Evo X .vs. New STi - You decide
25 Oct, 2007
114 Comments 
We have decided that our company car is either going to be the new Evo X or the MY08 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. Although we are leaning a little bit in favour of the Evo X, we want you to tell us which car you’d buy.
The Evo has the looks, performance, dual-clutch gearbox, more gadgets than a Russian spaceship, while the STi.. ummm… it has a big boot?
Okay you tell us! Which one would you buy? And why (comments)?
Mitsubishi Evo X .vs. Subaru Impreza WRX STi
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Why wouldn’t you pick the Evo X?
The new STi looks like it has been designed for 50 year old +,
Subaru has given the finger to its traditional succesful 25-35 year old market.
Perhaps the hoon image was too much? Well, a grandpa car doesn’t help either.
Mitsubishi 1
Subaru 0
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Hah!
I wonder if anyone will vote for the STi,
its a joke, it looks like the standard wrx, and I cant believe they havent even released the official shots in blue and gold, it must look horrendos in that colour if they would rather a dull silver than that!
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
i wonder which is the better drive…looks can be decieving
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Which one is the better drive? Ive yet to read anything about how the STi performs
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
i have to say that i am definately for the Evo which was my anti-spam word… sneaky caradvice people…. BUT i say a regular STi the other day and i must say, i does look a whole lot better than the photos do justice.. i was suprised but it does look decent… strange
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I’d easily take the EVO…Subaru have lost their way at the moment…
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
The comparison is pretty pointless. The only reason they are being compared is that they used to be rivals. Nowdays the impreza in all flavours has left that market completely to fight against the hot hatch market, so I guess the Sti’s actual competitor is the Golf R32, not the Evo X.
In my opinion Subaru shouldn’t of given the WRX name to the new car. That way people would stop these stupid comparisons to its old rivals. As a hot hatch I think it looks pretty good, yeah its understated but the market for people over 25 is a hell of a lot larger than the 17 - 25 yr market. The new impreza is also getting record sales in the US and Canada, so I’d say Subaru probably don’t regret the decision too much.
And with no idea on how the STi drives, I’m going to hold off judgement of it as a hot hatch.
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Id take the STi… assuming both have similar performance, personally I dont mind its exterior looks and its interior shytes all over the Evo… and well you spend 100% of your driving INSIDE of the car.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Yes I also think its alittle pointless comparing without knowing their comparative performance. I think the STi could beat the Evo on performance, the WRX apparently went through slalom course etc faster then old one with MORE body roll… this was due to new suspension and most of all, the engine being lowered a touch so it has lowered the cars centre of gravity. In addition to this the hatch supposedly has less overhang from tyres, which is meant to be better for handling. So I wouldnt be writing the Rex off… and for the look detractors, go actually see a WRX in the metal. EVERYONE I have spoken to or read from forums online has said… they were suprised at how decent it looks in the flesh compared to the pics.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
@Tom: I think they actually changed its name from wrx to s-gt over in Japan, but australia chose to keep the name going.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
You guys are forgetting one important thing - warranty.
5/10 for Mitsu.
That’d be my pick.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
At least the Lancer looks different from most other small cars, the subaru looks like a mazda 3 from the rear.
I agree Mit has the far better warranty.
Toyota paul, if you have sat in both these vehicles then you could judge the interior qualities of both, have you?
To me the lancer interior still has the design advantge and i’ve seen this in person.
Subaru seem to have gone typical Japenese in looks with no decernable styling traits that look individual.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Despite the fact that I am not impressed with the photos of the WRX - and the STi is ever so slightly improved in the pics - on the road the WRX does look better than the pics here. But it is not a photogenic car by any stretch.
However, having said that about the exterior, I am still in favour of the STi. Having sat inside the Lancer and seen inside the Jap Spec Evo here in Sydney, the interior of an Evo looks shit quite frankly. And it is a Mitsubishi. And their cocky sales ppl are talking 75K on the road. And I am hard presed to see myself forking out that amount of cash for a Mitsubishi. The indicated pics of the STI interior are far more favourable. And performance and handling will be on par with the best of Mitsubishi. And anyway, most of the ppl who buy these cars (Evo or STi) will never really explore the true limits of their performance and handling.
So long as the pricing on the STi is kept real, STi will be a winner and it will almost certainly be my next car. So much so that I am currently building a garage just to take delivery of an STi early next year.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Why is the comparison between these two not relevant??
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I’d still take the STi, mainly as the Subaru quality is still there. I have owned and know Mitsubishi owners who have been extremely disappointed with the quality of their cars.
The Lancer I had had a great issue where once the temperature got above 27 degrees the dash would cease to work… speedo, tacho, fuel guage, temp and most importantly the odo… Went back to Mitsu many times before I gave up and sold the car. It did help me in the end because the malfunctioning dash didn’t record about 10,000 kms I drove the car and consequently gave me a few more grand I could put towards the next car.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
ones an up market hot hatch, the other is a boy racer sedan. Two separate markets with two separate customer demographics. People who would consider getting a Golf R32 don’t consider getting a HSV GTS, for example.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I disagree Tom,
I think the Evo n STi still have a lot of direct competing to do,
Personally I dont think many R32 buyers will go for the new STi, its a different type of car altogether.
