Evo VIII or STi?

[Steiner]

I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm ready for a drivetrain upgrade. My stage 2 SRT-4 hauls balls but...well you can imagine how 300hp/320tq and FWD can be. Not exactly a match made in heaven.

Instead of spending $1k plus on coilovers I'm thinking that money would be better spent on an Evo or STi. The only question is which one...

The STi is a little torquier and a little safer. I also wanna touch myself when I hear an STi w/an aftermarket exhaust. Gotta love the unique sound of a boxer engine. However it would have to be an '05 so, naturally, the cost will be somewhere at or near $35k out the door. Maybe $32k if I'm lucky enough to find a used '05.

Besides handling slightly better, the Evo and its 4G63 engine have an amazing reputation and an equally impressive aftermarket. I also like the lines of the Evo a little more than the STi...but by the smallest of margins. I figure I could land an '03 or '04 in the ballpark of $26k-$28k out the door.

Anyhoooooo...I value the opinions of the folks in here so please gimme your 2 cents. When my '03 Nissan Spec V was totalled this was actually the first place I came to begin researching my next car. It came down to the WRX and the SRT-4. I have no regrets. I've shown a few of those 2.0L Scoobies my tail lights in the last year. Now I'm ready to step it up a notch.

[Mediocrity]

If you're willing to drop into the 35k range you could pick up an Evo MR which is a beefier Evo with a 6spd transmission and some other stuff. I'm sure someone knows the specifics and could chime in for me.

A new one will run you about 34k. So it gets my vote if you can drop the money.

[CassiesMan]

Id go with the EVO, but thats just me. I test drove both, so I mean, I never got to really test their all out abilities, but the EVO was a little more fun to drive than the STi.

[tha_new_guy]

I read a comparison between these cars in some magazine. I believe the final consensus was that the Mitsu was nearly frenetic in its handling abilities compared to the slightly more stately Scooby. It depends on whether or not you want a hardwired track-ready racer(Mitsu) or the more refined Subaru. I think both cars are amazing, and personally, I would hold out for the Subaru.

[Steiner]

One of my concerns with the Evo is that side impact airbags aren't even an option. I was at the SF Auto show this weekend and the Mitsu folks said the Evo has reinforced steel beams in the door panels. He couldn't tell me if this was a new feature (for '05) or something the Evo has had since it was released to the USDM in '03.

[carrrnuttt]

STi, hands down. More displacement, better powerband, more sophisticated AWD system.

The only reason the Evo feels more nimble, and "fun", is because it has an uber-quick steering rack. The Subaru is designed for real-world use, and although it has a slightly more aggressive rack than say a 2.5 Impreza TS, it's still a lot cushier than the Evo.

Also, the top-mount IC actually improves throttle response, as there is less distance for the intake to travel.

Lastly, Mitsubishi has had some major issues with the way they rebuke work that would have been covered otherwise by warranty, for something as simple as an intake, or even if they can prove you drive the car hard.

Trust me. You trusted me when I recommended the SRT-4, and didn't regret it. You won't regret the STi.

[TatII]

the 05 STi lost a good amount of power up top. it gained more low end tq. the 05 EVO MR dynos more hp then the STi. also the new 05 STi only traps at 100mph which also confirms its lost of power up top. i guess subaru was addressing the detonation problem the STi's were having so i guess they had sacrifice something. it still runs a 13.3 however it traps as lower then a stock SRT-4 now.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by TatII

the 05 STi lost a good amount of power up top. it gained more low end tq. the 05 EVO MR dynos more hp then the STi. also the new 05 STi only traps at 100mph which also confirms its lost of power up top. i guess subaru was addressing the detonation problem the STi's were having so i guess they had sacrifice something. it still runs a 13.3 however it traps as lower then a stock SRT-4 now.

Actually, there is an E46 M3 owner in bimmerforums who claims that his brother's stock '05 STi hangs with his M up to 140MPH, where he slooowly walks away.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

STi, hands down. More displacement, better powerband, more sophisticated AWD system.

The only reason the Evo feels more nimble, and "fun", is because it has an uber-quick steering rack. The Subaru is designed for real-world use, and although it has a slightly more aggressive rack than say a 2.5 Impreza TS, it's still a lot cushier than the Evo.

Also, the top-mount IC actually improves throttle response, as there is less distance for the intake to travel.

