Test drove STI and Evo back to back...

merlot · 05-12-2008, 06:22 AM

No surprise to me, neither dealer was too willing to let me test drive them since buyers like low mileage cars, and I'm no exception. However, I still need to test drive before I buy (I'll be in the market for a new car in 6 months). Anyway, I was respectful to both cars despite being edged on by salesman to "open it up".

As soon as I pulled in the Subaru dealer I was in love with the blue (non-BBS) STI sitting out front. I never drove an STI before, but I'm no stranger to the WRX as I've logged 124k+ miles on mine. Seats are comfy, but not as supportive as mine (or the EVO's). Still, support is not as bad as I suspected.

The transmission was BEAUTIFUL. The engagements were smooth and precise, and the clutch was fairly light. I was in love. However, the stick seemed to sit up higher than in my WRX. It was a bit odd, but I'm sure I'd get use to it. The EVO's on the other hand, would grind 2nd and 3rd gear (seems to be an issue after checking the evo forums). The throws were a bit long, and engagement was not as positive as the STI's.

I left the car in Sport# and Auto minus. Power from down low was much better than my WRX (my biggest pet peeve with it). I dipped into the throttle a bit and felt a nice surge in the 3-4.5k area. I did not go full throttle or high RPMs since the car was still in the breakin period. The EVO felt pretty similar in this regard.

Ride comfort and noise isolation is much improved over my '03 WRX. The interior is another big improvement. Much nicer materials, and great familiar layout. The EVO was nice too, but I felt more comfortable in the STI since I'm more familiar with Subarus. The interior space in the STI by far beats my WRX and the EVO. So much cargo space in the back in the seats folded down. The EVO, on the other hand, had a tiny trunk. In fact it was smaller than my WRX trunk.

So the STI has jumped to the top of my list, knocking the EVO down and the 135i (I haven't test drove one yet, but did drive the 128i). I love the versatility of it, and my fiancee likes it too. Although I have more test drives down the road, I think my mind is set the STI is the car for me. I envy all you lucky '08 owners! At least until I have one parked in my driveway.

JuggernautTCW · 05-12-2008, 08:26 AM

how was the evo X at lower RPMs (2k - 3.5k)?

merlot · 05-12-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuggernautTCW

how was the evo X at lower RPMs (2k - 3.5k)?

I'd say around 3K, dipping into the throttle produced some decent power. Neither car felt as sluggish as my WRX at the lower RPMs.

Stedenko · 05-12-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlot

I'd say around 3K, dipping into the throttle produced some decent power. Neither car felt as sluggish as my WRX at the lower RPMs.

Turning the VDC to "traction" mode seems to make things a bit zippier in the '08 STI as well. Maybe it's in my head, but I don't think so. The manual talks about a "torque reducer" that is on by default. You hold down the VDC button for 3 seconds and the little slipping car light on the dash turns green.

My ritual when I get in the car is: S#, Auto[-], VDC to green.

If you get another chance to test drive, try it out.

SCMedic · 05-12-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stedenko

Turning the VDC to "traction" mode seems to make things a bit zippier in the '08 STI as well. Maybe it's in my head, but I don't think so. The manual talks about a "torque reducer" that is on by default. You hold down the VDC button for 3 seconds and the little slipping car light on the dash turns green.

My ritual when I get in the car is: S#, Auto[-], VDC to green.

If you get another chance to test drive, try it out.

I do the same damn thing, and it makes me mad that they won't stay where you set them...

Stedenko · 05-12-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCMedic

I do the same damn thing, and it makes me mad that they won't stay where you set them...

Yeah, it's true. I'd love to know their logic for that. In my case it works out pretty well because my wife doesn't like S# and prefers I. I also like it for Valet drivers and any other driver who isn't me. This could be why they did it. Who knows.

Still, those 3 steps plus the step of hitting "agree" on the Nav system feels like a pilot doing the pre-flight checks. It's a lot of steps before pulling out.

upncummr · 05-12-2008, 11:14 AM

You're likely to miss the great seats in the '02/'03 WRX. The '04 and later seats just don't stack up in my opinion.

Other than that, I think the '08 interior is really nice.

Gary

07 Flt4bxr · 05-12-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stedenko

Still, those 3 steps plus the step of hitting "agree" on the Nav system feels like a pilot doing the pre-flight checks. It's a lot of steps before pulling out.

Rum · 05-12-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stedenko

Turning the VDC to "traction" mode seems to make things a bit zippier in the '08 STI as well. Maybe it's in my head, but I don't think so. The manual talks about a "torque reducer" that is on by default.

I thought the torque limiting only took place when the stability of the car is upset and/or you lose traction. Is this not accuarate? My impression was that under normal driving the torque reducer isn't doing anything.

S'poreSTI · 05-12-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rum

I thought the torque limiting only took place when the stability of the car is upset and/or you lose traction. Is this not accuarate? My impression was that under normal driving the torque reducer isn't doing anything.

