Based on my moving to DC which is curvy and hilly and how much I love the EVO's handling and steering, I think the best raw toy of the two to replace my NSX with it was the EVO. I pulled the trigger today. Thanks all of you for your input... The scooby will always be one of my fav's.

 

I recently test drove both. The STi feels larger. It has more body roll, and it the steering isn't as quick. It's a misconception that the STi handling can be cured w/ $600 worth of sway bars. It's not just the suspension, it's the quick ratio steering, which is something that's would be nearly impossible to change on the STi. The STi has more power down low, it's very gradual. In the Evo once you hit 3-3.5k RPM you get slammed into your seat from the turbo spooling, the sensation of speed is more exciting than the STi to me.

Interior wise, the Evo is plain. Nothing flashy about it other than the brushed aluminum Momo steering wheel and the Recaros. And how do the Recaros own. Make the STi seats feel like couch cushions. Exterior, personal pref. I feel the Evo looks sleeker and meaner. Plus the wing is CF and has more finesse, the STi wing looks like a "Uh huh well screw you Mitsu, we can do a park bench too!".

Honestly I feel the Evo is the superior vehicle. I was very much expecting to love the STi and buy one, but after the test drive I just wasn't feeling it so much. Last year I was looking at regular WRXs, and test drove one. I liked it and was very close to buying but decided to save and hold off. So glad I did. The Evo really is an amazing machine.

I would also like to address the fact that the 4G63 engine is time tested and handles boost/upgrades VERY well. At 19.5PSI the engine isn't straining like many would assume. I would say the STi at 14.5PSI is stretched thinner.

You can't go wrong with either, and even when I say one is better than the other, really I would be happy with both, just a little bit more happy with the Evo.

 

Indeed. Really for me it came down to mostly aesthetics. I just like the look of the Evo better. Plus the driver posistion and seating suited me better. I just can't justify spending $30k on a car I walk out to everyday and say "meh, it looks pretty good I guess". I also must be a glutton for punishment cause the Evos suspension feels so nice. It's like being in a Go-Kart, so sticky.

 

The STI and the EVO are both great machines. Where one slacks off the other picks up and vice versa. It all boils down to what you like and what you're comfortable with. In other words what feels good to you and what makes you feel good. I personally would not say that one is better than the other in anything because it's not the car as much as it is the person driving it. Always remember that when you read something about any car in any mag, you are reading a personal opinon of that car. One driver may love a car where as the next driver for the same car does not feel the same about it. So the choice is yours. Get what you like and what makes you have a sh@% eating grin on your face everday that you walk out to it. Just my 2 cents.

 

Ahh... I love the sound of people bickering over the STi vs Evo.

I remember when I first heard that they were releasing the Evolution here in the states, I was effin stoked. Then I saw one at the Auto Show in KC, and my heart dropped. It looked like they were marketing it to a 16 yr. old punk that just want to street race. I was not impressed by the tail lights and the cf wing. And I am more partial to the Evo IV -VI body styles.

Much later I bought an STi. Dont get me wrong the Evo is an impressive machine, but the reason that I love these cars is rally, mostly WRC. Im not just some dude looking to prove myself by purchasing the better car. The newly released STi reminded me of its roots more than the Evo did. I know that most Americans (yes im American) have a hard time realizing that the WRC is the main reason why the Impreza and the Lancer have become the way they are today, and I think that the STi shows its heritage more than the Evo does.

BTW has anyone seen the new Lancer this year in the WRC. That is one mean looking car.

 

The Evo isn't even in the same class as the Sti. Magazines rate cars by which advertiser pumps in the most advertising dollars.
The Sti has a better transmission, rear diff., engine etc. with a lot more room for aftermarket mods without a problem. Lets see how the Evo will last pushing over 450 hp with the stock drivetrain.. The handling comparisons are done on race tracks
with pro drivers..do you think most people would notice the difference that one is better than the other in handling? I think the Sti is a MUCH better built car as well.

 

i went the cheaper route.....while i love the WRX's, i wasn't thrilled by the price and bugs the STI had and then Mitsu....well, mitsu has certain reliability issues that come to mind that i didn't want to deal with. As far as interior goes...i have none so that wasn't an issue. Lastly, both Subaru and Mitsu have big issues with their transmissions not being able to hold up to the power the cars put out after they are tuned....

So I went with an older, more reliable alternative, the GT-FOUR. (it also helps that hardly anyone knows what the hell my car is)

Anyhow, if you want a car for drag racing, the STI seems to be good to go but the EVO has it beat on handling. I personally like Subaru better but if I was going to buy a WRX, I'de swap in everything I could from the Japanese STI because all the knocking my friend's STOCK STI gets makes me a little uneasy about this North American only setup...

 

I'm not big on body kits (plus there are no decent kits for my car available except the WRC front bumper and hood which are already on the car) an the vinyl.....well, i work at a japanese aftermarket importing company and the car is used for display and such so it wasn't all my choice hehe It's the WRC Castrol scheme not rice graphics so i didn't object.




As for mods go, i have a ST205 engine/tranny/rear diff setup as well as tons of mods. (this is like putting an '04 STI engine/tranny/rear diff into a GC8) I assure you it has the ***** to back up the graphics