Im looking at both the 04-05 STI's and the 03-05 Evos and I was wondering what are the goods and bads when comparing both? Can you adjust the percent of front and rear power like on the sti with a evo? It sounds like the sti has a better tranny but which motor can handle more power stock? Any other info would be good, i know this is a evo site but it seems like theres some honest people on here... every car has its flaws.

I owed an 05 sti

now I own an 06 ix mr

here is what I can tell you...

sti is a great car if you plan on doing bolt on mods ONLY...330whp is about the most you'll see on the stock turbo unless you throw meth into the equation

sti does have a stout tranny...evo trannies aren't bad but the stock clutch isn't the best

evo doesn't have a dccd so the power output is constant but it gets the job done

evo will dominate an sti in every category

sti IMO is a better dd if you keep the mods light (with a tbe the sound of the boxer engine is amazing)

that's about it...bottom line

get an evo or you'll be unhappy

There is this wonderful place, filled with knowledge and insight. When you are in this place, you can find the answers to all of your prying questions.

Its called the "Search" button and it can be found on this page.... Seek out the search button and bear the fruits of our collective intelligence!

The Sti seats in comparison to the Evo8/9 seats are not as comfortable when it comes to driving hard. The Evo seats snug you in a bit more and have a better over all look to them. If you can get a visual comparison in just the seats, you will see for yourself. Plus they are Recaros.

i knew someone would say search, and i have been but i like to see what some new people might have to say. What is the power ratio on the evos front/rear? Is the tranny t-case really that bad?

Seats are the main reason why I have an Evo...the rear seats on the STi dont really match up to the front seats...

...but 05 STi, 05 Evo8, 06 Evo9, and even WRX.....you cant really go wrong with these cars, they're by far the best for your money

Yeah... not so much

chaotichoax pretty much said it the best. sti is a good if you dont want to see over 340 hp. other then that then you have to start dumping money in. the evo has an awsome strong motor to where ive seen ppl running 500awhp! thats crazy lol. evo looks better, is more rare( you dont see as many) and is faster lol. my opinion you will be un happy with an sti. the mods will just stop coming in after you hit your 330-340 mark.

ok i was just like the OP i was gunna get an STI cause it higher stock HP and it had the cool DCCD, but then i found out that stock block evos can have 500+AWHP and that the evo out does the STI in almost every catagory.

If your gunna daily the car with light mods only then get the STI, cause thats putting the power potential of an Evo to waste and you wont like where 5th of 6th (in an MR) leaves you on the highway with no cruise control

my $0.02 on the evo tho, if you can get a 9 get it, if your gunna get an 8 get the 05, the 05 was the first year with the ACD which holds more torque, also had a bigger hotside on the turbo so power potential is up, the stock torque split on the evo is 50/50 always, the ACD does not change with with tarmac/gravel/snow modes it only changes how fast power is sent to the rear wheels, the T-case isnt an issue untill you go big power, if you know how to drive your T-Case will never be a problem

for the record ive never lost to an STi, even when i was stock, i love the sound of them ill never knock them cause there still great cars, but...
if you want amazing vehicle the Evo is a superstar

The biggest difference I have seen between evo's and wrx's/sti's is the low end torque. Subys do have better go at a stop if you are driving normally.

Some people just prefer STi's though. My buddy who's stationed in Okinawa has an 06 STi and he LOVES it. He drove my Evo several times and still liked his STi better. My Evo was definitely faster (TBE, MBC and off shelf Dynoflash tune vs Cobb Stage 2) and would destroy his car in pretty much all racing aspects. But he still prefered his STi.

So my $0.02 is that even though the Evo performs better that doesn't mean you will like it better. They don't drive the same at all.

I've driven a stock 05 and 06 STi and my buddy's Stage 2 and I definitely prefer the Evo hands down. The STi is a great car nonetheless. Just not my thing.

i dont have much time, but i will throw my .02 at ya. i have had the privilege of driving both my lightly modded Evo, as well as a stg 2 STi on a pretty much daily basis. if you are not going to throw much money at it and it is your DD, get a STi. the seats are more comfortable for DD, the 6 spd and gearing are nice for DD, and it has some more comfort items than an EVO. if you do not seem to care too much about overall comfort, and plan to mod the **** out of it, get an EVO. I bought my evo because i just flat out liked it better than an STi. i didnt care that the recaros were not the most comfy seats, i didnt want a 6 spd, and i just liked the "raw-ness" of the evo more. when i get behind the wheel of an STi, something about it makes me wanna baby it, but when i get in an evo, i wanna rape it all day....sounds dumb i know, but maybe try driving one vs the other and go from there. there is alot of info on this site, between asking questions, stupid or not, and searching, you will learn a ton about both. look at NASOIC too...

Thanks a lot everyone for your opinions so far, it sounds like the evo is more for me but both cars are nice. Im checking out a 03 evo 8 right now, what is the downfal on the 03 evo 8 compare to a 05 or something? I plan on having a daily driver that i can drive in summer and winter yet have around 400+hp.

all evo 8's are the same i believe. 03-05

wrong