Umm all of Mitsu's line falls apart after 4 years now? And high compression doesn't mean that much because it is a different engine, different turbo, etc. Ride quality isn't that bad at all.. dont really see where you are going with this. The Evo 8 is an excellent car. Reviewers aren't reviewing cost of ownership, as far as I can tell. Do some research and dont be biased about it.

Btw, I'm getting an STi

 

errr...

The Subie has really low treadwear tires too...

I say drive them both, talk to people who have owned Mitsus and Subies, stand back and watch the comments/complaints on the boards, do your research, and buy what you like.

They're both great cars for the money...

I drive a WRX but am leaning toward an Evo. Mitsus poor quality image is weighing heavily on me, so I am researching it myself right now.

Maybe I'll just say screw it, get a Bimmer, and not have to worry about quality...

 

How about the fact that the EVO has ever so slightly wider tires? Won't that also make the EVO handle just that little bit better? How about a test where they use Identical tires on each... That could be interesting.

Keith

 

Interesting thought, but was my understanding that the Evo has 8" rims, while the STi has 7.5", with each suspension tuned for those rim and tire widths, so I don't think that putting identical tires on the cars would result in the apples to apples type of comparo you suggest...

It MIGHT even create undesirable handling characteristics.

Just my $0.02...

 

Well, my understanding is that both the Evo and STi have crazy sticky performance tires with terrible treadwear (i.e. 6-10,000 miles expectancy). I've also heard that the STi brake pads are high performance but have low life expectancy before needing replaced (at something like $700-800 for all four wheels). I imagine the Evo is probably similar (both use Brembos anyway).

I don't imagine those tires are cheap (probably $250-300 each), and having to replace those once per year (or sooner) means about an additional $100 month payment for tires alone ($300 per tire x 4 tires = $1,200/12 = $100/month). If you have to replace the high-wear brakepads each year as well, then you are looking about an additional $50-70 per month. Financing a $30,000 car over 60 months is roughly $600 per month, so if you budget for tire and brake pad replacement on either the STi or Evo, you are probably looking at around $750 per month.


OK, now this begs the question: are there some less expensive yet still good performance all season tires that will fit the STi/Evo rims? How about more generic brake pads? I am willing to give up a couple tenths of skidpad and handling and a few feet of braking distance if I can save some money and make the car a better daily driver. I'll never drive my Evo/STi to 10/10ths performance anyway, so there's no sense in just burning up that hi-po rubber commuting to work in the traffic grind every day.

 

Ahh, but the EVO's tires (235s) are only .39 inches wider. You could easily mount either tire on either rim with out much trouble. Very good point though. I didn't realize the EVO had 8" wide rims. Still, they are wider tires and they should help the car grip better, and at the same weight with both cars (non-sunroofed EVO being a bit lighter) it isn't to shabby that the STi is just a few tenths behind.

Keith

 

yeah, try tirerack.com, search for 225/45/17 tires, or heck go 235/40/17.
BFG KDW, S03, Pilot sport, PZero, etc....

 

070 is comparable to at least S03 s

the A046 is in the same line up as the Advan S tires. which are used for tracks.. i d say it's the equivilence of our R compound tires.



and no.. i don't think they are 250-300 $ each.

i was talking to his guy at the Mitsu Dealership. he said they can sell you the A 046s .. wan't sure of price. should be under 200

if they are above it.. just get Victo Racers. @ 150 ish.