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Old 11-15-2004, 04:33 PM   #1
wantone122
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Default On The Fence

So about a week ago I had sold my 2003 BMW M3 Cab. It was totally overrated in my opinion and I had so many issues with the SMG. Long story short got rid of it and looking at something really fun. I'm 33 and friends have been telling me about the EVO and Sti. Never driven either. Since the Mitsu dealership's closer to me than Subaru. I went to go check it out. Before visiting I did a search here on NASIOC to see people's feelings on the EVO and found almost 0 threads except for sale posts etc. but not anything meaty. I went to evolutionm.net and did a search on an Sti and read so many threads about how the EVO VIII MR is so much better in handling, modding etc. etc. So here I am back in the dealership. Didn't get to test drive... apparently the salesmen guard these cars like it was a Ferrari. We talked figures instead and found that a lease on an EVO (Yes, I plan to lease as I know there will be an EVO 9, 10, 11... Sti version 1, 2,3...) with $2500 down, 36 month plan, they wanted $687/month!!! ***! I could get back into a new 2004 M3 Coupe for $80 more/month! Left there and headed straight to The Sti dealer who wanted $420/month which seems a bit more realistic for a $35K car. So now, I'm on the fence, should I go Sti??? This whole thing about the Sti being a weaker handling car than the EVO, can I not just order some coilovers and be at the same level? Please help!?
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Old 11-15-2004, 04:36 PM   #2
S54
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I think they are both nice cars and you really need to drive them. The #'s are so close it really comes down to personal preference. I love my 04 M3 but I also really liked my 04 STi.
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Old 11-15-2004, 04:40 PM   #3
yertle
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$250+ less per month for very similar specs... I would think that would be all you needed to know.
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Old 11-15-2004, 04:57 PM   #4
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So wait you would end up paying around $27000 for the Evo? At that much I would just buy the car. That way you dont have to worry about mileage or any lease return conditions. Leasing never has been the best idea, but that’s not the discussion. Go to a more reasonable Mitsu dealer and get a fair lease deal. Then come back and we can talk with more reasonable numbers.

j*mall
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Old 11-15-2004, 05:06 PM   #5
Bogner47
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If it helps any, my brother is a Subaru tech and wishes he had bought an STi, since he is currently pursuing lemon law on his EVO and has had nothing but problems with it. If you care about reliability, I think you'll find far fewer gripes on the Subie (though I can't point you towards any empirical data to support this, just general internet attitudes).
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Old 11-15-2004, 05:07 PM   #6
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you need to see 05 STI in real life.. that's all I needed to make my decision.. I thought I was getting Evo MR too, until I went to this subaru dealership and saw the crystal gray STI under the sun... and I used to be a diehard evo fan for like last 5 years..
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Old 11-15-2004, 05:17 PM   #7
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^^ It's ok, you can call those 5 EVO loving years, the "Dark Years" of your life. It's best not to speak about it.

But on the subject, get the '05 STi, especially if you are coming from a M3. The STi rides a little better (although I've heard the EVO MR rides just as good). And the interior of the STi is nicer (I know that's my opinion, but it's true) Performance wise, they are very close like everyone else has said. But I would prefer the extra displacement and torque of the STi any day.
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Old 11-15-2004, 05:22 PM   #8
evolved_4g63
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unfortunately for perspective EVO buyers it seems as there are quite a few Mitsu dealerships that pride themselves in being jackasses. it seems as though subaru dealerships, on the other hand are pretty consistently decent. there's no reason that you shouldn't have been able to drive one and that payments on an evo should be any higher than those on an STi. Some mitsu dealers (who typically know much less about the evo than others) treat it as a supercar that will sell itself at any price without driver evaluation. As you probably know, thats a crock o' crap. If you can, find a cool mitsu dealership (evolutionM.net can help you here) and drive the car before price is even discussed...and be sure that you dont pay a penny over sticker price for any evo...(I got mine at $250 over invoice)

as for warranty issues...its a similar situation as sales of the car, some dealers give the rest a bad reputation. My dealer warranties my car even with mods and will even install certain (huge power gain) mods. Others will void your warranty for a boost gauge. It seems more and more like subaru has a nice customer service advantage because most (all?) of their dealerships seem to be friendly and helpful before, during, and after the sale.

you certainly should drive both because, although they share the same concept, they are two completely different beasts. good luck with your choice, and feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions.

