so your question is specifically which one is better in snow? I think for snow either car is good. Thought the STI as mentioned has 1 more locking diff, so it may help. Maybe. But unless you get a LOT of snow, that would be secondary to dry performance to me. And as for tires, I have used blizzaks and yokos for snow tires. The yokos are great for the price, but the blizzaks were better. the WS-50s ARE good, but if you dont get much snow, then go for more of a winter tire like the MZ-02 or LM22 (??) which will still be decent for snow/ice but better handling dry in winter. the WS-50s are only decent til about (i THINK ) 80 mph. And even below that they can be squirmy.

 

www.tirerack.com has some really good articles on winter tires & they even do some testing of them. Check it out.

 

I found this over at NASIOC.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...evo_vs_sti.htm

 

hmm....

i've noticed a bit of what he describes at the corner exit. any way to fix that?

 

Was the EVO running on stock tires? Don't think he mentioned switching the EVO's tires...? Maybe I just cant read.. 1:30 AM.

 

One of the most accurate write ups we've read, next to road and track.

 

Subaru engine defect that took 18 months of hassle with Subaru before they agreed to repair the engine. Given that Subaru never updated their timing belt tensioner design, I would never touch one again. Read it's the same part in the STi.

Beside that the suspension, brakes and seats on the Evo are way better than the STi.

 

One thing that my wife really appreciated was that the evo is much roomier in the back seat (we traded in WRX for Evo), allowing for car seats, etc. for the kids. Once, I took my wife and 3 month old son up Mt. Palomar in SoCal (untravelled mountain road with intense banked corners). At the top we stopped and took baby out of his seat and the back of his head was a tad pink and some of his hair had rubbed off from the cornering, and the g's. He didn't care at all but wifey made me slow down on the way back.

 

Well I got to drive an STi today. First impressions upon seeing car up close: It looks alot better in person than in pictures. It looks so big in pictures but in reality it's very sporty and compact. The one I drove was a WRB w/ gold wheels, 10 miles on the odo, still had plastic on seats. Me and the salesman got in, he drove it first. Very first thing I noticed was the interior is quite a bit nicer than the Evos. The guages especially, and the shifter was more in line with a $30k car. I didn't like the lack of floor mats and the carpetting was already a little dirty after only 10 miles. No stereo...not horrible as I would add an aftermarket anyway, still somewhat annoying. He drove first. Impressions were it's a firm ride, but nowhere near as firm as the Evo. It pulls hard, if not harder than the Evo, but neither of us hammered it, just quick runs up to 60 or so. The handling, again hard to tell. No dealer is willing to really take turns quickly, and due to my lack of experience with a stick, I don't feel comfortable really pushing it. We pulled into a parking lot and switched places. I hate the seats. Compared to the Recaro's, they feel like they are couch cushions made for fat asses. The dash is very nice, and guages are sweet. The shifter felt very nice. I only stalled twice, but by the end of the 15 min test drive I was feeling quite confident, it's an easy car to drive, and the clutch engages in a very comfortable spot for me.

Test drive #2: After this I went back to Carlisle, to see about actually driving the Evo this time. After 25 mins of farting around, I got in w/ one of their more senior salesman. It was night out, he drove first. He babied it. We drove over some road that was very rough and man, I'm starting to second guess it's drivability on rough roads...but I will need to test this further. I tried to drive it, but I barely got it over 15mph this salesman was so nervous, he kept telling me to be careful, slow down etc. I had a hard time w/ 1st gear, the car would buck really badly, I think I was not giving it enough throttle. Horrible test drive, it was dark, I wasn't having much luck w/ the clutch and the salesman was a sissy. I'm going back on Thursday for a REAL test drive and one of their sales managers better be there cause I'm sick of getting stuck w/ someone who knows nothing about the car on test drives.

Overall: Leaning a bit toward the STi, only because I felt more comfortable w/ the STi's power delivery and clutch. Of course this probably means nothing as I had the worst test drive ever in the Evo and deffinetly didn't get a feel for the car at all. Will take probably 1-2 more drives in each to really decide. Hard, hard decision, was hoping one would have a glaring problem that I didn't like, but neither do. Both are sweet rides.

 

how can u judge the evo's power delivery if u never got out of first gear and 15 mph

 

The first day I went to test drive their head tech took it out. He got it up to 120 a couple times.

 

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Evo is more about handling. If you want soft go with STi. If you want race go with Evo RS. Not talking about straight line.

 

Yes, I realize that. This will be a daily driver. And as of now, I have see no handling out of either car. The most have been 5-10 MPH turns and lane changing. Hard to tell any differences like that.

 

I got an evo, go for the STI. Evo is badass once you starting modding, but if you dont plan on modding, go for the STI. I think it looks pretty sick. The gauges are alot better looking and better interior quality. Dont get a silver STI. it is butt ugly in that color. Go for white or blue. Evo is also nice in those colors too. Well, after test drove a couple evos with turboback and cams, I'm starting to love my evo all over again. Both are nice cars, but after you own an evo, you want an sti. But then you think again, you'll end up wanting both. Isnt that greed or what? hahah...Peace...