Hi, I'm local here to St.Paul, and have a 2003 SVT Blown Cobra. <You may have heard my Red and black vert cracking open the exhaust up on university this summer!>Looking to get a nice winter car, and got permission from high command to start looking. Narrowed it down to a EVO 9 or a STI. Just wanted to introduce myself and ask for your top insights as to any advantages with a STI, what year, options and mods to look for and or stay away from? Also do you know of any resouces other than autotrader, cars.com, ebay.com and craigslist to help me hunt down a late model <2006?> low mile STI? Many Thanks! Howie
Welcome. The 08 STI would make a better daily imho (roomier, nicer ergonomic interior, more driving aids etc...). If it's between an evo 9 and an 04-07 STi/I, I'd take the evo personally. The interior is only marginally worse but the evo is a better performing car. If you're like most of us and just prefer the STi, knowing full well (or in denial of the fact) that the evo is a better performer, then I'd suggest test driving an 04-06, 07, and 08+. The 07 STI feels slightly different from the other GD STi/I's due to the revised gearing. The 08 is when they changed to the legacy chassis. If buying one with mods, try to find one with aftermarket pistons. Check nasioc.com if you're willing to travel. MN subarus seem to fetch a premium so the travel or shipping expenses from buying out of state will usually be offset by the cheaper purchase price. enjoy your stay
Thanks much for your input, been digging around criagslist all over the country. Funny, seem that alot of EVO guys say they want a STI instead? hehe we are aways wanting whatever we don't have!
Ha! True. I will say that I've never wanted both. Stock, they're pretty evenly matched cars and each has their pros and cons. It really comes down to what you want to do with it. If it's mostly just tooling around in the winter you might prefer the low end torque from the 2.5L in the STi. You also might get nauseous from the blue interior and might always think the wing in your sight line when looking at the rearview is a car in your blind spot... but maybe that's just me lol. Have you ad a chance to drive them back to back yet?
No I have tested both them baback to back, I had a couple of DSM's, a 91 and a 98 Talon Tsi, how would they compare?
Do you plan on modding it up or driving around stock? For tooling around in the winter I'd get a 06+ WRX and keep some cash in your pocket.
If you are keeping it stock, probably the STI. If you are going to mod it, even the slightest bit, the EVO.
Sorry man, last time I drove a tsi was back in '98, so I can't really give you any feedback on that. Im sure there are others on here who have more recent, direct experience with them though!
Before I bought my LGT, the short list was the LGT, the STI and the EVO. I preferred the EVO to the STI, but chose the LGT due to the creature comforts and the smooth ride.
Better put that Mustang away before you run it into a wall... I feel like we have too much in common.
The cobra lives in the bubble in the garage all winter, never sees any snow, ever! Sorry to see your car in that shape? I'd like to say that I won't mod it, but I know I will, and I want power, the more the better, so I guess then I'm really looking for an Evo 9 MR, clean, Low miles? Please hit me up if you see anything out there!, Thanks!
It seems harder everyday to find these cars w/low miles,clean,stock etc.....but keep looking. Check with these guys for some local evo insight. http://evomn.net/forums/index.php
from a guy that just sold my kenne bell fobra (02) and went to an 09 STi, id say STi BUT EVO X's are badass! they outperform the 08+ STi in every way....however i still do not regret my choice of an 09 STi, there great cars, comfortable and, quick. I may actually be selling mine in the spring and going with an 2011 STi hatch....just throwing that out there
Holy crap! Aaaand just like that, Snakebyte is picking up an 9k mi Evo 9 MR on Saturday... sweet ride too
I just sold my evo about a week ago and ended up buying an 04 wrx (had to pay college tuition). I'd say the evo is more fun and upgrade worthy but it is a rough ride (very stiff). I would definitely choose the subaru for a daily driver, but if your going to be participating in things like autoX or drag racing id go with the evo!
