Went to the DARKSIDE...

MartinD · 02-18-07, 10:08

I have had a Subaru since 1999, and have always wanted to try out an EVO. A few weeks back, a local dealership gave me a deal that I had to jump on. Coming from an STi, both cars are very different (especially due to the fact my STi was heavily modded).

Well, I will shut my mouth and post some pictures

:

From this:

To this:

-Martin

Charisma · 02-18-07, 10:22

New car is beautiful, Evo > STi.

DieselMDX · 02-18-07, 10:26

o wow awesome car, anymore pics??

love the front bumper

Scottwax · 02-18-07, 10:31

So...what do you think so far?

Nimble · 02-18-07, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinD

I have had a Subaru since 1999, and have always wanted to try out an EVO. A few weeks back, a local dealership gave me a deal that I had to jump on. Coming from an STi, both cars are very different (especially due to the fact my STi was heavily modded).

Well, I will shut my mouth and post some pictures

:

From this:

To this:

-Martin

Nice move, Evo 9's OWN STI's....no comparison.

Devilsown · 02-19-07, 08:49

I personly dont like evo's from what I've been told they break alot and I think they are just crap to start with, but that STI you had

look at world rally cup, who wins most of the time (from what I've seen) Subaru WRX or STI (what ever they use) But everyone needs a change up time from time... hell I went from a 93 rx7 to a 03 mini cooper s

it may be slower but it is a blast to drive...

none the less your STI was a very sweet ride, dont get me wrong, the evo is nice too and Im sure you will pimp that out, I just prefered the STI. But that me.

Nimble · 02-19-07, 09:01

Devilstown.

While I do agree the STI is a sweet car, saying the Evo is LESS reliable is almost comical. They are tanks compared to the Subaru, especially motorwise. That 4G3 is a work of art in the current iteration. Not to mention a reflashed Evo 9 will wipe even a full bolt on STI. Mod for mod, the Evo cannot be beat. (well maybe a 02-04 Z06, wink)

MartinD · 02-19-07, 10:20

The Subaru was a more sturdy car, no doubt about it. From road courses, autox, and rallyx the Subaru constantly begged for HARDER driving. You hear about these cars breaking (transmission issues in the EVO) - and these issues pertain to idiots that will constantly feel the need to do the 7k launch at every stoplight...

Here is a review based on my experiences thus far...

I started off driving a 1998 RS w/ej20 (wrx motor swap)
-->Mini Cooper S (which then I sold to my older brother)
-->WRX w/vf30 etc 300+ whp
-->STi w/315+whp
-->Stock EVO IX

Power:

The Subaru felt more "manly". Around town as soon as you slam the pedal to the floor you feel the pull, nice torque due to the 2.5l motor. Around 5300-5500k the STi fell flat, no power at all. The vf39 (stock STi turbo) is a great turbo for autox, very responsive but lacks the top end power. I added a turboback exhaust, cobb accessport, and a protune. I ended up with 315whp/336wtq. At the time the car felt strong, that lasted about a day, literally. I needed more...

Now, the EVO. Taking it very easy for the first 1k miles, breaking in the motor etc. Changed the oil out at 1k, full of gas etc. Now...the fun

: I made a right turn on the highway on ramp and the car felt like a fighter jet. Around 3300k the car took off like a bat out of hell...I was very shocked that if felt the way it did. The car lives in the upper RPM range, which is the complete opposite of the STi. The power on the EVO is very linear...feels much more smooth and the 16g (stock evo ix turbo) continues to pull almost all the way to redline...

As far as modifications go, the EVO is more receptive to anything added.

Handling:

The STi in no way is as responsive as the EVO. The Subaru feels heavy, sluggish, and really takes an understanding of the DCCD (center diff) to be able to drive the car the way it wants to be driven. If you leave the DCCD in Auto, and drive really hard --- understeer. Going through turns at road courses I constantly felt the need to be playing with the DCCD to really get "comfortable" with the car. I added 27-29mm front swaybar, 26-28mm rear sway bar, front and rear strut bars, camber plates, STi pink springs and a ton of other suspension goodies...

The EVO feels like a go-kart. I drove a Mini Cooper S for over a year, and this car feels a lot more responsive than that. With little effort of moving the steering wheel the car is "on its toes" and ready to be thrown in that direction. I was really anxious to see how the car felt when it lost traction - so I went to a great place I know of (no, not a school zone) When sliding in this car, it feels effortless as far guiding the car and gaining control. It acts like it already knows what to do before you even steer or touch any pedal. I was shocked again.

So far, I am loving the Mitsubishi. It feels great to drive, and it should be even better with some track weekends coming up this month at VIR

I will gladly post more pictures if people want to see them, now I need to get off my lazy butt and get some clients

:

-Martin

MartinD · 02-19-07, 10:54

Here are a few more pics:

And, another one from a recent snow day...

robertrinaustin · 02-19-07, 11:52

One thing I always liked about the WRX over the EVO, the Subby crowd was better. It's not that I don't like the EVO guys, it just seems some of the Subby guys are a little older and more mature. Fortunately, the Subby guys let me still ahng around.

BTW, if you like it now, just add a flash and full exhaust and you'll be shocked at what the 9s do. I have a friend that ran 11.94 with a MBC, flash and exhaust on pump gas. For my 03 VIII to do the same, it took all that plus cams, stand alone and upgraded stock turbo.

MartinD · 02-19-07, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertrinaustin

One thing I always liked about the WRX over the EVO, the Subby crowd was better. It's not that I don't like the EVO guys, it just seems some of the Subby guys are a little older and more mature. Fortunately, the Subby guys let me still ahng around.

BTW, if you like it now, just add a flash and full exhaust and you'll be shocked at what the 9s do. I have a friend that ran 11.94 with a MBC, flash and exhaust on pump gas. For my 03 VIII to do the same, it took all that plus cams, stand alone and upgraded stock turbo.

I always will be with my Subaru people (nasioc.com). As many people said, it was time for a needed change

-Martin

DieselMDX · 02-19-07, 01:50

great post on the diff of the sti/evo!