2005 Mitsubishi Evolution MR | Retro Review

[@INTEL-REDACTED]

what a legendary car. man i miss Mitsubishi performance cars.

[@faheemabbas3965]

And now Mitsubishi is eventually going to leave the US…. And the new WRX is a shareholder, bean-counter satisfier…

[@allentoyokawa9068]

blame the market

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Lol mitzushity performance is an oxymoron

[@christopherhernandez78]

Create a demand! 😅

[@KuchingKingVideoGamer]

​@@faheemabbas3965Mitsubishi ain't leaving the US market as they still sell a lot of vehicles there. Poor sales numbers of Evolution X caused Mitsubishi to totally axed the Lancer Evolution series

[@normaspirated]

You begin to realize how old you are when a car that was new during my mid-20s appears on MW's retro reviews

[@germanengineering204]

I was 30 😂

[@mclarenf1gtrlmedition715]

How old are u

[@Defy_Convention]

Boomer thread

[@germanengineering204]

@@Defy_Convention You'll get there to little buddy lol

[@phillipvelednitskiy6881]

Don’t feel old! This car was peak Mitsubishi. I will never get the chance to have one.

[@rushnerd]

Recaro seats? Bilstein shocks? Momo steering wheel? This thing was aftermarket as hell while being OEM! They don't make them like this anymore...

[@jeffw3234]

Bbs wheel!

[@jczerozerotwo3071]

lots of value here

[@stevemcgowen]

There's a reason for that. With what they cost they didn't sell, so were discontinued...

[@rushnerd]

@@jeffw3234 I believe Toyota (I think at least) still puts them on some of their high end cars like the GR Corolla, I could be wrong though. Even so, never been a big fan of fancy OEM wheels, they just never look as good as the real aftermarket stuff. Enkei guy myself.

[@Loudest_Cricket_]

​@@rushnerdBoth BBS and Enkei produce OEM wheels for many manufacturers. BBS in particular is still very relevant in the OEM space today. Don't forget O.Z. Racing and Rays Engineering/Volk Racing either. O.Z. isn't nearly as relevant as they once were, but Rays/Volk remains relevant today as well.

[@senseicorey9979]

I've always been a subaru guy, but the rivalry we had with the evo was always a good time. I wave at them too.

[@dohc1067]

One of, if not the last Great Mitsubishi available on these great shores. Long before electrification became mainstream. This car brought young buyers to the brand. I haven't seen one in 15 years.

[@carlasghost656]

For all the hype they didn't sell that well. Much like the muscle cars of a generation before, the target demographic could barely afford them. And that's before they tried getting insurance. Too many owners either put them in a ditch. Or destroyed the engines and transmissions by half assing the upgrades for more power. Finding a used Evo , even just a few years old, that was unmolested was very hard. Same with the sportier Neons, Escorts, and Acura/Hondas of the era.

[@devinbiz]

Most of those youngsters likely trashed these. Can’t recall when I last saw one either.

[@mengx94]

Wish I could get one new. Happy with my gr corolla

[@junit7590]

​@@carlasghost656 we in NZ got all the jdm imports mint for cheap, but they were always rarer than evo 1-3 and 4-6 here.

[@EJ257IHI]

I remember when those cars (WRX STi, Evo 8) came out, I was just getting out of school. The Mitsubishi dealer didn't allow me to test drive the Evo 8, I ended up with a new 2004 WRX STi. I still got to drive the Evo 8, MR, Evo 9 MR and I still like those cars. Can't believe 20 years have already gone by.

[@senseicorey9979]

Still have the sti? I've been driving a bugeye wrx since 2007 and I still love it....

[@EJ257IHI]

@@senseicorey9979 Sadly sold it in 2010 in order to afford a Condominium in California, LOL. Upgraded to 2013 Lexus ISF (bought new), still have that one, left CA. 😁 I tracked down the STi, it's in the Boise, ID area, still has a clean record.

[@senseicorey9979]

@@EJ257IHI yeah I have 2 kids now and their car seats don't fit well in the bugeye.....it's time for me to upgrade but I really want a 6 speed something or other...and there's not many of those around that deal with car seats well.

