[boostincincy]

Hey there STI owners, I currently have an 07 GTI which I love, and is making about 240 whp and can almost keep up with you guys, but I simply desire to go the AWD route, sincee we have snowy winters, plus they just look too damn good. But I just cant decide between the EVO and an STI. I've already been lurking around on evolutionm for a while now, and it seems this is what I've gathered:

EVO: Easier and cheaper to create more power, I love how they look/sound, but the clutch is very weak and WILL be replaced atleast once, and Mitsubishi are absolute assholes about mods and warranty issues.

STI: More expensive to try to make the same power, but more reliable. Clutches are alot more rigid, as is the car in general. Suspension is softer, and the interior is a little cheaper. But subaru is a lot more friendlier with modding, and I was told they gave free one year memberships to SCCA.

Now, I am in college and I work my ass off as well as do videography stuff on the side +live at home, so I make pretty good money for a college student, however I cannot afford to be fixing the damn thing all the time. I would just like to get 320 whp or so out of her eventually and the rest being exterior mods.

What here is accurate or false?
How much would it cost to achieve those numbers?
And why did you choose the STI over an EVO?

I know it's a lot but forums are all there is to gather accurate information. Thanks in advance!

[JD_STI]

Originally Posted by boostincincy

But subaru is a lot more friendlier with modding,

I would say that one is false. I don't know of any car manufacturer that is friendly about modding. It is more of an issue with the actual dealerships and every one is different.

[Hitman83]

I would say you're right about everything except what was pointed out above ^^^ and that the interior of the STI is cheaper. My advice is to test drive both of them and decide for yourself. Keep in mind that 320whp out of an STI will likely rquire a turbo upgrabe whereas a stage 2 EVO can put down those numbers without upgrading the turbo. However, you'll never get the low end torque of the STI out of an EVO. These are 2 very similar cars on paper that drive VERY differently on the road. Trust me if you test drive them both back to back you'll know immediately which one you want. FWIW I went with the STI because it felt more rugged.

edit: never heard about the free SCCA membership but even if they offer it I'd pass because it's only 40 bucks and accepting it only gives them a reason to pull the "abuse" card

[RevTo9K]

I went with the Subaru because of reliability and a torquier feel. I think most people here would agree that you can't really go wrong with either one. It's just a matter of your preference. They are both spectacular cars, and they are in a class all their own. You're gonna love it no matter which way you go.

[Draco-REX]

I chose the 07 STI for it's looks over the EVO 8 and 9, higher reliability, and better safety. I also like the H4 concept, and rock solid drivetrain.

Now I was considering waiting for the Evo X; very seriously so. But when it came down to it, the 07 was proven, something I'd been wanting for 4 years, and has an existing aftermarket.

However, if you were to park an Evo X next to an 08 STI and ask me choose right now, it'd be the X without a moment to think. Of course that may change once we start seeing side-by-side comparisons.

[WRB Kid]

Originally Posted by emkingsb

These are 2 very similar cars on paper that drive VERY differently on the road. Trust me if you test drive them both back to back you'll know immediately which one you want.

Completely correct

[esqdgg]

b/c the mitsu dealer refused to make meet or make a better deal than the one subi made.

[stratguitarist]

The EVO's transfer case will need to be replaced more than likley as well. Buddy of mine just sold his because of his transfer case starting to go and not having the cash to fix it. His car put down 280whp and had 80k miles on it, never tracked, just spirited driving. Point being the STI is considerably more reliable. 320whp (or close to it) should be able to be achieved with a stage 2 setup depending on your dyno. I love the STI community as well compared to the EVO's.

[ninjaboy76]

I've been lucky enough to own both. I had an 04 STI prior to owning my IX SE. There are positives and negatives with both cars. If you do some searching I know you will find plenty of threads just like this. The following is my opinion and somewhat of a review:

Modding:
Evo > STI

The Evo is cheaper to make fast, but that all depends on how crazy you want to get with the car. If you are content with the hp the stock turbo will get you then yes it is cheaper to mod. After that though the evo catchs up with the STI and it can quickly become a wash as to which costs more to mod. Turbo kits and all of the supporting mods that come with them get to be pretty pricey. In the end though the Evo is capable of making more power!

