Anyone wish they got an STi?
Evolving Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 130
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From: N. Reading Ma
I had a regular wrx, modded and absolutly loved it. Until I traded it in for an evo. The wrx was fun around town and a blast to drive on the streets especially in the winter but I like to track my cars and the evo kills it hands down.
If I had enough money I'd buy a wrx for a daily driver and evo to track.
I know the question was about the sti but they are from the same breed, and the sti's that ive driven havent made me want to trade the evo in for one.
If I had enough money I'd buy a wrx for a daily driver and evo to track.
I know the question was about the sti but they are from the same breed, and the sti's that ive driven havent made me want to trade the evo in for one.
I grew up watching rally racing, and always wanted a legendary subaru growing up as a kid. Tommy Makkinen made me consider the Evo. I test drove an 8, bought a brand new 9 MR 3 months later and never looked back. Never even think about wanting an Sti.
Evolving Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Your Post
I think at one point in time we all kinda considered the Sti. Especially the WRX when we were not sure in 03 if the Evo was coming or not. I am a fan of the Subie for many years, and I grew up on Subie station wagons and subie brats, so I know a thing or two about them. The reliability part you said I would argue with. That is up in the air. I know just as many Subie owners with issues as Evo owners so that is a wash, and nothing on either car was so bad it left anyone stranded. Just petty stuff. To defend the Evo, its not Mits fault morons out there bought an Evo 8 did 6000 cluth drops and fried something, know what I mean? What I DO know is this. Much CHEAPER to maintain an EVO vs a STi, and its CHEAPER to get POWER from an Evo than an STi. So if your leaving your car stock, then no worries, but most of us mod our cars and the Evo wins hands down $ for $ cost vs mod, or cost vs. HP war with the subie hands down. Main reason? The Subie is a B_Tch to work on, so the labor costs are more to do the same work on an Evo that can be done in half the time. Also, Most of the Evo Internals come Forged, the Sti's are cast, so again, its just up to preference....throw in the cost of ownership with cost of parts, cost of maintenance, and the clear victor is the Evo. Just my 10 cents......
I think I got my EVO for the simple fact that they're pretty rare to spot compared to STi's in my hood. People's chins be touchin their backs just to look at my EVO... But if I had to go back and do it again id choose the evo again knowing what I know about both cars.
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 27
From: Southern California
In short, no. I currently own an '06 IX SE (original owner with around 19,700 miles on the odometer) and also owned an Evo prior to this one, and have had experience in an '04 STi, '08 Evo X GSR and '08 STI.
When it comes to owning a IX versus the previous STi, not a day has passed where I wish I had gone in the other direction. I bought the Evo knowing every single angle. The tiny conveniences that most people like about the STi would've been nice to have, but I can live without them (climate control, cruise control, outside temperature reading, seat height adjustment, etc.). I wouldn't mind having a sixth gear, but of course I could've gotten an MR if I wanted it that bad, though I still probably get better gas mileage and shift less. While I don't track my car (I'm typically too busy to do so at this point in my life), I do enjoy the precise handling when tackling corners and freeway onramps. Sure, the STi can do it just fine and probably surpass the cornering abilities of a lot of sports cars, but if you've driven both in the same situations, it's hard to not choose the Evo. I reaffirmed that with myself when I had a little over 200 miles worth of seat time in a friend's modded Cobb Stage 2 STi on Cobb springs.
When it comes to the newer models, the STI's appearance grew on me when I finally saw one in person not much after they were released, as I obviously didn't like it based on pictures. I thought the choice of going with a hatchback bodystyle was a good one (though I'm sure they could've broadened their sales if they had also made a sedan counterpart as well), but its handling still was not as sharp as the Evo X, despite its extra heft. I don't know if it was just me, but I found the new STI very difficult to heel-toe in for some reason. That was a huge turn-off to me.
When it comes to owning a IX versus the previous STi, not a day has passed where I wish I had gone in the other direction. I bought the Evo knowing every single angle. The tiny conveniences that most people like about the STi would've been nice to have, but I can live without them (climate control, cruise control, outside temperature reading, seat height adjustment, etc.). I wouldn't mind having a sixth gear, but of course I could've gotten an MR if I wanted it that bad, though I still probably get better gas mileage and shift less. While I don't track my car (I'm typically too busy to do so at this point in my life), I do enjoy the precise handling when tackling corners and freeway onramps. Sure, the STi can do it just fine and probably surpass the cornering abilities of a lot of sports cars, but if you've driven both in the same situations, it's hard to not choose the Evo. I reaffirmed that with myself when I had a little over 200 miles worth of seat time in a friend's modded Cobb Stage 2 STi on Cobb springs.
When it comes to the newer models, the STI's appearance grew on me when I finally saw one in person not much after they were released, as I obviously didn't like it based on pictures. I thought the choice of going with a hatchback bodystyle was a good one (though I'm sure they could've broadened their sales if they had also made a sedan counterpart as well), but its handling still was not as sharp as the Evo X, despite its extra heft. I don't know if it was just me, but I found the new STI very difficult to heel-toe in for some reason. That was a huge turn-off to me.
Back then late ' 05 looking to buy an STI. I have done my research and recommendation from tuners and end up w/ Evo 9 and never look back. Raw power and good handling and hp potential are more important to me than holding up value and creature comforts. So ask your self again. What do you really want?
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Seattle
When the 08 STi came out in hatchback form I thought that Subie was going the wrong direction with this car. Then I saw their sedan WRX and it was even uglier! Anyway the 08 and now 09 STi are actually cool looking and better than the older STis. I am happy with my X (although truth be told, I was Happier with my IX) and the main reason for going with an Evo was the insane amount of mods you can have done to the car. Insane!