So I'm currently out looking to get an upgrade. My previous car was a 03 Subaru WRX and due to some complications, I've decided to upgrade. I'm either looking at a 05 Evo 8 or a 07 STi. I've asked on Subaru forums what people think, and so far it's been a coin toss. I recently test drove an evo and loved it, I have yet to test drive a STi. So I guess I'm looking for people's unbiased opinions on which I should buy. Pros and cons of each. Any hidden problems about Evos that I should know about (ie. Subaru WRX's weak transmission). I also hear that the HP gains from simple mods will yield more HP than with the same mods on a Subaru. As for modding, I'm going for just a catless DP and Catback exhaust and a cobb ap, for now. Right now, I'm leaning to an Evo just because I haven't had it yet and it's something different from a Subaru.

 

STI nk?

 

An 07 STI is the one to get out of all the STI's, new one included. Reason being the best wastegate for the turbo and the BEST gearing (Taller) which will make you have lower ET's for sure. The Evo of course has better handling and more interior room especially in the back seat. Making big power on the Evo will be much easier and cheaper. STI's have a weaker bottom end and much lower tolerance to detonation. Modding an STI will be that more expensice. Look for an Evo IX if you can, even though it has just a 2.0 and a larger turbo, it spools much faster then the STI.


I would say the Evo IX, it handles better and will be easy to make a low 12 second car on mostly stock components. The 07 STI will be a better daily driver for sure, better interior but does not handle as well, has more understeer and is more floaty (Yes I have driven an 07 STI).

Now an 05 Evo VIII Vs an 07 STI I would say get the STI, it is newer and still won't handle as well but is the one I would pick.


Evo IX
07 STI
Evo VIII

In that order.

 

In my opinion being one that came over to an evo from 2 subaru builds I would definetely say take the evo. As a platform for builds or upgrading the evo is a much better base and will yield much more power for less expense. Sti ej25 blocks are good for torque and low end spool but even upgraded in my opinion don't have the potential top end power or power band that you can get out of a evo 4g63 motor. On top of that depending on the intended use of the car the STI six speed in my opinion hurts the overall performance of STI's once you start modding them.

 

Buy a car for youself. If you listen to alot of people's opinion, that will drive you crazy. My opinion is that the evo is better, but you have think different.

 

evo ftw!!! because evo's rock

 

evo... ive owned an sti its like driving a sled... besides u cant beat the 4g63...its near indestructible

 

Test drove a STi and an Evo. Liked the Evo a lot more. I don't really like the looks of the STi at all. It didn't help that the guy who I test drove it from didn't even bother to clean out the car (lame...). The giant hood scoop was a little intrusive when I drove. I didn't like it too much.

Everyone on an Evo forum is going to say Evo though, so it's sort of pointless to post. Test drive them both and write down what you like and don't like about them and come to a conclusion. I of course say Evo :P

 

evo u will regret getting the sti. lol

 

 

the sti wont break on you

 

lol. ur prob right. my evo breaks alot but its always something small and stupid. but then again i am always messing with it so what do u expect you know. simple mods on a evo will generate good power and can be reliable. more power will not last long on stock clutch however. other than that u r set.

 

Well, after much debate with myself. I saw and drove the STi and was completely blown away, it was everything my WRX was, but BETTER. It was sexy too with Satin white pearl. But at the end of it all and given my situation, I wasn't even supposed to buy a STi or Evo and was supposed to get another WRX, but oddly enough, all the WRX on the lots (I went to a few dealerships) were all STi and the one WRX they had felt very weak when I test drove it. I have asked people both here and the Subaru forums and there really wasn't any thing bad about either car. Many people have confirmed that both the STi and the Evo were both equally great cars, and both have very strong engines. So my hesitation to buy an Evo was somewhat relieved.

But at the end of it all. I chose the Evo VIII.

And several factors played into it, I wanted to experience something different and modify something completely different. The price of the Evo VIII was a lot more reasonable than the 07 STi (as well as the Evo IX) and still had very reasonably low miles. And I thought that the Evo handled a little better than the STi and felt it was a little stronger. I also felt that the interior was better looking than the Sti and a lot more spacious.

SO, I guess I now (according to the Subaru community) turned to the dark side and I'm very happy that I did Thanks for everyone's input and I'll be posting here pretty often.

 

good to hear. i have a 8 as well. since u saved your self some money from gettin a 9 maybe u could mod ur evo quicker. about 2k goes a LONG way on these cars

 

Drive them both. See what you like better