BG Auto: Lancer Evolution vs WRX STi

[Talint]

Odd. No BG Auto icon. Anyway, I thought I'd ask for some opinions/advice.

Next year is going to be the last production year of the Lancer Evolution. So this has forced me to consider possibly getting one before they're no longer made.

I've always had a mad crush on the Evo; I attribute it to the fact that I enjoy rally racing. However, I've never enjoyed the current generation, the Evo X, as much as previous generations. I don't like the options are 5-speed or auto (no six speed), the rears are odd-looking, and the car is heavier than it used to be. I was kind of holding out for what the Evo XI would bring, and look at that, there's going to be no such thing.

While window shopping however, I was really impressed with the WRX STi. It hit the personal buttons than the Evo X does - most notably more horsepower, six speed manuals only, and a nicer rear end. The fact that they've come back with four-door models and not just hatchbacks is a big plus as well.

I don't particularly trust buying a used past-gen Evo MR; since I imagine they've all been run into the ground, and I don't have the mechanical expertise needed to know what would be wrong with said machine outside of the basics. I will say that's one of the reasons I do like the Evo X; way more information is conveyed on the dash on them.

So, I guess I'm looking for opinions or advice on what BG Auto thinks of these machines. If the WRX STi is better, or if there's a better car than both of these I don't know about, I can hold off a bit longer on purchasing one. However, if the Evo is truly an awesome machine worth having, then I have to consider getting one sooner than later.

[Slapper]

Test drive both, buy the one you like

[Seanr]

pretty much... better is subjective

[Talint]

Will dealers actually allow this, even though I have no intention of buying the car?

Also: My manual skills are, uh, embarrassing.

[Eleven19]

Will dealers actually allow this, even though I have no intention of buying the car?

Also: My manual skills are, uh, embarrassing.

I don't see why not. I don't think most people ONLY test drive cars that they're sure they're going to buy. Tell 'em you're shopping around, they'll do whatever they can to try and get you to make a purchase from them so, I doubt they'd say no.

I'd probably find out if you had a friend and learn how to drive stick better before doing that, though.

I've been looking around at WRX's, STi or otherwise for my next car. When I looked up Evo's I found them to be average of 5 grand more expensive for any given used vs a WRX on the same year, but maybe that's just been coincidence around here.

You'll never be able to pick the car that fits you though based just on its specs/price without taking it out for a test drive. A lot of times its stupid shit like your knee is uncomfortable or you feel like the rearview is too much in your field of view. Shit like that is more of a dealbreaker to me than technical specs.

If they don't let you test drive a car tell them to get bent for not letting you test out a 30,000 dollar purchase before you make it. That's just bad business.

[Anakron]

But you do have intentions of buying the car, and the test drive will help you decide.

Personally, I feel that for close to or over $40k (which was what my builds came out to be when I shopped for them), there are a lot better options out there, albeit in slightly different classes of cars. The V8 Mustangs and Camaros are cars I'd cross shop with the STi and Evo, along with possibly a 370z. If you're willing to hit close to $50k, the Audi S4s are very nice. There are minimally-equipped Lexus IS350s that can be had for around $40k (AWD available). The VW GTIs are much weaker, but lighter and cheaper as well (7-speed DSG available, but FWD). The Mazdaspeed 3 is kinda in the same boat as the GTI, but more powerful (though torque-steer is supposedly a problem).

EDIT: Completely forgot about the Infiniti G37, that's probably the closest to the Evo and STi in terms of price and power of everything I listed above.

[Seanr]

Will dealers actually allow this, even though I have no intention of buying the car?

Also: My manual skills are, uh, embarrassing.

go get a a little shitbox stickshift car for under a grand to dick around in and learn for about a month or so dude

[shepardG]

seriously, don't learn a manual on a 40k$ + car.

[Talint]

I don't see why not. I don't think most people ONLY test drive cars that they're sure they're going to buy. Tell 'em you're shopping around, they'll do whatever they can to try and get you to make a purchase from them so, I doubt they'd say no.

I'd probably find out if you had a friend and learn how to drive stick better before doing that, though.

