Hi all,

Im a die-hard subaru fan, and had my heart set on an STi until I saw the 06 (JDM anways) pictures. I really don't like some aspects of its aesthetics, and really like the updates to the Evo IX, esp. those sexy black Recaros. Anyways I have a few questions, so any input would be appreciated.

1. I've searched a whole lot, and I cannot find crash test ratings on the Evo 8, have there been no tests done on it?

2. Anyone have any idea if there will be crash tests on the IX? I know Mitsu still isn't putting side airbags in the cars (baffling in this day and age for a $30,000 car, especially since it will be federally mandated in the next few years), but I also know the Evo is a very solid car compared to the base Lancer which got horrible crash ratings. It's just that the STi is a very very safe car, and I want to be in something safe.

3. This would be my first manual transmission car, would a GSR be harder to drive for a manual-newbie than an STi due to its lower amount of torque at low RPMs? Or after a week or two will it not matter and both are relatively easy cars to pick up and drive? Or any other reasons, due to the mechanics and the sturdiness of them, that the STi would be a better first time car? Keep in mind I wouldn’t be LEARNING on either car, I know how, but it would take some getting used to since I only had a few lessons and this would be my first manual car.

4. How is the 315-watt Infinity sound system and subwoofer? Im guessing a lot of you guys upgrade the system, but Im not totally obsessed with sound and would be happy to pay the accessory price and leave the car alone.

5. Finally, why did you choose the Evo over the STi (if you were debating the two)? The main answer I know is that the Evo is way more mod-friendly, but I would not be modding the car in any way, shape, or form.

Sorry for so many questions, but I would very much appreciate any input you guys can give. The things that turn me off about the Evo are: just buying from a company in the red, the clutch problems I’ve read about people having, and the fact that we have owned Subarus for 8 years and love the reliability and like the dealer. Love our current Legacy GT and still am going to try to find a 05 STi, but the '06 IX GSR looks pretty cool, plus I really like leather and a moonroof. Whew, again if you've made it this far, thanks for reading :P. Ive been reading this forum off and on for the past year, but you guys seem like a very knowledgable bunch and I could only find one other Evo forum on the internet. Thanks in advance!

 

Frontal impact for the Evo is pretty good the side impact is a whole different story the STi does alot better to the side airbags.
The difference in torque between the two cars would not make a difference in drive, just the turbo lag, but since you are getting the 06 it is suppossed to start spooling @ 2500 rpm.
The Infinity sound system is ok i think crappy for a 30g car though.
I bought the car cause I like the way it handles and of course it looks better then the STi.
As for the clutch problems like any car if you beat it, the parts will start to wear out faster. The clutch on the Evo weak cause it is alot cheaper to replace a clutch then a tranny, and transfer case.

 

i have no idea about safety ratings but i can tell you the infinity system is alright, and this is my first manual car too so i can tell you its not the difficult to get it right just give it some time. i have driven the sti didnt think it ws any easier/harder to drive. i forgot the rest of your questions hope this helps
mat

after posting i saw the last question. honestly i bought the evo because i liked how the extior looked better stock, and that i could get leather seats and a sunroof in the evo. the sti has a better looking interior otherwise

 

1. never thought about the crash ratings when i bought this car

2. Get the STI if you really want a safe car especially if you're driving your family around

3. Don't think it'll be any harder learning manual from either cars but I did notice that i had to put a little more effort to shift smoothly compared to my 240sx probably cause of the higher torque.

4. I thought the sound system is fine though i dont blast my music.

5. Picked the evo over the sti because of looks, mod friendly, and there's too many STIs running around in town.

 

the sound system is crap. i thought i would need to upgrade, but usually i drive with the radio off. just so i can hear the car


i have heard that before ^^^^^. and people usually change their mind in the first month.

the evo is not a massed produced car like the sti is. i usually see 1 evo for every 5 stis on the road.

 

the infinity sound system is horrible. although i really just wanted the leather, i had to pay for it.

 

From what I've heard on production numbers, there's a lot more EVOs than STi's.

 

evo's pretty safe. hear some crazy survivor stories.

must be the cab forward design or the fwd engine based space on evo.

I think recaro's a lot safer than side airbag. That along with stiff frame. you don't see race cars having side airbags, do you?

shouldn't get it if it's your first manual car. just stick with wrx automatic. you'll likely destroy the t-case.

infinity sound system sucks, not worth the money. And this is almost the universal fact on all cars with infinity system from the factory. (ex: rsx-type s)

search on evo vs sti. I got the evo, because it looks better, seats are better, better handling, it's not high maintainence like the boxer engine and most importantly, the shifter was precise and correct instead of STI's vague shifter.

