Subaru WRX STi vs Mitsu Lancer Evo X

dubbs · 12-20-2010, 02:09 PM

I test drove the lancer yesterday and beat the piss out of a car w/ 30 miles on it honestly just to shut the dealer up.. Apparently he thinks how fast a car can go in a straight line sells the car for most people. I was looking for turns, i was in an area I didn't know and he wasn't helping to find any. But my thoughts after about 30 mins in the car.

It's my first time driving an AWD sports car.. Kinda cool, but you still get that Torque steer i remember from FWD cars. Don't really like that feeling. It's pretty fast, got loads of Torque, but the top end kinda lacks for me. (I like peaky top end power like my s2k) I have no idea how the car handles but there wasn't much body roll in the shitty turns i took. The ride is horrible.. seats are made to be in a full on race car and the clutch and shifting was strange. The clutch felt like nothing, no feel, light as a feather.. The shifting was very stiff, might be just because it's new.. idk but I did feel 3rd to be very notchy even during mild 4k+ shifts. The lack of a 6spd is also a let down (and i won't go near that auto-manual no clutch paddle shifting bull shit)

Car looks awesome in person. The one model was black, just looked mean..

As far as the Subie I have yet to drive it as they were really reluctant to let me take it out. I simply told the guy i can't buy a car i can't test drive and gave him my number and left. He called me today and said I can take it out but he needs my credit card, it can't be at night, and the salesman has to go with me. I work during the day so I guess I'll test it out after Xmas. I sat in it and the interior much nicer.. The seats seem like they would hold you fine and are yet still very comfortable. The clutch felt better and this model also had the short shifter which seemed to have more precise shifts than My S2K.. came out to $40k.

Just seeing if you guys had any thoughts about these models.. I know the subie motors are less than perfect and I'm not sure how much more power they can take before needing some major engine work.

Homeslice · 12-20-2010, 02:28 PM

$40K?

lolololololol......

Anyways, if you do a lot of commuting, get the Subie............The Lancer's ride & road noise & cheap interior would suck for that.

I rented a base Lancer, and on the highway it felt like being inside a snare drum because of all the road/tire noise.

dubbs · 12-20-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

$40K?

lolololololol......

Anyways, if you do a lot of commuting, get the Subie............The Lancer's ride & road noise & cheap interior would suck for that.

I rented a base Lancer, and on the highway it felt like being inside a snare drum because of all the road/tire noise.

Yeah I thought that 40k price tag was nuts. Had every dealer option already installed. Base price is 34k.

goof2 · 12-20-2010, 02:40 PM

Keep in mind, the Lancer Evo requires valve adjustments. The "scheduled" interval for inspections is now 60k miles but they say you need to deal with it if the valves get loud no matter the mileage. I think earlier Evos were down around 25k or 30k for valve adjustments if you were considering going used.

Dave · 12-20-2010, 02:52 PM

Evo had tq steer because the engine is still a transverse mount. It basically IS a ff layout

Personally I wouldn't spend money on either, maybe a genesis coupe turbo...maybe

dubbs · 12-20-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Evo had tq steer because the engine is still a transverse mount. It basically IS a ff layout

Personally I wouldn't spend money on either, maybe a genesis coupe turbo...maybe

Yeah.. It snows a good amount around here.. I'd love to be able to take the car out in the snow with some good winter tires and tear shit up.

As I stare at my car in the garage around this time of the year.. it makes me want something more capable.

neebelung · 12-20-2010, 03:08 PM

My vote is, of course, for the Subie. I've just never been as in love with a car as I am with my WRX. I've yet to drive it in snow, but I WANT to. But in rain (and of course, just day to day driving), it's so very capable, and just a joy to drive.

That said, that "new car show with the fat hipster" tested the Evo X in ungodly snow, and it was seriously impressive. Haven't heard about 2011 STi in those conditions, but if you're looking at new models, it might be worth looking up the vid of that test drive.

dubbs · 12-20-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

My vote is, of course, for the Subie. I've just never been as in love with a car as I am with my WRX. I've yet to drive it in snow, but I WANT to. But in rain (and of course, just day to day driving), it's so very capable, and just a joy to drive.

That said, that "new car show with the fat hipster" tested the Evo X in ungodly snow, and it was seriously impressive. Haven't heard about 2011 STi in those conditions, but if you're looking at new models, it might be worth looking up the vid of that test drive.

I was also considering just the WRX seeing as it's not that much less of a car for like 8500 less.

Yes, I saw that review and it kind of made me want to test drive both, before seeing it, I was just tossing the idea around.. the way it cut through the snow and how much fun it looked, made me go out and drive it yesterday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

They were like that here as well.

I ended up testing a used STI with all season radials

That thing slid all over the road.

I wasn't impressed with the kidney jar ride of the STI.

Fast car..no doubt..but for $32k I decided to get something a little more practical AND a sports car

What kind of car(s) did you end up getting?