I've been looking around at WRX's, STi or otherwise for my next car. When I looked up Evo's I found them to be average of 5 grand more expensive for any given used vs a WRX on the same year, but maybe that's just been coincidence around here.

You'll never be able to pick the car that fits you though based just on its specs/price without taking it out for a test drive. A lot of times its stupid shit like your knee is uncomfortable or you feel like the rearview is too much in your field of view. Shit like that is more of a dealbreaker to me than technical specs.

If they don't let you test drive a car tell them to get bent for not letting you test out a 30,000 dollar purchase before you make it. That's just bad business.

Well, if I was clearly interested in purchasing the car, I'd go for a test drive of course. I wouldn't purchase a car without driving it first to be sure. However, I was doubtful they'd let me test drive a car, and then walk away from it, particularly since my manual skills are not up to snuff.

I know how to drive manual, I've been taught and practiced a few times, I don't grind gears, but I do have rough starts from a stop still. Part of this (possibly eventual) purchase would be to get better at it.

But you do have intentions of buying the car, and the test drive will help you decide.

Personally, I feel that for close to or over $40k (which was what my builds came out to be when I shopped for them), there are a lot better options out there, albeit in slightly different classes of cars. The V8 Mustangs and Camaros are cars I'd cross shop with the STi and Evo, along with possibly a 370z. If you're willing to hit close to $50k, the Audi S4s are very nice. There are minimally-equipped Lexus IS350s that can be had for around $40k (AWD available). The VW GTIs are much weaker, but lighter and cheaper as well (7-speed DSG available, but FWD). The Mazdaspeed 3 is kinda in the same boat as the GTI, but more powerful (though torque-steer is supposedly a problem).

I've given thought about V8 RWD cars. I feel like I'd be more likely to wrap myself around a tree though with something like that. Could be wrong though; I might be just as likely (or maybe even more) with a Japanese AWD econobox.

Also, I hate how the 370z looks. It's some sort of space pod or something. D: I also like the idea of four doors.

go get a a little shitbox stickshift car for under a grand to dick around in and learn for about a month or so dude

I've looked, honest . The used-car market is at an all time high. Nothing in functional condition goes for less than $3k, which is a considerable amount of money to invest in getting better at a skill and offers little else. I'd have to turn around and sell it almost a month later and explain why I've only owned a car for a month.

seriously, don't learn a manual on a 40k$ + car.

Fun story:

My friend took a job as a valet for a country club. Never driven a manual before, and here he was parking Lamborghinis, Porsches, Ferraris, and other kinds of super cars. He's admitted he's grinded several clutches in lots of super cars learning how, but he can drive a manual now.

I appreciate the replies and advice.

[Zeb]

'04 STi owner. I've never driven an EVO, so I can't compare the two. But I can say I do love my car. And I've seen plenty of after crash threads of WRX/STis on nasioc and iwsti.com to say they seem to fare very well in serious accidents.

If you're serious about buying, sign up for http://forums.evolutionm.net/ and http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/ and do some reading there. There are a TON of threads comparing EVO/STis and other cars.

[Militant]

Having driven many a EVO/STI and being a car mechanic for a living, pick which ever one you like more. Personally, I'd say go with the STI. You don't like the new evos, so if you buy an evo 9, its going to have miles on it, and those usually are not babied, highway miles. They're usually very hard miles where its getting the piss beaten out of it. You'd be much better suited buying it new, or barely used (which its going to be hard to find a really low miles evo 9). On the other hand, it's pretty easy to find a brand new sti. The nice thing about STI's is if you want to do modifications to do it, (check with your dealer) but I know some dealers, including the subaru down the road from my shop, will allow you to retain your factory warranty so long as you use genuine Cobb racing parts to do your mods.

[elison]

STI and don't think twice, car is beast.

[Takedown3]

hey guys im looking to buy a brand new car with a standard transmission which one should i get? Oh and I don't know how to drive standard.

[*Shinzon*]

Odd. No BG Auto icon. Anyway, I thought I'd ask for some opinions/advice.

