Yeah, I know the STI is the more accurate comparison...

It's been awhile since I've driven an Evo nad just recently drove a new WRX. I'll be buying something within two months--- what I'm curious about are "reviews" from Evo owners who've had some seat time in an '06 WRX with the new 2.5. What impressed you/didn't impress you?

 

Go to www.nasioc.com, there are thousnads of testimonies there. I had WRX for 2 years and never liked it, too soft, too laggy but it was not bad for the price.


The newer WRX with their 2.5 and redesigned tranny are much better than previous ones. They are in a differnt league from a STI or an EVO but to be honest, if you are going to spend $25000 on the WRX save $2500 and get a RS Evo 9 and you will be in another galaxy.

You can save $2500 now by buying a WRX but I am telling you, you will regret if you don't get the Evo or the STI now.

good luck! !!

Carlos

 

Compare it to the new mustang GT with better handling capabilities. Not a comparason to the EVO. Just not...

 

Cmon man, if you getta wrx now then whenever you'll see an evo then you'll be like one of those ricers i see inside their wrx/mustang/honda/etc.. with their eyeballs glued to my evo, wishin they had it.

If you can afford the evo then go for it while you can! The evo IX wont be around for much longer! It's the last true race car available to the public for 30 grand!

 

evo hands down over any suby...I owned a heavily modded wrx before my evo and it didn't even come close to comparing performance wise, it all depends what you want out of the car...

 

Thanks for the replies. I come from the Subaru world and owned a 2002 WRX for 2 years. Loved the car, loved the Evos that I drove later on more...

I'm essentially looking for a daily driver and I'm not into modding; but I do rub shoulders with the Porsche/Ferrari crowd (work related) and like the idea of having a car on hand that I don't have to apologize for. A WRX wagon would suffice (I drove an '06 TR a few months ago) but the experience of driving an Evo, as I recall, stuck in my head for weeks afterward. Rough ride, noise, etc., none of that phases me and if my passengers don't like it they can walk!

If anybody (especially a IX owner) has the chance to drive an '06 WRX and could chime in with " Whoa! I was impressed!" or "No effin way would I consider one!" or something in between, I'm all ears-- no IXs around here for me to drive!

 

All the stock Evos are quiet with the stock muffler. When you mentioned they are noisy are you referering to the engine or to the exhaust?

If you think the Evo is loud then don't drive an american V8 sports car, they are much louder than our cars.

Also the Evos aren't as stiff as you think, on the other note you should know that the WRXs are significantly softer(suspension wise) than any Evo.

After reading your last reply I think you don't belong to the Evo world much and I think the WRX is more suitable for you. Any Evo owner here would not care much about the noise or the stiffness, but is either you like them or you don't and I can clearly see you are not very convinced about buying an Evo.

Remember that if you work with people with Porsche and Ferraris there is no other replacement for the Evo, The Evo will shut the your Porsche and Ferraris friend mouths for sure.

Good luck on your WRX. By the way, remember to go to www.nasioc.com

Carlos

 

I seriously considered the '06 WRX, it was better than my '03 WRX in many many ways. Compared to the Evo it has more low end grunt, a nicer interior (save for the seats), softer suspension and as a result is more daily driver friendly. However, when it comes to performance the Evo is a scalpel and the WRX is just a really nice pairing knife. Both really nice cars but it's really not a fair comparo.

If you want a nice car that's quick, reliable, easy on maintenance costs compared to the Evo, handles pretty well, and is a better daily drive with more creature comforts get the WRX. If you want the best no nonsense performance car that will also drain the ole pocket book a little more get yourself an Evo.

 

If you want to rub shoulders with exotics, then get the Evolution. I've been in the new WRX 2.5 and it's nice. It's definitely a lot better than the WRX of yesteryear. Just a few minor mods will put you in the low 13's, but since you're not into modding, get the Evo. Right out of the box, the IX will knock your socks off.

 

I'm the person you wanna talk to, as I have a IX (& VIII) and my G/F has a 06 WRX that I drive every now and then.

The 06 WRX is deffinently the best base WRX yet. With the 2.5L block, it put down torque comparible to the EVO (230-235TQ on a Mustang Dyno). Also, the new 06 has four piston calipers in front and two piston in back (other WRXs has two in front, one in back). The 06s also have 17in rims now, not 16s.

Anyways, now to how it drives. It has as much TQ as the EVO and it comes on earlier, but starts whizzing really bad up top (only dynos 'bout 200-205HP on the MD, compared to the EVOs 230-235HP). Also, the steering feel & handling are nowhere near the EVOs ability, but that is to be expected.

I believe an 06 WRX is a good buy if you don't want a bumpy, loud race car (the EVO). Also, Insurance is cheaper for the WRX and so is maintance. Most people only thing of whats faster, but I think the 06 WRX is a nice fit for some.

Here is some performance data.

Some kids have run 13.9, 13.8 & 13.7 with a stock 06 WRX

Also a stg 2 06 WRX puts down HP just about equal to the STi and about 20-25 more TQ. Also, some one with a Stg. 2 06 WRX has pulled a 13.1

 

Thanks Evo Kid... pretty much as I suspected; you enjoy driving your gf's car but you LOVE driving your Evo.

The better handling is a given. How would you compare throttle reponse, the Evo vs. the drive-by-wire in the WRX? PM if you prefer...

 

No comparison, but screw reviews. . . Drive for yourself and decide!

 

The first time you take evasive manuevers like when some idiot who doesn't realize he's towing a trailer cuts you off, you'll realize that you made the right choice with the EVO.

I had an upgraded 02 WRX for 4 years (VF30, swaybars, endlinks, etc, etc), but it doesn't touch the stock EVO. I mean, when I swerved to avoid hitting that a-hole, my wife went "Wow! It's better than your WRX!"

Get an MP3 headunit (my only gripe about the EVO), and never look back.

tk

 

I actually drove a WRX TR the same night I bought my Evo IX (about two weeks ago, GSR). The WRX TR was a nice car but it was not comparable to the Evo. I thought the Subaru was quick, seemed to handle well (short drive), reasonable interior, etc. But when I drove the Evo, it was fast, handled awesome, great seats, etc. I had a much bigger grin when I got out of the Evo and am glad I spent the extra on it. Just note, not only is it more expensive but insurance will be more.

 

I can't tell the throttle is drive-by-wire, if there is lag, its very minor and I believe it the only drive by wire I've driven.

Oh yeah, my only complaint about the WRX TR is the seats, they really suck. But those seats only come on the TR (other WRXs come with different seats.. Also, I have seen kids install EVO seats in their WRXs, so you could always do that.