Choosing between SRT-4 and EVO
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10
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From: Syracuse, NY
Stock for stock: Evo handles better and is faster from a dig due to the AWD and the SRT's sucking *** off the line with stock tires and motor mounts. SRT-4 is faster from a roll on...Ive seen it first hand.
SRT-4 gets a little better mpg...either one would need snow tires in the winter (ESPECIALLY the SRT4...holy **** the stock tires suck in the snow)
Looks are preferance...I like both about the same above the Subaru.
Bottom line: aftermarket parts can make you do whatever you want for a price
SRT-4 gets a little better mpg...either one would need snow tires in the winter (ESPECIALLY the SRT4...holy **** the stock tires suck in the snow)
Looks are preferance...I like both about the same above the Subaru.
Bottom line: aftermarket parts can make you do whatever you want for a price
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 109
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From: New Zealand
I'm guessing if you thought the SRT-4 was quicker it was most likely just the "seat-of-the-pants-o-meter" playing up. A relatively high-powered FWD most-likely will 'feel' faster than a well-balanced AWD with a nice progressive torque curve.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you want. The Evo is a highly-developed road weapon which is basically superior in every conceivable aspect (except maybe cost, maintenance etc.) whereas the SRT-4 is based on a cheap, underdeveloped (in comparison) platform designed for providing families with a cheap, practical way of getting from point A to point B.
The Evo was born to win various motorsport events, which it did. The SRT-4 was born to win over the massive crowds of people riding on the wave of the fast & furious buzz a few years ago, which it did. There is no comparison between the two IMO. One's a race-bred warrior, while the other's a marketing exercise.
I'm not saying the SRT-4's a complete waste of time, but I think comparing it to an Evo is. If you want a decent straight-line performer, go the Neon. If you want the most capable all-rounder this side of 50k, go the Evo.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you want. The Evo is a highly-developed road weapon which is basically superior in every conceivable aspect (except maybe cost, maintenance etc.) whereas the SRT-4 is based on a cheap, underdeveloped (in comparison) platform designed for providing families with a cheap, practical way of getting from point A to point B.
The Evo was born to win various motorsport events, which it did. The SRT-4 was born to win over the massive crowds of people riding on the wave of the fast & furious buzz a few years ago, which it did. There is no comparison between the two IMO. One's a race-bred warrior, while the other's a marketing exercise.
I'm not saying the SRT-4's a complete waste of time, but I think comparing it to an Evo is. If you want a decent straight-line performer, go the Neon. If you want the most capable all-rounder this side of 50k, go the Evo.
Originally Posted by faults
Hi, I am new to this forum (and glad to be here)!
Today I went down to my local Mitsubishi dealership looking to test drive an EVO8. I was allowed a test drive around a twisty road, and a long straight. The salesman was very nice about letting me "fool around."
The EVO handled great. It took off the line really well. I wasn't as impressed on the straight, however. The car felt good but not as good as what I tested later which was:
Later I decided just to take one more look around the car country and saw the Dodge dealership. I have heard alot about the SRT-4s and heard they are great for the money. I test drove an 04 Blue SRT-4 (I think it was 04, maybe 05) on the same roads as the EVO. Again, this guy let me fool around. He seemed just as interested.
The SRT-4 wheel hopped from start. The corning was fine, but not as good as the EVO. But when I got to the straight, it pulled harder and stronger than the EVO. I had alot of fun driving the SRT-4, and I liked the looks more than the EVO's.
I can't decide. The EVO cost more, launches better, and handles better. The SRT-4 looks better, pulls harder, and costs less. My main concern is that the SRT-4 is alot cheaper but still beats the EVO from a roll... I'm also sure that with some money I could improve where the SRT-4 needs improving (meaning mods) and make it alot faster than the stock EVO with the extra money it would cost to buy an EVO.
Your thoughts?
Today I went down to my local Mitsubishi dealership looking to test drive an EVO8. I was allowed a test drive around a twisty road, and a long straight. The salesman was very nice about letting me "fool around."
The EVO handled great. It took off the line really well. I wasn't as impressed on the straight, however. The car felt good but not as good as what I tested later which was:
Later I decided just to take one more look around the car country and saw the Dodge dealership. I have heard alot about the SRT-4s and heard they are great for the money. I test drove an 04 Blue SRT-4 (I think it was 04, maybe 05) on the same roads as the EVO. Again, this guy let me fool around. He seemed just as interested.
The SRT-4 wheel hopped from start. The corning was fine, but not as good as the EVO. But when I got to the straight, it pulled harder and stronger than the EVO. I had alot of fun driving the SRT-4, and I liked the looks more than the EVO's.
I can't decide. The EVO cost more, launches better, and handles better. The SRT-4 looks better, pulls harder, and costs less. My main concern is that the SRT-4 is alot cheaper but still beats the EVO from a roll... I'm also sure that with some money I could improve where the SRT-4 needs improving (meaning mods) and make it alot faster than the stock EVO with the extra money it would cost to buy an EVO.
Your thoughts?
Evolving Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 278
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From: RPV, CA
Originally Posted by Touge
I'm guessing if you thought the SRT-4 was quicker it was most likely just the "seat-of-the-pants-o-meter" playing up. A relatively high-powered FWD most-likely will 'feel' faster than a well-balanced AWD with a nice progressive torque curve.
I guarantee you 100% that if you raced an Evo side by side you would be shocked what the real result would be.
PS And the '05 Evo is not the only Evo that will spank the SRT-4. That is such a blanket statement. The '03's can do it as well! Don't get me wrong, the SRT-4 is a quick car...but don't be deceived by the "torque steer"...
