Ben, don't forget that the BIG reason Subie decided to bring over its best version of the STi was to compete and win against the evo. In other words, had decided against bringing the evo 8 over here, than we may have never even had an STi. So don't fault for this ... it's like faulting Subie for bringing over the WRX 1st, instead of the STi. Also, why fault for dealer mark-up They have no more control over this than Subie has over its own dealers; however, I have heard that most Subie dealers will not be marking up STi's, but then again .... we won't know for sure until we witness that. And I don't agree that our U.S. evo is watered down either, just because it lacks electronic differentials and a higher performance ECU ... some people prefer hydraulic/mechanical differentials, and the ECU is no big deal at all as it's an easy fix. But Mitsu's main concerns were outperforming the current WRX while passing emmissions in 50 states, yet keeping costs below 30K. I'm sure that Subaru watched 's every move very carefully, to ensure that it would outdue its competition when the time was right .... it's only natural that it would attempt to maintain competitive advantage in the U.S. Rally sports sedan market. But we all know that , in some form or another will have the answer to the STi, sooner or later .... this is only the beginning bay-bee!!!

 

I don't know, I'm sure the EVO played a role in the STI we have now. However Subaru did say long before the EVO got here that they may bring the STI if the WRX was a success. The WRX was far more of a hit than they thought it would be, which I think played more of a role towards the STI we got rather than the EVO. The EVO we got is the weakest EVO in the world. Least power, least gadgets. People may say they like how our EVO handles better than the computer controlled AYC versions, but viscous center and rear LSD's are the same thing the WRX has. While the AYC versions may not be as fun to drive, I'm sure they'll post faster lap times. The under 30k stipulation Mitsubishi made doesn't seem like much of a defense when you consider how much of an STI Subaru is giving us for 31k.

 

This is almost always how it is ... in just about every industry. The performance-packed STi will do everything but allow to sit on its *** and do nothing to continue to compete against it. In the meantime, you will see many modded evo's that are going to take care of the STi ... but it could be a while before we see a highly modded 2.5L boxer engine. I just wish the STi looked better though ... it just doesn't have that mean look IMO ... but it's nice that one can have all of that performance and not have to worry about voiding warranties, etc. w/ mods because the ECU has a weak program. That alone will make the STi a great buy ... yet it wasn't enough to convince me because almost everything feels slower to me after a while anyway and I would eventually want to mod -- with the I can feel comfortable knowing that the engine has been and will be up to the task ... with the STi, there will eventually be mods available and I'm sure it will hold up fine but this still remains a mystery. At any rate ... good luck with whichever u choose. PeAceOut!

 

You'll probably know your a diehard fan when you buy/upgrade to a newer Evo when you already have one.

Having said that, have owned/drive and enjoyed. I will move onto something better/different next.

Comparing 2 cars is human nature, to be loyal to a company is showing your support. All of which is OK to me, but the most saddest thing is most people base their comments from articles they have read and haven't actually driven the 2 cars. I'll leave you with this, both are great cars if you never mod them. If you do, one is much more superior then the other.

T

 

Ok Folks some people are taking my post and not understanding what I am saying. There are people actually on this board that say that "brand" loyalty doesnt exsist? Come on folks. To me the Lancer is not a "trend". This is one of the best cars every made in my opinon. I am a loyal Mitsubishi fan. Just like in NASCAR you have your Chevy's and your Fords, fans of both alike, in WRC you have your Mitsubishi, Subaru, ect, I am a Mitsubishi fan. To Say you don't have brand loyalty means you don't really like that baseball team for the team but for the cool jersies they wear. Come on gusy. Whoever said that the STi is gong to be "only" 2K more than the Lancer couldn't be more wrong. I bought my Lancer which only comes one way, besides options, like the carbon wing ect, but the car as a whole only comes one way. The STi is going to have "variations". I paid 32K out the door for my Lancer EVO VIII, the top line STi which will compete with the Lancer is going to be 35K plus a minimum 5K mark up. There is no way in hell you will ever get a STi for what I paid for my Lancer EVO. Now, for you guys and gals that love this car because its "cool" and you get a woody after seeing fast and the furious need to get a clue of what this car really is. This is not a drag car, its a Rally car. There is ALWAYS going to be a faster, car, always, this is where loyalty lies. If you truly love the cars Mitsubishi makes you buy the Lancer for the car it is which is a WRC rally car. Have any of you ever worked on a Subaru? I have, and they are a ***** to work on. The Mitsu is so easy. I think of things like that when I buy a car. Just remember, Mitsubishi was the first car company in Japan. They have been around the block more times than Subaru, Honda and Toyota combined. They know their business, and they build one of the best rally cars ever made. Loyalty does matter. Loyalty is what makes or breaks a car company. I stand behind Mitsubishi and I am a PROUD owner of a Lancer EVO VIII. Subie faster or not, doesn't matter. So just go with your heart. If you love the Subaru, get the Subaru, if you love the Lancer get the Lancer like I did....but never settle, or you will never be happy with your car. Just my ten Cents.

 

$30,995 + $550 destination, with Total MSRP=$31,545
That's official. The EVO has more dealer options then the STi. The main dealer option for the STi is the radio, but most people I know inlcuding my self would rather have a nice after martket set up then the cheap factory paper cone speakers.