 

AFAIK the side impact isn't great, but the rest is good. I've never seen Evo-specific ratings though, just base Lancers.

Side airbags add weight. The philosphy of the Evo is light weight. This might be the reason but I am not certain.

At low RPM before the turbo spools, the Evo has just as much torque as any other small 2.0L 4 cylinder. It shouldn't be more or less difficult to manage than any other small 4 cylinder car. Launching is a different story, and until you really get down the basics I wouldn't try it unless you have some money set aside for a new clutch (which isn't really a bad idea regardless).

I bought an '03 when both were fairly new on the market, and here was my thought process:

• I think the Evo has a slight edge in the looks department, but really I think the Evo VIII is the ugliest so far, and same w/ the current STi. However, they both have grown on me, but I definitely like the IX with its lack of fat triple-diamond beak ala Pontiac.
• I was just getting out of a '96 Eclipse GST and knew very well the tuning capabilities of a 4G63 powerplant mated to a big 16g turbo. My Eclipse with stock block & head + big 16g turbo was all the power I really could imagine needing. At the time, the Subaru's USDM-only engine was yet unproven, and I didn't really like the idea of buying a rally-inspired car that didn't meet the 2.0L formula anyway, as esoteric as that may be for an American like me.
• All the road test reports said the seats were iffy in the STi and it didn't handle as well. I planned on tracking the car so handling was high in my decision process. The Evo is a more focused track machine. Plus, I figured it would be easier to get some more power out of the 4G63 (way easy) than trying to make something with electronic diffs handle better & not get in the way of the electronics (unknown at the time how to do it).

Finally...either choice, Evo or STi, is a bad choice for most people. If I wasn't a performance fanatic there is no way I would endure the kidney-jarring ride, the frequent high-cost maintenance (Mobil 1, $200+/axle brake pads, $500/axle rotors, $1,000 sets of tires, clutch job, etc.), or the ridicule of the ill-informed thinking I'm driving just another ricer with a huge wing. I knew I would have the last laugh when I passed very expensive cars in my 'ricer' at track days, and that's exactly how it plays out to this day. Unless you've ever done things like gone out at 2am to drive around curvy roads just because there is no traffic and you can take the turns at a good clip, I would steer clear of either car & get maybe an Infiniti G35.

You've been warned...good luck

 

thats true , i was thinking mr;s vs stis

production numbers roughly
04 stis were over 7k
04 mr 1k
04 gsr 5k
04 rs 2k

i never thought of adding them all together ;more total evos than stis.

although i still see more stis than evos in hawaii

 

Thanks for the info so far everyone, and yes Machron, Im sure I want one of these cars If not, then I would go for a manual tranny LGT, but Im a power ***** and want more! Dont give me the side-airbag BS, thats like what 20 pounds? Compared to an optional moonroof and sound system... subaru tried that BS with the 04' not offering a 10 pound stereo system and sure learned for 05. As cool as a G35 would be, the X is the only one with AWD, plus you really cant throw it around like an STi or Evo (obviously), plus it looks like everything else everyones mom drives around... but I know what you mean

So I guess I will wait for the magazine (and your) road tests of the IX, and then make a decision based on the avialability of an '05 STi... since I do not think the '06 STi's looks will ever grow on me.. especially if they keep that 2nd rear wing. That sucks about no side airbags, since I think at this point, thats the only thing I really really dont like. I could deal with replacing the clutch once for few hundred bucks, as this will be a low mileage car and will be had for only 2-3 years.

One other little thing; Id imagine resale on Evos is pretty damn good? I see used 04 STi's at the dealership for 29k, say I put 14,000 miles on the Evo IX in 2 years, what would be a price range I might sell it at? Id imagine it would be better than an 05 STi, since the STi would be a 2005 model.

 

04 MR?? and I highly doubt they made that many RS's

 

If MMNA are still around in 2 years then the IX will (most probably) have been replaced by the all-new Evo X. Unless the X is a complete disaster, then the re-sale value of the IX and VIII will inevitably take a hit. I think the current re-sale prices of used Evos (e.g. KBB) are severely inflated and unrealistic and are due to take a nose-dive pretty soon.

 

Even if the X is the rumored "toned down" version, you dont think people would want a "real" version of such a great car? :P Anyone know how the 2nd Gen Eclipse resale value was when the 3rd chick-car, er, generation, came out?

 

how do you like the legacy? they look pretty badass now