First off I know that people are going to be biased in this forum because its obviously an Evo forum website. At first I did not consider purchasing an STI because it just didn’t handle anywhere close to the EVO. However with the introduction of the 05 STI has really closed the gap between the EVO MR and the STI. Motor Trend said October 2004 issue and I quote “We believe the average driver will find probing the outer limits of his abilities easier in the Subaru, but a talented driver will be able to outrun him in the Mitsubishi barely.”.

I was #2 (should have been #1 but they are dumbasses) at Stholman Mitsubishi in Northern VA and I sat down and looked at the car (the gray is absolutely gorgeous) and looked at the out the door price with tax tags and freight for $36,8000, and I couldn’t justify the price.



I looked at the 2005 STI and they offered me an out the door price of $31,900 for a base STI in black with gold rims.



The price difference is about $5,000 dollars.



Can any MR owners justify to me a 5 grand difference?



Does anyone know any better dealers in the Metropolitan area (just don’t like Stholman especially since Alfonso left them for the Stholman Subaru dealership)?



Should I consider a regular 05 EVO VIII GSR when I can get an STI for the same price out the door?



I have owned many imports and I am not looking to modify either car. Tired of the police coming down on me and I have already lost 5 grand in one of my cars that was stolen.



Anyone’s input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Try driving both, and then decide for yourself. If you can't drive an MR then try a GSR, both are very comparable ..... Ultimately you have to live with the car, so buy what makes you happy....

 

A) Stohlman is dealera non grata for DCEvoClub - Sheehy and Carmax also have MR's/05gsr's...
B) You're right... 99% of this board is going to say Evo.
C) w/o mods, the performance is similar, it mostly breaks down to style and feel
You really need to find a way to sit in and drive both cars.
D) Even without mods, both cars attract the vigilant eye of law enforcement
E) If you're going to buy an Evo, no more random colors/bolding!
F) Check out www.dcevoclub.com for upcoming meets and show up. That's a good place to check out the Evo first hand and ask questions without the salesman breathing down your neck...

 

get an evo

 

man get the gsr. it can hang with the STI anyday.

 

You can't beat the price on that 05 sti...I would get the non-MR 05 Evo (at invoice) though.

 

If you are debating MR or STI, get the STI. The MR is is just too much money over the regular Evo and STI. Of course if you are getting the car because you want to mod it, then its no contest, get an EVO hands down. I just haven't heard good things about the STI engine when its pushed over 400HP. Too many engines blowing up. Thats my 2 cents.

 

If I could get the MR at invoice it wouldn't be a question MR hands down.

 

they drive very differently. see which one you like better.

 

THe biggest problem with modding the STI is Engine management. I talked with a guy who had 450 or 500 wheel horsepower on his STI and he said that was his main issue. By the way he is on his second motor. The EVO is ten times better for modding just more products to choose from and years of knowledge. THe STI's true potential will not be known for years.

 

It's funny no dealership will let you get behind the wheel of either in this area. I do understand I wouldn't want someone flogging on the car I bought.

 

Evo if you cant afford a MR get a GSR the only differences are the aluminum roof which means you cannot get a sunroof, the 6spd, the Bilstiens and the BBS wheels. Everything else is the same. The 05's have the ACD and front LSD. Also if you want the aluminum roof the RS has it. My self did not like the way the Sti's seats or the smaller interior and the power delivery was different. The Evo was more rocket like where the Sti was very linear. And if you have read the build up of project Sti in Sport Compact car no matter what amount of money they put into it they cannot get it to handle like an Evo.

 

flogging for under 20 miles won't do anything to the car unless they break something right then and there. try to convince them to let you drive one. walk in with a silver briefcase and flash them with the cash. if it's too much trouble to drive both, might i suggest you at least drive the EVO.

 

I read the write up on project STI but that is an 04 STI. Check out Motortrends article on the 05 STI against the 05 MR. They handle differently but overall handeling is very close.

THe interior is definately bigger in the EVO and its one of the reasons I keep going back to looking at the EVO. I am a big guy and I need my comfort.

 

well.. maybe in track times they're pretty close, but the feels are completely different. you gotta drive em. anybody with experience wanna compare the two?