The Golf is a Volkswagen, has the class of a German car, and more importantly doesn’t have the rex name badge, which R32 owners would avoid like the plague.
I think the WRX is a good competitors to the MPS3 and Golf GTi, but the STi, the hardcore car, will undeniably be benchmarked against the Evo X.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Adam “Toyota paul, if you have sat in both these vehicles then you could judge the interior qualities of both, have you?”
Haha…….YES!!! Not the Evo or STi of course but the VRX and WRX… the WRX for mine shytes all over the Lancer both in materials but above all else, design. Going off pictures, the Evo barely changes interior wise while the STi has reasonably distinctive changes. And as another poster said, they are asking $70K+ for this… that interior isnt good enough on a $30k car let alone $70k. Interior aside, as I said with other points its exterior looks better in real life and performance wise I bet they are equal at worst.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Alborz lol I disagree… although I think people will still compare them yes BUT you would get people in the market for an R32 at least looking at the STi… its grown up alot from the days of massive wings, its now positioned closer to the R32 market imo… the question is whether the marketing crew fraunt this fact or not.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Mitsubishi has always been let down by the interior, although the Evo X looked rather well made when I saw it at the Sydney show, I think though, regardless of interior, these cars are about brutal performance, well, at least they used to be, it seems the Evo X still is, but the STi might have softened its stance.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Sorry, but I think the Impreza is just a bit soft…
I agree it looks ok - there is a silver WRX parked outside my office atm (wish I knew who’s!!) and it does look ok. But that is just it - it is BLAND with a dash of ordinary hatch back. There is nothing (aside from bit hole in the bonnet) to make it look special. Frankly, I think the Golf GTI actually looks better and sportier, but sublte at the same time.
Yes, the Evo X is brutal looking, but that is the appeal - it isn’t a subtle car!
Maybe its cause I’m still under 30 and thinking like a teenager again, but I like the new Evo more!
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Toyota Paul, you might be right, but if I put myself in the shoes of a potential R32 owner, I’d think hmm.. I want a car thats subtle, not a cop magnet and doesn’t have the stigma of being a boy-racer… sure the STi is more mundane than ever, and it is grown up… but its still called a WRX STi
I dont thikn R32 owners would show of their new STi to friends at a dinner party, won’t have the same appeal as the R32… Hence why a name change would have been good, or, Subaru should launch two separate variants of the STi, one with all the boy-racer bits for the enthusiasts, and one for the rest who want the performance, but not the looks.
Either way, according to Subaru, they currently sell about 9.3 STis for every Evo IX, something tells me, if Supply is good from Mitsubishi Japan, that ratio will dramatically change
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Brutal performance/looks is good when its $55k or so… $70k? I personally dont think so. The STi which I assume will be cheaper looks on paper like a better OVERALL car for the price.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
just to confirm guys
the STi and EVO X will have a very similar starting price.
there are two variants of the EVO X, a standard one, and the MR one which comes with the dual clutch gearbox and what not.
the STi and base model Evo will most likely retail for less than 60k, while the Evo X MR might be pushing 64-5
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Hmm I think the ratio may change, not because STi sales will go down, I think a broader market may mean more sales, but because the Evo is an appealing package…but time will tell, $70k certainly isnt cheap, you dont see many of the older Evos around and they were near $20k cheaper!!! Also most people has said the WRX would be a flop meanwhile its getting record sales overseas!
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Ok well thats cheaper than I had expected.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
i have to put the Sti in with the mps3,gti,renault and the slew of hot hatches AND include the Evo even if its not a hot hatch. i think both companies realise that the boy racer market is either middle aged men with a mid life crisis or rich trust fund babies. Going into a market with toned down look can appeal to buyers that want performance and versality without driving a massive HSV fuel sculler. All i really care is that the price of the evo 8 may go down enough for me to afford one!!!!
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
alborz I agree with you on the point of potential R32 buyers maybe avoiding the STi because its japanese and its predecessors reputation. However are we comparing the STi and Evo X just because the STi has no direct competitor. I mean the STi is the only Japanese hot hatch in the market at that price bracket. The STi is a different size and different type of vehicle than the Evo, the only thing they have in common is turbo 4 cylinder engines, price and performance.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Alborz the sales guy at the Mitsubishi stand at the Sydney Motor Show said they had taken a pre-order at $75 for the MR on the road. It might have been cocky sales man talk but that is what I was told. $75K.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Arsenalroc, these cars are just about as thirsty as most V8’s
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
And just for the record pussy little Vw R32s have no place being compared to an STi. Take your R32 and go and play with the girls. What a ridiculous comparison.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Tom, the STi and Evo will have very similar price, they have an AWD turbo engine with 3 million gadgets to keep the car on the road, similar concept in every regard, except their potential market.
