Somebody needs to talk some sense into me...I sold my EVO a couple months ago and I'm considering getting an 2005 Subaru WRX STi. I know when the 2005 EVO MR comes out, it's going to cost about $34,900 and due to its limited production, it's sure to add on a dealer mark up (or greedy dealers will use them for decorations in their showrooms since we're smart enough not to pay their ridiculous mark up.) I'd love to have the EVO MR but given the price difference over the STi, I think I might just go with the STi. I can get the STi at invoice for $31,280 ($33,434 sticker) so I'm looking into do it.

I love the 4G63T engine and I've been a big fan for years since I have a 300+ hp Eagle Talon TSi AWD and a stock Mitsu Eclipse GS-T (FWD). I had a 400+ hp Eagle Talon TSi AWD with a full race motor but I sold that car also. If anyone has some reliable feedback about the STi (not my girlfriend's mother's dentist's second cousin had one) then please provide it. I know we're all biased towards the EVO (including me so please don't flame) but I know some people might have friends that own the STi or may have even switched over from a regular WRX so I'd appreciate any CONSTRUCTIVE feedback. Thanks.

 

Guess I'm curious as to why you sold the Evolution.

Both cars are solid buys, just a bit different driving style. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

 

i have 9 friends with the STI which 4 of them are the 05's. all i am going to say is that it is a fantastic car and you will not regret it. it is a lot better for daily driving than the EVO and the 05's have a great interior and a better handling to boot. i say go for it. as far as reliabilty goes, i owned my WRX for 2 years and never had a single problem. i know that all my friend's are very happy with their cars and the only one that had a problem was because he was an idiot and decided to do burnouts with the car.

 

Thanks, this is the kind of feedback I was looking for and not the typical highschooler saying Subaru sucks...blah...blah (no offense to highschoolers since I was once one). When I bought my EVO in July of 2003, I was kind of undecided between the EVO and the STi but considering the STi just came out and there was about a $5k markup on the STi, the EVO was a nobrainer. As much as I loved the EVO, I just got tired of the econobox rooted interior of the EVO.

I had sold my '96 Infiniti I30t 5 speed before I got my EVO so I kind of missed a nicer interior. As far as the drive, I loved the EVO drive. Performancewise, the EVO was slightly slower than my Eagle (I know, I could have modded the EVO but I wanted to keep it relatively mild because if you mod every car you get, you'll be bankrupt soon). The ride of the EVO was fine since my Eagle with KYB adjustable struts and Eibachs rides a bit stiffer. I originally planned on getting a ridiculously high powered sedan (i.e. used BMW 540i 6 speed, Volvo S60R, etc.) but I think the boy racer inside of me beat up the civilized businessman inside of me.

 

I had a STI and traded for an EVO. I knew within 30 seconds on the EVO test drive that I had to have it. My only regret is not test driving the EVO before buying the STI first.

Both cars are equally capable from the factory. It's your call to make. For my performance driving needs (autocross) the evo is the better choice. If I were to go snowboarding or skiing, then the STI might be a better choice.

good luck!!

 

Thanks. I should have met you sooner. I could have traded you my blue by you EVO for your STi and we both could have saved some money.

 

I hear you on the luxury sport-sedan debacle. I was really on the fence a while back about getting an A6 2.7T. Off-lease they're cheap, and with the 6-speed and sport package, they aren't bad. There's nothing to be said about Audi interiors as well. I can't imagine entertaining consultants and such in the Evolution -- it's bad enough with the Eclipse.

With the Evolution, I decided if I was going to go for a "sports car" I was going all-out, or not at all. My list used to include items like the S60R, 350Z... extremely varied. Then it was whittled down the the Evolution, S2000, and Elise. The Elise was ruled out simply because it's "too" hardcore. The Evolution ended up being the choice simply because I can get into it a few months earlier than the S2000, my dealership is wonderful to work with, and fewer issues in the winter. Oh yeah, and it goes like stink.

To me, I've decided I can live without luxury. I had an F-150XL, which's interior was extremely basic. My Eclipse GT -- despite the leather package -- still is average at best (big sea of black plastic). To me, the Evolution really is just keeping the status quo. I'll pick up a daily driver eventually though.

