I sold my '94 3000GT VR-4 about 6 months ago. I am starting to get an itch for some all wheel power again, and both the Evo and the STi will be coming out shortlty. I was wondering if I could get some non-bias pros and cons for each.

I really liked the quality of my Mitsu, except for being able to get tranny parts.

The STi has 29+HP and a 6spd, the Evo will come out first and is $3k cheaper. So what are some of the other differences between the two?


Any feedback would be very appreciated.

 

I'm sure you're going to get a lot of replies to this thread and a million-and-one different opinions......it all depends on what you really want, what you can afford, when you want to take delivery of the car (and whether you're prepared to pay over MSRP in some instances, depending on where you live and whether you're already on the waiting list etc.) whether you intend to mod (or leave stock) and whether brand loyalty plays a big role.

I think historically for JDM STi versus Evo, the Evo has always had a slight edge in terms of performance/handling (and styling in my opinion). However, for the USDM models I really think the Evo is second best on paper and that's a totally impartial opinion. If you've read any of the motoring press, you already know that the US Evo is a "watered-down" version relative to the UK and JDM versions (no 6 speed box, no electronic differentials/active yaw control, below par bhp/torque ratings and a re-worked front-end styling compared to Evo VII.....which I really dislike compared to the Evo VII)..........if you've browsed EvolutionM.Net, and read between the lines, a lot of people are not happy with the compromises Mitsu have made to keep the price below $30k, though they're trying to put a brave face on it.

Personally, if I could afford $30k for the Evo, I'd beg, steal and borrow to find the ~$32k needed for the STi........for me the difference between the two is night and day. You can argue all day long about how good a modded Evo might be (it's already running 19 psi out the box at around 271 bhp, so "simple" boost increases may be detrimental to the engine without other expensive internal mods), but I think a modded US Sti will always dollar-for-dollar be ahead of the Evo.....unless you're talking extreme mods; and if you can afford that kind of money for mods I wouldn't opt for an Sti or Evo..............yes, there may be a 350 bhp Ralliart Evo option offered soon in the US (rumour), but there's also a 400 bhp Prodrive option for the US STi not too far away (another rumour, though with some substance)........

For me the choice is very easy........I think the STi is much better in most every department.

 

No-one seems to mention what each car sounds like with upgraded free-flow exhaust. The EVO sounds like a superbike interrupted by BOV phsssst (if properly upgraded). The Scoobie sounds like a Suzuki TL1000R at low revs and like a, ummmm, I guess like nothing else but a scoobie up top. Maybe the variable valve timing will add something new to the tone as well. Either way, even $10,000 in motor work will not get the STi to sound like the WRC car.
Another advantage not typically noted is the only one that matters in this contest: displacement. The Mitsu is saddled with WRC displacement rules while Subaru pulled out all the stops for North America. There is a limit to what displacement buys you, and methinks Subaru has kept this in check with the "mere" 25% increase. It's an unbelievable success story in the making.
Two weeks before the STi announcement in Detroit, a friend and I were both contemplating boosting a 2.5 RS and the inherent advantages (besides cost) over buying a "plain" WRX. Well, we both put our deposits in when we found out the factory had done it for us. I'll go see the EVO. I even gave my credit info for a test drive when it comes out, but the watered-down Evolution is the exact opposite answer Mitsubishi is giving to the AWD rally question Subaru answered for us in the States: Is more better? You are damn right it is. You give me more than what I ask for, you instantly have my respect.
I can't wait to have at it with my first 350Z, RX-8, S2000, M3, and anyone else who wants a lesson in Japanese: More is better!

 

besides the hp and torque.

Evo vs STi
Viscous coupling LSD Vs DCCD. mech lsd back. suretrack lsd front

skip this if you don't like techi gadget... but it's worth a load... many ppl decide their choice on this alone. such as me..


2.0 I 4 w/ twin scroll turbo? Vs. 2.5 B 4 w/ regular turbo..
twin scroll gives better low-mid range torque.. .. w/+.5 liter you don't need a twin scroll.

appearance?

i think the Evo looks kinda ugly, prolly can convert back to a Evo7 look or a T&S front.. ---> sweet...

STi,, not getting projector lens.. but low beam is 4 way adjustable from inside the cabine w/ a push of a button.. oh yah!



Evo pulling High Gs. .98-.97

no data for STi.

 

EVO has this as well

 

Actually, I thought the switch adjusted the HID highbeams and not the low beams.