It would be like saying the M3 and RS4 are not competitors, because one is a four door and the other is a two door, sure both are different, but essentially they compete!
As for Flying High, I was told many times the car would retail at 80k, then it was 75, then Mitsubishi told me it would be 2-3% higher than the current Evo IX for the entry model, I can’t image the MR costing upwards of 65! That would be just a little too much.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
>>>>>>>>>>>SHOCK!!
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Sorry i think these two are competitiors as Alborz has said.
Toyota Paul…until you sit your bum in these versions of the impreza and lancer, you can’t say which one has the better quality.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I don’t know how other people shop for cars but this is my method:
1. Determine amount you want to spend
2. Determine what type of car you are after, be it performance, luxury, people mover 4WD etc
3. Find out what is available in your chosen category at your price
4. Find what you like and compare against others in category within price
5. Bargain with seller!!!!!!
6. Buy!!!!!!!
Therefore, If I was buying a car, the STi and Evo would be direct competitors, regardless of body style, looks, targeted market etc. Competitors would also include R32, HSV’s, FPV’s etc. This is how I bought my last car. I narrowed my choice down to Forrester XT, XR6, Ford & Holden Utes, Audi A4 1.8T and the good old WRX. What does everyone else think??? How do you decide what to buy?
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
WRX compared to a VRX, Toyota paul? come on, make a valid comparison!
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Alec…
Agreed! I think some over anaylise what is and isn’t a competitior.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
true, but its the potential market that ultimately buys the cars, so if the two potential markets are different, then the comparison is pointless because one market will assess the cars with a different set of criteria to the other market.
If your only criteria is performance and handling, then yes they are comparable. That would indicate that they are targetted to a ‘performance’ market. But thats not the end of the story, because the Sti is targetted to the up-market hot hatch market, who value performance and practicality, and a little luxury. The Evo doesn’t provide this, but it does provide masses of performance and agro styling, which is great, but that satisfies the criteria of a different market.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Tom, essentially what you are saying is
Subaru has disowned their current market, decided to target the STi at a new audience, who have so far stayed away from the STi because of its boy-racer image and its ‘rex’ name, yet, they are still using the STi name to sell it to the R32 crowd?
That is a big and risky move I think.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Tom, I am now what is called the ‘Targeted Market’ for a EVO and no matter what that market is perceived to be, the one thing that makes all cars comparable is price!
The sales people might aim their car at a certain type of person, but at the end of the day, if I have 60,000 to spend, I am going to spend it on a car in that price range.
Also, the STi is definately a ‘Hot Hatch’, but as far as ‘Up Market’, I dont think so (with all respects)
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Alec thats pretty much how I shop for cars, but you say that your step 2 was to work out what type of car you wanted, but then you narrowed your choice down to a Forester XT (performance 4WD), XR6 (dressed up falcon family sedan), utes, Audi A4 1.8T (vaguely luxury medium sedan), and WRX (performance medium sedan). In that range of cars, you don’t seem to have actually chosen a type of car? Maybe a vague performance preference.
If you narrowed the type down to ‘performance hatch’, which is not that specialised a type, then the evo doesn’t make sense as a comparison.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Tom,
my preference was performance. Within that preference I was looking for cars that included choice of manual, preferably rear wheel drive but also looked at AWD (hence subarus and A4 1.8t Quattro), definately not front wheel drive and decent handling. All of those cars I listed have an element of PERFORMANCE.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Also Tom,
remember I said the one thing that makes all cars comparable is price! So in that respect, I have chosen a category of car. The category was 35-45K, performance orientated, Manuals!
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Thats pretty much what I’m trying to say alborz, and I agree, Subaru should have changed the name, as I said in my first post. But a car isn’t just a name, and shouldn’t be judged solely by its name and its history. Its up to subaru to market the image of the WRX and STi being just a boy-racer hi-po sedan away, but comparing the STi and Evo together as hi-po performance boy-racer which is the market Subaru has left is doing the STi an injustice and doesn’t achieve any meaningful result.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
alec, I’ve got to disagree with you on the price making cars comparable thing. A tarago V6 costs the same as a liberty GT, but no one would ever compare the two cars. I can see your category of car now, just the audi A4 1.8T threw me off. Its not exactly performance. The rest of the choices though, very nice, its pretty much my preferred category of car.
Don’t get the impression i don’t like the Evo, I do, it looks awesome and will go like a cut snake. I just don’t reckon comparing the STI and Evo like this blog is doing is really that relevent.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
So Tom, Alborz is asking which they should choose, which one?
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Tom, I guess we’ll agree to disagree, I think the Evo will actually steal sales from the STi, and the STi will have to find these sales from its new market of R32 buyers, although my gut feeling says they are happy with their R32s.
By the way, I own a highly tuned rex, so my bias towards the Evo is not because I am a Mitsu man!
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I just finally figured out where I’ve seen the nose of the new WRX before - it has a bonnet of the 1990 Toyota Celica GT4!!!
