We've had LOTS of threads about this. The two cars are very different dynamically and in terms of feel. You have to test drive them both and see which one really does it for you. Generally, the STi has a FWD feel, understeers a lot, and had more low-end grunt. The Evo had a RWD feel, is a bit more tail-happy, and has more of a mid-range punch (good top end rush when flashed).

I chose the Evo because it's more responsive, has more direct steering, a tighter suspension, and better ergonomics (for my body). But I can see how some might prefer the feel of the STi. Anyway, they're more alike than different. Drive both and choose whichever makes you feel better.

Emre

 

I was lucky enough to test drive both cars within 20 minutes of each other....STi first, Evo second. Afterwards, I couldn't stop thinking about the Evo.

Biggest reason:
The Evo is fun and alive even when you aren't driving aggressively. The STi seems more detached and ordinary until you get on it.

 

Just have a look at the Car and Driver comparison of the two cars. Great article. Buy the car that Automobile magazine called the "Automotive icon of the decade" and automobile of the year: the Evo VIII!!

 

I was really lucky because the Mits dealer near my house sells both Subaru and Mits so I drove them back to back. The STI is nice and it defiantly has more low end torque. It doesn't have as much turbo lag as the EVO. It's not as comfortable as the EVO and it feels "mushier" and doesn't handle near as well as the EVO. The STI doesn't come with a Stereo or speakers but it does have a cruise control. The STI retails for about $2k more than the EVO.

The EVO won my wife and I both over in about two minutes! Totally different animal. The EVO will let you know right off the bat that it is an Enthusiast's(spelling??) car and is not to be taken lightly. It can get you into and out of trouble in a heart beat. It handles like a dream. It's brakes are wonderful. It's ride is rougher due to it's superiour suspension. It doesn't have the low end grunt or torque that the STI does but they are so close in a straight line that it will boil down to driver skill. BUT as soon as the twisties show up glance into your rear view mirror, cuz in it will be the STI. The EVO does not even offer the option of cruise control and I really wish they did because it is sooo easy to speed in this car! They are both really great cars, I would recommend you take another day or two and drive them both, then you will feel so much better about your decision, no second thoughts. I'm willing to bet that at the end of the day there will be an EVO parked in your driveway though!! Good luck!
John

 

I drove both cars too.

Anyone who has done enough reading about the diff. between these two cars will realise the driving experience is very consistent with everyone.

A lot of it will come down to personal taste in styling, the purity of a WRC rally car (EVO) versus the "beefed up" STi and that overall "X" factor.

And whichever you decide, you CAN'T go wrong...

Both are great cars...

 

http://www.gmps.ws/Ed/stireview.pdf

Just a few thoughts.

 

i can drive one of those too whenever i want, my uncle bought an Sti a week before i picked up my Evo...he trys to get me to drive it all the time, he has driven my Evo....he loves the handling of my car.

 

That talked about all creature comfots and no performance- Sure you didnt stroll into the Subaru dealer thinking it was an Audi dealer?

 

bahaha funny you mention that. i walked into subaru dealership asking about the lancer by accident last year and the guys went off on me.

 

IMO, the STi seems to be a more confortable daily driver (Cruise, softer suspension, smoother powerband vs the lag lightning effect of the EVO). However, one of the big reasons i got the EVO is because of the precise control feel. Like in an airplane, you move the stick, the plane gives you instant feedback. Similarily, in the EVO, you turn the wheel, you get precise instant feedback. Coupled with the superior suspension, the control touch is second to none. Yea, it doesn't have a snazzy interior (If you exclude the recaros and momo steering wheel). However, I was not buying a rally inspired car for the cosmetic appeal. I want pure, unadulterated performance. Yea, it has less HP/TQ out the box. However, for the cost difference between the two, you can mod an EVO and get STi power output. My .01 cent.

 

Hey guys I dont like writing to much but i have to.

My best friend and I went and bought an STI a month ago or so, He loves it and i love my EVO too. anyways, I drove his car for few days because he trust me and i trust him and here is what i found. Both cars are great in different ways. Firts to start the STI was more comfertable infact around %30 to %40 less stiffenes which is good for some drivers not for me, seats were soft not to much but for sure not as good as the EVOS. Now the car is fast, crazy fast, is faster than an EVO? yes in some places not in all, it all depand on speed, and is it track racing or drag and so on. now the EVO is so Fvkkk dam stiff( which i like) and i would make it even stiffer soon, its more fun to drive much better handeling, you can trust her on turens where you cant do with the STI it scares you some times. STi is smoth but very fast, Evo you wait untill the 19 PSI and you fly. See evo engine been out for 10 years unlike the STI. EVO is a big *** name STI aswell but not at the same level. Bottom line would i buy an STi if i have the money YES. Will I trade my EVO for it NO.

Mhyar

 

Exactly.

 

LOL, try going there when you own an EVO already. The salesmen try to make you feel stupid, and that buying the EVO was the worst thing anyone could ever do.

 

hrmmm... i went for a run through the hills yesterday in my friends STi while he took my evo... now i agree what you say about the STi having understeer, and the low end power, and of course the evo's great handling (even he keeps talking about how great it is)... but we both agree that the STi is WAY more likely to get the back end out (tail happy as you called it) - if i was taking a quick turn with the accelerator mashed, almost always had the STi breaking loose... which makes sense cuz it has the torque split 35/65 front/rear instead of our 50/50 ... anyways just my opinion

 

That's quite surprising. I've driven WRX's and STi's on the track, as have many of my friends who are also driving instructors. We all agree that the WRX and STi just keep understeering like crazy. You enter the turn and understeer. You keep pressing the gas, you REALLY understeer. You lift and get back on the gas and you still understeer. The only way to get the STi to oversteer was to give it a flick...which is obviously not something you're going to do on a road circuit! Besides, the STi is so messy on the limit that you just can't throw it around like that with any real confidence. You can't take the same liberties with it as you can with the Evo.

The Evo, by contrast, has some initial understeer on turn in (which I understand can be dialed out by careful alignment), then transitions to neutral when you apply more throttle. It may have a 50:50 torque split to start, but once you get it turned in and get on the gas it seems to send ALL it's power to the rear wheels. You can really throttle steer this car! If you really want to get crazy, the "lift-turn-get on the throttle" trick gets the back to step out nicely and sets you up for a smooth drift. The car has so much poise on the limit that you can really fool around without getting into too much trouble.

Emre