In about 6 months I'll be looking for a car, I'm about tied between an Evo and STI. Pretty much all the research I've done says they're nearly the same car. The STI seems to have a better interior, the Evo seems to handle a little better. I'm guessing I can get stronger opinions here - throw them at me! Why did you choose Evo over STI?

For around $16k I figure I can get an '06 Evo with just shy of 100k miles. What should I expect as far as maintenance costs, problems, etc?

Thanks!

 

got evo cause its relatively cheaper than an sti. i drove both and got the evo.
owner history is very important as well as maintainence records.
Transfer case issue as well as ACD problems for the evo 9's are expensive.
clutch is very expensive as well.

i kinda doubt u can get a 9 for 16k seeing as how evo owners hold on to them and price them pretty high. dont take my word for it tho, u can go look in the cars for sale forum and u will see what i mean.

 

They're not easy to find, but I have seen a few around 100k. Seems right, I'm just concerned about having to put $5k into it within a few years. I may be willing, just want to be informed first.
Thanks!

 

evo>sti because sti motors pop like crazy

 

$16k is possible, I got mine 6 months ago for $15k with 75k on it, it's an MR as well. I agree that evo are cheaper to mod than STI's.

 

to be honest i wanted sti more then evo because of that boxer sound and nicer interior.but i couldn't afford it.and then I start reading about sti until i understood that made good choice buying evo.sti transmission is weak so is engine.evo stock engine can take way more abuse.but still sti look meaner to me

 

sti transmission is not weak

 

WRX trans is weak, STi trans is pretty stout. 4G63 in stock form is FAR more reliable then the STi EJ25, when you begin modding, 4G63 really starts to shine. Evo6spd is junk, Evo 5spd is pretty stout. Dollar for Dollar, the Evo is going to get you further then a STi will. But none of that really matters, just get what you'll be more happy with.

 

Evo 6speed is weak? They say they have oiling issues and can't take extended high speed runs... El Paso to las cruces is 45miles. I made a pass every weekend for the 3 years averaging 140 over a mountain pass and on the highway... And as high as 160 at 375hp/390tq... I also launched my car every Friday for 2 years multiple times a night without a single issue... It's all in the driver guys. If you get the shep 6spd upgrade its 3rd, 5th and 6th the work on... All in all its a great trans when used right.
Also acd is pretty issue free if you bleed it and maintain the fluid level. Auto trans fluid cleans extremely well... The issue people have are with the pump seizing... If you flush it and maintain it correctly the fluid should keep it happy...
I am an evo mechanic here in El Paso and the ix mr's run the best by far until someone does something stupid. I will say I did downgrade to a 5spd and if you have had a 6 you'll agree it's a downgrade... But I only did it after hitting 596hp/525tq

 

This is pretty much what I've been feeling. STI looks a bit nicer, Evo is more reliable and better on the road/track.

 

Wow, that seems pretty awesome. How'd you come across that?! CarGurus seems one of the best places I've seen - where'd you find yours?

 

I imagine in my price range I'd probably be looking at a base-model instead of the MR, but the MR does look pretty awesome. The base is 5-speed right? How much is a downgrade if I do find an MR?
Any tips on how to spot issues when I start looking at them/test driving? I'll be looking nationally, I don't mind driving 1k miles if I find the right car somewhere - but I'd need to know which questions to ask, what to look for, etc.

Thanks!

 

The main things i would look for i guess would be... How fast does it start? If it cranks and fires right up its fine... If it takes a minute its probably got low compression. Does the turbo have shaft play? Unless its been sitting for a few weeks without being ran you shouldnt be able to move the wheel up and down or in and out. Are the wheels centered in the wheel well? This is an indicator of suspension damage... When you hit something more often then not your caster is what moves the most causing "set back". On evo's you dont need to check panel fitment because all the body panels are vin tagged. Google the locations. And of course if you get to drive it... Take it down the bumpiest street you can find... Any car with a ****ed suspension can ride smooth on a flat road, hit bumps and if you here clunks there is damage. Squeeks are fine usually, the car is old it will make noise, suspenion bushing kits are fairly cheap anyway. Clunks while driving straight tend to be swaybars, or lower ball joints... While turning its axle cv joints and tie rod ends... You will also want to listen for whines, if it starts at a low speed and everytime you hit the clutch it stops... Its either tcase or trans... If it starts at 40 and never stops its the rear diff... Or in my experience it is... If a noise only happens in a certain gear its that gear... Obviously.

And finally the most important of all things to check for... Does the a/c work?
Other then that the car should be fine for the most part... Any issues outside of those should be an easy fix and worth it for such a good car or **** happens...

 

Found mine in PA on craigslist, if you look hard enough you will find one that is cheap and in good condition. It had a clean title and some bolt-ons as well.

 

I would make sure all the VIN Stickers are on the various body panels to ensure that the vehicle was not involved in an accident. And have a mechanic check out the car and if possible get a compression test on the engine.