I bought the evo for the handling. Gotta love those mountain passes, plus people have been getting 20-30hp just by getting the ecu flashed. This car is crazy on how little things give this beast more power. A clutch is a clutch it is ment to be worn out just don't abuse it and it will be fine. I never drove a STi, but I have had lots of experiences in the WRX. Get the EVO!

 

The Evo has better factory handeling and more upgrade potential...... BUT my best friend has an STI with the same HP numbers I do... he has a Vishnu stage 1 with 310whp. He upgraded his suspension with pink springs swaybar's and bushings.... the evo's steering is still better. The only thing i can say about the STI is the clutch feel and durability is better. You feel like you can beat on it all day and the clutch will last. Also the STI's torque is much better stock. Just a few things to think about.

the Evo is just more razor sharp

 

for 3 years before I got it, it was my dream car (that was back when it was just being announced to be coming here), for the year I've had it (most of the time) it HAS been my dream car, especially after I got the mods in my sig all done last weekend

 

sweet, how much did you pay for your injen TBE

 

Err.. The Puerto Rico STi that ran 10.7 is on stock tranny

 

I bought the evo after driving both, because straightline accelleration was not my goal. I autocross, and the evo spanks the STi with similar mods all day given equal drivers.

 

Always been a Mitsu fan....traded in my eclipse for the Evo.

 

I drove the 04 STi and the 03 Evo before selling my Impreza RS, and I would have been in an 05 STi if it wasn't for the over $30K. My old Subie dealer was great. They never had problems with any of my mods and I would have been able to get the 05 STi for invoice. But I bought the Evo cause i got a good deal and performance wise... it's comparable and in other ways.. even better.

STi's powerband is awesome! Low end grunt and "easy" off boost driveability, is great. I got major goosebumps the first time I test drove it at the dealer's. They had a demo car. I was not able to drive the Evo, Mitsu dealers sucked about test drives, if it was not for my friend's brother who bought an 03 Evo.

When I first drove the Evo, lowend was "eh", but once boost kicked in.. it was nice! I still like the off boost grunt on the STi, luckily my friend bought one. , and I really think it's easier to drive than my Evo. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE my Evo, but if I got the STi, I would love it as much. As for looks, both cars are ugly... get over it... both are ugly cars! Evo looks a little better stock, except for that damn pontiac-like nose logo area. Once you mod... it's all in the choice of exterior pieces.

But like everyone has said... drive both and go for what you feel is right! You are going to spend a significant amount of money on both cars, stock, and even more once you start modding!

 

IMO, you really can't go wrong with either car. I really don't see how Evo owners can bash the STI or vice versa because both are excellent choice. However, regarding the Evo, I really don't think there are any real major issues. Many thinks the clutch is an issue, but as someone has already shown here, he already has over 70k on the stock clutch. In addition, polls after polls have shown that the majority of the people have no problems. Granted there are a few real defective ones, I think most just don't know how to drive or are doing launches.

Regardless, I think if you are just going to be doing some spirit driving, the stock clutch should not be a problem. To be honest, I have had the car for 2 years now and I have not had any problems at all.....NONE (knock on wood).

But to answer your question, when I bought the EVO, the STI wasn't out yet so I never had the chance to choose. Personally I like the looks of the EVO better and also the mod potential. Other than that, performance wise is so close that it would have been a tough choice if I had to choose. I think it will all comes down to the little things like I like the seat and the steering wheels better so I will get the EVO. Or i like the interior or cruise control so I'll get the STI. Anyways, just my opinion and no one else.

 

Evo Vs. Sti

Originally I was set on getting the Sti. Die hard Scoobie fan. But after the experience with the dealer here in O.C. I decided on getting the Evo.
This was during the time when the Evo and Sti first came out. Went with my girlfriend to test drive the Sti and dealer wouldn't let us. "take a look in the showroom, there is one in there to sit in" was what he said. We told him what if we bought 2? His eyes lit up and went to talk to the owner. Came back and this was what he told us. "Pick out the color you want and go for a test drive, a short one. No freeway and no hard driving. Then, if you like it......you buy it!" We decided it was too much pressure and hassle, thanked the dude and went to the Mitsu dealer to test the Evo. They were really cool and took down my license number, handed me the keys and off we went! Subaru lost a sale that day.

Styling wise the more I look at the Evo the more I like it better than the Sti. Especially the Carbon wing in the back. I finally drove my brother's Sti a while back and I can say there's more grunt but the steering is slower. I track my car and I couldn't be happier with my purchase!

Overall, you know what you are getting into when you get either car. Both are modded econo-boxes, you buy it because you want to drive it. Don't care much about the fit and finish, material etc. Evo's got alot of potential for mods. and Sti is great out of the box. Supercar performance, all wheel drive, seats 4 with a real trunk? there are only a couple of choices out there.

 

What everybody else said, plus, there is a "kewl" factor to the EVO that the STi is missing. I get the sense that the STi is prized by techno-nerds with hornrim glasses and pocket protectors.

The EVO, on the other hand, is the toy of modern guys like me. lmfao

 

Handling, modabilty, seats, roomier interior.

 

1. she (the evo) drives like she is on rails from the factory

2. much, much more beautiful than any sti i've ever seen

3. the seats.. oh, the seats..

 

If I had to do it again, I would have chose STI. My evo was chock full of annoying problems, and all I ever did was commute in it.

 

The Evo just drives better in every facet to me...
I've got 39k on the OE clutch...
The stock engine can handle more power when heavily modded...
The 5'7" thirteen year old son has more leg room in the back of the Evo...
Last but not least, the wife said "the STI is ugly"...