STI8 vs Evo VIII - test drive...
26 March 2003 | 02:09 PM
#1
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Hi all,
Following Autocar's recent article I thought I would post my opinions.
I drove the STI8 last week (due to again this Sat) and I have just finished driving the EVOVII (apparently according to the dealer close enough to give me a true feel for the VIII).
The seating position, actual seats themselves and steering is better on the EVO, however the EVO has no height adjustment.
Interior wise it is 50/50 - plus and minus points to either car.
I found the suspension on the EVO better than the STI, although both are bumpy at slow speeds the STI was worse.
The gearbox on each is just as good. Both have a short and precice change.
Engine wise - the EVO (although FQ - 300bhp) fealt less urgent. It was more relaxed in its delivery. Now, I have not driven the STI with PPP, but the std STI was a lot more urgent when on boost.
The actual handling is more focused on the EVO. The steering goes EXACLTY where you tell it without feeling too harsh. It has to be the best handling car I have ever driven. Now, the STI is very close but to me the EVO just pips it.
Downside of the EVO is of course the running and purchase cost. Insurace is more than the STI and so is the servicing and fuel costs.
When I test drove the WRX and STI I fealt that I wanted something inbetween - the raw power of the STI but the more comfortable WRX. It seemed that you had to compromise just that little too much on the STI for the extra oomph you got. The EVO feels like that perfect compromise.
If money was no object - I would get an EVO without hesitating.
Following Autocar's recent article I thought I would post my opinions.
I drove the STI8 last week (due to again this Sat) and I have just finished driving the EVOVII (apparently according to the dealer close enough to give me a true feel for the VIII).
The seating position, actual seats themselves and steering is better on the EVO, however the EVO has no height adjustment.
Interior wise it is 50/50 - plus and minus points to either car.
I found the suspension on the EVO better than the STI, although both are bumpy at slow speeds the STI was worse.
The gearbox on each is just as good. Both have a short and precice change.
Engine wise - the EVO (although FQ - 300bhp) fealt less urgent. It was more relaxed in its delivery. Now, I have not driven the STI with PPP, but the std STI was a lot more urgent when on boost.
The actual handling is more focused on the EVO. The steering goes EXACLTY where you tell it without feeling too harsh. It has to be the best handling car I have ever driven. Now, the STI is very close but to me the EVO just pips it.
Downside of the EVO is of course the running and purchase cost. Insurace is more than the STI and so is the servicing and fuel costs.
When I test drove the WRX and STI I fealt that I wanted something inbetween - the raw power of the STI but the more comfortable WRX. It seemed that you had to compromise just that little too much on the STI for the extra oomph you got. The EVO feels like that perfect compromise.
If money was no object - I would get an EVO without hesitating.
26 March 2003 | 02:15 PM
#3
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WRX with PPP:
EXACLTY - and this is what I am test driving this Sat alongside the STI again to give me a point of reference. And to be honest - I am realy hoping it delivers what I am after. The EVO was great - more than that, fantastic - BUT it costs an awful lot compared to your std WRX. I hope that the WRX with PPP will give me the oomph AND the comfort. The EVO will, of course, be a better car in terms of focus - but how often do I drive like that!
I guess it all comes down to economies of scale...
...if only $$$ weren't a consideration!
R
EXACLTY - and this is what I am test driving this Sat alongside the STI again to give me a point of reference. And to be honest - I am realy hoping it delivers what I am after. The EVO was great - more than that, fantastic - BUT it costs an awful lot compared to your std WRX. I hope that the WRX with PPP will give me the oomph AND the comfort. The EVO will, of course, be a better car in terms of focus - but how often do I drive like that!
I guess it all comes down to economies of scale...
...if only $$$ weren't a consideration!
R
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26 March 2003 | 10:17 PM
#8
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rakh,
I'll be interested to see your comments on the wrx-ppp, assuming it's fully run in. Mines almost run in now & the looser it gets, the louder it growls & the more im impressed.
Gotta say im well pleased with the overall set up but i still keep thinking MODS....
I'll be interested to see your comments on the wrx-ppp, assuming it's fully run in. Mines almost run in now & the looser it gets, the louder it growls & the more im impressed.
