I love the GC8s, but I'm not as fond of the bugeye. I do like the 04s and 05 STis though. I think they're the best looking of the bunch. I couldn't make up my mind if I liked the Evo or not. I thought the front end was aggressive looking, but I didn't think much of the side or rear profiles. The side profile didn't look much different from the basic run of the mill Lancer, even though the body panels are different, but, to each his own. We all bought what we did for different reasons.

As for steering rack ratios being the "be all-end all" to handling, no doubt it's an advantage, but there are certainly other factors that come into play. I doubt that every car on the road that outhandles an Evo has a quicker steering ratio. Suspension set-up/dial-in also has a lot to do with it.

 

Nobody said it'll be easy, but that's what makes each car so great! You can't go wrong, either way!

 

I should have elaborated, stock for stock both engines are reliable. The ecu on the STi hinders horsepower gains from engine/ intake/exhaust mods. It takes more coaxing and money to get similar improvements in the EJ25 compared to the 4g63. However, the 4g63 has improved internals and is famous for responding very well to mods. Once modified, the stock block EJ25 is prone to failure. Just check out NASIOC.com. most members there have rebuilt internals so they could run larger turbos. In contrast, members here are running gt35rs on daily drivers with stock internals with reasonably high hp numbers.

Oil consumption problems were improved for the 05 Evos. and further improved in the IX with a different piston ring combo.

In regards to handling, I was referencing to the stock MR handling. The vehicle handling dynamics of the MR are improved over the GSR; mainly a lower center of gravity from the aluminum roof, improved shocks, forged rims.

IMO the evo has better tires than the STi. Taking that into account, thats ~$1000 right there towards improving the handling. However, I did not replace the tires on my STi. So my suspension improvements were not fully utilized. there are several factors to take into account when improving handling. i feel i covered the basics when modifying the handling in my STi. BTW i installed a whiteline ALK. As was said before the ALK alone will not vastly improve handling. If i decide to keep my STi i will replace the tires with a stickier set.

 

I'm in total agreement. A lot of people overlook tires, but in fact, tires are the single MOST IMPORTANT part of a suspension setup. Tires make all the difference in the world. However, for the STi to achieve Evo handling, I believe it's going to take a little bit more than just tires. As you, I'm not a huge fan of the tires either.

In regards to the EJ25 with its hypereutectic pistions, Subaru "claims" that they are actually "100x's stronger" (their words, not mine) than forged pistons! Who do they think they're fooling? Obviously, a company is NOT going to tell their customers, "Yes, we cut costs on your motor," but c'mon! It's a shame that the JDM/Euro models have forged pistons in the 2.0L, but we don't get them in the 2.5L.

You commented on Nasioc. While I do frequent Nasioc, I don't exactly put much stock in what most of the members of that particular site say.

From what I understand, the EJ25 is good for about 370-380hp on the stock turbo, and maybe around 425hp on a stock block. However, I have heard of SOME (but not many) circumstances with stock blocked STis making around 475-500hp. At that point, I would consider the EJ25 to be a timebomb waiting to explode.

I won't even begin to mention the STi's ECU. What a pain in the ***.

 

I would say 90% of evo/sti owners will never reach 500hp so what's your point?

 

I thought the gear ratios were changed in the IX 5 speed.

 

sweet im in the 10 %

to add fruit to the thread. I would say which looks best to you man. I mean both are monster cars and both can box with the big dogs. I say pick which is better looking to you. We could go all day haveing yet another pissing match sti vs evo..

 

Yes we could have such a match but at least this one remains civil,
Just got my Evo, over my 04 STI, it feels much better to drive than my STI did, and the drivetrain feels solid. No problems here (its freaking new) but heres hoping it stays that way.

I'm one of the "going to stay stock" group for a bit, hard to complain with a 5 year warranty (if they honor it ) lol

 

What's YOUR point?

 

LMAO

 

Didn't Mitsubishi start offering 10yr/100,000 warranties when the CEO or whoever he was came over from Hyundai?

Sure, there could be "a pissing match," but what would be the point, other than to see who could lay claim to being the biggest mental midget? My apologies if some members of EvoM are upset that I drive an STi and am "invading" their space, but we also have quite a lot of Evo drivers that are participating in the Subaru forums. Amazingly, flame wars are an extreme minimum. Most of the members just like talking cars.

I like to think it's safe to say that there is a common respect between MOST Evo and STi drivers for each of the cars, however, we just each bought the one that fit our needs/wants the most. I don't see the STi being any better than the Evo, or vice-versa. They're different cars that achieve the same results differently, and it just happens to be a matter of who likes which way the best. Whatever the choice, the STi or the Evo, it's a winning choice. There is no loser. That's what I love the most about each of these cars.

