just sold my daily driver and looking to invest in one of these awd monsters . . . question is which one to get? . . . they are both priced similar used . . . my opinion is that the evo is cheaper to make faster, while the sti seems to be more durable . . . whatcha think??

-UPDATED!-
it was a tough decision, but after driving a '05 Evo MR and a '06 STI (i up'd the years due to minor problems w/both early models) . . .

and i'm sure i'll get wrecked for saying the following, but:
-STI offered the edge in drivability (needed less work to go fast/smoother power delivery)
-driver controlled center differential (actually works!)
-subjectively better looks (rally blue w/matching interior), its no evo . . . but isn't beauty only skin deep?
-burble sound out of the flat four cannot be mistaken for a riced up Honda (i'm not implying that the evo does)!

thx to all that participated!! :-)

Evo is cheaper to make faster AND more durable. everyone here had the same situation as you whether they were both used or new and obviously all chose the Evo. Almost all the answers you get here will be Evo, and on NASIOC will be STi. Just do some research and drive both. Stock for stock its your preference.

evo.

Post that question on an Evo forum and you'll get biased answers.

My suggestion is drive both, and see which one you like the most and go from there. Yes, the Evo will make more power for a lesser price.

i thought that through before posting . . . but maybe there are members here that have switched from an sti to an evo, or possbily have both an sti and evo for different reasons . . .

i drove a stage 2 sti and it is fast . . . the powerband is so wide its seemless . . . i've driven a stock evo from a guy who sold me his '02 wrx years back, and the evo didn't seem "alot" faster than the stock '02 wrx which i bought . . . keep in mind he WAS in the car and i couldn't go too nuts w/it . . .

i NEVER WANT TO READ THAT AGAIN. :-)

i UNDERSTAND YOU MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO NUTZ WITH IT BUT THE EVO IS A VERY FAST CAR BONE STOCK....

IF YOU ARE COMPARING A STAGE 2 STI VS A STOCK EVO THAT IS A PRETTY HARD COMPARISON.

DRIVE BOTH YOU MAY LOVE THE STI, I PREFERED THE EVO.

don think twice man... get an evo!!!!!

btw, to help you decide, juz check out one of many STI vs EVO video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oSz38uanlY

maybe the evo was broke or leaking boost because 220 hp and 271 are big difference. like everyone else said though, drive both and go from there, they both have different feels

an 04 Sti isn't a great year - I'd recommend an 05 Sti (the last of the best looking). . .the 2007 Sti's are powerful out the box, but then again, the looks are questionable. . .

The 2003 Evo doesn't have a front diff and has a lot of other issues - I'd stay away from an 03 and recommend at least an 05. . .

Agreed, go with an 05 if you can.

What's your budget?

IMO, it comes down to how much you intend to mod and how nice of a car you want. If I intended to not mess with the car much, I'd probably get an STi since the interior is nicer. Otherwise, Evo.

Im guessing since you have narrowed it down to those two an 05 is out of your budget. Personally I own an 05 MR and have a friend who lets me rip around in this 06 sti. Both cars are nice but I prefer my evo over his based on looks and overall performance. Once we started modded it became so clear as to how much more power I am making for less money. With that being said if you can afford the 05 evo do it, if you can not go for the 04 sti and I say that due to the mechanical issues on the 03 evo. At the same time I am no sti expert and am not fully aware of how mechanically stout the 04 is. From my experience you would be better of with an 04 sti than an 03 evo assuming they are both in the same condition. Hope I helped you out.

evo looks so much better

well written . . . does anyone live in eastern pennsylvania that might possibly let me drive an evo like it should be driven?? . . .

thx to everyone for the feedback . . .

I have been on the fence about both for a while also.
The evo definitely looks better IMO, and to hear about more power with less money....that is good.
That is good info about the 03 issues. I will make a note to stay away from those.

The fence my have been broken down now....