Unsatisfied
I have a 2003 VIII and just bought a 2015 X as replacement. The X is a lot softer, quieter, heavier feeling, has higher sides, and feels much larger. The doors have a definite thud, and going over bumps and potholes feels more solid. But I decided on the X because of those reasons. To get something sporty with a manual that's also more of a GT car.
If you want an all out race car for the street, an 8 or 9 would be a better choice. But I got a bit tired of not being able to hear the person in the passenger seat.
Can't comment on the seating position because I still have the Lancer seat in the X and a lowered Recaro bucket in the VIII, but I think the elbow rest is lower and the door is generally farther away on the X, where you have a lot of space to stretch out. Thinking of getting a Recaro though.
If you want an all out race car for the street, an 8 or 9 would be a better choice. But I got a bit tired of not being able to hear the person in the passenger seat.
Can't comment on the seating position because I still have the Lancer seat in the X and a lowered Recaro bucket in the VIII, but I think the elbow rest is lower and the door is generally farther away on the X, where you have a lot of space to stretch out. Thinking of getting a Recaro though.
I actually started with two Subarus... 07 STI then an 05 WRX both which were modded but made poop for power and I did not have the cash to do a full build to make some actual decent numbers. I switched over to the Evo in 2008 and found a low mileage 9 MR which I loved and had it for 2.5 years. Sold it and a year later bought an 8 GSR and had it for 2.5 year of which I regretted selling but I was buying a house then so it had to go. Both cars made power easily with just bolt ons unlike my Subies I've had previously.
Early last year I felt I was ready for another Evo and always loved the way the X looked and had driven a friend's GSR a couple years back. I figured a X MR was the way to go. I found a fully loaded WW X which was a great DD but it felt completely different than my 8/9. Felt almost domesticated compared to them. I was not 100% with the car so I decided to sell it after having it for about 1 year.
I took my time the next 5 months and my goal was to find a RR 9 RS. I found one here on Evom luckily. 45k original miles, no accidents and little to no mods. When I drove this car it reminded me of how different and better (at least to me) the 8/9 platform was compared to the X.
So like others said, you will be happy with a X, its heavier, nicer interior, but it is a completely different animal. As for the sitting position I did not like it as much as I do the 8/9. My X MR had the leather Recaros and while nice, I feel more comfortable in the 8/9 Recaros. I am 5'7" and about 160 so the Xs Recaros run small at the waist and yes they are not height adjustable (neither are the 8/9s). The dash felt too high for me as compared to the 8/9. Alot of this is subjective so I suggest you drive both cars before making a decision. It will be much easier though to find a X with low mileage and that is not beaten to death unlike the 8/9s. The CT9As are just becoming rarer because the newest one now is 10 years old. Also unless you have cash in hand, getting financing isn't easy either as they are considered old cars now (older than 5 years.)
Lots of things to consider. Do some research here, test drive some cars, then make a decision because we can tell you til you blue in the nose here but you will have to make the decision in the end. Good luck.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
I agree with him almost entirely minus the not being able to hear your passenger... just don't get some crazy loud exhaust or drop some dynamat in the trunk or both.
I actually started with two Subarus... 07 STI then an 05 WRX both which were modded but made poop for power and I did not have the cash to do a full build to make some actual decent numbers. I switched over to the Evo in 2008 and found a low mileage 9 MR which I loved and had it for 2.5 years. Sold it and a year later bought an 8 GSR and had it for 2.5 year of which I regretted selling but I was buying a house then so it had to go. Both cars made power easily with just bolt ons unlike my Subies I've had previously.
Early last year I felt I was ready for another Evo and always loved the way the X looked and had driven a friend's GSR a couple years back. I figured a X MR was the way to go. I found a fully loaded WW X which was a great DD but it felt completely different than my 8/9. Felt almost domesticated compared to them. I was not 100% with the car so I decided to sell it after having it for about 1 year.
I took my time the next 5 months and my goal was to find a RR 9 RS. I found one here on Evom luckily. 45k original miles, no accidents and little to no mods. When I drove this car it reminded me of how different and better (at least to me) the 8/9 platform was compared to the X.
So like others said, you will be happy with a X, its heavier, nicer interior, but it is a completely different animal. As for the sitting position I did not like it as much as I do the 8/9. My X MR had the leather Recaros and while nice, I feel more comfortable in the 8/9 Recaros. I am 5'7" and about 160 so the Xs Recaros run small at the waist and yes they are not height adjustable (neither are the 8/9s). The dash felt too high for me as compared to the 8/9. Alot of this is subjective so I suggest you drive both cars before making a decision. It will be much easier though to find a X with low mileage and that is not beaten to death unlike the 8/9s. The CT9As are just becoming rarer because the newest one now is 10 years old. Also unless you have cash in hand, getting financing isn't easy either as they are considered old cars now (older than 5 years.)
Lots of things to consider. Do some research here, test drive some cars, then make a decision because we can tell you til you blue in the nose here but you will have to make the decision in the end. Good luck.