-Dave

i don't know where you are located, but if you consider going EVO then look for a dealership with a dedicated EVO tech, those tend to be the coolest
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Old 11-15-2004, 05:46 PM   #9
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Dave, that is very true, the dealership itself can make a huge difference in the buying/warranty of your car. It sounds like he went to a Mitsu dealership that thinks they can get someone to buy an EVO for almost any price they want (and they probably WILL find someone to buy it). My brother recently bought a VW R32, but we went to test drive a EVO, I really wanted him to take a look at one. The place we went to wouldn't let us test drive an EVO (they didn't have any to test drive supposedly), and the only EVO they had they wouldn't take a penny less then $33K. I know the EVO is a sweet car, but you're right, some Mitsu dealerships are either very un-educated about them, or they want to make as much money as possible.

And I'm sure there are Subaru dealerships out there that do the same thing with the STi. Especially a lower volume dealership. I just went to Subaru of Dallas for some service, and they had at least 4 STi's, all very reasonably priced, and you can actually sit in them and test drive one.

It's a shame if Mitsu is losing sales because of that, because the STi/WRX is a great alternative to someone who can't find a good deal on a EVO. (Someone who isn't a die hard Mitsu/Subie fan)
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Old 11-15-2004, 05:55 PM   #10
ronan1975
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The stats are about the same on both cars. From what i've heard from people that have driven both is: the Evo is a little better on the open road and the STI is a little better on twisty roads. Go with the cheaper one ....STI, also the EVO is based on an $16,000 Lancer the STi is based on the $25,000 WRX, which do you think has better build quality
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Old 11-15-2004, 06:06 PM   #11
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I just purchased a 2005 STi about 3 weeks ago. I used to drive Mustangs. I was iffy on the whole import scene, that is until I drove an STi. I loved it and still do. I was also thinking about buying a BMW and I even worked at BMW Financial Services here in Ohio. Beemers are great cars, they just cost way too much. I test drove an EVO and was very impressed with the car. I drove the STi and liked it better. The Subaru people seem to be enthusiasts just like us. The Mitsu people were plain buttholes. I also weighed the finanical trouble that Mitsu is going through and I didn't want to have to worry about who would be servicing my car a few years from now. Subaru has a solid reputable history with their vehicles. I am very happy with the STi and I know I will be for years to come. Usually, I get a fun car and I am bored after a year or so of ownership. The STi isn't giving me that same feeling. Subaru's financing seems be a little more buyer friendly. Mistubishi just figures that people are going to buy no matter what. The cars are very similar in performance but I believe that the STi offers more that just the car (company, service, friendliness). I have no complaints other than the fact that I can't go as fast as I want. Test drive the STi and you will be hooked. Another note, the EVO is based off of a front-drive car. The STi is rear-baised AWD. The EVO handles so well because a majority of the power goes to the front wheels and the open diff sends power to the rear wheels on an as needed basis. You will find some of the same drive traits in the STi as you did your M3 and you won't have to put it in the garage during winter
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Old 11-15-2004, 06:47 PM   #12
leftwo
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Default EVO vs. STI

What do you plan to do with the car? Is it going to be your daily driver
or will you take it to the track, or both? Do you live where it snows or
plan to drive in the snow?

Drive the STi, Call around and find a dealer who will let you drive the EVO.

The two cars are close when it comes to performance. Figure out which
shops you will be bringing the different cars to and see if you like one
better than the other. A bad dealer can ruin the car owning experence.

BTW, I have an 05 STi and love it!

my $.02
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Old 11-15-2004, 06:50 PM   #13
sdogg3kgt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronan1975
The stats are about the same on both cars. From what i've heard from people that have driven both is: the Evo is a little better on the open road and the STI is a little better on twisty roads. Go with the cheaper one ....STI, also the EVO is based on an $16,000 Lancer the STi is based on the $25,000 WRX, which do you think has better build quality
Actually, the $25,000 WRX is also based off of a $16,000 economy car.
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Old 11-15-2004, 06:54 PM   #14
yertle
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MSRP for RS is $18k, and it's got a 2.5L and AWD... not exactly your standard econobox.
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Old 11-15-2004, 07:59 PM   #15
sdogg3kgt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yertle
MSRP for RS is $18k, and it's got a 2.5L and AWD... not exactly your standard econobox.
Keep in mind they don't have the 2.5RS in Japan, but a 1.6L rather which would sell for far less than the RS does here.
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Old 11-15-2004, 08:05 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronan1975
The stats are about the same on both cars. From what i've heard from people that have driven both is: the Evo is a little better on the open road and the STI is a little better on twisty roads.
I think you got it backwards. Everything I've seen shows the STi winning in a straight line but the Evo (especially the MR) kicking ass in the curves.

