Hey guys, title says it all. Had an '06 STI and loved it to death. I sold it to get a 2011 and now I'm too worried with ringland issues to mod it. It's just not the same anymore. Looking to get into a 2011-12 GSR now.

Is there any known issues with the car I should be aware of? I really don't want another 2011 STI experience and regret buying in a year. How is the long term reliability? after it's glory days I plan to keep it as a winter snow car for years to come.

Admittedly I'd take the Evo to a stage 2 set up almost immediately after break in. Is there anything to worry about (ie: ringlands) when doing so? Or is it a pretty smooth transition? I know I'd be voiding the warranty so I just want to get my facts straight before I go out and find my Evo X.

Thanks for any advice/information!

 

I think the biggest issue you need to be aware of is how quick MMNA is to void your warranty, but you seem to be aware of that. Are you planning on buying new or used?

 

theres actually a couple threads like this. but quick points:

clutch (cant hold more than 350hp and not too many hard launches)
trans issues for some (3rd gear grind)
interior rattles
radio issues
idle issues
and a few other nick nack stuff

 

I'm new here too, but I had a 2008 Evo X MR, sold it for a 2011 STI sedan (New), then was reading all the issues with modding the STI loved the car but did not want all that trouble, Cause I used to have a 2002 IS300 with 652RWHP on pump and that car was a money pit. So I just sold the STI two weeks ago and bought a new 2012 Evo GSR and don't regret it not even a lil bit STI is a great car but does not compare to the Evo that's my .02. The funny thing is I bought a 2010 WW RAlliart for my wife when I had the MR and that made me regret getting rid of the Evo every time I drove the Ralliart.

In the end what I'm trying to tell you get the Evo you love it so much more then the STI at least I do

 

Yes this has been covered numerous times.. Yes, the Evo is very reliable as long as you do the maintenance or put on a ton of cheap mods that don't perform well. Haha

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...te-advice.html

But, IMO, The pros/cons on the Evo over the STi:

Pros:
Easier to work on
Cheaper to make fast
Handles better
No ringland issue
Seats are WAAAYYY better, unless you are on the heavy side

Cons:
A lot less space for stuff- trunk is TINY!
No 6speed, unless you get the MR.. So the cabin gets a tad noisy in highway
Rides a little rougher- one of the things that allow it to handle better
Clutch master cylinder needs to be upgraded when you go with a better clutch
Crappy/thin paint
Lots of rattles inside


All in all, it comes down to what you want in a car. The Evo might not be the best DD, but it's definitely doable- I dd mine. The Evo just performs better but rides rougher and has less cargo room. And it doesn't have the ringland issue. Some 2008-2010 Evos had issues with the diff pins in the T-case, but they were upgraded in the 2011+.. Timing chain was also updated in either 2011s or 2012s..

 

get the evo

 

Any reason to be scared of going stage 2 after break in? Or any big issues associated with it?

I'm pretty much sold on this, I just really don't want any regrets. It's good to hear back from someone who had an evo, then sti, then evo again. Glad I'm not the only one.

It's going to be a daily driver, but I live in the city so only 5 gears is a non issue as I don't even remember the last time I used 6th gear.

My woman has a hatch so cargo room isn't really a problem either. I'll check out that other thread that was linked though.

The only thing that kind of worries me is the idling issue and 3rd gear grind so far.

350hp on the clutch shouldn't be a problem, I just want to go dp/exhaust with a tune and I don't think that gets near the 350 mark

Thanks for all the info so far.

Did anyone opt for the xion or whatever they call it coating for the paint? I did on the STI, but not sure I would again...

 

So id love to comment on the cargo room..

My previous car was a Volvo V70R


So going from ^ this ^ much room, to the space that's in an Evo is a big step! Ps even with the typical bolt on's and a custom tune.. my old v70r would still rape my evo from 100-200km/hr the torque that it had on the highway was crazy. it's a heavy beast so 0-100 is quick but not as fast as the evo. it ran 14.28 in the quarter and my evo runs 13.46 i'm also at nearly 4k feet above sea level.

So again with my point.. You have to get Creative with the space in the Evo. First off invest in a roof rack. then get a cargo carrier



So there's my roof rack C/O one of the other evo guys taking pics thx i'm using it.. lol

So with the rack i can put in about 10-12 bags of groceries, I'd say it's about 3-4 bags of groceries larger than the Trunk. Also there's enough room to get 1 snow board and 2 pairs of ski's along with gear in there.


and Thirdly.. If no one's going to be in the back seat.. i found this cool rubber maid bin that has a cover and wheels on it.. that i use for track days. it slips in the back seat. i have helmits, shoes, tools, rain gear, lawn chairs and what ever else in there. it's quite convienant. and if a skinny person needs a ride they can still sit in the back. albeit a bit uncomfy.

Those are my solutions for trying to make my Evo a bit more Practical in the "space department"

PS the rack is a Thule rack system with "lancer" fit kit. the measurements are a bit off.. so you have to play with the spacing. but it works great. no scratches or dents from the fit kit. works as intended.

 

get a 8

 

This may sound weird, but are the doors on the evo heavier or lighter than the 2008+ sti doors? I just hate how heavy the new doors are.

 

2nd and 3rd does not "grind" really. Its more notchiness. Its just not "butter" smooth as one would expect from a $35k plus car. I have a 2012. Its still notchy but feels less notchy then when I first bought it. There are things you can do to help get rid of some of that notchiness. Since it is normal for the car I just accept it as one of its quirks. I think in your situation you will be happy with the Evo.

 

This. Give this man a cigar. Totally spot on. I love both cars and almost got an STi, but the Evo X won me over. Yes, the Evo is not luxury grade in the interior and the paint is thin, but the drivetrain makes up for all of that. Stout 5 speed and an engine that is pretty failsafe if torque is kept under 400 ft. lbs. I couldn't be happier. Best car under 40k IMO.

 

our rear doors are like tin can's the front doors (atleast on the mr's) sound nice and crisp when you close them. like a euro car just that nice closing sound you wish you had on your acura or evo 9 , nissan murano etc etc. they don't feel at all heavy though.

the rear doors on my mr.. omg it's like their 100% stock base 13000$ lancer doors with that Tin sound when they close. cheaper sounding than my 2003 Elantra gt.

wouldn't want to get hit in those doors..

 

^^ if I had to guess, I would say lighter, but I don't know.

The 3rd gear "grind" isn't too bad. It usually goes away with a shirt shifter and heavy shift knob, and changed tranny fluid.

No there isn't any reliability issues as far as "stage 2".. But what is stage 2 to you? Intake, exhaust, HFC, intercooler & piping? Either way, you should be very happy with an Evo. Just do maintenance and get good parts and you will be fine.

 

not that they're heavy, but you do need man hands to make sure u shut it on the first close. a lot of my friends and gf have to give it another go once they fail the first time. But its not because the doors or heavy, more because of the spring loaded part by the hinges.