I've rode in an EVO several times and the ride did not seem harsh. Granted I was only in the car for a short period of time. It wasn't like I was in pain when I exited the car.

Most rags describe the EVO ride as harsh and the STI as "stiff, but not punishing" or something along those lines. "The STI is the better daily driver, EVO better track car". Is this perception or reality?

Would it be like saying the STI is like a 104 degree day, the EVO a 105 degree day. Ya know - so close what does it really matter. To complete my analogy I guess a Lincoln Town car would be a nice pleasant 70 degree day.

 

The subie does feel a little more "refined" if you will. They probably put more emphasis on NVH. It is a nicer daily with the cd player and dash layout. The evo is more "raw" from the factory.

Even after driving an STi I am happy with my purhcase of an evo.

 

I agree completely with this statement. I test drove an STI and bought the evo. The difference in ride harshness is very aparent, but so is the handling difference. If the roads you travel on daily are broken up, the Evo will punish you daily. Much of the rough ride is due to the advans, but then again much of the handling too....

 

I second that. But it also depends on what tires you have on there. The STOCK Advans are very hard so it makes the right more harsh. I have some Sumitomo All seasons and it softens it up a lil bit.

 

I don't think the evo is a harsh ride. Can you "feel" the road better than most cars, YES. But not to a point where the ride is uncomfortable. The handling on the evo is second to none, and to have a nice soft ride must be given up.

 

Best to go take a test drive in both and decide for yourself. Hard to tell what the road conditions are where you are and what your tolerance of 'harsh' is.

 

Nah the evo isnt a harsh ride. I think the advan tires effect the ride quality some though and there noisey as all hell

 

I have both an 05 evo and an 05 STi (wife's) in the household, and I like the evo ride better. It feels harsher, but the STi tends to be bouncy. The spring rate feels about the same, but the shocks on the evo seem to have quicker rebound IMO. I feel more comfortable in the evo.

I have stock tires on the STi, but advan neova ad07 tires on the evo.

--
Brian

 

I have heard that the MR is a little softer than the GSR or RS due to the bilsteins and MR specivfic springs. I have not ridden in a GSR, but the MR is quite stiff and responsive. Yes, on bumpy roads, you can sure feel it. But, the ride comes with advantages like cornering. This car can read my mind, I barely have to turn the wheel and it knows where to go. I have also had to execute evasive manoevors on the interstate with crappy semi-tire junk and the car is freaking awesome...just darts like a rabbit. I absolutely love it. It boils down to personality and what you are willing to accept. Yes, the tires are noisy and the stiff sidewall add to harshness...its all a sacrifice!

 

I think the EVO ride is incredibly stiff and harsh. I guess it all depends on preference and what you have to compare it to. Before the EVO i owned a focus that handled like a cow yet had a smooth ride.

Im not downing the EVO, the handling more than makes up for the harshness, but the ride is incredibly harsh none the less. I, too hear the MR's have a better ride quality but I have never driven in one. My opinion may be a little biased because I am lowered on springs which I hear stiffens the ride noticably

Just my .02

p.s. YES softer tires help the ride quality. The advans made my ride way stiffer.

 

I don't think the Evo has a harsh ride at all. I even lowered the car and the ride isn't much different. Of course I had 2 FC RX-7s which to this day, have the harshest ride I have ever ridden in. The Evo has a Lincoln ride compared to FC RX-7s.

 

The Evo is not harsh at all to me. But then again I've driven lowered cars with "harsh" riding conditions all my life. Some people like it, some don't. You have to remember that the people that test drive these cars and write about it also drive all the fancy cars with all the creature comforts.

 

If you're accustomed to soft suspensions like I was coming from a Camry, it'll definitely ride a lot rougher than you're used to. I switched my tires to continentals and it did soften up a tid bit but the ride is still pretty rough when going over cracked, bumpy roads. On the highway it rides wonderfully, but on bad streets it'll be a bumpy ride. My pickup runs like a lexus compared to the Evo. You get used to it after a while if you drive it daily.

 

It all depends where your comming from.. if you came from some family sedan(caddy accord camry) it will feel rough...
IF you are comming from sports cars it the same thing

 

I own a 2003 EVO, drove STI's, Legacy GT's, M3's and S4's. The EVO seems to have the stiffest legs of the car, mainly due to improper shock damping. However, the STI has a major bobbing problem due to the stiff suspension combined with a short wheelbase. In exchange, the EVO has better steering feel and relfexes than the STI. The S4 was a strange combination of soft springs (relative to the other cars listed) and stiffer dampers. It had a harsh ride over more abrupt impacts, but it rolled too much in the corners. The M3, IMO, was the best of the bunch. Tolerable ride and excellent handling/reflexes. The Legacy drove like a caddy by comparison to the others listed.

I am looking to replace the dampers and possibly the springs. Just waiting for someone to make a set of adjustable dampers for the EVO (don't need or want to spend the cash on coilovers) or Bilstein selling its dampers from the MR through US channels.