[@Lawrence-lc7pu]

The Ford dealer in our town had a red Ford gt for sale. I think they wanted $300,000. Sure went by quick.

[@JDMHaze]

This was the peak Evo.. Never got better after this

[@JDMEVOVIGSR]

That is very subjective and debatable. It is a toss up whether the Evo 6 TME or the Evo 9 MR is "peak Evo" in my opinion.

[@JDMHaze]

@@JDMEVOVIGSR well yea the MR is the close exception

[@LawrenceTimme]

No this one is worse than the previous model. The 6 speed is weaker and the MR is heavier. The RS with the 5 speed is the peak Evo.

[@kotarojujo2737]

​@@LawrenceTimmeespecially the jdm ix mr rs ones with 5 speed.

[@Marcos-ll5fs]

Wouldn't peak Evo be the 2014 Evolution X (FQ 440)?

[@mattyice100]

Nice to see the price for an Evo 9 hasn't changed in 20 years....

[@KartKing4ever]

It wasn't worth that then and it certainly isn't worth that now.

[@ramiahwhitney9]

@@KartKing4everstill was cheaper than any other 4 door Japanese sports car just you can’t afford it and move on

[@KartKing4ever]

@@ramiahwhitney9 I have a GT500. Yes I can afford an Evo lmao

[@andrewverrett568]

​​@@KartKing4everwow, must really hurt when you get gapped by an evo, or sti, or golf r, or corolla gr😂 spent all that money on a super heavy hunk of shit that can't get traction to save its life.

[@KartKing4ever]

@@andrewverrett568 That has never and will never happen. Did beat an RS3 at the track though lmaoooo

[@Momo_8k]

One of the cars which brought in the new generation of car enthusiasts- people who respect JDM

[@retrocompaq5212]

very few people likes jdm cars, they were so bad on most part, th fact that skylines and supra are as overrated as theyre bad doesnt help too, that evo does equal lap times of a chevy cobalt with 40hp more and awd for twice the price and its not even close to be reliable

[@runoflife87]

​@@retrocompaq5212redneck detected.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

​@@retrocompaq5212finally. Someone who actually knows cars

[@Momo_8k]

@@retrocompaq5212 very few people in likes jdm cars?? That must explain how they all seem to appreciate in value...🤦‍♂ I do realize the cobalt ss ran faster lap times (by .2 sec) than the MR.

[@jareknowak8712]

@@retrocompaq5212 i have never seen any Cobalt in WRC.

[@KC-wo5xe]

One of my favorite. These car's price has been sky rocketing for the last few years.

[@saodykol]

Got to have one in 2007, still useing it to this day 😂 all stock

[@MrWolf2212]

It's probably worth a lot of money now

[@benlanderos4136]

Always wanted one and never got it. Wound up with a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 which I still drive to this day.

[@DoctorMotorcycle]

I remember one of my neighbors down the street bought an evo IX MR brand new and when he left he launched it in front my my house. Always had a soft spot for these cars.

[@ADHski]

Life was indeed simple with a 6 speed row box. Not worrying about connecting your ipad to a type-c usb, connection granted.... now proceed to touch this screen to lower the A/C, as you're boosting around a turn.

[@freddysevolution9]

5 speed was the better option

[@faheemabbas3965]

The future of cars is to make money off of you. An appliance. It’s like video games nowadays, all to make money quick. We will always keep setting the bar for effort lower and lower.

[@JDMEVOVIGSR]

@@freddysevolution9 and a lot stronger!

[@fatbuddy719]

Who woke grandpa up from his nap?

[@Spacemonkeymojo]

Every time I watch a video like this it makes me take a look at second hand Evos on the market. I was in high school in 2005 and I never really paid attention to cars but these days I would love a nice fun car like this... one day.

[@domenicmitri]

I love my Focus RS, but I almost wish I could go back in time and have one of either this or an STI instead.

[@mattt198654321]

Your GF can give you an STI....

[@blueazure9658]

You don’t want that STI.

[@nickgee7291]

I remember being a kid and being so blown away by its aesthetics, definitely a classic

[@jeffreyalston8647]

It’s 2023 and I still own my 2003 Evo. Love watching these older reviews of both the Evo and STi.