I thought so too, after reading the manual. But don't discount the placebo effect. When i first got mine, i could've sworn the S# mode made the steering feel sharper

to the OP, Good call on the WRB. Dont waste more time, go order one! with the BBS is even better looking

samleeiii · 05-12-2008, 12:10 PM

Get an 08 STi, do it man! Do it!

I've had mine for about a week and I'm still yelling to the car that I love it with all my heart... when I'm alone of course.

***mossie4*** · 05-12-2008, 12:13 PM

I have had mine for only a few weeks now and also love it. I hit 1,000 miles and did the first Auto-X with it this last weekend.

I also wonder why those settings don't "stick" and made the mistake of not setting things correctly before my 2nd run. It really does make a difference...as I found out when I remembered before my 3rd run!

Mykl · 05-12-2008, 12:33 PM

That must be really irritating.

merlot · 05-12-2008, 12:37 PM

If I could get it today I would! I have a wedding and honeymoon coming up in a few months. I need to get those pesky things out of the way before I can get to the good stuff.

Good thing the finacee doesn't read these forums...

Rootus · 05-12-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mossie4

I also wonder why those settings don't "stick" and made the mistake of not setting things correctly before my 2nd run. It really does make a difference...as I found out when I remembered before my 3rd run!

Does the AP allow reconfiguring the defaults? Back when I had my '03 Cobra, the Predator (similar to an AP) would allow reconfiguration of some settings like that.

05-12-2008, 06:22 AM	#1
merlot Amateur STI Driver Posts: 12 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Test drove STI and Evo back to back... No surprise to me, neither dealer was too willing to let me test drive them since buyers like low mileage cars, and I'm no exception. However, I still need to test drive before I buy (I'll be in the market for a new car in 6 months). Anyway, I was respectful to both cars despite being edged on by salesman to "open it up". As soon as I pulled in the Subaru dealer I was in love with the blue (non-BBS) STI sitting out front. I never drove an STI before, but I'm no stranger to the WRX as I've logged 124k+ miles on mine. Seats are comfy, but not as supportive as mine (or the EVO's). Still, support is not as bad as I suspected. The transmission was BEAUTIFUL. The engagements were smooth and precise, and the clutch was fairly light. I was in love. However, the stick seemed to sit up higher than in my WRX. It was a bit odd, but I'm sure I'd get use to it. The EVO's on the other hand, would grind 2nd and 3rd gear (seems to be an issue after checking the evo forums). The throws were a bit long, and engagement was not as positive as the STI's. I left the car in Sport# and Auto minus. Power from down low was much better than my WRX (my biggest pet peeve with it). I dipped into the throttle a bit and felt a nice surge in the 3-4.5k area. I did not go full throttle or high RPMs since the car was still in the breakin period. The EVO felt pretty similar in this regard. Ride comfort and noise isolation is much improved over my '03 WRX. The interior is another big improvement. Much nicer materials, and great familiar layout. The EVO was nice too, but I felt more comfortable in the STI since I'm more familiar with Subarus. The interior space in the STI by far beats my WRX and the EVO. So much cargo space in the back in the seats folded down. The EVO, on the other hand, had a tiny trunk. In fact it was smaller than my WRX trunk. So the STI has jumped to the top of my list, knocking the EVO down and the 135i (I haven't test drove one yet, but did drive the 128i). I love the versatility of it, and my fiancee likes it too. Although I have more test drives down the road, I think my mind is set the STI is the car for me. I envy all you lucky '08 owners! At least until I have one parked in my driveway. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

05-12-2008, 08:26 AM	#2
JuggernautTCW Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 05 WRX Sedan Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 378 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Test drove STI and Evo back to back... how was the evo X at lower RPMs (2k - 3.5k)?

05-12-2008, 11:14 AM	#7
upncummr Spec C Club Car: '05 CGM Fav Mod: HPDEs Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 1,187 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Test drove STI and Evo back to back... You're likely to miss the great seats in the '02/'03 WRX. The '04 and later seats just don't stack up in my opinion. Other than that, I think the '08 interior is really nice. Gary

05-12-2008, 12:10 PM	#11
samleeiii STI Driver Car: 08 WRB STi Fav Mod: Cusco Zero 2E Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 283 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Test drove STI and Evo back to back... Get an 08 STi, do it man! Do it! I've had mine for about a week and I'm still yelling to the car that I love it with all my heart... when I'm alone of course.

05-12-2008, 12:13 PM	#12
*mossie4* Platinum Member Car: 08 STI AW Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 81 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Test drove STI and Evo back to back... I have had mine for only a few weeks now and also love it. I hit 1,000 miles and did the first Auto-X with it this last weekend. I also wonder why those settings don't "stick" and made the mistake of not setting things correctly before my 2nd run. It really does make a difference...as I found out when I remembered before my 3rd run!

05-12-2008, 12:33 PM	#13
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: ZZYZX Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 2,751 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Test drove STI and Evo back to back... That must be really irritating.

05-12-2008, 12:37 PM	#14
merlot Amateur STI Driver Posts: 12 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Test drove STI and Evo back to back... If I could get it today I would! I have a wedding and honeymoon coming up in a few months. I need to get those pesky things out of the way before I can get to the good stuff. Good thing the finacee doesn't read these forums...