 

Nope, it's you that is wrong, Sorry - its Subaru that said that - 30,995 + destination.

Nope - wrong again. No factory options on the STi. Only options are dealer installed - like a radio...

Strike three - I know at least one local dealer that is selling STi's at MSRP - That was 30,995 + destination...

While I agree with most of this - I think blind loyalty is foolish. As has been mentioned before, it gives the mfgr no reason to improve since they figure they have a built in market. Look at what happend to the GM F-Body....

Sorry don't agree here at all. I buy a car based on performance and the "feel" of driving the car, I don't really care to much about the mfgr.


I dont, and I would venture a guess that most people don't either. And this is just speculation on my part - but it seems to me that a boxer engine is far to eaiser work on than an inline for most routine tasks.

If this were true than you would think that mitsu's reliability ratings would be higher, and yet they are the worst of Japan's automakers. First does not mean "best".

I don't love any single brand, OK maybe Ferrari, I love certain models. Thats fine if you love and worship the ground they walk on - but I think its foolish to have this blind love. You need to keep an open mind and question everthing, instead of just having blind faith - this applies to everything in the world, not just cars. Yet you even go on to say - never settle, but from you posts you say you will always settle, as long as from Mitsubishi. If the Evo would have came here with a 200HP N/A motor would you still have bought it? From what your posting here you would have....

 

The STI might have more power under the hood but exterior wise the car is ugly as sin! The scoop looks like poop, the tail lights and trunk look like junk, do I need to go on. The EVO is just plain hot(yeah the altezzas need to go)! If you take the difference in cost and spend it on an EVO, you can easily compete with a STI, not to mention you will look good doing it. And while I am listening to my tunes the STI can listen to my exhaust!

 

Let's not bring "looks" into it. Just cause you think it's ugly it doesn't make it so. I Know plenty of people who thinks the EVO is ugly, but I also know plenty of people including my self who think it looks pretty good.

That's not a very valid point either, who says the STi couldn't be modded while you're modding your EVO?

 

Yes looks are a personal opinion. My bad there.

My other point is valid from the stand point of comparing final dollar value after taking the difference in cost of the two and adding it to the EVO to bring it up to the cost of a STI. And even after that you still have an EVO that handles better, looks better (my opinion), has a radio, Recaros, and FMIC.

 

Wrong.
It is your opinion based on U.S. only reporting.
quality in the U.S. has generally been represented by the Eclipse and the Galant, both of which are U.S. built. Granted up to the 7th generation Galant and the 2nd generation Eclipse, quality was not great.
Look at the Japanese built models and the story is very different. On a global scale, has a reputation equal to that of the other Japanese manufacturers. In Europe most people consider better quality than VW, Audi and even BMW (oh, yeah, that's from a J.D. Power survey... not that those figures really mean anything...)
You'tr entiled to your opinion. My issue is with the continued, unwarranted, and false prpagation of supposed inferior quality.

 

Keep this in mind....

I'm a true fan of Tommi Makinen, the WRC racer who made the EVO's fame possible. It's not the car he was driving in made him do so well in the 90's, it was his aggressive driving skills w/ 4
consecutive titles.
He decides to to move on to Subie's contract till his retirement in 2004. Even though he didn't win 2002 and possibly not in 2003, he always mention to the media how he likes the STi (Whether Subaru paid him big bucks to praise the car is not yet determined...). Look at Mitsu now. After Tommi left to Mitsu, his team mates Alister Mcrae and Frank Delecour fail to to make top top 10 in the WRC 2002. Why? Because they cannot handle the car. They can blame the company to hell because their car couldn't manuver like it did when Makinen drove it, but miss out the most inportant reason to sense: IT IS THE DRIVER!!! When Makinen took helm on the STi, he did a great job winning first in the Monte Carlo Rally but did a crappie job at the rest of the rallies. Even he blamed the car and the company for its handling precisions. But even Makinen forgotten the real reason for his losses: IT WAS HIM!!!! I'm not here to blame high quality WRC drivers and ditch the manufactures, but to let everyone know its the drivers and their dedications which makes the car great, and not its product placement.

 

rocks!!! I've driven my 4G63 eclipse for 8 years now and 140+K miles. With all the abuse i gave her she took it and asked for more. She runs just as great as she did now, as she did back when she only had 9 miles on her. (Important: do regular service on your vehilce and it'll last) 4G63 rules...

 

I'm just as loyal to Mitsubishi as Tommi Makinen is. If it's good then yes if not, I move on to something better. If I were to be loyal to any car company it would be Toyota. I've always had one in my family. Currently I have a Toyota Tacoma next to my Evo. No b.s. Just good service and the thing just works. It sits outside in the freezing winters and the melting summers and just needs gas and the usual oil change. It hauls my Ducati that refuses to start whenever it doesn't feel like it and it takes me to work and back. That thing will be around long after the Ducati and the Evo are gone.

 

Am I a true fan? No. I typically looked the other way when it came to mitsu's. Nothing ever interested me until now so I bought it. I've spent the last several years as a major Nissan junky. I still am a Nissan junky, but I know a killer deal when I see one and the Evo is a killer deal. Bad side to all this is that since I haven't been paying any attention to any mitsu's in the past I have a lot of researching and learning to do. All I know, is that it appears mitsu's guys and gals have been doing some amazing things with these motors.