[@J.Wick.]

MANNNN....I wanted one of these SOO bad when these were released. I believe this, and the WRX Sti are atleast partially responsible for the uptick in the muscle and tuner market that we enjoy today. Those 2 cars made everyone else stand up and pay attention. GM & Ford finally gave the Pony cars a kick in the ass, we started getting Focus STs, RSs, Better Civic Sis, Type Rs. Never got one of these, had a 1995 Prelude VTEC at the time that was fun enough.

[@johnnysalazar5399]

With the exception of the cobras/Saleen mustangs, gto, cts v and the early srt cars

[@deviantarsenal]

You and me both! I was 23 when this car came out and I wanted one so bad but just couldn't afford $30k. This was my dream car for years until the C6 ZR1 arrived.

[@PrinceDavid]

This car is legendary!

[@fernandorocha8459]

This car is fantastic and great perfomance

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Legendary pos

[@ramiahwhitney9]

@@Welcometofacsistubeyou mad? 🤣

[@jeldibye]

Such a great car stock. Too bad most of these fell prey to “performance” mods.

[@nathanmcdonald610]

Usually the case with any semi affordable performance car. You'll have about as much luck finding one of these in stock condition as you will finding a Foxbody Mustang in stock condition.

[@Cal3000]

when the stock block is capable for 500whp, you bet I'm going to shoot for that

[@jeldibye]

@@Cal3000 Sure, it’s your prerogative if you have one. I appreciate how Mitsubishi engineered it as a street car with concessions to daily drivability, reliability & comfort. Idc about lap times & big power numbers.

[@attackb5349]

And trees, telephone poles, etc.

[@boss12]

I love the exposed inter cooler.

[@Evolution8R]

WOW 36K i didnt realize at the time how much they went up, in the beginning they couldn't give these cars away, haha, i got mine an 03', in the spring of 04' for 30K OTD, 48 miles on the clock. Imagine that now??? Was definitely the best priced car for the performance, STI's were in high demand and going for about 40K plus, if you could even find one(SoCal)...and they came out in 03' as 2004's. As with the Subie, the S2000 was the only other viable option for me, and also was more like a 38K plus car at the time, I picked the Evo and never regretted it ever, it really is a Diamond Star! Thanks for posting this haven't seen this in a while....thumbs up and subbed!

[@keithcee6378]

I grabbed my EVO IX new in 06, had no idea it was going to be a unicorn in the future. Fast forward now I’m a dad and my sons friends always mention how I have a “fast and furious” movie car in my garage lol

[@fijitears]

Awesome.

[@reoxex]

Would you ever sell it???

[@BurtSampson]

What a great era. I was going to get a Evo IX MR back in 2006, but they didn't have any at the dealer so I went down the street to the Subaru store and got an STI instead. Never regretted my choice, but to this day I really, really want to know what those MRs felt like to drive.

[@denshidirect3182]

Sad that the era of relatively affordable performance cars has faded, instead now catering to high-performance crossovers and SUV's.

[@seismic6435]

What? $35k in '05 is CRAZY

[@denshidirect3182]

@@seismic6435 That's the price of the MR which is the top trim. The RS could be had for $27,929. Neither price is crazy compared to what cars are selling for now.

[@iitmustang]

@@seismic6435right? 35k is like 50k today. I spent 46k on a mustang gt in 2022 that has more power and nicer overall.

[@Steeboohken]

@@seismic6435 And I don't think any of these left the dealer lot under $45,000.

[@faheemabbas3965]

Well, it’s what happens when current emission laws are less strict on SUVs and more strict on smaller cars, causing automakers to make more SUVs than cars.

[@PhillyDee215]

The Fast and The Furious made this Evo even more iconic🎯

[@JDMEVOVIGSR]

Wasn't even an Evo... it was just a modified Lancer LMAO

[@PhillyDee215]

@@JDMEVOVIGSR same shit....just remember " it don't matter if u win by a inch or a mile winning is winning"

[@JDMEVOVIGSR]

@@PhillyDee215 yeah… only in the movies lol. Just like you need 18 gear shifts in a drag race 😂

[@PhillyDee215]

@@JDMEVOVIGSR holy....wt😵

[@theninethrees8044]

@@JDMEVOVIGSRit was an Evo. 2f2f had Euro spec Evo 7’s with Lancer taillights mod, and Tokyo Drift had a RWD converted Evo 9.