Look at this and tell me if you think I’m wrong…
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBay.....otohosting
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
STI will out sell Evo X because its more appealing to the mass market. It looks more prestige and more refined.
The EVO may just look agressive and thats the only thing going for it. Still looks boy racer and no different to previous incarnations of Evo’s in the past. Subaru may lose some inital fans but will definetly get new ones.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I agree Taka, Subaru might prove me wrong and sell more STis than ever before, and I hope they do, but for me, the Evo’s in-your-face approach is far more appealing, something that was more appealing on the previous GD chassis STis
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
adam, i see that, but its more a question of what target market do you belong to. Personally, I’d go the Evo, I love subaru (i drive a liberty sedan) but hatches don’t interest me. but they do interest some of my mates, and the Evo doesn’t really interest them because of that.
alborz, I agree with you, Evo will steal plenty of sales from subaru, but thats because Subaru left that market with the new STi. How successful they are with the hot hatch market, we’ll have to wait and see.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Adam in relation to interior, yes you can compare VRX to WRX because Im 99% sure all the Imprezas have same interior :|
Going off this… and mind you I have a look at the interior of the Evo at the motorshow… the design is far better the material more than likely better.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Think of it this way ,before the REX was a hero looking and sounding car taking sales of Evos and other muscle cars ,it was cheap horsepower ,now we have a subdued..tamed ..more sophisticated powerhouse that I think is still cheap horsepower …..so it will just take sales of the other Hot Euro stuff! Subaru just have to do some marketing towards that!
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Design is your opnion only…i don’t see how the quirkly angled look of the new impreza interiors are anymore attractive than the lancer interiors, while material quality is not the same as appealing design.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
We can’t forget also that the new EVO is not the raw machine it used to be, it has also become more refined and civilised and this is where it will also gain extra sales.
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October 25th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I used to be a huge WRX fan and was the proud owner of an MY98. I loved that car. I couldn’t wait to buy the next model ‘Old Bug Eyes’ until I saw it!! I could not believe how bad it looked. I still couldn’t bring myself to buy any of the new incarnations and was again, eagerly waiting the new model…again shock! I had to check it in the metal and test drove it just to see if it was still good, but the magic is gone. The old turbo rush is gone and the interior left nothing. I went and drove a Golf GTI and fell in love straight away and bought it. Such a shame for Subaru…BUY THE EVO!
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October 25th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Evo. No contest.
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October 25th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I voted Evo.
Sorry, but I just don’t like the look of the new WRX.
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October 25th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
sorry if i sound like a broken record but alborz… we NEED a caradvice forum!!!
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October 25th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
EVO X
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October 25th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
The STi looks like a rice box.
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October 25th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Lol STi is a rice box… its the one with the huge wing is it? For $60k I would find it hard to part with my money on an Evo X given its poor interior design… STi is better overall from what Ive seen.
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October 25th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
EVO ALL THE WAY FOR ME. THE SUBARU LOOKS LIKE MY MISSUS’S KIA RIO HATCH BUT ON DRUGS. ONE UGLY CAR. USED TO LOVE THE SUBARU’S BUT NOW HMMMM…. NOT SO SURE. DONT THINK WE WILL SEE HUGE EXHAUST SYSTEMS ETC ON THE SUBY DOIN BLOCKY’S AROUND TOWN ETC WILL WE, THEY MIGHT GET TOO MANY LAUGHS …LOL…
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October 25th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
“By the way, I own a highly tuned rex, so my bias towards the Evo is not because I am a Mitsu man!”
it seems alborz that you are disapointed at the rex because you are in the old market the wrx was aimed at (the blow off valve generation)? of that target market, how many could afford the STI anyway?
it also seems that you have made your decision of which one you like by reading ur other comments
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October 25th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
The EVO looks like a regular sedan with a vampire bat type face.The Sti looks fare better.I’m sure the EVO performance will be fantastic but it still looks like regular sedan with a rear spoiler.
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October 25th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Ive noticed the LANCER looks kind of like a Ferrari Enzo at the front, if you know what I mean.
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October 25th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
The other reason why Impreza has gone hatch is because it needs to remain competitive in the WRC. With the new chasis it will certainly put Solberg back in the game. 2008 will be new exciting season with the new car, despites its look.
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October 25th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Evo for me all the way… though i can’t see myself driving one of these force fed four wheel drive four cylinder road rockets, i’d pick the EVO simply on looks…
the subaru in my opinion (like most other bloggers) has lost its direction… if you wanted to compete with the Hot hatch segment, subaru should have created a niche model for that purpose and seriously nurtured the STI as a bloodline in it’s own… right now the WRX Sti is like the love puppy of a thoroughbred grey hound and a st bernard… it’s totally effed up!
the EVO on the other hand is like a nice bottle of red that has matured over time to produce a palate that is nice and smooth to drink yet has the strong tannins and character for that unmistakable signature of EVOLUTION! yeah i’m talking bullshit out of a cows arse, but there is merit in my bullshit!
See the point in this Subaru? why do you come up with mutations like the current STi???