Next year is going to be the last production year of the Lancer Evolution. So this has forced me to consider possibly getting one before they're no longer made.

I've always had a mad crush on the Evo; I attribute it to the fact that I enjoy rally racing. However, I've never enjoyed the current generation, the Evo X, as much as previous generations. I don't like the options are 5-speed or auto (no six speed), the rears are odd-looking, and the car is heavier than it used to be. I was kind of holding out for what the Evo XI would bring, and look at that, there's going to be no such thing.

While window shopping however, I was really impressed with the WRX STi. It hit the personal buttons than the Evo X does - most notably more horsepower, six speed manuals only, and a nicer rear end. The fact that they've come back with four-door models and not just hatchbacks is a big plus as well.

I don't particularly trust buying a used past-gen Evo MR; since I imagine they've all been run into the ground, and I don't have the mechanical expertise needed to know what would be wrong with said machine outside of the basics. I will say that's one of the reasons I do like the Evo X; way more information is conveyed on the dash on them.

So, I guess I'm looking for opinions or advice on what BG Auto thinks of these machines. If the WRX STi is better, or if there's a better car than both of these I don't know about, I can hold off a bit longer on purchasing one. However, if the Evo is truly an awesome machine worth having, then I have to consider getting one sooner than later.

Sup, overall the late model wrx's are going to much more practical than the evo. They're much more livable on an everyday basis. You get real storage space, in either the hatch or sedan config, compared to the evo. Most the trunk space in the evo is actually consumed by the fluid containers that they moved to the rear to free up space in the engine bay. Interior in the subaru I also think is better, the seats are not as hard and stiff yet offer the same level grip that the stiff evo seats offer.

More importantly though the subaru is going to offer you a much more comfortable ride in the city or in any rough road atmosphere. The evo is a great machine, but it's just not practical for everyday use. People are going to disagree with me but really it is especially for the city. If you're the kind of person who is actually going to track your car the evo is going to be your ride, but very few people do it enough to make a 40 grand purchase worth it.

[Anakron]

I've given thought about V8 RWD cars. I feel like I'd be more likely to wrap myself around a tree though with something like that. Could be wrong though; I might be just as likely (or maybe even more) with a Japanese AWD econobox.

Also, I hate how the 370z looks. It's some sort of space pod or something. D: I also like the idea of four doors.

Unless you're strongly inclined towards the Evo and STi, I'd seriously take a look at the G37x Sedan then. It has slightly more power (328hp), better gas mileage (17/25 AWD, 19/27 RWD), and will be a much better everyday driver than either of those 2 cars. And the RWD version is actually cheaper than the STi Sedan. The AWD version just barely more expensive. And Infiniti is notorious for having insane incentives at the end of the year (~2-4k below MSRP out-the-door).

I don't doubt that the performance of the STi will be better than the G37, but how much of that will you really use in your day-to-day driving?

[*Shinzon*]

Unless you're strongly inclined towards the Evo and STi, I'd seriously take a look at the G37x Sedan then. It has slightly more power (328hp), better gas mileage (17/25 AWD, 19/27 RWD), and will be a much better everyday driver than either of those 2 cars. And the RWD version is actually cheaper than the STi Sedan. The AWD version just barely more expensive. And Infiniti is notorious for having insane incentives at the end of the year (~2-4k below MSRP out-the-door).

I don't doubt that the performance of the STi will be better than the G37, but how much of that will you really use in your day-to-day driving?

the problem with a premium car like that is that it's still going to be 10k more (new) over a base wrx and isn't going to give you the same room and usability that the hatchback design does. Not to mention you're going to be paying that premium every time you go to get it serviced. It's really not a bad suggestion though.

[Anakron]

the problem with a premium car like that is that it's still going to be 10k more (new) over a base wrx and isn't going to give you the same room and usability that the hatchback design does. Not to mention you're going to be paying that premium every time you go to get it serviced. It's really not a bad suggestion though.

Oh, yes, definitely. If you're gunning for a WRX instead of an STi, the WRX is a very nice car for ~$27-30k. Not much out there around that price range, except for the VW GTI and Mazdaspeed 3, both of which are FWD.

