I currently own a slightly modified 02 WRX. I love the car, never had a problem with it. Ofcourse, like any normal enthusiast I thirst for more power, now having owned the car for a year. Perfect timing I figured, trade her in and get the STI..plain and simple. I love the STi for many reasons..first of all I feel the styling is richer than the that of the 8, especially the interior. I also feel that the STi has more "buy me and do nothing to me" appeal. Here is the thing though..I can't ignore the opinions of ALL the major car magazines, who all seem to favor the Evolution. I mean, these guys know what they're talking about..This is all they do..drive.
So now I'm totally tortured, the EVO was starting to get to me.... I mean honestly, the WRX is an amazing car and Im sure the STI is stellar, but I will admit the WRX feels heavy. Don't get me wrong the thing is a little workhorse, practically begging you to beat it up; I love the car. Yet, the things being said about the 8 we're getting better everyday. I'm willing to sacrifice plush interior and nice gauges for more perfomance any day, plus I've always had a thing for the Evolution. So, basically I just need the last little nudge through the door, so if anybody can throw in their input, it would be much appreciated. Perhaps I should just go drive the damn things...

 

My buddy just called me earlier on his way back from work and was driving next to a black STi and said it was completely unimpressive (looks better in photos) and did not stand out anymore than a standard WRX with an STi spoiler (basically what I said above). This is coming from someone who doesn't care about either Rally car, not much of an Evo or STi fan.....but he thinks the Evo looks much more distinctive than the Subaru.

The fact remains that the STi is still $2k more than the Evo or so and doesn't have a radio.

Most if not all car rags prefer the Evo. I'm not one to take any one particular magazine's word for it, but when they all agree on something.....I don't ignore it.

For me, the only thing on the STi I want are the gauges.

 

I saw a blue STI on 34, CT once. Ture, it's not that impressive looking.
However, STI at least got a strong tranny, I don't see any cluth problem on STI board. After driving a Subaru for 3 years, I want a different car, EVO is what I want, but it's reliability is still holding me back.

 

The 5spd in the Evo is better than the 6spd in the STi, at least I think so. For what you are saving by going with an Evo over the STi, you can buy any number of aftermarket clutches for $1k give or take....and still have $ left over. Find an Evo for $1k off MSRP and you'll be even better off.

 

I agree with 50cal. all the car mags I have read whether from the states which Iam sure you guys will be more familar with or from the rest of the world comparing the STI and EVO VIII all eventually give the EVO the thumbs up over the STI. And the comparisions I have read are across the board for all EVOs, whether US SPEC, JDM Spec, EURO Spec, UK FQ300 Spec. Whether they be motoring shows or mag reviews. The fact of the matter is does anyone know of a wrx or sti driver who has bought a evo regret it? I know guys who have owned and raced versions of STI's but when the switch to evo's, they never go back. The STI is a good car, but the EVO is just way better.

 

The onli STI I would consider is the STI Spec C which you guys over there do not get. Its a lightweight race version with all the good stuff. Its faster in a straight line than even the EVO RS. But I heard it takes a real good driver to maximise the potential of the car.

 

Even if you upgrade the clutch, it's still not the concrete, close-ratio box that the STi has, which is better for everything except magazine numbers (because of the extra shifting to 60 and in the 1/4). And you don't want too grabby a clutch in an AWD car anyway...

-bd

 

Butt Dyno, you are missing the point. No clutch is ever concrete but we are talking about a package here. the 5 spd evo box is also close ratio. I have a JDM 6 Speed close ratio box evo 8 but I feel it is not so far apart from the 5 speed evo 7 that I drove which is also the same box that you US Evo's use. We are not talking about just mag numbers 0-62 all that. But anyway the slalom numbers for the EVO is pretty amazing. Something the STI with whatever close ratio box can never acheive. I dont know about motoring programes in the states but go download TOP Gear or watch Best Motoring from Japan. They dont just time the quarter miles for the cars and then decide which is better. Even the UK journalists were surpised how around the track beat the murchielago, 575 maranello among other exotics and come in second onli to the pagani zonda which is a monster of a car. The STI's timing was far behind. Although the programme started out with the presenters actually preferring the STI to the EVO, after all the testing the STI (prodrive pack mind you) deserved hardly a mention at the end due to the poor handling( massive understeer) and being thoroughly trounced by the EVO 8. By all means get a WRX or STI for your own preference and opinion. IT is also a good car. But if you want to compare, the critics and experts have spoken.

 

I'm not missing the point, I'm discussing one particular part of this comparison, which is the transmission...

Evo:
Gear Ratios
1: 2.928:1
2: 1.950:1
3: 1.407:1
4: 1.031:1
5: 0.720:1

STi:
1st - 3.636
2nd - 2.375
3rd - 1.761
4th - 1.346
5th - 0.971
6th - 0.756

The Evo's 3rd is roughly the STi's 4th...

anyhoo

"missing the point", IMHO, is all the people viewing the mag reviews as anything other than bragging rights. As I've said again and again, most people here can't drive EITHER car at 8/10ths and above anyways... (including me; but I'm working on that )

-bd

 

Can you find the final drive ratios and recalculate to get the final gear ratios? I think the Evo is 4.529?
The STi has undoubtedly closer ratios, but does it really matter in the end? I think the Evo's 5-spd is perfectly capable of staying in the powerband.

 

Dealers Subaru dealership is an AHOLE so me and 3 othere friends purchased EVO's dumb shmucks passed up the chance to sell 4 SCOOBY's

 

I got one of those EVO's

 

i'm the other one

 

I'm in the Boston area. Where did you guys buy? I'll be looking for a good dealer.

 

We all got ours at Peter FUller in Watertown. To be honest with you, the salesman is cool but the service there sucks *** big time. If you like running around and not getting a return phone call, then this is the place. Their price is reasonable (at MSRP). All 4 of us were to get the sport gauges and alarm done but something always happen and it's always delayed. They always give lame excuses as to why it happened. If i were to get another Mitsu, i won't be from there. And i speak for my other friend too when i say this.