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October 25th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
hands down the evo has it on looks. thats prob because it looks like the WRX of old that started the WRX desire.
but id reckon the STI would be easily the better engineered and finished vehicle. although the evo looks good you couldnt get me buy one purely because of the stigma of it being a crappy lancer dressed up. now i know this new generation has improved greatly over the previous lancer but the association is still there.
now i wouldnt buy either.
the biggest thing or seller with performance cars is image.
i wouldnt buy STI now because it doesnt look like a performance car should and i wouldnt buy an EVO because it is still associated to a tarted up lancer
ive seen a few evos getting around and the flesh look still doesnt do it for me.
but good point raised before….. how will it go in rally? i suspect it might be a big improver coming through. maybe the subaru dominance days of old
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October 25th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
there is still 1 thing i dont get and it is y small cars are so ecspensive when they come out for example a wrx gose for over 40k y its not a powerful car and y of all things is the new evo gonna be over 50k y for 10k more u can get an f6 typoon i dont realy know if the hsv’s r under 70k, if so just tell me as i am not up to scratch on holdens but in all respects if i had to chose one of them id chose the mits because its a saden not a 4 door wagon
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October 25th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
EVO
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October 25th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
actually gigantore,
for around the same price you would get into a F6 typhoon or the lower end HSV.
uuuummmmmmmmm ding!!!! F6 thanks
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October 25th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Is there going to be a sedan version of the WRX? Anyway, no one has mentioned a XR5 turbo.. i’m thinking that is a much better car, than the STi the interior looks better and exhaust note… you wouldnt think it was a small car not some noisy VW beetle. And the XR5 is considered to have better handling than the golf GTi. Subaru should have stayed with the sedan style because as most people would notice there are less fast midget sedans than hot hatches. By chosing the hatch it looks like a Mazda SP23, or a Astra or a Corrola… I’m going for the evo because the front looks a lot more attractive, i’m betting subaru is working on a new front end as we speek just as they fixed that accident of a Tribeca.
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October 25th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Check your mail honey!!!!!
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Forget the Immitator and go for the Originator and thats of course the MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X!.
Its always been the best and the new model will continue the same theme. This is engineering at its best, this vehicle is brilliant and she looks bloody sexy too!.
Check out the Vote here today, its 275 to 63 in favour of the Evo, need I say more?.
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
And another thing. I spoke to one of the chaps from Subaru HO Sydney. His said in his opinion (although many of his colleagues scoffed at the idea) it was the rally drivers who had the biggest influence in the design of the new STi being a hatch- because for whatever reason the sedan was not cutting it in the WRC. And I could not discount that theory.
I would doubt there will be an STi sedan going purely on historical precedence for the STi
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October 25th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Agree with Andrew wholly!!!!!! Too a point .I like Fords but I like small pocket rockets too ……I would stick with more class…..Rex!
Subaru is the better badge !
Lets hope Subaru have made the right move by stepping up the level to meet the Euros…….I think they will ,they have entered a class they need to impress ! I think they are able to pull it off ! Good on them ,a ballsy move by them I think!
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October 25th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
EVO X
reason, it looks tougher, sharper and most likely handle and go better.
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October 25th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
But it seems REX has jumped the fence …….It wants to take on EUROPE………What is Evo going to go up against?
Their on the other side now!!!!!!Nice move Subby!!!!!!
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October 26th, 2007 at 12:14 am
The STi will be a more than capable car in itself, I think it’s the styling people object to. It’s bland, though you could say more sophisticated, it could be confused for a Mazda 3 hatch with a bodykit.
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October 26th, 2007 at 12:18 am
of course hands down evo.
it has the same style appeal like the IS250 but in its own right.
besides….you dont want to vomit every morning when u see the rear of your subaru sti. did some rice boy do the clear indicator rear lamps. imagine having that kinda of cheap tactic on your 60k car
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October 26th, 2007 at 12:21 am
I went to the AIMS to check out the new EVO. It looks cheap inside & out.
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October 26th, 2007 at 12:50 am
First off,
the old WRX and EVOs, with their gigantic wings, high roofs, 10 million fog lights and massive air intake dams (all 5 million of them on the front half alone)… exagerations obviously..
They are aggresive looking cars… they don’t look “pretty” per say. You’d never call your car pretty anyways, but its the aggressive look period…
people bought them for the performance and drive…. DON’T LIE NOW.
The EVO X looks aggresive… still obviously targetting the same market…
Subaru has changed their flagship car… the STi, performance wise it is still a beast… looks wise… well now it isnt no way near as aggressive… they certainly want this to appeal to the mid-class professionals who are on the market for the Renault turbo s225 (I was one of them), the VW Golf GTi R32 (same with this one)… whilst still competing with the EVO (the STi name etc)..
Its basically Subaru widenning its audience for the good.
The looks is nice… “ugly”? its a matter of opinion and most people calling it ugly are into the “compact sedan” look that the wrx/evo of old had… so understandable..
But personally, the STi, has so much more potential.