CasterTroy · 12-20-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubbs

What kind of car(s) did you end up getting?

Explorer (practical 4x4)
Z4 (sport car)

I bought both (used) for less than what the used STI was listed for

Thing is, I drove an SL convertible up to the dealership, and thought for SURE I'd be taken more seriously than some kid wanting a free ride...and I DID have geniune interest in buying one. But even after talking to them and the salesmans understanding that I was in fact ready to purchase.....they still wanted credit card info, bloodwork, and first born to test drive a NEW STI

I settled for the used one, and told the salesman afterwards that had it been the new one and I coul have tested out a car with proper tires they may have had a sale.

dubbs · 12-20-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

Explorer (practical 4x4)
Z4 (sport car)

I bought both (used) for less than what the used STI was listed for

Thing is, I drove an SL convertible up to the dealership, and thought for SURE I'd be taken more seriously than some kid wanting a free ride...and I DID have geniune interest in buying one. But even after talking to them and the salesmans understanding that I was in fact ready to purchase.....they still wanted credit card info, bloodwork, and first born to test drive a NEW STI

I settled for the used one, and told the salesman afterwards that had it been the new one and I coul have tested out a car with proper tires they may have had a sale.

I found it funny how easy it was to test drive an EVO vs an STi. I thought they would both be pretty hard, as soon as I said I had an S2000 to trade I figured they wouldn't care.

12-20-2010, 02:09 PM	#1
dubbs Multistrada Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manorville, NY Posts: 652	Subaru WRX STi vs Mitsu Lancer Evo X I test drove the lancer yesterday and beat the piss out of a car w/ 30 miles on it honestly just to shut the dealer up.. Apparently he thinks how fast a car can go in a straight line sells the car for most people. I was looking for turns, i was in an area I didn't know and he wasn't helping to find any. But my thoughts after about 30 mins in the car. It's my first time driving an AWD sports car.. Kinda cool, but you still get that Torque steer i remember from FWD cars. Don't really like that feeling. It's pretty fast, got loads of Torque, but the top end kinda lacks for me. (I like peaky top end power like my s2k) I have no idea how the car handles but there wasn't much body roll in the shitty turns i took. The ride is horrible.. seats are made to be in a full on race car and the clutch and shifting was strange. The clutch felt like nothing, no feel, light as a feather.. The shifting was very stiff, might be just because it's new.. idk but I did feel 3rd to be very notchy even during mild 4k+ shifts. The lack of a 6spd is also a let down (and i won't go near that auto-manual no clutch paddle shifting bull shit) Car looks awesome in person. The one model was black, just looked mean.. As far as the Subie I have yet to drive it as they were really reluctant to let me take it out. I simply told the guy i can't buy a car i can't test drive and gave him my number and left. He called me today and said I can take it out but he needs my credit card, it can't be at night, and the salesman has to go with me. I work during the day so I guess I'll test it out after Xmas. I sat in it and the interior much nicer.. The seats seem like they would hold you fine and are yet still very comfortable. The clutch felt better and this model also had the short shifter which seemed to have more precise shifts than My S2K.. came out to $40k. Just seeing if you guys had any thoughts about these models.. I know the subie motors are less than perfect and I'm not sure how much more power they can take before needing some major engine work. __________________ Sportbike - 2013 Ducati Multistrada S Touring - Red Luxury Car - 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0 Turbo - Black Weekend Car - 2003 Honda S2000 - Black Daily Driver - 2011 Toyota Prius - Black Beater - 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid - Dust Colored Last edited by dubbs; 12-20-2010 at 02:12 PM..

12-20-2010, 02:28 PM	#2
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	$40K? lolololololol...... Anyways, if you do a lot of commuting, get the Subie............The Lancer's ride & road noise & cheap interior would suck for that. I rented a base Lancer, and on the highway it felt like being inside a snare drum because of all the road/tire noise.

12-20-2010, 02:40 PM	#4
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	Keep in mind, the Lancer Evo requires valve adjustments. The "scheduled" interval for inspections is now 60k miles but they say you need to deal with it if the valves get loud no matter the mileage. I think earlier Evos were down around 25k or 30k for valve adjustments if you were considering going used.

12-20-2010, 02:52 PM	#5
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	Evo had tq steer because the engine is still a transverse mount. It basically IS a ff layout Personally I wouldn't spend money on either, maybe a genesis coupe turbo...maybe

12-20-2010, 03:08 PM	#7
neebelung Ornery, scandalous & evil Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Moto: 2004 Scarlet R1 Posts: 5,962	My vote is, of course, for the Subie. I've just never been as in love with a car as I am with my WRX. I've yet to drive it in snow, but I WANT to. But in rain (and of course, just day to day driving), it's so very capable, and just a joy to drive. That said, that "new car show with the fat hipster" tested the Evo X in ungodly snow, and it was seriously impressive. Haven't heard about 2011 STi in those conditions, but if you're looking at new models, it might be worth looking up the vid of that test drive.