I had the opportunity to drive a new 05 STI at Mastro that was owned by one of the techs. It was lightly modded (ecutek, TBE, fuel pump). Here are my reflections:

1. The seats are a bit better, but still not the recaros. I could live with them, I suspect.
2. The interior is much better than the 04. The steering wheel is no longer that retarded silver plastic and pink monstrosity. New center console, etc. from the Saab is nice. Feels more cockpitish.
3. It's handling is much improved vs. the 04. Steering feel was noticably better, and now very close to the Evo. Turn-in was excellent, again, just a hair different from the Evo. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but for me, I will say it wasn't quite as good.
4. Modded STI's are just fun This one had excellent throttle response. The engine really didn't feel like it was working too hard, but the car was brutally quick. I doubt much more tq and hp is reasonable.

The 05 STI is a great car. You can say it's teh sux0r all you like, but you sound like a fool. I'm personally more drawn to the MR, but you'd be smart to give the STI its due.

 

A good unbiased review. I would love to drive an '05 STi, but only for a test drive.

 

Define different, I've seen STi guys who think they walk on water because they drive an 05. I'm curious...did it really feel better than the Evo's?

 

Subaru

 

This former STI owner thinks the Evo is better.

 

They told me it was a special edition lancer (oz)and there wasn't a thing called an evolution. "evo, who?"

doh.

 

When I had to buy a car, I called Mitsu and made an appointment to test drive a car. I called Subaru and they dropped off an 05 STi for an afternoon. I was able to drive the 04 & 05 back to back since a customer came by with the 04. The handling was noticeabley better in the 05, the interior was more comfortable and it had a stereo. I went to Mitsu and they tell me they don't do test drives. I left and started teh paperwork on my 05 STi. Another guy I know with an Evo, Don from Straight Line performance asked me what I thought of the Evo. I told him, "I don't know but I know the people @ Mitsubishi are A$$holes." He offers a test drive, I go and drive his BBY and in about 30 seconds I know I want the Evo. Plus I get an RS without any of the features I don't want for $3,000 less than the STi. I've got some serious sportbikes and there isn't a car than comes close that type of ride except for the Evo.

 

I have driven the 05 STI and there is a large improvment of the 04 IMHO. Quicker steering, but seams to have less power.

 

In defense of the STi, I have to say that it is geard more towards real-world driving than the Evo. Definitely changes have been made for 05' beyond the aesthetically pleasing Saab like interior. More seat bolster, new ECU(no perf. difference though), quicker steering rack, wider wheels, axle, solid aluminum endlinks (no more mushy bushings) and a few other minor things.. It's definitely as fast as an Evo(stock) but may not feel it due to the far more linear power delivery. You don't get that jolt of "Holy S! 19.5 psi!" all at once.. but the power is definitely there.. again, a by product of being a more street oriented car, giving more torque down low where it's used. Not that I'm trashing the Evo, it's a piece of automotive genius.. I just feel that a WRX/Evo are like apples and oranges and it really depends of what you want said car for. The WRX/STi will be more forgiving of bumpy road, and offer a level of comfort not found in the Evo. But on a side note, how can you nit-pick the interior of a WRX compared to the "interior by Rubbermaid" look of an Evo? I'm sorry, but it's the same interior as a base lancer (-seats) and it is THE worst. I also noted problems reading the speedo in daylight on the Evo.. anyway, I digress. .they're both great cars and I can't afford either one of them.. just wanted to get some facts straight.

 

Sti Gearing sucks It would be better suited to a less TQ 2.0 then the 2.5. EVO 5spd is just about perfect in gearing. IMHO

 

I agree on the gearing.. you think the STi is bad drive a regular WRX and then look at the specs on the gear ratios.. 1st and 2nd are way apart.. 4+5 are just OD gears and they're all seriously tall.. I'm gonna throw the 5spd STi RA gears in mine when I get the cash and I should be able to hang w/ Evo's better.

 

The Mitsu guy knows about as much as you do about the STi. For '05 it gets a new front helical differential. New power steering rack which gets rid of that weird torque steer. Improved shifter mechanism and some new suspension enhancements. It drives much better than an '04 IMO and yes, I've spent seat time in both.

 

Oh have driven a few WRX in my time and had one for two years so I know about the long gearing I raced a body with the RA box and let just say it did not help him much

 

Seriously, some people need to chill on their opinions on Subaru and their products. Take out the Recaros and the Evo is cheaper than my freakin 01RS! That was my first impression at the Detroit Auto show pre-launch, when I got to sit in one, before they started selling them. The 05 STi definitely is better interior wise from a design perspective. Even the MR which is going to be around $35K still looks cheaply made, if minus the Recaros.

I love both cars and would not mind both, it's just funny how some people are so high and mighty just cause they drive an Evo. You think Mitsu would have brought the car to the US shores if Subaru didn't take the initiative to bring the WRX over? This is just a general statement and not pointed at anyone in particular, but some people seriously need to drive both and get what they want and be happy with it. <-----broken record

 

Drove 05 Sti and it felt fast and steering felt similar to Evo. I am not a professional race car driver so if the MR,Gsr,Sti were all driven by me around a track I probably would not be able to extract significantly better times out of any of them. The differences are for real drivers so go get what you like and enjoy. The only downside of the Suby is you still need a turbo upgrade to get low 12s high 11s.