Lastly, Mitsubishi has had some major issues with the way they rebuke work that would have been covered otherwise by warranty, for something as simple as an intake, or even if they can prove you drive the car hard.

Trust me. You trusted me when I recommended the SRT-4, and didn't regret it. You won't regret the STi.

BOO wrong, seriously who made this guy a mod









Just joking, carnuttt makes a good point and you cannot go wrong with either car. However I'll disagree with carnuttt on this one, my choice is the MR.

Two points carnutt mentioned, one that the STI has better powerband, well this was true for the 03/04 models, however since 05 evos the new EVO turbine design allows for much better powerband which should be a close match for the STI's. The other point was that the STi is cushier again that was true for the old models and even for the regular 05 evos, however the bilsteins in the Mr allow for a much softer ride while actually giving you better handling.

So the two biggest advantages the STI had are matched now.

But what really makes me chose the EVO is its laser sharp handling. The STI is also very good but not at the EVO's level. Plus as TATII mentioned the new EVO's are actually putting more to the gound than the STI

And let me give you a quote directly from The Stig(from Top Gear):

the STI is a good boy's car but the EVO is a man's car.

And at last whatver you do get 05 models for either models, since they have been significantly improved. But my final vote gues for the EVO MR.

[TatII]

another thing side note

my friend's EVO's stock turbo is ridicous.

on the highway, we're goin 80mph hes at 10% throttle on the boost gauge it shows -5inch hg. he moves his foot down another 10% , the turbo spools to 19psi then drops off at 16psi in around 1 second!!! hes not even flooring it man and it already made from -5 to 19 psi of boost!!

comparison wise my friends 04 STi

in 5th, he has to floor it, then wait around 2 seconds to hit 15 psi. the IHI turbo that comes with the STi is no match for the 16G

it can only flow up to 370crank hp, spools alot slower, when the EVO's 16G can make 350awhp and spool super fast.

so the argument with the STi's top mount being more response is true in theory, but the turbo is just soooooo much more advanced then the STi that it doesnt' even matter.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by Neutrino

The other point was that the STi is cushier again that was true for the old models and even for the regular 05 evos, however the bilsteins in the Mr allow for a much softer ride while actually giving you better handling.

I wasn't just talking about handling. I'm referring to over-all. The Suby was made for even non-enthusiasts, in that it is very livable as a daily-driver, and the steering rack response was one example I made.

Subaru could have made the steering more responsive in the '05's, as this basically the most glaring issue most testers had between the Evo and the STi. They didn't do this, because in the real world, with real drivers, you don't want to be too responsive, as to make any reaction an over-reaction.

If he is planning to track this car regularly in AutoX type, or other tight courses, then he should get the Evo, but if it is more for DD reasons, the STi.

Lastly, Evo MR is 2K more than the STi, with the STi still having more features.

[Neutrino]

I see your point carnuttt, but personally I prefer less civilised cars with racing-quick reflexes, even in my daily drivers.

But then again that is my personal choice and many people prefer a higher degree of civility.

[Mediocrity]

While I see carrrnuttts views, I just have one point to make...

If you're in the market for an STi or an EVO, then chances are you're wanting a race car out of the box anyway, and like you said... the EVO fits the bill more than the STi does.

[turbo2nr]

i go with the evo.. my boys also both have evo8 and sti both of them with same mods now , intake, turbo back, and underdrive pullys, and now that the evo 8 ecu has adj to the new mods the ev0 wips the sti ass all day and night.. and i love the way the evo looks.. evo hands down also it has a bigger aftermarket..
1

[Amish_kid]

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

If he is planning to track this car regularly in AutoX type, or other tight courses, then he should get the Evo, but if it is more for DD reasons, the STi.

Ha I wouldn't bother with autox in the Evo, from pretty much everyone knows how badly Mitsubishi is pinning everyone on their warranties, And funny thing is there are Subaru dealers(ok well this was in this months C&D) that are actually giving memberships to SCCA when they buy an Sti or WRX, plus they also seem to be a little more laid back with the whole warranty, b/c everyone knows that there are some Mitsu dealers actually have been to track events keeping tabs on people and voiding their warranties for being involved in such things, good way to look out for yourself but when you advertise a car for being very quick, good handling people want to use it and not have any reprocussions(sp) .