Gotta say im well pleased with the overall set up but i still keep thinking MODS....
29 March 2003 | 02:54 PM
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OK - took out the WRX-PPP and STI back to back today.
Started in the STI in order to give me a point of reference for the WRX now it has been PPP'd.
The result suprised me...
The STI did not feel as twitchy as I remember it to be. Around town the suspension - although bumpy - was not as harsh as I remember. Other than that everything the same as I remembered - sudden ruch after 3.5k and then beep - change - rush...etc etc. Drove it a little more hard this time and have to say that round sharp corners at speed it felt very planted (not quite as much as the EVO). I noticed that the STI pulled you round corners too with power on - is this the front diff? Brakes excellent.
Now the WRX-PPP is FAR more comfy around town but on the open road and around sharp corners it just does not feel as well planted. The 5-speed box feels loose in comparisom to the STI - the steering not as sharp and tight. The PPP pack has comletely TRANSFORMED the car though. There is no longer a large rush when you plant your 'go-faster' foot. More a welling up of power delivering a less hectic dash for the red-line. To be completely honest I was dissapointed...maybe it is just me but I like to feel like I am going somewhere and the PPP made the car feel too relaxed getting there. It was definately faster but less raw in the process.
Thinking about it I wonder if it actually that now the WRX has the power of the STI I am actually comparing them as if they were similar cars. I have to remember that the WRX is several £000 cheaper than the STI.
The result of this however is that my mind has changed. I am now preferring the thought of the STI over the WRX-PPP. By the time I have paid to have the rear spoiler, side skirts cokloured and tracker fitted the financialo gap between them is fast diminishing when you think of all the kit you get on the STI.
So - there you go - another sold WRX customer who is now confused thanks to having a go in the STI!!!! Off to shop around for insurance now!
Rich
PS - my girlfiend says that both cars look ugly and are poo and that I should look around more
Started in the STI in order to give me a point of reference for the WRX now it has been PPP'd.
The result suprised me...
The STI did not feel as twitchy as I remember it to be. Around town the suspension - although bumpy - was not as harsh as I remember. Other than that everything the same as I remembered - sudden ruch after 3.5k and then beep - change - rush...etc etc. Drove it a little more hard this time and have to say that round sharp corners at speed it felt very planted (not quite as much as the EVO). I noticed that the STI pulled you round corners too with power on - is this the front diff? Brakes excellent.
Now the WRX-PPP is FAR more comfy around town but on the open road and around sharp corners it just does not feel as well planted. The 5-speed box feels loose in comparisom to the STI - the steering not as sharp and tight. The PPP pack has comletely TRANSFORMED the car though. There is no longer a large rush when you plant your 'go-faster' foot. More a welling up of power delivering a less hectic dash for the red-line. To be completely honest I was dissapointed...maybe it is just me but I like to feel like I am going somewhere and the PPP made the car feel too relaxed getting there. It was definately faster but less raw in the process.
Thinking about it I wonder if it actually that now the WRX has the power of the STI I am actually comparing them as if they were similar cars. I have to remember that the WRX is several £000 cheaper than the STI.
The result of this however is that my mind has changed. I am now preferring the thought of the STI over the WRX-PPP. By the time I have paid to have the rear spoiler, side skirts cokloured and tracker fitted the financialo gap between them is fast diminishing when you think of all the kit you get on the STI.
So - there you go - another sold WRX customer who is now confused thanks to having a go in the STI!!!! Off to shop around for insurance now!
Rich
PS - my girlfiend says that both cars look ugly and are poo and that I should look around more
29 March 2003 | 03:29 PM
#13
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From: In wrxshire
PS - my girlfiend says that both cars look ugly and are poo and that I should look around more
Audi TT
Street Ka
Beetle
206 CC
Am I right ?
Style is nothing without horsepower
30 March 2003 | 09:26 PM
#17
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I to drove a WRX PPP and STi last Thursday and would agree the STi was much crisper re the 'box and steering. I currently drive a 01 GX, and don't feel any urge to swap to a WRX, but would swap wives to have an STi (and might have to!)
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