I'm not a big fan of Mitsu either, at least their domestic products. But EVO is really different. Everything about its performance is proven. All the weak points mentioned in their past product is non-issue. Its engine, chassis, tranny, suspension, brakes, etc everything are first class. You say EVO 8 hasn't been long enough to know exactly? Well that's not entire true because our USDM version is basicly a EVO 7 with different bodykit and w/o the differential stuff. Our tranny is the exact 5spd unit used in EVO 7.