I don’t like the spoiler/wing on top of back roof either, makes it look awkward… the WRC version has its wing connected on the rear-portion of the side member and its top aligned with the roof… I think it makes the car look longer and much nicer…
And oh, I’ve heard the prices… the STi should be within 5% of the old STi’s price range… or was it the EVO… I cant remember exactly…. so sub 60~65 K… the MR probably 70K+… the STi should be 65K and under… SHOULD anyways.
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October 26th, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hey the sedan looks pretty good! from the rear that is. But looks like a Viva for some reason, I had a look on the subaru.com site. Looks like the sedan is delayed for australia or isn’t coming? But having those pumped up guards would have looked really nice on the sedan.
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October 26th, 2007 at 8:21 am
STI ALL THE WAY! THE NEW EVO IS HEAVIER,SLOWER,NO PROPER
6 SPEED MANUAL,AT LEAST STI WILL BE QUICKER WITH MORE
POWER AND LIGHTER THAN PREVIOUS MODEL AND HAS A PROPER!!
6 SPEED MANUAL WITH A CLUTCH PEDAL…………
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October 26th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Where did you hear the new Evo will be slower? Same “official” power outputs as the Evo IX doesn’t mean same “actual” power for cars coming out of Japan. I would be suprised if it were slower than the Evo IX.
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October 26th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Slower maybe, by a minuscule amount. But with a superior engine to previous generations.
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:30 am
If its based on looks, after just seeing both the lancer and Impreza in the flesh my vote has to go to the Subaru.
The lancer looks over weight and too tall, subaru is much more refined.
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:43 am
“it has the same style appeal like the IS250 but in its own right”
Ummmm not really… one has the boy racer look the other is a luxury car with a hint of aggression. I originally liked the new Lancer and hated the Impreza, but the Impreza grows on you especially when you see it in the flesh while the Lancer grows off you especially when you see it in the flesh. I think Subaru are very smart, they may lose some sales to those who dont like the new design but they retain many more and most importantly, gain some from people who previously steered clear of the huge wings and rough looks.
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October 26th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Evo
Simply because of the market that drives flogged out WRX’s, i don’t want to be one :P
Oh and the Evo looks like a car with a purpose and the Sti looks like Judy Jetson’s first car.
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October 26th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Evo
I have to declare that I am not a big fan of Japanese car but if you ask me to choose between the 2’s. I would pick the EVO no doubt.
Performance wise, the EVO is FAR better than the Sti. The reason I said this because I actally had seen the EVO X on a track doing a test run earlier this year in Japan. I went visit one of my mate in Japan who works as Senior Consultants with Mit in Japan. He told me that on the same track, the Evo X actually takes 5.5 secs less than the STi to complete a full lap. Although, it really depends on the drivers and the condition of the day though but 5.5 secs is quite a big gap. 70K for the Evo is not cheap but i think its worth as most money has gone to its handling rather than interior and exterior. I personally think the evo has much better look in both category as well. 1-0 to Mit NO DOUBT!!
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
evo looks more professional.
in the developement stages, subaru already knew their design can not match up to the evo and therefore decided to change thier war chant.
u can attract the young professional while keeping the car looking good. subaru has no excuse to come up with such a bad design esp when thier liberty looks really sleek.
mitsu even got it right with thier evo hatch or watever they gonna call it.
if mitsu were to change thier marketing direction along the same lines as subaru, they would still beat subaru at thier own game.
u also need to know that not many evos are driven by fan boy ricers. they just think they are
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October 27th, 2007 at 12:28 am
I voted for the Evo.
It looks good and has great performance.
The new STi looks bland but has great performance.
Both have crummy interiors, suffers from a negative image (hoons) and cost quite a bit, but then again, these cars offer great value for money if you want performance.
I understand why the STi has had such a huge makeover (they want to expand to a bigger market, get some wins in the WRC and move away from the ‘hoon’ image) but it’s a risky move… best of luck to Subaru.
Personally, if I was to buy a car now with a mid-$60k budget, it would be the Lexus IS250 but yeah I know, we’re talking about a different market. It really sucks how much we have to pay for a Lexus in Australia compared to the US… but I really like the new IS models.
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October 27th, 2007 at 3:11 am
stay away from that thing they’re calling the new sti!
Yes i’ve seen the rex it self and while it does look better by no means does the design magically change… it’s a dull daily transport and no amount of argument could change that
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October 27th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Evo’s have always looked classier and better looking than sti’s. Even if the interior aint of euro standards and have hoon imagine, but has outstanding Japanese reliability. Just look at porcshe with all the gagdets these cars got? Not much change from 300k, so 65k is good price. The best part is the evo is exactly what it means, they have evolved the car, and not revolutionised (not making same mistake as ducati did 916-999) to keep the faithful happy and same time draw in new customers.
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October 27th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Perhaps I’m getting old (37!) but I’m leaning towards the STi. It’s looks are growing on me: a ‘hatch with pumped wheel arches’ sort of reminds me of a 1989 Lancia Delta Integrale 16v - which in the metal looked incredible (google it). You would also expect the STi to have a slight performance edge due to it’s lower weight and slightly higher KWs (227?). As for the Evo’s DSG gearbox: they’re great technology and no doubt would be useful around a track…but perhaps it would take away some of the fun? In the end, I doubt you could go wrong with either car though.