I actually started with two Subarus... 07 STI then an 05 WRX both which were modded but made poop for power and I did not have the cash to do a full build to make some actual decent numbers. I switched over to the Evo in 2008 and found a low mileage 9 MR which I loved and had it for 2.5 years. Sold it and a year later bought an 8 GSR and had it for 2.5 year of which I regretted selling but I was buying a house then so it had to go. Both cars made power easily with just bolt ons unlike my Subies I've had previously.
Early last year I felt I was ready for another Evo and always loved the way the X looked and had driven a friend's GSR a couple years back. I figured a X MR was the way to go. I found a fully loaded WW X which was a great DD but it felt completely different than my 8/9. Felt almost domesticated compared to them. I was not 100% with the car so I decided to sell it after having it for about 1 year.
I took my time the next 5 months and my goal was to find a RR 9 RS. I found one here on Evom luckily. 45k original miles, no accidents and little to no mods. When I drove this car it reminded me of how different and better (at least to me) the 8/9 platform was compared to the X.
So like others said, you will be happy with a X, its heavier, nicer interior, but it is a completely different animal. As for the sitting position I did not like it as much as I do the 8/9. My X MR had the leather Recaros and while nice, I feel more comfortable in the 8/9 Recaros. I am 5'7" and about 160 so the Xs Recaros run small at the waist and yes they are not height adjustable (neither are the 8/9s). The dash felt too high for me as compared to the 8/9. Alot of this is subjective so I suggest you drive both cars before making a decision. It will be much easier though to find a X with low mileage and that is not beaten to death unlike the 8/9s. The CT9As are just becoming rarer because the newest one now is 10 years old. Also unless you have cash in hand, getting financing isn't easy either as they are considered old cars now (older than 5 years.)
Lots of things to consider. Do some research here, test drive some cars, then make a decision because we can tell you til you blue in the nose here but you will have to make the decision in the end. Good luck.
So since you seem to have a lot of experience with these cars I'm gonna ask you...
I have owned about 13 cars...completely indecisive lol currently own a 2013 Legacy (wanted to try something different and more "grown up"...and i hate this car...i don't know what possessed me to buy it...)
anyways, it's getting a new shortblock put in by subaru and then I'm selling it...
If you had around $20,000 sitting ready to spend would you buy a Evo 8 or Evo 9? I wanted to buy a BRZ and supercharge it or jump to a 16 STi with a big down payment...but I've always liked Evo's and the fact that everyone says its pennies to make power compared to subies is a plus..
So since you seem to have a lot of experience with these cars I'm gonna ask you...
I have owned about 13 cars...completely indecisive lol currently own a 2013 Legacy (wanted to try something different and more "grown up"...and i hate this car...i don't know what possessed me to buy it...)
anyways, it's getting a new shortblock put in by subaru and then I'm selling it...
If you had around $20,000 sitting ready to spend would you buy a Evo 8 or Evo 9? I wanted to buy a BRZ and supercharge it or jump to a 16 STi with a big down payment...but I've always liked Evo's and the fact that everyone says its pennies to make power compared to subies is a plus..
I have owned about 13 cars...completely indecisive lol currently own a 2013 Legacy (wanted to try something different and more "grown up"...and i hate this car...i don't know what possessed me to buy it...)
anyways, it's getting a new shortblock put in by subaru and then I'm selling it...
If you had around $20,000 sitting ready to spend would you buy a Evo 8 or Evo 9? I wanted to buy a BRZ and supercharge it or jump to a 16 STi with a big down payment...but I've always liked Evo's and the fact that everyone says its pennies to make power compared to subies is a plus..
Now on to the Evo.. given the money you have on hand... a X GSR with low mileage can be had easily for mid 20s... I am talking never wrecked and little to no mods. Mods aren't always a bad thing if you are buying a car from a decent owner. I do not shy away from bolt ons if you can feel out the owner. They save you money. I am more about the care of the car. Garaged, launched, dings, accidents... etc.
I would stay away from the X MRs because if your goal is to make more than 350 AWP then get a GSR... the tranny on the MR will give you issues unless you put some money into it.
This may sound biased against the Subaru... but the only Subaru I would remotely consider anyone buying would be a WRX. It offers the newer motor, has almost everything the STI has and nearly the same power in stock form and its cheaper. I have a 2016 Impreza as a DD ironically (Base model with manual tranny
) and my 9 RS is my weekend car and sits in my garage away from the elements. I only suggest an 8/9 if you truely like the style of it better and test drive one and prefer it over a X IF you have a dedicated daily driver. Look under the Show and Shine for the 8/9s and X to see which car you prefer. I would also test drive both cars. Go find some in local dealerships and drive them. Like I told the OP... completely different feel to them.
Other factors to consider on the 8/9 is that unless you get a clean one is its past history and that may affect reliability because its previous owners may have not cared for the car. The X being offered for the last 7 years and far more made of them, you will be able to find one easier.
