| Author | Message | ||
| Johnny Bravo (Johnny_bravo)
New member Username: Johnny_bravo Post Number: 30 Registered: 7-2003 |
Well the WRX is known worldwide for it's gearbox problems, but typically the STi units are notably stronger. I browse the Lancer Register (www.lancerregister.com) a lot and I rarely see anybody complainig about gearbox issues there, but if you look at any US DSM site that's usually the biggest complaint (similar trannies to Evo I-III, but US built and a few different parts). I've also heard a lot of complaints about the Evo's clutch being junk and I have a feeling that Mitsubishi did that on purpose. One reason being saving the tranny from stupid boy racers thinking they can just drive it off the lot and race it everywhere. It'll teach them not to be such morons if they have to change the clutch out right away. And another reason to take it easy on the tranny. With the DSM's Mitsubishi had a lot of driveline recalls and I'm sure it cost them a ton of money in the long run. I'm not surprised these higher hp awd cars are having tranny problems as their drivetrains aren't simple, but there's only so much you can do to a car to keep it in the price range these cars are in. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1500 Registered: 3-2001 |
I was reading in my newest AutoWeek this thing turns the quarter mile in 13.36 seconds... yipes! | ||
| DGS (Dgs)
Member Username: Dgs Post Number: 288 Registered: 5-2003 |
You can check the reports for yourself on nasioc.com -- the Subaru forum site. The site for the EVO is evolutionm.net. The STi was having a detonation issue, especially on 91 octane in CA, when the top mounted intercooler got heat-soaked. I got the impression they tried a smidge too hard for the "magic" 300 BHP number. I hear there's now an ECU reflash for it which takes some of the edge off. The EVO's intercooler is front mounted (making the EVO about 5 inches longer, to pass the 5MPH impact test), and has an "auto" position on the spraybar, where the STi's spraybar is manual only. I've also heard the reports of problems with the STi's new 6-speed box. The EVO uses a 5-speed with a bit more history, but is having problems with the clutch (the single plate won't stand up to high rev, dropped-clutch launches to the AWD among the drag race crowd). Once people start putting twin plate clutches in the EVO, we might start seeing more gearbox issues, among the same racers that are probably incurring STi gearbox problems. But reliability issues seem to extend to the SCCA Pro Rally series, too. The EVO just clinched the driver and team championship for the year, while the STi has been plagued by mechanical DNFs. (I'm still not sure which STi they're using for SCCA, as the US model is 2.5 litres, versus all the other 2.0 litre OC entrants.) I've sat in an STi (the dealer didn't permit a test drive), and the seats are a smidge more adjustable, but less supportive than the EVO's. But then, the EVO uses off-the-shelf Recaros, so an upgrade to a better Recaro would be trivially simple. In practice, I find the stock seat to be adequate. The EVO has an optional sunroof, which I like having, while the STi doesn't offer one. The STi doesn't come with a stereo. (They left it as a dealer option to save weight on the "base" model.) If you really hate the EVO's big wing, a smaller wing is available, but I've heard that the EVO gets "twitchy" at high speeds with the smaller spoiler. The EVO has been out a few months longer than the STi, and the STi is still considered a "limited production" "special". That may be why there are more tire/wheel packages for the EVO, and why most dealers don't allow test drives in the STi. (Only a few Mitsu dealers offer test drives in the EVO, on an individual basis.) | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 957 Registered: 9-2002 |
Chris its true...my friend is having issues with his modded WRX's gearbox...but then again it is modded. | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 489 Registered: 5-2001 |
You probably saw the head-to-head that Road & Track ran with these and it came out a draw. I just spoke to someone who bought the Evo, who told me in his research the Subaru's were having gearbox problems - don't know how reliable his info is... | ||
| Ryan Alexander (Ryalex)
Junior Member Username: Ryalex Post Number: 73 Registered: 8-2003 |
