Ok coming from someone who has had them both, and driven them all. I started out in a 2006 STI, it was basic stage 2, fast car for what was done to it, upgraded the suspension slightly and handled great. Daily drove the car 30k miles in 1.5 year, not a single issue, rock solid reliability, and all those were hard miles, by no means did I baby it. It was not an issue at all for being a daily driver, yes it made a few rattles and annoying sounds but other than that very comfortable and not bad to drive long distance either. Always a fun ride.

However you're very limited if you like modding, atleast on the stock shortblock. 400whp is about the limit, and even that you're on borrowed time. This is the reason I moved to the Evo X. The Evo X is also a much more refined car than my GD STI, no weird creaks or noises, almost drove like a Audi but was still, and felt like an Evo. Not like the older ones, which were much more "raw" like the older GD STIs(04-07), the X's engine is also much more stronger too, and overall the X is a superior car than the GD STI. No regrets on the switch.

Also I've driven and ridden in a new 11' sedan on many many occasions. The car is defintely not as sporty as the Evo in stock trim, it feels like a large car(even though it weighs less) and the only reason it feels like it handles well is it has lots of grip. The Evo feels more like a sports car, and is much more nimble in stock form, with equal or better grip, making it more pleasurable to drive. Stock acceleration, I think the Evo is slighty quicker, but both are nothing special, stock. The 11' STI has a bit nicer of an interior also, besides the seats, and I perfer the steering wheel in the X also, but thats just me. The sound system(assuming its the rockford fosgate) is 10x better than the STI system, no questions asked. Mod for mod, the 11' STIs are responding better to basic bolt-ons better than previous years it seems, but engine reliability is just not there if you plan on going past stage 2(TBE/tune). Basically you'll need to get a full TBE/intake/tune to make the same power as just a tuned X, the Evo for sure responds better on the stock turbo, and it doesn't completely fall on its face after 5500rpm compared the tiny snail in the STI. The Evo's engine should be good to 400whp with no issues, and if you're feeling ballsy you can probably even push 500whp, just keep the torque well below 400wtq. I would say which drivetrain is better, is all user dependent. The STI tranny feels a bit more rugged, like it can take more of a beating(which it probably can), but I like the gearing in the X more, than I did my STI.

any more questions just ask, I can basically give you the run down on each of these cars as I have extensive experience with both of them.

 

To everyone who has contributed with your personal preferences, thank you. I know in the end it is my personal preference but I can't even develop a preference without time in each car. Once again thanks.

 

I'm probably just repeating a lot that has already been said, but there's a reason why I've owned two Evos... it's just so much more enjoyable from behind the wheel, where it counts.

Looks is going to be subjective, so I'll leave that alone. The STI generally gets the nod as being easier to live with on a daily basis, but I think with the current models (which I assume you are considering), they're pretty close, as a lot of the big drawbacks about the VIII and IX (no cruise control, very basic amenities, etc.) aren't really there anymore, and I honestly do think that the Evo has the better looking interior this time around. The STI's interior just doesn't flow well, and I think the plastic has a cheaper feel. Subaru owners will tell you otherwise though, but part of me still thinks their mind is set on comparing them to the older interiors.

I just feel like I'm having more fun when I'm in an Evo. Outside of a test drive, I've been in various STIs... I drove my friend's 2004 STi from Las Vegas back home to Newport Beach, and earlier this year, we took a friend's 2008 STI from Newport Beach to June Mountain (just past Mammoth) and back, and both times, I didn't feel as connected to the road. It certainly doesn't make the STI a bad car, as it's better than a lot of other cars out there, but when these two exist, I find myself struggling to ever pick the STI over the Evo (unless it's a situation where you really need a hatchback, but in that case, I'd rather just get the WRX wagon and save the money).

Based on what you said you'll be doing with the car, with that short of a commute, any harshness that the Evo has over the STI isn't going to be significant, assuming you aren't 40 years old with a bad back. Thankfully my commute is much shorter now, but even when I was commuting from Newport Beach to the Irvine Spectrum (which is roughly 14-15 miles each way), my IX never felt uncomfortable to me... though obviously the current Evo X is more compliant, so I'd assume it's even smoother. I do end up driving other cars so it's not as if I'm only in a stiff stock Evo (as my girlfriend has a 2010 Corolla that I drive at least two times a week, one of my best friends has a 1997 Toyota Camry and also a 2004 BMW 330i Convertible that I might drive if we go out and he ends up drinking), and it's not bad at all.

For the mods that you are considering, the gains you will see in both cars, the Evo will already be so much farther ahead compared to what an STI would see from those same mods. But if you want to stay stock, it's already a very capable car. I don't mean to magazine race, but I think Road & Track did a 13.0-second quarter-mile in an Evo X GSR (and that's with the manual), plus it's always ranking very high when it comes to handling, evident from its really good lap times on various courses.

 

i love my evo 8

 

Hey again everyone. Thanks for all the replies. Sorry I haven't been a part of this lately, 12+ hour days and I can't log in to evom from work makes it tough to reply.

So another question then for those that have made the switch: if you were to keep the car stock for a couple years and just DD it and maybe hit the quarter a couple times with friends or whatever, which would you go with?

The reason I ask this is that a lot of the responses are based off of the fact that the Evos can make power easier than STis.

 

I didn't make the switch (never owned an STI though I was strongly considering one, like most people), but having owned two Evos and driven a few STIs belonging to friends on long trips, the shortcomings of the Evo when it comes to being a DD don't bother me. My current Evo is still bone stock, the way it was when I took it home from the dealership five years ago. I know it can make more power, but the stock levels are plenty.

 

Both great cars i went from an 07 wrx to my 03 evo 8 because the boxer motors get to be the biggest pain and nothing is just a simple fix with those cars. overall im way happier with my evo although the comfort of the wrx was nice to have.