[@AmraphelofShinar]

Bill Shteen makes the best shocks. Good 'ol Bill.

[@ericbritton9346]

This is my second reward to me when my youngest daughter graduate from high school if I can't find me a 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo cabriolet slant nose in red. I'll be 48 yrs of age at the time. I want to find me an Evo in dark grey, or blue. I always wanted me one when I was 25 years old, but couldn't afford it at the time. So I end up with a 1993 Mazda 929 and a 1990 Geo Storm GSi back then instead.

[@thekhakiobserver3128]

This vehicle had insane power and performance for its time and now. Mitsu had street cred back then.

[@mcximus]

I love this car. I drove one back in the day and my goodness you absolutely cannot lose control of this car. I'm no where near the greatest driver but geesush this car can corner like no other car in the entire world. I didn't drive the MR, just an EVO8.

[@theninethrees8044]

Die hard Mitsubishi fan, this is my dream car! Not the MR due to the gearbox, I’d be happy with just the GSR. I used to own an Evo V years ago and miss that car alot.

[@moonman_8935]

Proud former owner of a '06 EVO IX GSR that I bought brand new back in March of 2007. Over the years, I've owned several STI's & now a Lexus IS500.

[@GroupBEJ25]

Ironically always wanted an EVO since high school back in 2004 but I am on my 3rd STi but deep in my heart if I had extra cash an EVO 8 or 9 would be a good buy and to keep.

[@johnnysalazar5399]

The Evo and the sti were the 2 best tuner cars and great rivals. They are now classics

[@boywhohadatiger]

This car really was impressive in its day it’s still impressive by today’s standards. It’s quicker off the line than a manual golf r and gr Corolla and type r

[@eddys.3485]

That’s $56,000 in 2023 when adjusted for inflation today. All of a sudden, the GR Corolla, Civic Type R doesn’t seem so bad until the dealer mark ups kill them from existence.

[@angry.8]

When these first released in the states I drove both the sti and Evo back to back and chose the Evo for the sharper handling.

[@quackman]

I loved the looks, interior, and WRB paint of the STI, but from what I've read the Evo sounds more ideal as a sports sedan.

[@Jameesjourneys]

Owned my 9 FQ340 now for 10 years. Absolutely love it

[@jorgerodrigogomezflores5711]

I always wanted one of these, I used to drive a red one too when playing GT4 against my friend’s and his blue STi, I ended up owning and selling a blue 2007 STi, it was a fun car, but if I can find a nice Evolution 8, 9 or X, I’d buy it in a second.

[@abracing199]

I wish so badly to have been old enough (and wealthy enough) to have gotten one of these new. Its almost impossible to find an evo that isnt thrashed and modded to within an inch of its life with a salvage title.

[@kienfung3045]

Just a shame, they don't make them like this anymore 😢

[@daryljoseph]

Gotta love those Japanese "276" horsepower ratings! Wonder what it really was pushing!

[@sjhudon386]

103 mph trap speed. 276 sounds about right.

[@daryljoseph]

@@sjhudon386 You could be right, but idk? I drove my buddy's stock 04' evo when it came out and after the engine was broken in, about 11,000 miles on it if remember correctly. The butt dyno that night felt around 325. Maybe it felt faster cause its awd and hooks up better and it was on a cool October night.

[@sjhudon386]

@@daryljoseph True, air temp is huge for turbo cars.

[@daryljoseph]

@@sjhudon386 definitely! I have two Saab 9-5 Aero wagons, and one is built. The difference between night and day, especially in the fall, is quite unbelievable really. Love turbocharged cars!

[@pkt1213]

I was always disappointed that I didn't fit comfortably in these. I was very excited when the EVO was coming to the US. I sat in it at an autoshow and was instantly sad the seat didn't go back further.

[@MarkMeadows90]

The Evo 8 and 9 still look good to this day!

[@samartz]

Yes a timeless classic!! So hard to find a clean unmolested one!....