Anyhow, My $0.02 is this

EVO-5spd
STi-6spd
Better gearing for autocrossing, rallycrossing and racing in general

EVO-Viscious LSDs
STi-Center Controlable and rear Mechanical LSD
Allows you to put power to the rear and overall makes for better hadleing in an autocross and rallycross where oversteer is very helpful Piont STI

EVO-Comes with a stereo
STi- Stereo is an option
Depending on who you are you were going to replace it anyway
For me neither car gets a point

EVO- Front mount intercooler
STi- Top mount intercooler
Front mount intercoolers can be mad huge and really help when upgrading turbos and the amount of boost, but at the same time don't hit anything or else you'll have to shell out some $$$$ to replace it. Also, if you run more boost and forget to tighten up the hose clamps real good you're not going to enjoy having your car towed back to your house to fix it since there is no easy way to get to the clamps. STi everything is right up top. Point STi

EVO- Standard 4cyl
STi- Flat or Boxer 4
Boxers are very easy to work on and get at things. On the other hand it is hard to get equal length headers to the turbo. But then again with a boxer you don't get as harsh wear on the crankshaft bearings due to the way the pistons fire at each other and not all straight down like the EVO making the Boxer more reliable. Sorry, Point STi

EVO- 2.0
STi- 2.5
No replacement for Displacement! Point STi

EVO- Automatic Intercooler Sprayer
STi- Manual push button Intercooler sprayer
Only important when really pushing it on a hot day or at the track, but none the less Point EVO

So far these are the big things I can think of. Its honestly hard for a Subaru message board to fess up about an EVO, but if I think, or learn, of more I'll post it. So far it leans heavily towards STi, and I'm really trying to be fair.

Keith

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I will have to wait tell I can get my hands on some examples.

One thing I dont like is the Evo is First year (for US) car so dont know about bugs. The same thing goes for the STi's 2.5 motor.

I will say I'm not going to pay over MSRP. I guess I will just have to wait tell the frenzy dies down. It will also give me more time for a larger down payment.

 

really?

where??

 

HiD is the low beam.

Evo auto sprayer w/ manual control as well.

think STi has auto / manual on that too?

 

this is how i have heard it. sti and evo will be almost identical in speed and handling, though have minimal understeer.

differences are the sti has better trim levels, the interior is nicer, but it is also a little more expensive, unless you can get a good deal.

the sti will also probably have a lot more aftermarket parts, a lot earlier than the evo, since the WRX will have been out for more than 2 years.

then again...subaru hates mods and almost everything voids the warranty, i am not sure how mitsubishi will do it.

lastly...looks...the new 2004 WRX is nice...but the evo is pretty sweet also.

i own a WRX now and i love it, and the interior and everything is beautiful...and a flat 4...the sound is just amazing, very unique.

if you have kazaa or any program like it. go on there and down load "Top Gear - WRX vs EVO" or something to that affect. make sure its the newer ones. it will have the WRX sti 2002 vs the EVO VII. they test both....and do a pretty good comparison. keep in mind though that the EVO coming doesn't have the same same AWD as the european one.

If i were you...i would personally wait till the sti comes out...and then ask people and test drive both. you could probably even get a used Evo by then, for a lot less. ok well goodluck.

P.S. i could just post the top gear vid...so here it is,

also...don't forget about the car that will stomp both of these, NISSAN SKYLINE!!! you can get them in Cali now i hear. so if you really want something fast...look into that, but its not cheap!

 

ROTFLOL If you have a FMIC and are running extra boost, you need to carry AT LEAST a small tool set for whatever kinds of small crap that can happen!!

Like blowing off an intercooler pipe... it is extremely common and if you don't have at least a screw driver in your car and need to get it towed home to fix it, you need to consider NOT modding any cars!

The Point is DEFINATLY in favor of the EVO for having a FMIC... only a biased opinion would say a TMIC is better... I have friends with WRXs and they never try and tell anyone that a TMIC is better!!!

If anyone wants more info on the EVO then go to an EVO sight... if you want info on an STi, go to an STi site and then judge for yourself your findings... topics like these often have small biased tid bits of info!

 

If those 2003 cobras get traction watch out....they just started putting twin screw blowers on them. So far they have reached 697rwhp with 20 lbs of boost. It won't handle as well as an STI, though.

http://www.modularfords.com/forums/s...&threadid=1069