It has a little more HP in Japan.

 

It's also a 2.0L rather than a 2.5L. Since WRC mandates that all motors be 2000cc or less, you could make an argument that the USDM STi is not really a true "rally inspired" car though. LOL. I'm splitting hairs, but this is the type of madness you read on the Evo forums. That's why I posted this thread over here.

 

Here is my experience with the 2 cars in question here! I owned an Evo for 7 months and have owned an RX-8 for 1 yr and 2 months. The fact of the matter is I did find the Evo to be a better handling car. As much as people talk about the RX-8 inspiring confidence in turns in my case it was moreso with the Evo. The difference that stands out in these 2 cars in tighter twisties is that with the shorter gearing you might find yourself shifting more in the Evo. The Evo requires more attention because it has so much feedback in the steering that the car tends to pull more with grooves in the road. Both are great cars and both are fun but the Evo simply wins the handling contest hands down!

 

Why did you sell the Evo?

 

I didn't sell it. I actually was involved in an accident that totalled the car out. Due to the trouble I was getting into with the car I didn't buy another but instead I took a slight step down in performance and a step up with luxury features and purchased a beautiful black RX-8 fully loaded with everything except GPS. I've always loved the RX-7 (had an '88 GXL) and the 8 was right there!

 

You stated that there were a lot of misinformation on this thread, but you're not doing any better.

Firstly, you can't compare these 2 cars, ever.

One's a performance car, the other a semi sports car.

One has power, the other doesn't.

One is reasonably fuel efficient for what it is, the other is not very fuel efficient for what it is.

One has 4 doors with room for 4-5 people, the other has 2 doors with room for 4 people.

One can handle on any surfaces, the other performs best on dry roads.

One is a result of several versions, the other is a newbie with all the technologies that will make it or break it.

You get what you paid for.

Can you still compare these 2 cars?

Some of you guys need to listen to IkeWRX (the residential WRX poster on this forum). He's pretty much spot on when comparing these cars.

Both are great cars, some prefers the EVO, some prefers the 8. Some call the EVO the rice boy's fantasy whereas in Japan they are very well respected as well as the WRXs (easy to get a lot of power out of the small 2 litre engines). Some call the RX8 a sheep in wolf clothing, guess you have to drive the car to appreciate it for what it is, an RX8.

Don't really want to put down any cars, but its the EVO that comes out on top.

 

is the evo based on the lancer body type ? is the inside the same? im driving a rental lancer right now and if the evo looks the same inside no way i would buy it. i dont care how fast it goes

 

Hehe. I like to call the evo interior as functional.... But really the interior is pretty much the same. Just recaro seats, different gauge cluster, steering wheel, and center councel. Oh and there are suede accents everywhere. I remember telling my friend I would never buy an evo b/c a civics interior looks better. Now I deny any claim of saying that. I really wish I had bought a sti, or everytime I see a rx8 I want one....

 

Sorry to hear about the accident. You can't lose with either car in my opnion.

BTW...how did the Evo hold up in the accident?

 

Not they are not, there are enough differences to tell them apart.

Seriously if flash over substance is more important to you, the EVO and other similar cars are not for you.

 

We're talking about the WRX not the STi.

 

Shiri Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzardsluck
is the evo based on the lancer body type ? is the inside the same? im driving a rental lancer right now and if the evo looks the same inside no way i would buy it. i dont care how fast it goes


Not they are not, there are enough differences to tell them apart.

Seriously if flash over substance is more important to you, the EVO and other similar cars are not for you.


I wanted a car that i loved to drive and made a good daily driver, but also wanted something that didnt look like 4 door sedan (cant think of a better way to put it) that has been tricked out. Therefore I got the 8. If I wanted a track car I dont think I would of considered the 8 or the Evo. Thats my last off topic post.

 

What new car would you get for a track car under 30k then or even under 35k, because I can't think of anything I'd rather have than an Evo? Move up to 40k and I'd probably have to give ther Elise the nod.