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October 27th, 2007 at 8:55 am
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE! DOESNT ANYONE ACTUALLY WANT
TO DRIVE! A CAR ANYMORE..I DONT CARE WHAT MITSUBISHI CALLS
IT BUT A CAR WITH NO CLUTCH PEDAL IS AN AUTOMATIC!!!!
A REAL SPORTS CAR SHOULD BE LIKE THE STI.. LIGHT WEIGHT,
BIG GAURDS,BIG
WHEELS,BONNET SCOOP,MORE POWER AND WITH A PROPER 6 SPEED BOX,, MOST IMPORTANTLY A BOXER 4CYL ENGINE
ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE A SPORTS CAR!! UNLIKE CHEAP 4CYL SOUNDING LANCER….
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October 27th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Ahhhh Eureka……looks like Subaru changes are working for them then! As you said maybe I am getting old but the STI is growing on me! It seems Subaru are finding that new market their seeking! I am older than you too and even though I love the old Rexs have you ever seen a 50 year old in one? They look like their going through a midlife crisis! At least now they won’t look out of place in it and us baby boomers can have buy them without looking like were driving our kids car!hehehe
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October 27th, 2007 at 9:55 am
missile??? likes hot hatches???
i thought you would be a preacher of “only milk and juice come in 2L”
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October 27th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Sexythang Evo looks more professional? Im not sure if you know which one is the Evo then…. its the blue one with the huge wing and boy racer looks…. the STi is the professional one (Both outisde and especially the interior)! Mind you this is infact what Subaru are going for, they are trying to get away from boy racers even with the STi I think… reading a yanks review he stated that the car wasnt as rough as the older ones (eg suspesnion, engine, trans… similar to WRX and how it has more linear feeling rather then burts of neck jultering boost), me thinks this car is targetted againt vehicles such as the R32 with the Evo being a secondary compettitor so to speak.
As for STi, Im young and I like it. The Evo has parts of it that are REALLY good, the front end mainly. The STi however is better rounded; doesnt have loud looks but still good looking, interior is WAY better then Evo and even many cars above its price tag and it will perform on par with the Evo.
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October 28th, 2007 at 8:58 am
The images of STi are not real, is a photoshop. The new STi will be more radical
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October 28th, 2007 at 9:06 am
^
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahha yeah Chesk, this very same STi which is at the Tokyo motorshow is a hologram as well, its fake :|
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October 28th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
The mitsubishi may well be a good car and it does look quite nice . . however . .
You at least need the option of a full manual for a drivers car in my opinion. Yeah the fake manual may sell better and make them more money but the people who really want to ‘drive’ will want a manual. More importantly though, mitsubishi have fallen into the trend set by so many other companies of present time by making their car significantly heavier than its predecessor while making little more power.
When the impreza came out i was very underwhelmed, the wrx looks plain boring and cheap to my eyes . . however . .
The STI looks hot with its proper pumped out guards, great interior nice wheels and proper (if not conventional) good looks.
Above this they have made a car thats more refined than its predecessor whilst dropping its weight!! Then added even more power and are feeding that power to the ground with a proper manual.
Mitsubishi may look nice, have a plethora of electronic gizmo’s and technology and sell well but as a drivers car, the lighter more powerful STI would be my pick for sure - I cant wait to see a comparo done.
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October 28th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
The Evo and STi are still as competitive as ever… why? Because they’re both the best known WRC cars. They’re both extremely powerfulm, turbocharged, AWD monsters. People are going on about the fact that the Impreza is a hatchback… Well, yes it is, but there is a sedan version… just look on the international subaru website. It’s just like Holden waiting over a year to release the VE Ute!
Just because the current model STi is a hatchback, doesn’t mean the performance and capability to be powerful aren’t there. And my choice by far would be the Subaru WRX STi, because think about it… the Evo is still just a Mitsubishi Lancer that costs 65K…
I might also add, that the 4-door sedan WRX, is a very nice looking car, even in the pictures.
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October 28th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Azza, the Evo might be “just a Mitsubishi Lancer that costs 65K”, but the same can be said about the WRX STi. It’s just an Impreza that costs 65K! And those base model Imprezas are pretty ordinary - very bland and underpowered.
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October 28th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
i think the evo is the better choice.. not only does it look better.. it also creates more power than the sti. although the sti is lighter the evo has a better power to weight ratio
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October 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Andrew said “missile??? likes hot hatches???
i thought you would be a preacher of “only milk and juice come in 2L”
You didn’t know??????hahahaha…I thought you knew if I didn’t have an M3 I would have a hot hatch! Always loved REXS
but after speaking to Cobra 045 today at the all Ford Day ..who has promised me a drive of his XR5… I may have to check back with you on that choice! Anyone got a Rex I can borrow too..hehehe! Hang on I know I guy that has one…begins with A.!!!
