you from 11s, but the 4-5 shift is really crappy, so you'd probably have to find a way to extend the 6spd 4th gear by raising the rev limit significantly just in order to get some decent mph in 4th. 5spds can already go 120+ in 4th, so it's easier to make full use of your power beyond 320whp.
Well first let me say no I dont have $45k for a vehicle. What I would be doing is taking the $10k cash I have saved up and use that as a down payment on the 06 EVO MR and then just mod it like a normal person would. I was just saying I dont mind the monthly payments on it.
I didint consider the MIVEC engine being an issue... thats definetly something to consider. I thought that with the 6 speed tranny you would be able to get more power out of your vehicle. I assume that is incorrect? Its actually a con instead of a pro? Oh and I would definetly prefer all the options of an MR, couldnt do manual windows, lol. What I was saying is that its not like im buying a luxury car or anything.
I guess my main concern is this: is an EVO MR REALLY a far superior vehicle over an already modded GSX with another $10k into it? I mean if I could drop $10k into my GSX and run low 11s to high 10s (IF!) would the EVO be worth it? I mean lets say I drop $5-10K into my EVO MR, is it gonna run 8s-7s? Doubtful. I guess thats my main question... Although of course the handling on the EVO would ALWAYS be far superior hands down. Also obviously any modded car is gonna break more than a non modded one, but are EVO's as prone to breaking as DSM's? I mean I have to fix SOMEHTING on my DSM at least once a week! Thx a lot.
I don't know man, it's tough to answer some of these. First, let me address your misunderstanding of the trim levels:
ONLY the RS is stripped. The regular GSR has all of the amenities, so you don't have to get an MR. The GSR isn't lacking any comfort features and is the only model that has SSL (sun, sound, leather) as an option. It has all the power amenities, sunroof, Infinity sound system, leather recaros, HIDs, FLSD, ACD, 10.5 hotside, etc etc. The MR has bilstein shocks that help it ride more smoothly than the GSR/RS plus an aluminum roof in place of the steel roof and/or moonroof on the GSR. Additionally, the MR has lightweight, forged BBS rims in place of the stock Enkeis. Then, you have the 6spd, which has nothing to do with speed/power other than the fact that it acts like a RWD car with a higher-ratio rear end (4.11 vs 2.83). It has shorter gears that allow you to always be in the sweet spot after each shift and allow you to accelerate very fast, but that also means that you run out of gear earlier in 4th (110.7 mph @ 7600 rpm). This is not really a downside unless you are trying to hit 11s with minimal mods like me. =) If I was willing to let my ECU get deflowered, I could raise the rev limit to 7800 or 8000. If I rebuilt the head with springs, retainers, cams, etc, then I could go even higher and easily trap much higher than 111 while reaching deep into the 11s with more power mods, but I am not willing to do that on a car with a 5yr/60k mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
I do believe that an MR with 10k in mods will be superior to your GSX with 10k more in mods, but not necessarily in a straight line. Both cars would have upgraded turbos, so the MR wouldn't necessarily have any power advantage, but the total package would still be superior.
Get the MR, that's all i have to say, your dsm is 15 years old how much longer do u want to keep it. i have an MR, it's great, plus you will be one of the few who have one.
... I guess my main concern is this: is an EVO MR REALLY a far superior vehicle over an already modded GSX with another $10k into it? I mean if I could drop $10k into my GSX and run low 11s to high 10s (IF!) would the EVO be worth it? I mean lets say I drop $5-10K into my EVO MR, is it gonna run 8s-7s? Doubtful. I guess thats my main question... Although of course the handling on the EVO would ALWAYS be far superior hands down. Also obviously any modded car is gonna break more than a non modded one, but are EVO's as prone to breaking as DSM's? I mean I have to fix SOMEHTING on my DSM at least once a week! Thx a lot.
-Sayajin
A new MR vs. your modded GSX (built motor!) + $10K
(some people here will hate me for this)
... keep the GSX.
I hated being at that point; build an Evo eating Eclipse or start all over modding on a new 4g63. If you really have $10,000 to put into her , you can be eating Evo's daily, and do it right with all the supporting parts where the maintanence will be fairly routine.
For me it really came down to having four doors. Sometimes I have to throw the kid's seats back there and go somewhere. I couldn't do that in the Eclipse. That's pretty much the only reason I got one.
I think in your case there has to be something else besides just performance too.
Damn... I hated being in your spot.
Only if your really tired of working on your GSX, should you get the Evo.
But then how long is it going to be till you mod the Evo and go right back to spending just as much time on it as you would have in the Eclipse.
Damn.
I'm in the same spot, I have the 90 TSI that I just dumped some money into to put in the 12's and I have a 92 TSI that is runnin mid to high 11's. Now I have plenty of funds to dump in these but on the 8th my second child was born and that is why I will probably sell one or both and get an MR. My problem is that if I keep one and buy an MR the wife won't like that idea as she already hates the fact that I have 2 of the same cars. Also thinking of buying a used one for like 20K and taking the money from the 2 cars and dropping it of at AMS so I dont have to deal with it (love cars, but kids + 50+hrs a week = no time). Anyways like larry said if you have 10K and no reason to get rid of it (kids) then i would kepp the DSM, hell with 10K more you should be in 11's easy if not 10's! I'll tell you that once you get to that point and keep it street, that its a blast to drive and you will own the roads
Well ive decided to go with the EVO and am selling one of my GSX's and parting out the other.
Thanks a lot for all of the help guys! I greatly appreciate the advice.
-Sayajin
Last edited by turbolarry; 07-22-2005 at 09:57 AM.
yeah, i think you will be really happy with your decision... a nice new clean car with mild mods that can hit 12s... cant go wrong with that. take it out onto the mountain roads and enjoy it.
I was in the same spot as you. But i could not justify spending 10k or more on somthing thats old just for it to brake and spend even more. and then you have to deal with rust and what not.
There are modded GSX's every where. If you went to the shootout in Ohio you know what i mean. everyone screamed when an evo went in the tens, not so for the GSX's. I dont think that they are making NEW parts for DSM's anymore, But the evo has somthing new everyday.
I just got my evo 2 weeks ago and I'm not looking back. You'll never be happer with your new evo. I hope to see you on the forums with your new car!!!!
I dont think that they are making NEW parts for DSM's anymore, But the evo has somthing new everyday.
That's the scary part. Everybody knows what works on a DSM so all the BS has gone the way of the dinosaur. How much BS is out there for our cars right now because it's a hot thing and someone wants to make a buck? Something new everyday...
I am also in a similer position, I have a 1990 AWD TSi 5 speed, mildly moded but so far very reliable.. (wow thats not said offen) anyway I on the other hand have an easy choice.
I plan to go for an Evo IX when I get back from Iraq simply because it handels so well, and im already familure with the 4G63.
To me handeling is EXTREAMLY important, i dont really care about drag raceing at all, I look at it souly as a bench mark if even that. Once a car exceeds 12's you can call it fast in my book.
And when and if I get an Evo IX (also considering an MKIV Supra) im no going to concentrate on engine power so much as handeling, weight and cooling.
With an Evo power can be made easily so it's the least of my concerns, I care more about responce than power, long as I have enough power Which of corse the engine will get some love too. just doubt anything real serious.
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$10k in GSX or $10k down on 06 Evo MR?
, you can be eating Evo's daily, and do it right with all the supporting parts where the maintanence will be fairly routine.
Which of corse the engine will get some love too. just doubt anything real serious.