 

I agree that this pissing match could turn into a **** fest. The Evo vs STi debate was waged a long time ago and probably will never end until they stop making them or one of them starts to suck a whole lot more than the other. it's just like the Mustang vs Camaro debate which still goes on to this day even though the camaro hasn't been manufactured in 3 years. Anyway, no one is right no one is wrong. they both have great potential.

Both the STi and Evo are great performers. They are basically the same idea: AWD econo box cars with 4 doors, 4 cyclinders, and turbos with performance parts thrown on them so they can hang with the more expensive sports car crowd. but dig deaper and each one outshines the other in some aspect. I love them both and if i could, i would have one of each. But i'd keep my 04 STi and buy a IX MR. no 06 STi for me, they make sad inside. hell if i could i'd buy an SRT4 too just to see how much potential it has.

There are many members on this site that don't own Evos and get treated well. in my opinion, if you like cars then you're ok with me.

I'm almost convinced that there are several people on this site that say they have an Evo but are full of $hit. But thats ok, i guess if it makes you feel accepted, to each his own. i would never call someone out on their bluff but no one cares if you don't drive an Evo and you want to post. Just get your facts straight and don't make stuff up! Regardless, back on topic, someone here has yet to give me a hard time for driving an STi.

 

300zxls1,

I have been surfing www.nasioc.com forum for about 3 years, I read nothing but braggin rights and mechanical issues.
The main issue to remember is that it becomes absolutely obvious that the STI needs 2 to 3 times as much money to make it as fast as the EVO.
It is simply inexplicable how in the Hell a equal weight car with 500cc more and 25hp more from factory is absolutely incapable of beating the EVO in acceleration.

It is even more absurd to see how an STI with a FMIC, bigger injectors, Turbo upgrade and supporting mods is still slower than a 05 EVO with basic bolts ons.

It really takes someone like me that spend a good 2 hours plus everyday reading Braggin rights, 1/4 mile times, mods etc to tell you that the EVO is more suitable for your needs.

The stock Turbo on the EVO is capable of running in the 10's and at 120MPH plus(when properly supported), the EVO cylinder head is a piece of engineering, it flows an trremendous amount of air, the intercooler is perfectly positioned.

Just take me as an example, I spent $7000 just in parts alone on my WRX, another $400 in tunning and another $1500-$2000 in labor to find out that my EVO8 MR almost ran as fast as my WRX and the funny part is that the my Evo MR was stock.


Don't get me worng, the STI in my opinion is the second car to have, everyone in this forum will tell you that if the EVO wasn't for sale everyone will be driving an STI but for your goals the EVO is what you need.

 

You're absolutely right. The moment you mentioned the argument that would never end, I immediately thought of the "Camaro Vs. Mustang" debates. It'll go on until the sun doesn't shine any longer. Well, the Camaro is gone, and the largest rivalries of the future are going to be STi Vs. Evo, Corvette Vs. Viper, Ferrari Vs. Lamborghini, and BMW M Vs. Mercedes Benz AMG Vs. Quattro. As of right now, I believe that the STi Vs. Evo and Corvette Vs. Viper are probably the strongest rivalries right now.

As for people that don't own the cars they claim to, I believe that goes on in a lot of forums. It probably happens a lot in the Supra forums. There seem to be more Supra owners than there are Supras.


FromWRXToEvo,

As for costing 2-3x's as much to modify an STi, I wouldn't go that far, but it's definitely more expensive. Prices for STis are INSANE. From what I understand, the STi's stock turbo is good for about 370-380hp, and then it seems like it's time for a new turbo. That's definitely one weakness. Under that circumstance, for me, it would be nice to own a car that could make 500hp on a stock turbo.

But yes, I find it hard to believe that a car with more displacement and the same weight is not going to be able to "compete." Those that you mentioned are pretty strong claims. I don't believe it's a matter of not being able to "compete," as much as a case of not being assembled with the "performance quality" parts of the Evo. As you mentioned, the Evo's head flows awesome. The STi's flows ok, but there is definitely room for improvement. I believe that the Evo's "peripherals" most definitely outperform the STi's in stock trim, and it sure would be nice to have forged pistons like the JDM/Euro 2.0L motors.

With parts for the Evo, I'm not sure what the cost is on them, because obviously, I don't own one. Being that I don't own one, I don't really look at prices for parts for them.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I think that I will end up going with a 05 or maybe 06 gsr cant decide if I like the bumper yet. But we will have to wait a few months until I sell my gsx and am ready to buy but by then I should have made my mind up.lol. Thanks again