damn.. didnt know that!

either way they're not projector HID's in that case.. which IMO is necessary for a good HID effect!

 

Yes they are.

 

The USDM is not a Spec C STi - but that was impossible, anyways. Gas quality issues alone forbode that. There's no way that Subaru or MMC was going to make the same power on California gas as they do on Japanese gas.

What separates a Spec C RA from the standard STi is 3 main things. The Spec C gets a ball-bearing twinscroll turbo, it gets a reinforced front subframe member and changed front suspension geometry, and it's lightened in several areas, mostly up around the roof to lower COG. The USDM STi does get two of those three - it gets the lightening, and it gets the front suspension geometry with reinforced front submember. The 3rd, the twinscroll, didn't make it, and it doesn't need it because of the bump in displacement. Which also neatly sidesteps the gas quality issue. Also, from a tuners point of view, it's going to be easier to upgrade the STi turbo than the JDM STi or the USDM Evo - it's more expensive to get better twinscroll turbo units than standard units.

The difference in weight is easily explained - America weighs cars "wet" and the Japanese weigh them "dry", with no fluids.

So by the Japanese reckoning, America did indeed get the Spec C. In fact, since it ships with the BBS rims standard, they got a bit of a better deal, not to mention the 2.5-litre.

As far as it feeling like an Evo... I don't know about that. The Spec C can come with a 13:1 steering box in Japan, but many people opt for the 15:1 anyways. It's much easier to deal with in 98% of driving. People that actually buy them for track-only duty will go for the 13:1 rack, but otherwise, it's up to personal preferences. Even with the faster rack, it doesn't feel like an Evo. It feels like a Subaru still. I don't really think anybody would have it any other way - if they want an Evo feel, they'll buy an Evo. And vice versa.

Road and Track's Sam Mitani is one of the lucky few that's driven both the JDM and USDM STi's it seems. I'd like to have his frequent flier mileage bonuses. Anyways, from his report, he doesn't notice anything different in differential actions, merely in crispness of suspension. So I'm beginning to believe that the main difference between the USDM STi and JDM STi is that bigger front stabilizer bar and softer stabilizer links on the rear. Those two changes would certainly induce understeer (given the near neutral handling of the JDM) and would certainly take a second off of track times.

Which, if anybody really takes time to notice, is the biggest margin in difference at the track between the Evo and STi. The margins are smaller in other reports. That small of a difference in track times speaks of only minimal differences in overall handling, not large ones.

A large difference in handling is the Miata and the Camaro. Both cars will post similar times around tight-handling tracks. Yet the Camaro has over double the hp and torque of the Miata. Even with weight differences, the Camaro still has a far, far greater power advantage than the STi/Evo difference. And the Camaro is no Corolla when it comes to handling, either.

That's why I refer to it as being small percentages. The power difference between the STi and Evo would add up to a half second a lap (more or less) if the tyres and handling were dead equal. Witness the SCC test at a longer track, the STi power advantage gave it the gold, but only by a tiny, tiny margin. The handling and minor tyre difference reduce that margin, but not by Miata degree. Magazines aren't going to report it that way, though, since that makes for a dull, non-conclusive report (well, we tested them, they were so close, we couldn't decide).

Be happy that both camps got the cars they've been wishing for for so long. You should all be happy that both the STi and Evo made it - both are sold in limited numbers, so if only one came over, there certainly wouldn't be enough to go around!

Cheers,

Paul Hansen

 

not really sure what you're saying there...

yes they are projector?..



looks like reflector type to me!

 

A Lancer ES is NO EVO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

well, buddy good job on the evo, as for the other guy, all i see in common, beside the name, is the 2 same body parts(not even sure if they are the same) and the fact that they both have an E in the trim code!!

 

You're absolutely right, I don't know why but I was thinking about the 02 and 03 STi projection head lights. '04 STi comes with reflector HIDs.

 

I got a headache after reading that.

 

Go to the bank. Exchange one dollar for four quarters. Then take one of the quarters and flip it. Heads EVO and Tails STi. Problem solved.

 

Both perform extremely well. Get whichever one you think looks better and you'll have a more fun time driving. The Evo is very nice looking, the STI looks gay.

Maybe also the gas mileage? Not sure what either one gets....

 

Well said, Paul. I have my STi now, and since I've been in an Evo too, I am very happy with my decision. That is the only way to do it with these cars. Reading about them just does not do either of them justice, nor does it inspire the respect one should have for both. The fact that Evos still have a 7k markup and the STis are going for MSRP makes it a no-brainer out here.

TRS

 

I'm having a real hard time deciding if it's worth trading in my 03 RSX-S for an Evo. First off, I have negative equity in the car, so my payments will be close to 600 a month for 72 months. Secondly, I make $30,000 a year which means I can afford it, and my insurance (compaired to the Acura) will drop almost a $100 a month seeing it's a 4dr. I'll be paying $40-$80 more a month on the Evo with insurance and car payment. If a final edition ralliart tuned Evo IX comes out soon, maybe I should wait. A nother thing that's holding me back is my brother bough a black one, thanks to me helping him get his for MSRP, and teaching him to drive it properly. The little s#!t didn't know about the car until he picked up a 2001 issue of SCC, and read the article on the VII (I'm sure everyone knows which issue I'm talking about). The only reason I didn't wait for the Evo was because I was sceptical that it was going to be more watered down than expected, now I'm regreting it. I bought my Type-S back in Nov., like it and all, but it just doesn't do it for me anymore, since teaching my bro how to drive his Evo, and experiencing the ride. So my main question to you all is should I drop the RSX, and buy an Evo?

 

If you're asking if it's "worth it" from a financial sense, I think you know the answer. If it's "worth it" from a driving satisfaction sense, that can only be determined by you. Personally, I would keep the RSX for awhile and enjoy it for what it's worth. While it's not the same experience as the Evo, it's certainly not a bad car. If you switch to the Evo now, there may be certain things you miss about the RSX. Give yourself at least a year in the drivers seat before you switch to something else. Believe me, there will ALWAYS be something else to switch to!

Now, what would you do if you were me? I've got a 2000 323Ci paid for with 29,000 miles on the odo. I'm thinking I want more power, but that's about the only thing that's lacking in the Bimmer. I won't track either car, and the only driving I do is on the weekends (I take the train to work in the city).

Oh well, either way you'll still be able to drive your brother's Evo. Think of it this way: what happens if you swap into an Evo VIII and then the Evo IX is introduced next year with more power, bells/whistles etc? Will you want to switch again?

 

I kept my 2002 RSX-S and bought an Evo. I use the RSX part of the week and tthe Evo the rest. Best of both worlds.

 

That's one of my main concerns. But I have never seen the U.S. update or redesign their autos every year or two, so that keeps me wondering.