Engine:
Evo > STI

The 4G63 is a proven engine that can handle lots of abuse and can handle more HP overall when compared to the EJ257 boxer motor of the STI. Now don't get me wrong the EJ257 is no slouch. There are quite a few STIs out there running around with close to 500whp with stock internals, but the Subi motor doesn't seem to hold up to detonation as well as the evo motor and the weak point of the EJ257 is the ringlands and pistons. Now there are quite a few Evo guys pushing 500-600 whp on stock internals, but most on here agree that 500whp is pushing the limit of the stock bottom end. It seems to me that most evo motor failures are due to over revving which can stretch the rod bolts. The Evo motor is certainly easier to work on when compared to the STI. You swap out the bottom end of the 4G63 without even removing it from the car. The EJ257 boxer motor can be a pain to do anything with.

Drivetrain:

STI > Evo

Now of course there are quite a few guys on here that are making a ton of power and they are still on the stock tranny and transfer case, but I find a lot more " I have tranny issues" threads on here compared to the STI forums. I owned an STI for 2 years, and am still very active on the STI forums today and I still couldn't refer you to a place to have your tranny rebuilt. There are a few STIs making 600-700 whp that are still on the stock tranny. On evom everyone learns or knows that its Shep, TRE, and now the Bushwacker tranny and transfer case rebuilds FTW. If you drive the two cars you will automatically feel the difference between the two. The Evo tranny is very notchy compared to the STI tranny.

Handling:

Evo > STI

The isn't much to explain here except that the Evo stock vs. stock will out handle the STI. The evo has very quick steering, and tends to wander the road if you are not paying attention at all times. The only thing I don't like about the evo is its turning radius. I find myself making three point turns in situations where I could easily just do a u-turn in the STI . Ok that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but still it definately doesn't turn as tight as the STI.

Ride Quality:

Evo > STI

There have been many improvements over the years since the 04 STI came out, but I recently drove a friends 07 STI, and on certain roads I still got the pogo stick ride that my 04 had, but not as bad. I hated the ride quality of my 04 STI. If there were any cyclic roadways or highways, you would be bouncing up and down in the seat. I read a few threads about some people actually getting sick to thier stomachs. The evo doesn't even notice the cyclic roadways, but it certainly notices joints and cracks. It really isn't anymore jarring though than the STI.

Interior:

Evo = STI

Ok a lot of people on the "good side of the force" (STI owners) tend to look down upon the Evo interior. I on the other hand really think it is right there with the STIs with a few exceptions.

Stereo Evo > STI
Seats Evo > STI (unless you are to BIG to fit into them)
Gauge cluster STI > Evo
Fit and finish STI = Evo
HVAC STI > Evo


Warranty issues:

STI > Evo

Subaru is a little better at taking care of warranty issues even with mods on the car. Plus Subaru is now selling thier own line of aftermarket parts, and there are quite a few dealers that sell Cobb and Perrin products right out of there service departments . This doesn't mean though that you won't run into warranty issues with Subaru as many people have. I really think its a matter of luck as to how good your local stealership is with honoring your warranty if you are modding the car.

[knowlm]

Its A Subaru!!!!

[05-WHITE-STI]

Both are very good cars! I was as well thinking about an MR evo! What got me the STI is the fact that the tranny is bullet proof! I personally love the interior of the 05 STI. I love how it has crazy low end torque(rare for a 4 banger) Now i do like the EVO in the since that im a hp freak and they make a little more power mod for mod(correct me if im wrong)... Either way theyre both bad ASS cars.

[futurestiguy]

Boxer Rumble! Nuf Said

[05-WHITE-STI]

Originally Posted by futurestiguy

Boxer Rumble! Nuf Said

[futurestiguy]

oh ya and the community, you dont see evos waving to outlanders and regular lancers. When you buy a subaru, you join a loving family.

[ninjaboy76]

Originally Posted by futurestiguy

oh ya and the community, you dont see evos waving to outlanders and regular lancers. When you buy a subaru, you join a loving family.

Funny, I never notice people in Foresters, Outbacks, Bajas, or Legacy waving at me when I owned my STI. Maybe I just missed them I can tell you though that when I see an STI owner in my Evo I usually give him a thumbs up, and I have received a thumbs up from STI owners as well.