Debating on what to get and would like some thoughts from people who has/had either one. I'm wanting an AWD turbo so it's between WRX, STI or an EVO. I've seen most people say the subie is better for a DD and evo's are better if your looking to do a lot of modding. I'm not planning on going over 450-500whp with which ever I decide to go with.

 

WRX or STI should not even be an option if you are looking for 500whp. You can make 400-450whp on a stock bottom end with an Evo. Just watch the torque, keep it under 400. You will spend a lot more money making a 500whp Sti reliable compared to a 500whp Evo. Your wallet will be happier with an Evo. Also do some searching, this topic has been covered. And also check out Subie forums and see what people are doing to keep their cars reliable at that power level.

 

Huh, that's interesting that the folks you have talked to say the Subie is a better DD - I've heard the opposite.

From what I understand, the Subaru WRX STi suffers a bit from understeer (last gen, not current gen, haven't read much on the to be released one). The STi is faster on a straightaway, but for corners, the Evo is superior. If that's the case, I would assume the Evo is a better DD.

The Evo is my first performance car and I will admit, it rides pretty stiff. But not so much that it is uncomfortable, or that would make me consider getting a different DD. The bucket seats were a little strange initially as well. I don't have power seats in my Evo either, so it took a while to adjust them exactly how I wanted it, but now it's not a bother.

Consumer reports seems to like Subaru's better for reliability, but if you're planning on modding it anyway, that may not be a big consideration for you.

 

I use to own a 2005 STi and now own a 2010 Evo. STi has a couple strong points, but I would pick the Evo. STi has a great transmission and the 59/41 torque split front/rear (was 65/35 in my 05) makes it feel more RWD but still has AWD grip. Everything else is better on the Evo in my opinion.

 

Drove the STI before I got my EVO 8. I owned 9 subies that i had a lot of fun with. Then I drove the EVO and I haven't looked back. Evo is just all around better in my opinion. But that's all it is. i still love my boxers though.

 

When you ask "What would you pick?" on an EVO forum, isn't the answer obvious?

I did look at the WRX and STi, before I bought my EVO VIII, back in 2003.

The WRX would have taken a lot of modding to get into contention with the handling of the others.
The seats weren't great in either the STi or the EVO, but the EVO had Recaros, so if I wanted to upgrade, any other Recaro would fit on the same mounts.
(I never did bother to upgrade the seats, as they were okay for a DD -- just bad on cross-country trips.)
The '03 STi had odd wheels that would have cost a fortune to replace, while the EVO used less expensive Enkei wheels that were just as light.
(I did wind up getting ASA wheels to hold my winter tires for the EVO.)

The EVO had a sunroof, the STi didn't. The EVO had a stereo, the ('03) STi charged extra for it.
The EVO had a rear wiper, the STi didn't.

But one telling point: I asked the scooby salesman to point out the thermostat on the STi. -- He couldn't find it.
And the EVO dealer where I bought my VIII (in MA) had a lot of modded ricers in the shop, being upgraded.
Which dealer would you want to use for service?

In '03, the "STi" and the EVO went head-to-head in SCCA Rallye.
The EVO won -- mostly due to finishing more rallyes.
(Granted, the "STi" couldn't use it's 2.5L engine in the 2.0 L series, so that may have hurt its reliability.)

Shortly after that, Scooby "softened" the STi, so it became a big loser to the EVO's handling.
(And that was even *before* the USDM EVO got the AWC/AYC.)
What scooby is claiming for the "new" STi is just promises, until journalists get to thrash it around a track.


When it came time to update the DD, the STi wasn't in the short list.
With a slightly bum knee, I wanted to hedge my bets with paddle shifters for the DD.
So I looked at a 911C4, and a GTR, ...
... and then got an EVO X MR for half the price.

The MR's twin clutch is built by Getrag (who also builds the twin clutch for the Ferrari 458).
The 6DCT450 on the MR will limit how much you can upgrade power from the mill, but I'm liking it better than I thought I would.
(I hadn't owned a two pedal car since the Nixon era.)

 

I owned both. I bought a 2003 Evo back in 2004-2005. Maybe great numbers performance wise. I drive the Evo up to around 111k before selling it and decide to get my wife a car and played with civic and bikes. The DD on Evo was loud and rough due to the all the Mods. But the car performed amazing.

I just picked up a 2008 STI Hatch. The reason behind the purchase was because I wanted a more comfortable drive. I really wanted to get an Evo 9 or Evo x, but in my area people wanted over 25-26k for a high mileage car which I thought was ridiculous.

My STI was under 35k miles and I paid less than 23k. Depends on your budget and what you want with the car. IMO Evo's are the best performance/track cars. It will take you more money to build a STI to get where the Evo is.

Maybe down the road after this STI (see where modding takes me) I'll try to get another Evo.