Although I haven't driven the Evo (just looked around), but own a WRX, my insight to add in the Evo/STi debate is while they are both in the $30k range - with the Evo cheaper by a few $k, yes - the Evo is a $30k car built on a Lancer costing only $10k, while a base Impreza runs around $18k... so Mitsubishi had $20k to dump into mods/upgrades, whereas Subaru only $12k. I think the difference of the base models shows in the quality of the interior and heft of the car, the Subaru being somewhat higher quality/styling. Like I said, I haven't driven the Evo or the STi WRX, but just looking at everything (and owning a normal WRX), I would take a .2 second slower 0-60 or whatever (heck, I'm not even that good of a driver to make that much of a difference in accelerating anyway - and I don't drag race/launch start), and take the STi because I would feel like I'm getting a little more car. | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 271 Registered: 4-2002 |
Rikky, Evo is a few thou cheaper than the Sti....like maybe $3k | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 297 Registered: 5-2002 |
interesting... Which one is priced better? Evo/Sti? | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
Member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 311 Registered: 8-2001 |
I was at a Subaru dealer last week & the dealer had a silver & a black STI for $700 off the sticker. I was very close on pulling out my checkbook for the silver STI but they wouldnt let me test drive the car. So I just walked away. | ||
| DGS (Dgs)
Member Username: Dgs Post Number: 282 Registered: 5-2003 |
The STi has a pretty extensive wing as well. And unlike the 328's "spoiler", the EVO's rear wing really is an airfoil. I've heard (unconfirmed) reports of something like 260 lb of downforce at 60 mph. You want squab with that rice? The STis monster hood scoop has numerous reports of injesting birds. Either is a pretty hot rocket. The STi has more torque across the low end (no replacement for displacement), while the EVO has crisper steering response. Both have humungeous Brembos, making selection of winter rims somewhat problematic, but giving Ferrari-like stopping distances. (The EVO stops from 60 two feet shorter than an Enzo!) I've just finished breaking in my EVO, and the performance is on a par with my 328 -- impressive for a four door sedan. And the rally-based EVO can handle the "roadway formerly known as paved". Quality is, of course, where the price difference comes in. Aside from the Recaro seats, the EVO's interior is pretty low budget. (And they're the low end Recaros, too.) Now I need to start shopping for a winter tire/wheel package. Neither the EVO's Advans nor the STi's Bridgestones are suitable for winter driving. At least there are a couple of wheel choices for the EVO -- so far, all I've heard will fit the STi are the factory BBSs ... at $2800 a set. Even the stock Enkeis for the EVO only run $265 a corner, from third party sources. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 296 Registered: 5-2002 |
The thing that bothers me about the Evo is the factory "riced out" look with altezzas/a huge wing. | ||
| Johnny Bravo (Johnny_bravo)
New member Username: Johnny_bravo Post Number: 26 Registered: 7-2003 |
I'm a huge awd fan and although I haven't yet had the chance to test drive an STi I think Subaru did a great job with the latest incarnation. I'm kinda partial to Mitsubishi as I have a Galant VR-4, but now that Suby has updated the Impreza's looks it's a much more attractive car. I'd still prefer the Lancer Evo VIII to the STi, but it figures we here in the US get a somewhat watered down version (no AYC, no 6-spd, et cetera...) although it's rumored those features will be available in the future either as a special model or as factory options. Either way both cars are a helluva bargain and with just a few mods can lay down some serious hp. There's already a guy on one of the Suby boards putting down well over 300awhp with really basic mods (under $2000 if I remember correctly). Gotta love turbos  | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 270 Registered: 4-2002 |
I was smiling after driving the regular WRX. I can't imagine what 75 more hp and all the other upgrades would be like. | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Intermediate Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 1270 Registered: 9-2001 |
Got a chance to drive one today, amazing thing is for all that power for under $35,000. Its one hell of a deal IMO. I'm still smiling after that test drive. Wow.... Any comments?  |