I am test driving them tomorrow and wanted other people's opinions about their experiences with these two fine autos.

 

Try the "Off Topic:: Autos" forum - several threads in there.

 

I test-drove it before I bought my MCs, and an EVO as well, STI is a little more refined than the EVO, but Evo is faster. I would still buy the STI over EVO just because it is a Subaru, and they make real good cars.

STI is stupidly fast, handles great, looks very aggressive, but no personality. It does not go beyond a 4 door Japanese sedan. The turbo lag is noticable, interior materials are ok, but like I said, there was something missing that I ended up buying the MCS.

 

I was in the market for a quick little car and when I test drove the Mitsubishi EVO VIII , I thought it was pretty quick but that was all. I did not care for the inside and I felt like something wasn't right. I was driving the car and I felt like I was in any other vehicle, it just did not get me excited. I then test drove a MCS with some bolt on mods and around the first turn out of the neighborhood my mind was already made up that I was going to buy one. I went home that day and ordered mine. I will have it in 3 days

 

i don't like the STi's rubber like feel clutch, reminded me of the Cobalt GT-R

or watever that crap high performance version is called. otherwise it's a
Subaru. (in a good way).

 

Many of our friends have STi's and when my hubby wanted one, we test drove both and decided on the EVO. We liked the look, the seats, the clutch feel, the pull of the car and the wing better then the STi. Anytime I drive someone's STi on the interstate, the first thing my eye goes to once I reach speed is the wing. The one on the STi vibrate like you wouldn't believe and its really thick so it can be hard to see what's behind you. The one on the EVO is CF and its much thinner than the STi one, and much more rigid so it doesn't vibrate.

 

I drove a friend mod'ed STI. Sure its fast but, not as fun to drive as the Mini. The STI felt(and is) heavy, had to muscle it to get it to turn, brake, etc. Not saying its bad, just that I prefer the Mini. BTW: The STI owner also drove my Mini as was surprised how light adn responsive it felt.
Power wise, I've spanked a few WRX's but, wouldn't play with a STI.

 

Fast and fun are necessarily the same thing. The Mini is really fun....and pretty quick.

 

If your thinking about buying either car, be sure and check the cost of insurance. I don't know your age, but I would think that both of these high performance cars are rated pretty expensive to insure. The younger the driver, the higher the premium. Just a thought.

 

Haven't driven either, but have ridden in them extensively. IMO they're incredibly fast cars with spartan and ugly interiors/accessories. I'd love one as a race car, but would be loathe to drive it every day. I hate Subaru/WRX transmissions as well, hearing the synchro's grind in every gear is a horrible experience.

 

... the Evo for six months and an STi for about 10 months. I de-winged the EVO - very stealth - problem with the EVO is it isn't suitable for the streets of DC. Harsh ride (it's a race car dummy), crappy interior materials, wonderful Recaros, crappy stereo, no sunroof. Traded it in for the STi - swapped decklids with a kid that had same color WRX and got a standard WRX wing. Also stealth. The sticky gumballs ended up getting swapped for some aggressive Continental All Season tires - this car with the rear diff locked ROCKED in the snow! Handling wasn't as good as the EVO - and the seats we're definitely designed for american wider butts. The engine is definitely an intoxictating factor in this car! The WRX STi in my opinion is the better car. I wish MINI would dump a horizontally opposed four cylinder into our cars - I absolutely love how they sound - especially with an aftermarket exhaust. Sadly it was sold when I finally bought a condo in DC and I consolidated my STi and my base MC into my current 2005 MCS. I still miss the WRX STi.