As much as I love Subarus and STi's (I drive a WRX, after all) I would give my left and right nuts for an Evo MR. I guess it's what matters most to you. I get my kicks from going around corners faster than you're supposed to, and to me the less compromises the better. Someone else might appreciate the better overall package of the STi, however.
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Old 11-16-2004, 12:45 AM   #17
wantone122
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Thanks guys, did I also mention I was an active member at S2ki.com? I love it there since people's attitudes are pretty positive and I see that here too! So far, the dealerships (3 demanded I test drive the car) the interior, the tail lights, the cute pink badges, and the NASIOC gets my thumbsup! The three Mitsu dealerships I went to (all in the Bay Area) - San Rafael, Veracom, and Serramonte gave me the same spiel. No test drive, no price lower than $600++/mo. They tell me that Mitsu's typically get lower residuals due to a marketing fiasco some years ago when Mitsu offered a $0 down, $0 drive off, and 0% APR deal. Owners, after a few months, were hit with a $900/mo fee and everyone started returning their cars hence the low residuals on Mitsu (Galant - Montero). So what's considered a good deal for a low optioned Sti? I'm allll ears!
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Old 11-16-2004, 04:54 AM   #18
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90 percent of all people on the board will shoot down the evo for no better reason than it not being a subaru.
do some research, there isnt (that i have read) a magazine that hasnt rated the evo the best out of the two cars. the sti has the stronger engine but not by much while the evo has world class handling. those are the facts from about every magazine out there. its a mistake to visit a biased forum like evom.net or nasioc because one will always shoot down the other. it would be more wise to go to an unbiased source for your information. magazines.
i personally love both cars, however if i had to choose it would be the mitsu.
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Old 11-16-2004, 07:55 AM   #19
soobyfan
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Subaru Stars

like everyone else said...

drive both
then decide


any other way you will be wondering what the other one is like
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Old 11-16-2004, 08:19 AM   #20
nrcooled
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From my driving experience, I have found that the Evo is a much better car modded. Stock the Evo leaves a lot to be desired: no top end, tons of body roll, lack luster power. With a grand total of $700 in mods I have added 50hp to my evo and all with a very meaty tourque band.

I will say that I have not run into any problems with STis on the road courses. Anyway, if you are leasing you will not be able to mod so I would suggest getting an '05 STi. Much better handling (mostly due to the stock tire difference) and power stock.

Hopefully, I will see you at the track someday!
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Old 11-16-2004, 09:11 AM   #21
evolved_4g63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wantone122
The three Mitsu dealerships I went to (all in the Bay Area) - San Rafael, Veracom, and Serramonte gave me the same spiel. No test drive, no price lower than $600++/mo.
that sucks...I'm really sorry to hear that you haven't had any luck with the Mitsu dealers...I know there have been a lot of issues with CA and NV dealerships regarding the EVO. They're awesome cars, but the fact-of-the-matter is that they aren't limited production or perfect out of the box like an Enzo or Carrera GT and some dealers just don't get it. Id say for your $30k, pick a subaru dealer, buy an STi and have a worry/hassle free experience with your new toy. Good luck, sorry to hear that Mitsu jerked you around...IMO the only vehicle from the Mitsu family that doesnt need a drive is the FQ-400

enjoy

-Dave
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Old 11-16-2004, 11:58 AM   #22
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I would say go out and test drive both cars. But if satan is being a pain in the butt, go buy an STi. Do you know why Subaru wants you to test drive it? They want your business, which is more than can be said about Mitsubishi. Another reason to stay away from Mitsu is the financial woes that they have. The only redeeming vehicle that Mitsu has on the market right now is the Evo.

Evo=better motor, better handling
STi=better interior, smoother ride for daily driver



Mika
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Old 11-16-2004, 12:37 PM   #23
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I'd go STI because of better reliability
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Old 11-16-2004, 12:41 PM   #24
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Drive both so you won't kick yourself later. MR is a great car with lots of goodies. Can't go wrong with either choice.
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Old 11-16-2004, 12:53 PM   #25
fastfreddy
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This test between the Limited Edition Evo MR and the 05 STI should help you out
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...x/index10.html
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