[Talint]

'04 STi owner. I've never driven an EVO, so I can't compare the two. But I can say I do love my car. And I've seen plenty of after crash threads of WRX/STis on nasioc and iwsti.com to say they seem to fare very well in serious accidents.

If you're serious about buying, sign up for http://forums.evolutionm.net/ and http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/ and do some reading there. There are a TON of threads comparing EVO/STis and other cars.

That's a good idea. Thanks!

Having driven many a EVO/STI and being a car mechanic for a living, pick which ever one you like more. Personally, I'd say go with the STI. You don't like the new evos, so if you buy an evo 9, its going to have miles on it, and those usually are not babied, highway miles. They're usually very hard miles where its getting the piss beaten out of it. You'd be much better suited buying it new, or barely used (which its going to be hard to find a really low miles evo 9). On the other hand, it's pretty easy to find a brand new sti. The nice thing about STI's is if you want to do modifications to do it, (check with your dealer) but I know some dealers, including the subaru down the road from my shop, will allow you to retain your factory warranty so long as you use genuine Cobb racing parts to do your mods.

Yeah, I'm wary of buying a used Evo IX, even from dealerships. I've looked into it. If it's got low miles, chances are it's going to be pricey, and even then that doesn't guarantee the shit wasn't beaten out of it, let alone any of the other ones which has probably been modified to high hell.

STI and don't think twice, car is beast.

Any reason why? Tell me more.

Sup, overall the late model wrx's are going to much more practical than the evo. They're much more livable on an everyday basis. You get real storage space, in either the hatch or sedan config, compared to the evo. Most the trunk space in the evo is actually consumed by the fluid containers that they moved to the rear to free up space in the engine bay. Interior in the subaru I also think is better, the seats are not as hard and stiff yet offer the same level grip that the stiff evo seats offer.

More importantly though the subaru is going to offer you a much more comfortable ride in the city or in any rough road atmosphere. The evo is a great machine, but it's just not practical for everyday use. People are going to disagree with me but really it is especially for the city. If you're the kind of person who is actually going to track your car the evo is going to be your ride, but very few people do it enough to make a 40 grand purchase worth it.

I don't think I'd track the car. I work too hard and far too long right now to even consider it. Plus it'd have to be stock (I'm no mechanic). It'd be more practical usage. I also don't trust myself behind the wheel for taking it to a track.

Also, I wouldn't get hatchback.

Unless you're strongly inclined towards the Evo and STi, I'd seriously take a look at the G37x Sedan then. It has slightly more power (328hp), better gas mileage (17/25 AWD, 19/27 RWD), and will be a much better everyday driver than either of those 2 cars. And the RWD version is actually cheaper than the STi Sedan. The AWD version just barely more expensive. And Infiniti is notorious for having insane incentives at the end of the year (~2-4k below MSRP out-the-door).

I don't doubt that the performance of the STi will be better than the G37, but how much of that will you really use in your day-to-day driving?

Admittedly, not much, but I would like a car that's more fun than what I have.

I shall take that into consideration. Thanks!

[*Shinzon*]

That's a good idea. Thanks!



Yeah, I'm wary of buying a used Evo IX, even from dealerships. I've looked into it. If it's got low miles, chances are it's going to be pricey, and even then that doesn't guarantee the shit wasn't beaten out of it, let alone any of the other ones which has probably been modified to high hell.



Any reason why? Tell me more.



I don't think I'd track the car. I work too hard and far too long right now to even consider it. Plus it'd have to be stock (I'm no mechanic). It'd be more practical usage. I also don't trust myself behind the wheel for taking it to a track.

Also, I wouldn't get hatchback.



Admittedly, not much, but I would like a car that's more fun than what I have.

I shall take that into consideration. Thanks!

If you have no intention to ever visit the track, the hatchback wrx is you're calling. The evo is just too hardcore for the average person, drive both and you'll see.

[Dantrag]

They will not let you test drive. Unless it's used. And most don't carry them in the dealers so you have to order them. Based off that, STi.