If it were my honest opinion, I'd get something fairly inexpensive and reliable as a DAILY. I bought a Civic (fully loaded to have the comforts) to commute to/from work, and I drive the Evo on the weekends to thrash up the streets. It saves me on both maintenance/gas/insurance, and I obviously still have the choice to drive the Evo to work if I choose to.

If you buy a WRX and save for an Evo, you'll be waiting much longer than if you buy a standard good gas daily driver and save for the Evo.

 

The wrx does everything well but doesn't do anything great. the Evo is a little less practical but is WAY more fun to drive. The Evo feels special when you're driving it where as the wrx just feels like a Camry/Altima/etc with a little more power and grip. The wrx really is a great value but nothing about it will blow you away.

 

I agree the WRX is a nice car but is not a fun drive and will cost more than the STI when you realize it's lacking this, that or whichever. At lease the resell is decent if you go unloaded.

 

I think you should donate all this money you have to a good cause and buy a bike.

 

Get a 2014 GSR with recaros imo.

 

Very interesting. Thank you both.

 

Time is running out, no more new Evos if u r into new cars... Act now or never lol.

 

I spent all day today looking at cars. I test drove an STI and was very disappointed. It didn't handle well (especially in snow), the AWD system sucked and the engine produced little power (relative to an Evo). I thought they were supposed to be all torquey, but it felt like an out-of-tune Evo.

The only pluses are a nice interior (though the one I drove still rattled) and a seat that folds down to the trunk.

As for the engine, here are my conclusions:

Advantages:

• Lower Center of Gravity - Slightly. Removing 10lbs 1in above the cars center of gravity is about the same as removing 1lb 10in above the cars CG. With a boxer engine, you are lowering mass that's very close to the CG (and therefore not so important). Meanwhile, you are moving lots of things higher up (turbo, intercooler, etc.). This is why Evo's try to reduce mass that's up high, like by using an Aluminum roof.
• Balanced internally

Disadvantages:

• Turbocharger further from exhaust ports - energy losses in exhaust, unequal length ports. Typically requires a smaller turbine wheel to get decent spool.
• Worse front to back CG from engine being further forward
• More points to fail (e.g. twice as many cam seals)
• Harder to work on (e.g. change spark plugs, head gaskets, exhaust manifold, cams)
• Other parts shifted higher due to engine being lower (IC, intake manifold, turbocharger)
• Weaker block - it seems the evo's can make more HP
• Lower reving than inline engines - Is this true?
• Intercooler on top (at least, for the stock engine) - more susceptible to temperature variations.
• Harder and more expensive to make power.

Does anyone else have anything to add/change?

I know a lot of people who really like their Subarus, but I have come to the conclusion that they don't make a good performance car.

Good luck with your decision!

 

The new sti I test drove did have a terrible tune. It lunged several times during hard acceleration. I thought maybe it was an engine break in tune or something. Felt awkward like a miss in the middle of the rpm range, but the salesman said they all drive like that. Steering feel was good, nice and heavy. Turning the wheel made a loud creaking sound. Interior is way nicer than evo. Back seats folding is great and it feels much bigger. But after driving the evo I realized it's a much better drivers car right away. No comparison between the two stock for stock. Wrx I drove for two minutes and said no way. It no longer sounds like a wrx, and definitely doesn't drive like one anymore either.

 

I second this! Alot of my friends that have WRX's wish they got an Evo after driving one.

 

I have both. I love my Evo, but I like the '16 WRX a lot, more comfortable, and a TON of space. It's way more practical. If you want a practical, cheaper car you will still have a lot of fun in, get the WRX. If you are going to track the car and/or do more than just bolt-ons, like larger turbo upgrade, then grab yourself an Evo. If you kill yourself with car payment and insurance on Evo and don't have money for mods, then it's pointless IMO. Good luck man! Did you consider a used Evo?

 

Hey, I agree with others saying get what you want. Like you I have also loved the Evo's, I actually work for a company who owns a Subaru dealership. Even with my employee price for the STi I still went out and bought my 2015 GSR. I use mine as a DD and I love it. Car drives like a dream. If your not desperate for a car I would say wait and get the Evo. Here in Canada we still get the Recaros in the 15's so I upgraded to the Handling Package. I was actually lucky enough to get the last WW for sale in Canada with the Handling Package. Good luck with the car hunt. If you can buy one from Canada. I know there are a few GSR w/Handling Package still kicking around.

 

Just pick up a nice used GR WRX. I had a 2011 before I picked up a 2015 EVO. They are different cars to compare. I really think you are mistaken that the Subaru is terrible in the snow. You were probably on summer tires, just like the EVO you will kill yourself driving in the snow let alone freezing temps.

 

If you get the Evo, make sure you can actually, "afford" it. It's far from your typical $30k compact car. Many get into one at a price they think they can afford, only to find that after the miles start accruing, they can't even afford to keep decent 245/40 tires on the OEM wheels.

after 5 years and 80k miles, I've gone through a set of pads and tires at the very least yearly, which typically run me $1,000-1,300 for good tires and 400-500 for good brake pads. You can spend a lot less and you can spend a lot more, but you get what you pay for. Fluids (4-5x/year of Mobil 1 EP, not to mention trans, and diffs), spark plugs (2-3x/year), and all the little knick knacks add up also (a couple of clutches, belts, even those little rubber covers for the brake bleeders) and it adds up.

 

I would go with the Evo, even though I am hearing good things about the 2016 wrx. The evo has history and not much has changed, whereas you are taking a chance with the wrx