Which would you Choose

BAKER · 03-05-09, 03:10

Got the itch last week and took 2 cars out for a test drive. Anyone have any experience with either. First was a Suburu WRX STI, nice looking car, potent 305 HP engine. I liked it but it didn't make me go wow, although if I had driven it hard that might be a different story.
Second car did make me go wow, great looks, I had seen lots of pictures, but in person it was very impressive. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 291 HP from a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder. Seemed very well built and has the reputation as just insane if you push it. I know Mitsubishi has had quality issues in the past, not sure about currently, but only 1 dealer in Nova Scotia, that may be a problem in this economy if it went under, although I do see quite a few Mitsubishi around so they must be selling, although I have never seen an Evo on the street
Give me your opinion of these two cars, the price was within $3000 of each other.

longdx · 03-05-09, 03:22

Both are very competent cars and each has their respective fanboys. The EVO's suspension is tighter than the Subaru WRX STI. The Subaru has in essence grown up in fit/finish and ride quality (to the detriment to many hardcore STI fanatics who criticize milder styling and smoother ride). However, I understand why Subaru chose this route. They wanted to make the car appealing to a larger audience. The EVO has an almost mythic following and Mitsu has chosen not to toy with their basic format. It is essentially rougher around the edges than the Subaru, but closer to the rally origins. (personally, i have never had any problems with Mitsubishi vehicles as my current one has almost 160K with only wear/tear issues)

XRL · 03-05-09, 10:35

The Evo MR has got a lot more toys and offers a very nice DSG, sure it's a little slower but it's not a boy racer car in that trim. The STI offers a more practical body style though.

You said the price was close, did they show you the EVO GSR or MR? The MR is significantly more expensive than the GSR. I had thought the STI was a bit cheaper than either though.

FWIW, Top Gear picked the Evo X over the new STI :P

Darkstar752 · 03-05-09, 11:37

What exactly do you wanna do to it? Are you looking for a DD with comfort and some speed? Or a car you can just mod and rip through corners and not have to worry about everyday comfort?

BAKER · 03-06-09, 11:37

XRL: Yes I realize the MR was almost $10000 more, he showed me the GSR. Any STI is stock had the tech pacage which made the price very close.

Darkstar: I really want a car to detail, seriously, I like a car with handling and some speed as well as a car you don't see on every street corner. And yes it would be my DD.

Danase · 03-06-09, 11:52

Are you looking new or used? I have not experience with the new ones but I've had 2 Imprezas, a 2005 and 2006 and they are sort of junky. At least mine. The 05 I had troubles with some electronics and could never get the frame-less doors to seal around the windows. Always very windy sounding. On the 06 I've been having trans issues, seal troubles again, rattles, and freezing rain caused a sideview mirror to crack.

dublifecrisis · 03-06-09, 11:59

it's close but I think the EVO would be the better pick. I've never driven any generation of either car and I love the boxer sound but I think the technology in the EVO in this new gen is better.

BAKER · 03-06-09, 01:07

I am talking new, and I have driven the Imprezia as a loaner when my Audi was in for maintenence, and I did find it as you would an entry level car, but I would hope the sti as their most expensive car would be substancially better built. Yes the technology of the Evo is outstanding.

FarmerTom390 · 03-06-09, 09:33

I tip the hat to the side of the Scooby. The STI's are flat out bad... I dont really like the looks of the evo so much and the subaru's take a good lickin.

I just drove one of my friends STI's last weekend all stock internals... 494 Hp and 487lb ft of torque. Thats a bad mama jama.

XRL · 03-06-09, 11:02

Coming out of an Audi, you'll be disappointed in the quality of either. Sure the Evo and STI are much more expensive versions of the cars, but at the end of the day they're still $16k economy cars with drivetrains suitable for racing, and nice recaro front seats.

Have you looked into the Legacy? You can get the same powertrain as the STI, and it's a bit larger and more luxurious.

redfarsi · 03-06-09, 11:38

My brother has an Evo. I drove it loads of times. The car is definately a beauty, I love it. I feel completely different in it then in my AMG. If my brother hadn't bought the evo then I'm 100% sure I would of bought it.

Accumulator · 03-07-09, 11:37

BAKER- Being an Audi guy, I gotta say that both our Subies were really disappointing. Even my wife, who's no car-snob by *any* means, thought they were, uhm... [not good].

But that's just us and every time I see one of these "what to buy?" threads I think you just gotta spend some time in both, check out the local dealers/service places (do you want those folks touching *your* car?), and then make up your own mind. IMO at some point you just gotta blow off what anyboby else thinks and do what's right for *you*.

Some cars just call to us, you know? Those are the ones we're gonna enjoy the most even if everyone else thinks it's crazy.