My son had ‘only bad wine comes in 5 litres on the back of his car!!!! Lets say it didn’t stay on the back window for long …..stupid stickers! I love my Fords Andrew but love something smaller to thrash about in!
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October 30th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
No, seriously, they are both alright cars. I have been an anti-hoon evo fanboy since forever. Seriously, the rex is the hoon car (not the sti) if you look at sites ie. rexnet ect… compared to evooz. Which is sort of why subi is trying to go slightly upmarket and yet maintain a sporty image with the new STi which does not look all that bad in the flesh. But in all honesty, can we not agree that these are both great cars? I mean seriously, what fun can an evo driver have on a track if there isn’t an STi to lap a few times? lol maybe not lap but beat unless they are an imcompetent driver. But the truth is we need these to brands to give each other competition so that each one strives to be the better vehicle and we as consumers benefit from it.
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November 3rd, 2007 at 11:19 am
What Damo says is true… Everywhere you look in Melbourne there will be some P-Plater driving around in a WRX… You don’t see them in the STi’s or Evo’s because they’re just “slightly” dearer then the standard WRX. And the only reason they drive Subaru’s varient over Mitsu is because the WRX is Turbocharged… They’re both roughly near the same price (WRX and VR-X), so why not pay an extra 1K (rough estimation) for a rather powerful Turbocharger?
Yes JBot, that might be true, but Subaru in general are just better then what Mitsu are. Subaru’s models are all in the highest technology, they all look good… sorta… and they’re all AWD! Mitsu’s best varient of the Lancer is the VR-X, what has that got going for it against an RS Impreza let alone a WRX?
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November 3rd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Just so you know Azza Mitsubishi are releasing a Ralliart to compeat with the WRX. It will cost about the same $40k and will also give the turbo hatches a run for there money. But, I agree with all else you say.
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December 10th, 2007 at 12:44 am
There great cars I still would take the STi over the Evo. Subaru 4LIFE. Yeah I’m a fanboy maybe because I drive one and 95% of my NEAWD crew are Subaru out of 3 EVO. There should’nt be a War but it’s not much fun to see who’s the best.
What I’ve seen is that Subaru is all around a better car. Look at RAllY what name pops up more Subaru Ken B. and Travis P. Even Tommy M. won some for Subaru, afther he left Mistu. A never ending battle
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December 20th, 2007 at 2:36 am
Ha! I was right. The Evo is the current winner. The Impreza is looking like a crazy vrersion of the VW POLO GTI. A little hatchback… The Evo on the other hand looks completly from outerspece. Both of them are, but the impreza look not ready, in my opinion the Evo X is looking just like the monster she is. I once heard another showdown between the Evo 8 and the relevant STI, which compared them to F-15 & F-16 fighter jets, the impreza, as i said earlier is a small european hatchbeak with a superchearger, while the evo is still the best rally car you can afford.
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August 9th, 2008 at 6:34 am
From what I know, from all the specs, from the history, from the looks and feel. I like 2008 WRX STI much more than EVO. I honestly find it look better than EVO. EVO was good looking for 3 months, then I found it look ugly. But STI might look not as good, but it looks great for a long long time. It’s about the trend. I like the hatch back because it serves many more purposes. I like how they tune the engine, price for it, gas mpg VS the EVO X, the interior, and how it feels when I sit in one (in performance). I never favor the SST over 6 speed. I would say it depends on the driver, and WRX STI gives much more control than EVO. Behaves more honest. And that’s what I’m looking for. The physics is undeniable, boxer engine is better than regular in line 4 for balance performance. Symmetrical AWD is better than other AWD. I’ve seen it tested. The rest comes down to the driver. Again, what good is the car if the driver can’t control it at its best. Therefore, I favor Subaru as always. Again, I like this new look, might not be good but better than EVO. That’s how I feel.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Krit a boxer 4 isn’t more balanced than an inline 4, that’s rubbish go back and do some research before making those claims. This new 4B11 Mitsubishi inline 4 does not require any balance shafts that’s how well balance it is. An inline 4 configuration is also much stronger than a boxer 4 could ever be. Ask Subaru why they refuse a recall on all the recent 2.5L boxers blowing up? Subaru’s have weaker engines, gearboxes, axels etc. This is fact and has been proven in history and still a problem at present. Jump on some Subaru forums and see how many warranty claims get rejected by Subaru. The only thing a Flat 4 will provide is a lower centre of gravity in the engine bay. The Flat 4 is a quirky weak design. Flat 6’s now that’s a totally different story, having an odd number of cylinders on each side of a Flat (boxer) designed engine is what gives it balance. Also the EVO’s AWD is far more sophisticated and thorough than anything Subaru can offer in it’s STi. This is why every EVO X has spanked all STi’s past and present on the track in magazine tests. People should get their facts straight before making ridiculous claims. An EVO IX won Targa this year beating Jim Richards in his mighty 911 GT2 without any rain during the whole event. That’s how good the EVO is!
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