My 2 cents.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
First lets address the Subaru part... my opinion and still being fairly active on IWSTI and NASIOC (to some degree.. it full of trolls) .. I would stay away from the STI altogether until Subaru gets off their azz and change the motor on the STI. That thing is a horrible and requires full builds to stay reliable like someone else already mentioned. They also do not make power easily. The BRZ is a different car altogether and remember it is not AWD so if this is a DD and you need it to ride in bad weather then don't waste your time considering it. I personally do not like the car's look.
Now on to the Evo.. given the money you have on hand... a X GSR with low mileage can be had easily for mid 20s... I am talking never wrecked and little to no mods. Mods aren't always a bad thing if you are buying a car from a decent owner. I do not shy away from bolt ons if you can feel out the owner. They save you money. I am more about the care of the car. Garaged, launched, dings, accidents... etc.
I would stay away from the X MRs because if your goal is to make more than 350 AWP then get a GSR... the tranny on the MR will give you issues unless you put some money into it.
This may sound biased against the Subaru... but the only Subaru I would remotely consider anyone buying would be a WRX. It offers the newer motor, has almost everything the STI has and nearly the same power in stock form and its cheaper. I have a 2016 Impreza as a DD ironically (Base model with manual tranny) and my 9 RS is my weekend car and sits in my garage away from the elements.
I only suggest an 8/9 if you truely like the style of it better and test drive one and prefer it over a X IF you have a dedicated daily driver. Look under the Show and Shine for the 8/9s and X to see which car you prefer. I would also test drive both cars. Go find some in local dealerships and drive them. Like I told the OP... completely different feel to them.
Other factors to consider on the 8/9 is that unless you get a clean one is its past history and that may affect reliability because its previous owners may have not cared for the car. The X being offered for the last 7 years and far more made of them, you will be able to find one easier.
My 2 cents.
Now on to the Evo.. given the money you have on hand... a X GSR with low mileage can be had easily for mid 20s... I am talking never wrecked and little to no mods. Mods aren't always a bad thing if you are buying a car from a decent owner. I do not shy away from bolt ons if you can feel out the owner. They save you money. I am more about the care of the car. Garaged, launched, dings, accidents... etc.
I would stay away from the X MRs because if your goal is to make more than 350 AWP then get a GSR... the tranny on the MR will give you issues unless you put some money into it.
This may sound biased against the Subaru... but the only Subaru I would remotely consider anyone buying would be a WRX. It offers the newer motor, has almost everything the STI has and nearly the same power in stock form and its cheaper. I have a 2016 Impreza as a DD ironically (Base model with manual tranny
) and my 9 RS is my weekend car and sits in my garage away from the elements. I only suggest an 8/9 if you truely like the style of it better and test drive one and prefer it over a X IF you have a dedicated daily driver. Look under the Show and Shine for the 8/9s and X to see which car you prefer. I would also test drive both cars. Go find some in local dealerships and drive them. Like I told the OP... completely different feel to them.
Other factors to consider on the 8/9 is that unless you get a clean one is its past history and that may affect reliability because its previous owners may have not cared for the car. The X being offered for the last 7 years and far more made of them, you will be able to find one easier.
My 2 cents.
I considred the BRZ because people out in the midwest and canada were saying the car is straight in the snow as long as you throw some weight in the back and good snow tires... so I figured winter in CT really doesn't get as bad as it does out there so I would be good...plus i figured a supercharged coupe would be a nice change from the boosted sedans and wagons i've owned lol
I'll definitely have to check an X out if i can find a dealer with one around me.
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 256
Likes: 23
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I considred the BRZ because people out in the midwest and canada were saying the car is straight in the snow as long as you throw some weight in the back and good snow tires... so I figured winter in CT really doesn't get as bad as it does out there so I would be good...plus i figured a supercharged coupe would be a nice change from the boosted sedans and wagons i've owned lol
I'll definitely have to check an X out if i can find a dealer with one around me.
I'll definitely have to check an X out if i can find a dealer with one around me.
A lot of it is road noise doing 70mph on the highway. Maybe the passenger isn't completely drowned out, but I definitely have to speak up a bit, and put in extra effort to hear. I actually did some noise measurement using NoiSee on the iPhone and the VIII was around 79-80dB at 70mph, and the X was around 72. Huge difference. My X has the SS package, and I think it adds extra sound deadening for the speakers.And the X is definitely more soft. I only have 1000 miles on it after driving it up from Florida. I'll see what it's like to drive around town, some light twisties. The suspension is a lot softer, a lot more front dive on braking, but it feels sharp in the corners. All of that can be changed obviously, with coilovers, etc.
The main change for me is how high I sit up, and how high the door sides are. It feels like being in an SUV
Maybe I'll lower it a bit and add a seat (I'm 6'2" and would like the wheel higher up).For me, like I said, it's a compromise between a fast sedan and being able to go for a 300 mile drive out to PA, take some bicycles or something. My VIII is definitely fun for flinging around.