[@longgrayline8055]

I’ve seen the Evo’s and 2004-05 STI’s run in the 9’s and 10’s. Obviously tuned/built. This thing would crush most of the current sports car offerings on the track.

[@wolf1597]

Jdm legend

[@woohunter1]

Thank you Mitsubishi for keeping Subaru honest. If it wasn’t for this car, I don’t even want to think what Subaru would have tried to give us.

[@tom11zz884]

Nothing quite like this car is available in America today. Closest thing we have is a Civic Type R which is way too big and bloaty and dull. Mitsu needs to seriously consider bringing this car back to America.

[@senseicorey9979]

You can drive the evo at 100 mph in a blizzard. The type R is half the car this thing was

[@reginaldgrandin266]

My brother still has his 05 SE in stock form with only a borla exhaust. He hasn’t driven it in six years. Pretty much a garage queen now. Kind of regret selling mine when I became a parent.

[@dannyso8366]

holy shit 36500 in 2005!!!??? no wonder i couldn't afford one back then

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man that car still a beast today! And still looks great!👌🥰👉❤I always loved those!

[@greggc.touftree5936]

The last of the Evos. What a time it was alive back then.

[@domjfante8140]

An unmolested, low-mileage example of this car in good condition is probably worth it’s MSRP today.

[@yerrsquadtv6394]

Even a 100k+mile unmolested 8mr is worth 30k today

[@billblonco]

i should have never sold mine. once i got the FP black turbo upgrade all the STI's saw were my tailights.

[@zachd6011]

Quite possibly my fav JDM car ever.

[@NEO_RedPill_2024]

For a day at the track definitely, to live with Subaru WRX STI

[@kgthegreatone943]

Gone up in value big time

[@jnr1989]

What a weapon mitsubishi made back then.

[@coldvaper]

I would still buy this car today if you could buy it new.😍

[@Cgee3]

It would be tempting.

[@Andrew_460]

I loved watching these EVOs mop the floor with crapvettes back in the day. I mean everything mops the floor with corvettes but still.

[@ChristopherOden]

I worked at a Mitsubishi dealership for a summer during college and got to drive 2x of these around for a short time, it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had 😢

[@Crispychicken4u]

The holy grail car for Mitsubishi. Now.. they give us the mirage 😞

[@Tool0GT92]

Man I was so into this car back then

[@moereefer]

One of Best JDM cars

[@Welcometofacsistube]

BWWWWAHAHAHAHAH! Oh. You're serious

[@ramiahwhitney9]

@@Welcometofacsistubeyou mad? 🤣

[@rmp5s]

Oh how I miss it...RIP, Evo.

[@dflet03]

Goat 🐐 right here, legend

[@j.m.5995]

How i wish i could go back in time 20 years

[@Jok3rz21]

I miss the days when Mitsubishi made fun hi revving cars for enthusiasts 😢

[@faheemabbas3965]

And now Mitsubishi is about to leave the US even with outlander sales… with how they’re doing now I don’t see them staying in the next 10 years.

[@nathanmcdonald610]

@@faheemabbas3965 I don't see how they could stay in business here. I briefly worked as a driver for Hertz when I was in between jobs a few years ago and let me tell you, all the Mitsubishi's we had "primarily different variations of the Outlander" were like getting into a time machine and not in a good way. They were slow, their interiors felt cheap, like assembled by fisher price cheap, completely uninvolved driving experience as a whole. I'm not sure what their reliability is as I hear so little about the company these days, but it literally felt like the most basic level of transportation, everything else within in it's class felt leagues better and more engaging to drive. There's better options for the same price, It's like after this car Mitsubishi just gave up entirely on making anything other than shitboxs in the USA.

[@mvnorsel6354]

I was sad when Mitsubishi stopped building the 380 (Galant ) in Australia in 2008.😅

[@MrKnoxguy101]

I remember looking at the MR edition in the showroom of our late Mitsubishi dealership back then. Evo always was a cool little car with its WRC race history, legendary 4G engine, tunable ECU and just the overall reputation for being insanely quick for a 2 liter four cylinder. But even back then, there was no way I would have dropped over 36 thousand for that little car. It had better do more than go fast and handle great to justify that kind of a price tag. There were just too many other more desirable vehicles at the time with similar MSRP that offered a whole lot more. Maybe worth it to some back then, but not to most.

