Lancer Evolution or WRX STI

[Wuzup101]

I have just over 100k on my Evo X and still love it. I'd like to go wingless (it wasn't an option in 2008); however, I'm not sure if that'll happen.

 

[halik]

I didn't come here for Judgement, by that rational people over 30 shouldn't own sport cars?

Eh I kinda have to agree, way too boy-racer for anyone in their 30s and a professional career. Also I couldn't live with the interior on either one of those cars.

 

[Wuzup101]

Eh I kinda have to agree, way too boy-racer for anyone in their 30s and a professional career. Also I couldn't live with the interior on either one of those cars.

The Evo interior lacks a lot of features tech/lux wise, but it is plenty comfortable. It still has the best seats that I've sat in on any production car. The main touch points (seats/wheel/shifter) are just fine. The other pieces are carry over from a $15-17kish econobox. It is, after all, an econobox with $20k+ into the drivetrain (and there is no hiding that).

It really comes down to what you want (or the image that you want to portray to others for some reason). You are going to have to spend a whole hell of a lot more money on a car to get the driving experience that you get in an Evo. It doesn't have gobs of raw power (the aftermarket can fix that quickly) but it does well in pretty much every aspect of performance related driving.

In all honesty - if image is important to you... the Evo isn't your car. It's probably better that you buy a used 335i... or maybe a Porsche Cayman or 911...

Also the paint sucks, the back seats don't fold down, it gets **** gas mileage, and you'll have this stupid goofy grin on your face every time you floor it around a turn...

 

[fralexandr]

if you want something more upscale, there's always the g37x 2013 , not exactly a competitor to the sti/evo, though it's closer in price than a GT-R is hah.
Too bad the q50 supposedly isn't as fun and is kinda meh .

 

[jpeyton]

EVO

 

[FiLeZz]

I would OWN either car. However I bought an 2010 STI Wagon. What is the resale on both cars what holds the value more? I know my resale is insane. Might be worth looking as what car holds value more. I have read about ringland issues as well but I think most of that is due to over boost of customers. The only issue my car has given me is a dead battery 2 years into owning the car. Typical in FL. The sun will kill a battery down here quick. My car came with stiffer suspension then the normal STI and thicker sway bar. (I have the STI special edition). I think the car hands great. I came from a Porsche boxster. I have added a catback and a cobb access port and only at a stage 1. But it has enough power for me.

 

[Pens1566]

Performance is close enough, finish made STI the only option. Evo is ... just like the base Lancer.

 

[Arkaign]

Both are great fun, but they are also both basically hot versions of econoboxes, and it shows. Given that even a year is a long time to sit in a car, I think the STI is much more livable day to day, and certainly easier to have a conversation in while driving 70 down the highway.

Back ten years ago I think they made much more sense than they do today. Just look at the crap that was out then. The regular GT Mustang was a pile. There were no 135/335s at all. 350Z was new and not all that great. No Genesis Coupe. Etc.

For a go-fast car that's extremely livable, there are a ton of options I'd take over the STI and especially the Evo (reliability and Mitsubishi are almost completely mutually exclusive long term, I've had several DSM Turbo vehicles).

135i even stock, let alone tuned is a pretty gigantic step up. Need more room? 335. Want something that is a bit less german lux, and cheap to maintain? 6MT V6 Mustang, or the righteous 5.0 GT. Even the 370Z, G37 Coupe, Genesis Coupe are great choices.

My tune would be different if I didn't live in Texas. AWD is meaningless 99% of the time here, and the times when you might want it, you can get by driving a tad more carefully.

 

[halik]

Both are great fun, but they are also both basically hot versions of econoboxes, and it shows. Given that even a year is a long time to sit in a car, I think the STI is much more livable day to day, and certainly easier to have a conversation in while driving 70 down the highway.

Back ten years ago I think they made much more sense than they do today. Just look at the crap that was out then. The regular GT Mustang was a pile. There were no 135/335s at all. 350Z was new and not all that great. No Genesis Coupe. Etc.

For a go-fast car that's extremely livable, there are a ton of options I'd take over the STI and especially the Evo (reliability and Mitsubishi are almost completely mutually exclusive long term, I've had several DSM Turbo vehicles).

135i even stock, let alone tuned is a pretty gigantic step up. Need more room? 335. Want something that is a bit less german lux, and cheap to maintain? 6MT V6 Mustang, or the righteous 5.0 GT. Even the 370Z, G37 Coupe, Genesis Coupe are great choices.

My tune would be different if I didn't live in Texas. AWD is meaningless 99% of the time here, and the times when you might want it, you can get by driving a tad more carefully.

This. My brother picked up a 6 speed 335i for around $17K this summer; you get a TON more car for that money - better materials, sound proofing, parts etc.

 

[jlee]

This. My brother picked up a 6 speed 335i for around $17K this summer; you get a TON more car for that money - better materials, sound proofing, parts etc.

Depends what you want - a lightly modded Evo will run circles around a 335i. For comfort/class, though, no comparison.

In the sub-20k range, I'd be looking for a 1st gen CTS-V or a 335i. In the 30-50k range, I don't think you can beat an 09+ V.

 

[tracerbullet]

Depends what you want - a lightly modded Evo will run circles around a 335i. For comfort/class, though, no comparison.

I completely agree. It's one of the reasons I chose my 135i - I loved the idea of tuning the Evo, hitting the track with it, etc. Then I realized that 99.9% of the time I'd be driving to and from work and etc. And if I really wanted to race, I'd get a car dedicated to it so I didn't chance rolling over something I was making payments on.

There's certainly a practical side to buying a car, but a gut feel of "Damnit I love this car, I want it" goes a long ways too.

 

[halik]

Depends what you want - a lightly modded Evo will run circles around a 335i. For comfort/class, though, no comparison.

In the sub-20k range, I'd be looking for a 1st gen CTS-V or a 335i. In the 30-50k range, I don't think you can beat an 09+ V.

For $7K you can get an e36 M3, that will be far better track car than an EVO. Or a boxster. Or a Miata. Or 944. If you want a sporty DD, BMW is the way to go.

As someone else here noted, these days the WRX/EVO cars seem to answer a question that no one is asking. Unless you wanna do SCCA rally cross, in which case either one with cage would be infinite amount of fun.

 

[brainhulk]

Depends what you want - a lightly modded Evo will run circles around a 335i. For comfort/class, though, no comparison.

This, my evo x was even faster than a e92 M3 and a NSX. You can put your foot to the floor before apex and the car will rotate you out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJrmTydI_1U