Evolving Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
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From: Inland Empire (Running Springs)
As I dropped my evo off at TT for a twin disc install, I drove home in a friends srt-4. Let me give you my .02. The interior noises - both are noisy, braking srt has good brakes, evo has excellent brakes, Handling quite possibly the biggest difference, while I drove the srt up 330 (so cal) 14 mile mountain road to Running Springs the steering wheel wanted to jerk itself out of you hands alot, I believe this to be due to the front wheel drive, and let me tell you it really SUCKED always fighting the steering wheel. The power - well the seat of the pants dyno did not tell me the srt was faster on the straights but it was fast. Power comes very easy on the evo and I have heard it comes easy on the srt4 with bolt on mods. Interior the dash on the neon is no doubt cheaper then the cheap evo inside. However the evo seats are so sick. Now a big evo down side, I certainly hope the srt4 does not have the maintance costs the evo has. I have 31k on my evo and have spent the following on maintance 2k on tires (my third set is 2 months away from 3k on tires), oil changes every 3k at about 50 each (buy my own oil and dealer service), my second aftermark clutch is being installed as I type, first one 1400 (clutch masters stage 1, only lasted 10k) and now a twin disc at 2000 getting installed today. New brake pads and flush with new fluids 500. Lets see in two years I have put in service alone 5900, that is over 200 a month in service. MAKE SURE YOU CAN AFFORD AN EVO. Lastly I have seen Sport Compact Car, Automobile mag name the evo car of the year. Car magazine (Europe) gave it runner up 04' Sports car of the year (barely lost), It owns the STI in the comparisons and It PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE DAILY! Lastly I am glad to be an evo owner and feel that I drive a car that is different from most cars. That being said there are alot of good cars out there, for example r32's, wrx, m3, s4, and the list can go on. Congrads on your new car what ever it is. I will say most owners of both the srt and evo love to drive. Buy the car you love to drive!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 0
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From: LA
torque steer wasn't a problem after I got going. And no I have felt FWD cars before, the SRT-4 was a little quicker from rolling than the Lancer.
But I arranged a meeting with the Mitsubishi salesman tomorrow so i'll go in and try to buy the Lancer.
But I arranged a meeting with the Mitsubishi salesman tomorrow so i'll go in and try to buy the Lancer.
Originally Posted by machron1
I would say if you never plan on doing any club days on a track with turns, go with the SRT-4 & save some money. The upkeep on an Evo as a daily driver is expensive as hell. You can make an SRT-4 handle decently well, and if AWD is not a must go for it. I personally would rather have a stock Evo than an SRT-4 with ~$8K in mods, but its your money do with it what you wish. If you want to make a straight-line monster the SRT-4 is the ticket. If you want an all-around performer, the Evo is the only way to fly.
Yep the Evo kills in corners, launches way better, and is much more stable at high speed... It's also much more recognized, has a better front end, HID's, and is car with a lot of history. But you pay 10k more the get this.
With your 10k you also get higher pitched road noise, interior that is even more chintzy in areas, seats you recline by turning a knob, instrument panel that looks worse than the SRT-4's, more attention from cops, crappiest boost gauge ever (or none at all), no electronic trunk pop, no fold-down rear seats (snowboarder). For a car that costs 10k more, hmmmm...
With the SRT-4 you get a lower monthly payment, car that is fun to drive, comes with a noisier exhaust from the factory, pretty nice interior, 4 freakin cup holders and pretty good power.
The bad parts are you get wheel hop, tons of bump steer, less traction as you upgrade the car, not very stable at high speed, comes stock with 4 inches of wheel gap, manual rear windows, and the neon name.
My advice is figure out what you want to do with the car drag/autox/road race/nothing, then go from there. Also, make sure you have money for mods...peace
Evolving Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 111
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From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by saywhen
As I dropped my evo off at TT for a twin disc install, Now a big evo down side, I certainly hope the srt4 does not have the maintance costs the evo has. I have 31k on my evo and have spent the following on maintance 2k on tires (my third set is 2 months away from 3k on tires), oil changes every 3k at about 50 each (buy my own oil and dealer service), my second aftermark clutch is being installed as I type, first one 1400 (clutch masters stage 1, only lasted 10k) and now a twin disc at 2000 getting installed today. New brake pads and flush with new fluids 500. Lets see in two years I have put in service alone 5900, that is over 200 a month in service. MAKE SURE YOU CAN AFFORD AN EVO.
Last edited by meisnerboy; Jul 13, 2005 at 10:32 PM.
The srt-4 makes more torque in the lower rpms, and I think this is why you might be feeling that it is faster from a roll, especially if that is a slow roll. I test drove an srt-4 acr and accelerating out of corners I lost a lot of traction compared to the evo. Even with its limited slip dif, the srt-4 doesn't even come close in the handling department. Plus the thing shifted like a tractor which would slow you down even more. Very fast care though.
Evolving Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
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From: Inland Empire (Running Springs)
Originally Posted by meisnerboy
I don't get this about the evo. I mean who the hell wants to spend $200/month on service? I was thinking of trading my wrx in for one but the only repairs I have had has been oil changes. (I have a 2003 wrx) What's the deal with dsm reliability and the clutch issue???
I drive hard up and down a 14 mile road to my home. Tires last 10k. If I had an sti for example tires would be a similar problem. As for the clutches (drag racing) you gotta pay to play on the drag strip with the evo. So I guess I was a little harsh on the evo as far as service. Tires should not have been included. I hope that helps. The evo also requires Mobil 1 or similar (25 bucks just for oil each change) but you should be putting that in the wrx so not much more there. If you are not into launching the car (drag racing) or driving mountain, canyon roads the maintance on the evo would be much like a wrx. Thanks for the??? I should have put that info in the post.
