This is not a question to be asked here considering we all own Evo's. As someone else already stated, the STI is DECENT as a stock daily driver but they are a **** to work on and the motor is weak when modded. You also won't get the handling of an evo. The STI won't turn hard but the evo can get tail happy when driven extremely aggressive. Honestly, watch all of the comparisons on youtube. Top Gear is brutally honest wether they like a car or hate it, they tell it how it is. And it's EVO FTW every time. Drive both, if you don't like the evo 100% more right away, you don't deserve an evo.

 

only for a dd and keep the evo garaged in till spring

 

I considered getting an sti, and even test drove an 07 and an 09, then i drove an evo IX, from then on I was looking for an evo. If you drive both you'll know what I mean, I'm glad I didn't settle for a sti.

 

Personally, I'd love to have a bone stock '06 STi. Pick a color. Wouldn't trade it for my IX, but still would love to have one. Like many, I considered a STi before buying an Evo and felt the Evo was a better package for me: more direct, more sharp, more visceral.

 

Wish I never saw this thread..... Now, I'm actually seriously considering the STI. It is pretty (for a scoobi anyway).... I wonder if the kids will have enough room in the back???? Especially since it appear the OP and I are in competition here for a car, lol!

 

GD STi's are alright! I had an 05 and loved it. I like the hawkeye just as much too. The EJ257 is far nicer than the newer EJ255 and their ringland issues.

Don't get me wrong, on an Evo site I'm sure the bias is Evo, even I own an 11GSR now. I like the new sedan STi, but not as much as the EvoX. But, like I told my fiance, if it was back in the spot I was when I bought my 05 STi I'd do it all over again. Transmission is sooooo much nicer, and the sound with an exhaust is much more pleasing, but, you'll spend more to make less power.

Hawkeyes are cool though. Good luck on whatever decision you make!

 

There isn't a whole lot of room in the back of a STi; something to look at and see if it works for you.

 

I would be careful about buying an STI with a black interior, I haven't heard of the pre 08's having a black interior, I'm no expert, but I know the 06-07 wrx TR model had a black sporty interior that looked very similar to the STI setup, and it's very easy to throw an STI intercooler and badges on the car, they also had brembo brakes. Just my .02

Other than that, they are both great cars and have their proven faults on either side, to have a solid reason to buy one over the other is ridiculous IMO. I love my EVO VIII, I'm sure you will love whatever car you choose to buy. Good luck

 

In fairness the newer STi's are actually very nice stock, and can make good power with just a Stage 1 setup. One of my friends wanted a "mom-mobile" and she ended up with a blacked out 2010 wagon STi making 300 awhp/350 awtq with just a downpipe/intake/exhaust/Bov/AccessPort. She trucked her daughter around in it all the time, and it sounded pretty awesome. For that level of modification they are pretty good bang for the buck and look nice. I'd still never take one over an Evo.

 

The Limited STI had a black interior, I think leather, and a sunroof, among other things. The 06-07 WRX did not have Brembos.

 

Well, I came from driving trucks my whole life but I always wanted the STI.. last year decided I had enough of trucks and it was time for the STI. AWD was a must have after driving 4x4's for the past 20 years..lol I found a sweet STI (wacky blue and gold BBS, my fav color combo) local to me. Went and looked at it and the back seats had NO room what so ever.. I never been in one before. So I started researching to see what the STI competition was and I come accross this vehicle known as the Evolution.. never heard of this lancer "evolution"..lol did a butload of reading and rest is history.. sold my truck and bought my Evo outright and never looked back. So HAPPY the STI had such a small back seat..lol

 

I really don't mean to be hijacking this thread BTW.....

But, I just looked up the specs....
rear legroom: Honda=36.8, Evo=36.6, STi=33.0 inches
headroom is basically the same

Arggghhh.... Yes, the toddler seat will be fine (other than being kicked from behind of course), but an infant seat will be a tighter fit. It's always something.

Oh, and none of the STi's I've seen for sale around PA have only black interiors.... It is the blue and black. I do find it a little crazy that even the carpet is blue, also!

 

What a joke!! If you drive both stock back to back you can figure out right away what you really want! Been there done that, and I ended up with my 9 RS!!!

 

Look at the wheelbases too. I remember the STI's being 99.x inches, while the Evo's was over 100, which helps with roominess.

 

On the track, maybe. but Top Gear is entertainment, not science, and to be taken with a grain of salt at all times.