[@bryantg7641]

Is that giant front mount intercooler an OE piece ??

[@BLADES1320]

Yes

[@curtfox91]

Still wondering if i will ever own an Evo one day. My dream car still waiting

[@ChrisC-bc8od]

And the 08-10 Chevy COBALT SS turbo beat the crap out of this on a track lol for only 22K!!!!!!!!!! ive owned a few 4g63t crappers and glad i own an LNF now!

[@Billn1971]

Skinny 17' wheels... that had a good amount of body roll actually. It needed wider 18' wheels and lower profile tires. Not too bad though.

[@jacklo325]

Nearly 20 years ago, this Evo 8 would still looks great in today's market. Test drive this MR back in the days, the handling was fantastic. Too bad the sleazy car salesman almost made me want to vomit during the test drive.

[@KartKing4ever]

It's crazy seeing how far the mighty have fallen.

[@reymenders5437]

Stop hating guy Were all car guys here are we not

[@Shishizurui]

Anyone else like me? you were a 17-18 yr old highschool kid this was your dream car, but you had no way of making that money, you go to college you get out eventually start making money..... all there is is quad cab trucks and SUVs I feel like my dad how he and his generation talk about 60s muscle cars, then the oil embargo happened and emmissions.....

[@kaceecruson9532]

Evo 9 in red is my dream car... only made in 2006

[@Acc0rd79]

It's truly sad that Mitsu gave up on the Evos!!! You can almost guarantee that in the next 5 years we will have a new Evo "SUV!" It's sad. And to top it off, it will be an EV or some crap.

[@AWDfreak]

The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution already exists, in two distinct generations. But Mitsubishi stopped making SUV's, and in its place, they now make crossover vehicles.

[@robertsantiago3102]

Mitsubishi needs to bring the Evo back.

[@douglasb.1203]

For all those comments about peak JDM, which literally means Japanese Domestic Manufacture, or in other words: right hand drive, this car isn't.

[@rookietoprobuildz]

The retro review I wanted to see 🎉

[@jczerozerotwo3071]

miss the evo amazing rally car for the streets

[@2Cenery]

Definitely want one of these but boy those prices, they seem to not budge down much.

[@ShenmueAtheist]

They may have not been very reliable, but Mitsubishi really knew how to make amazing cars back in the 90s and 2000s.

[@AdamAdamHDL]

I remember when these came out... And now they are retro?

[@ShaiyanHossain]

this car could come out as is today and it would still be very competitive performance wise shame what happened to Mitsubishi and the rest of the car industry

[@dogdoc1]

Performance is as good as some modern day performance cars.👍

[@anthonylobigas3657]

This is a retro review? Damn, I feel old!

[@nathanmcdonald610]

Well, 2005 was almost 20 years ago. I was 17 that year. Time really fucking flys.

[@revelare_xvii6269]

Damn this thing was a beast from factory.

[@nandernugget]

It’s a shame since Mitsubishi just announced they discontinuing the Mirage which is the last car fully made on their one platform. From now on it’ll be crossovers on Nissan platforms

[@B86432]

These things ate tires up

[@storm_iq]

One of my favorite car ever the bmw e36 Nissan s13 and evo 9

[@303nitzubishi4]

This is about as good as the Evo got here in the states. The next gen were still capable cars but lacked the soul of these early '00s designs. $36k is laughable. Maybe after two or three years, on a used car lot! I'm convinced these were kept in short supply on purpose by Mitsubishi so dealers could mark them up well over $40 and sometimes closer to $50k. Myself and a couple co workers were in the market at that time. No way any of us would have been able to swing it even at $36. Also the insurance companies weren't fooled by the 4 door sedan body and Lancer name, these things were VERY expensive to insure even with a clean MVR

[@n-power-automotive]

Crazy that my Hyundai Elantra N has the same horsepower, same torque and same MSRP 20 years later.

[@bryanCLXT]

bring this back

[@curtfox91]

Love the EVOS

[@mengdynasty6034]

My dream car.