I was dead set on an STI until a friend let me test drive his VIII one fateful night many years ago. Pretty damn happy with that decision.

 

I think there are a lot of people went thru same situation.

I love those new WRX/STI hatch, i read that 07 and up having ringland issue/bad stock tune. Take your time and go for what you like.

 

^+1

I have had the blessing to be able to drive multiple of both evos from 8-10 and STI from 04-10 all the way from stock to built race cars and both are great cars in their own respect and very fun to drive.

However STI's are a PITA to modify, much more expensive to modify. Just research the cost of a built motor for an STI to the cost of a built motor of an EVO and look at the difference. 1000s of dollars. and for those asking where i came up with this i compared a cosworth full built motor from their site and a buschur motor. 2 of the most repsective motors for each car i believe. I also consider the STI's a ticking time bomb when it comes to tuning and modifying and beleive the evo holds up better to mods and racing.

You cant go wrong with either car as i said both are fun and enjoyable. But if you want to mod and make more than 400whp id say and evo, if you want a DD with a lil fun either will work. But i will say this i would not trade my evo for any car and i have driven a lot of cars. Good luck with your decision and sorry for the long response.

 

I've seen a few nice IX's in the for sale forum as of late. I almost made the mistake of going with an STI. Best decision I ever made going with an Evo.

 

I prolly would. I have had two Evos and love them both. The Evo is an amazing machine.. But I've only used them for DDing. No track, Auto-X, no Drag.. So an STi would actually work pretty well for me.

So, Like others said, If it is going to be a DD, Sti is cool. If you are wanting to mod, I would go with the Evo. Your patience will pay off

 

If you're just doing light mods, the STI can handle it easily. AMS, a well respected Evo tuner, has shown exactly this. If you're doing light mods, the cost difference between the two is negligible, again, something supported by AMS. If you want more though, the Evo starts to get cheaper and easier. Top Gear made the observation that the Evo is undoubtedly the car you want if you're doing a hot lap at the Nurgurgring. However, the STI is the car you want for the drive home. If you plan on building some track monster, go Evo. If you want a quick daily, pick whichever car you think looks best, sounds best, feels best, whatever.

 

My wife owns an STi (08) and I have a Evo IX. To mod for power the Evo hands down gets it. Not only is it cheaper Evo's seem to respond to mods way better dollar for mod spent.

But.

STi is an awesome daily driver. Esp the newer ones. And yes ringland failure is an issue with the 08 and up STi. Even the 2012 STi's are reporting that issue just not as much..........Yet.

She loves her car. I loved the rumble (until we put equal length headers on it......not it sounds more like a inline 6). We love hatchbacks and we did some exterior mods to it and its def. eye catching......esp with a girl owning and driving it.

But I own the monster and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Mod for mod the STi is way more expensive to mod then an Evo. And you don't get the same power gains.

 

Not according to AMS.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/au...uge-gains.html

2007 STI with the following mods:

AMS Flash
AMS Boost controller
Turbo XS Downpipe
AMS adapter pipe
Vibrant Catback
AEM Cold Air Intake

Made 320 WHP and 357 ft/lbs of torque.

Direct quote from AMS.

Here's an STI, again tuned by AMS, with a bigger turbo.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/au...turbo-kit.html

STIs can make good power and no it won't bankrupt you. However, once you get into big power, above what the above car (with the bigger turbo) is making, it gets pricey and then the Evo becomes the obvious choice.

 

I love my x too much. will never even think about STy

 

I would only buy the 04/05 and the 2011 sti if I had to...the rest are garbage.

 

Nope!

 

Hell no

 

I'd go for a '98 STi Type R. Otherwise no.

My father owns an '08 STi, nice car, but between the motor issues (unless you have it professionally tuned) and garbage handling it's not worth it IMO.

 

I was in the market for my evo for 6 months. With Cash in hand...... I'm glad i waited.... Two of my really good friends that I kick it with every day have sti's and needless to say, I'm glad I waited and found the right evo. So no, I would not consider buying an STI.