 

yeah im pretty sure the elise hands the evo's *** to it, so you know what it doesnt matter what car you have because there will always be something better. Just be happy with a car that makes you happy whatever you want to use it for.
capice?

ok good.

 

my point was exactly what mazda ^^^ said. there is always something better and nicer. as for a stock track car w/o mods, i would think a STi would be best but if you could strip a car down to a real race car (not street legal) then what would be best (the never ending debate lol)?. not picking on the evo obviously i know little about it. just sticking up for my little rotary

 

The differences in handling capabilties between the Evo and STi are microscopic to 99.9% of the people who own them. However, to an autox enthusiast the Evo is the better track car. It has a slightly wider wheel base, a closer steering ratio and wider rims/tires. Of course all those things can be easily changed on the STi (see the STi Spec C) but off the showroom floor the Evo wins by a **** hair.

 

i wasnt really thinking track= autox. like i said i know little about the evo. i digress lol

 

Seriously have you driven both under heavy test conditions to know the difference?

 

Obviously not. Have you?

I mean I'd love to have a chance to drive an STi and an Evo around the same track, one after the other, to see which one gets the better time. Problem is that I don't have a track, $70k, or the kind of driving experience required in order to validate the results. That's what magazines are for.

 

Yes I have! Of course my experience and opinions aren't worth much but if I had to take one car home it would be the STI, more livable. Honestly I wouldn't be able to fully utilise the full techno strength of the EVO on the streets which is where I'm doing 95% of my driving on. On the track, I'd take the EVO but I want a car that's more than a track car, I want a car that I could be pleased with, presentable and usable. Well, I'm over 30, so you can probably understand why the EVO doesn't really suit me.

Also, if you ask the guys from Australia which car started out first there, they'll tell you the IMPREZA/WRX/STI. That's where the Impreza series gained world wide acceptance. EVO never really came out until now and it will take some time before people start to appreciate its character and potentials. Its probably one of those "mis-understood" cars like the NSX, Silvia S15 and Cosmos which were great in Japan, badly recieved elsewhere.

If had to take an older version of either, it would be the EVO (because they are fun little beaters which you can drive the **** out of).

Off my rant.

 

The WRX/Sti is somewhat a cult car here in Australia simply because of its infamous ability to outrun the police in pursuits.

The cars gained fame some 8 years ago when a number of them were used for armed robberies, ram raids and high speed pursuits.

Even the local coppers trialled the use of WRX as pursuit vehicles for a short time.

The Evo is relatively new here since we first received the VI and now have the VIII, however it is quickly receiving a cult following as well.

The Evo is now generally regarded as the vehicle which has been able to outperform the previously insurmountable WRX/Sti.

As for the NSX, it's never sold well since Aussies are snobs and would rather own a Porsche for the same sort of money since the Honda badge doesn't have the same image.

The Silvia (S13-S15) and the Cosmo both have loyal cult followings here downunder with many highly modded versions being street driven.

 

I'm not sure what people are paying for these 2 cars in your area, but in the northeast US, all the local mitsu dealers are selling Evo's upwards of 35K, and if your savy enough you can get an 8 much cheaper then that. I paid 24,800 for a 6mt, touring, appear. pkg, and spoiler. That's 10 grand off the price of an Evo, and more then makes up for the 2 sec. difference of the mitsu.

You might as well compare the Evo with the vette's which are running about 10K more then it, but I would take the vette anyday...

There will always be a faster car not matter what you own...

 

I highly doubt that, it's pretty easy to get an Evo at or around invoice in most parts of the country so I don't see why it would be any different in Mass. Unless you're thinking of an MR getting an Evo for under 30k is an easy task and the RS can be had for around 25k.

 

If you can purchase a Lotus Elise for anything close to $40K and can actually take possession of the car, please PM me. Here in Seattle the waiting list is 3 years. And on E-Bay the spots in line for purchase are commanding asking prices upwards of $2000.

 

I know, just basing my statements on MSRP and nothing else.