For the STi vs. Evo, performance wise they are a bit difference. The STi has more grunt down-low (the '04s at least), and you can induce oversteer if you take a corner too hot to correct. The interior is average -- more or less what you'd expect in an Accord I'd suppose. I didn't choose the Subie simply because I could get a good deal on the MR with my dealership, I wanted the MR's exlusivity, and with the car destined for life on the track, I'll take every slight advantage I can get. The aluminum block also added a lot of hesitation, as well as memories of my parents' 94 Legacy wagon that had nothing but non-stop electrical gremlins.

Give the STi a shot and see if it floats your boat. If not, there's plenty of other toys out there.

 

You'd probably really enjoy the 05 STi. I just drove a friend of mine's 05 with the STi pink suspension, harded mounts, etc. It felt really nice, and turned much better than a stock STi, so I'd consider doing some minor suspension work to the car. The 05's turbo was tweaked a bit to give more top end power, and a bit less low end. I think this feels pretty good around town, but I personally liked the 04's lower end grunt. The addition of the helical front LSD to the 05 also made the turn in a bit nicer. The 05 also has some wider rubber too (but I'm sure you knew all this)

As others have said, the STi is a nicer car to drive daily, and the tranny is a lot nicer to row through the gears. What you're probably going to find is that the STi doesn't feel quite as precise as the Evo. That's the only reason I got my Evo over an STi (and I used to have a WRX to boot). In addition to that, the STi is a bit brutish when it comes to power delivery and maneuvering (sp?). The STi sort of manhandles you through corners, where as the Evo feels like it's doing what YOU want.

What it comes down to is what you feel comfortable doing. I personally don't think you'd regret an 05 STi one bit :-)

 

heres how i feel the mr is gonna be at dealers in what a few weeks correct.. wellt hat gives you time to save up some more money and buy that... if not get just your base 2004 ( non rs)... but if it were me i'd save for the MR... but hey best of luck.. oh and about the sti.. great car as well. but i'm an evo guy.. i'm not hatin on sti's solid cars but i'm all evo

 

05 STis are sweet. If I had a bit more $$ I'd pick one up myself. I say go for it.

 

don't get the MR.you all ready ditched your first evo,what makes you think you'll enjoy the MR.not that different at all.go with the sti.it sounds more like your style

 

There is a very limited number of cars you will own from birth to death and so many cool-*** cars out there. Life is too short to own the same car twice. Get the STi.

 

Evo has better handling. I took on an STi Today to 110mph through twitsties and he could not hang on the turns. The Sti would be a better daily car and you could fit in with your friends.

Evo for handles, easy to make power more cheaply, and cheaper sticker price.
STi to fit in, more recognized (Lance A), better driveability at low rpm.

 

i had the same question, but when i sat in my buddies sti, i had to go with the evo. truth be told i leaned toward the sti, but i was way to big to fit in those seats. you will be happy with either. both cars are great, but my local sti dealer wanted 44k for an 05 sti. f that. i cooked right over to the mitsu dealer and did the deed. plus the evo came with the maintenance deal. synthetic every 3k for free. cant beat that, plus any other scheduled service. not enough alone to make or break the deal but a great perk. i am not sure if most of the people on the board understand how hard it will be to get an mr. i mean out here in oregun, the dealers if they get them in, will be marking up the hell out of them. they mark up the hell out of everything else. i was denied a test drive in a frickin mini- because i wouldnt let them run my credit. they were asking 30k for an 04 s. do your research either way, and dont get screwed. good luck

 

He's right Free maintenance and 2 years more basic warrenty (as long as you don't void it). We've all read the Motor Trend reviews and the Evo MR comes out on top. Hey if price is the big issue come see us in Santa Monica and I promise to sell it to you at MSRP.

But don't get me wrong I love the STI too, but hey this is an EVO. Honestly, you can't tell if you pulled up to a stop light in a brand new 05 EVO MR and in the lane right next to was a 05 WRX STI, that you would ever regret your decision.

Now just in the opposite, If you had just purchased that new 05 STI. Wouldn't feel just the slightest of resentment knowing the that if the driver is equal in skill, he would so own you.(on the track of course)

Hey I know I'm not being modest but I'm say the simple truth.....?!!