Evo RS, what do you know? Options

[Red_06_EvoRS]

I've been giving some thought to upgrading to a 2006 Evo. What does everyone know about the RS variant? I know it doesn't have the rear wing, comes in only white or red, doesn't have power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, or even a radio. What else has been left out? I know it has all of the go fast goodies but doesn't have ABS (a plus to many people).

I'm sure I can live without the power door locks & power mirrors. The power windows might be nice, though..especially with the tight fit of those Recaro's..it seems like it would be hard to reach over to the passenger side and crank down the window.

I test drove an Evo MR but that was the only Evo on the lot. I haven't seen an RS but I've read that they don't have too much sound insulation either...the trunk is bare metal. Sound insulation isn't too important to me but a bare metal trunk sounds pretty skimpy for that kind of cash. I don't want to take a huge step backwards in the comfort department from my GSX. Obviously, the huge step forward in performance is going to outweigh that for the most part..

I figure I can always add an aftermarket stereo but do they even have speaker wires run? That could be a pain. decisions, decisions.

[Zmann42087]

Back to the point of this post...does anyone have any first hand knowledge of an Evo RS?

I do... kinda. I've never owned an EVO, but my old man was shopping for a car this past summer, and I insisted that he test drive an EVO before buying a new car. So we went to O'Brien (in Champaign) and test drove the only EVO they had on the lot, an '06 EVO IX RS. The test drive was amazing... I wanted nothing more than to trade in my DSM for this thing (not that I have money for that).

I can't compare it to an MR, as I've never driven one. However, I do know some fundametal differences between the two. As already mentioned there is no wing or power windows. But also one big difference between the MR and RS is the tranny; the RS is equipped with a 5 speed and the MR with a 6 speed. The 5 speed felt great, btw.

One more thing, have you considered buying an EVO SE? I read in the November issue of SCC (yes, I finally got it) that in hopes of selling off EVO IX's before the X is released, Mitsu released a special edition EVO, the SE. I can't remember all the differences, but I know the front is a little different and the stitching on the Recaro seat is different. Just little stuff like that, but I thought I'd mention it.