Yes, it is clear but I was told I could make as much power with mods but what I didn't factor in was the wrx tranny is pure trash. Also no Hids( wrx headlights are dim) breaks are sub par, interior is far worse. That's why I said "I made a mistake". What I'm seeing is the X is a good option but I need to have the SSS package

 

In that case, you're making the same mistake again. The power of knowledge is in your hands and your hands only. I'd strongly suggest plugging yourself into Search for a few weeks of intense reading as well as driving a X, at the very least, if you haven't done so already.

There's another EvoX forum, so take a look there, too.

 

First of all, let's get this out of the way -- you can't go wrong with either Evo.

Just like you've noticed, the Evo IX feels a bit sharper and more direct while also being a bit lighter and more raw, in a good way. It's a more exciting vehicle from behind the wheel in terms of how the power comes on and how it reacts to steering input. It also responds very well to mods. While the interior isn't much to look at, it actually has a Momo steering wheel and really nice Recaros.

The Evo X, on the other hand, does handle better and have a more consistent power delivery, though it does feel slightly less exciting. It's easier to drive fast (and actually is faster around the bends), but the sensation isn't as thrilling, but you wouldn't know that if you hadn't driven a VIII or IX (kind of like how supposedly the Evo VI is much more fun to drive, but we wouldn't know since we don't have that car here, so it's nothing to complain about). However, while the IX responds well to mods, the X responds even better, particularly when dealing with your common bolt-ons (particularly a turboback exhaust) and a tune. While its interior is a lot easier on the eyes than the previous Evos, the steering wheel isn't a Momo piece (and doesn't feel as nice to grip), and while it still has Recaros, the materials used aren't as good. Some of the earlier X GSR owners reported the material wearing down prematurely, plus the seating surfaces on the X MR (which are fairly similar to what was standard on the IX) seem to have gone down in quality and feel too rubbery. And while it is slightly easier to daily drive (slightly more road compliant, cruise control, etc.), it is a bigger car (which has its drawbacks, obviously in the weight department but also in other situations, like fitting into tighter spaces if you have to parallel park) but has a MUCH smaller trunk as a result of the battery being placed in there.

I've owned two Evo IXs (both daily driven) and have driven Evo Xs and came close to trading up for a X GSR, but in the end, I'm glad that I held onto my IX SE since I feel as though I'm happier now still having it compared to if I had replaced it with the X GSR that I was looking at. I think back to my test drive, where I could definitely sense the X's higher cornering capabilities, but it just wasn't as enjoyable as driving a IX. And as the years passed, I grew happier with my decision. Maintenance on the Xs may be slightly more involving and expensive from what I remember (as you are now introducing the S-AYC unit into the mix), and it gets even more expensive if you have a TC-SST-equipped model, which does add a big chunk to the cost for each service interval. Also, just considering stock wear-and-tear parts, you're dealing with larger tires that will cost more money, and some people who really push their cars will have to replace tires much sooner, as some people (which also includes publications) sited the effectiveness of the S-AYC possibly accelerating tire wear.