Evo 8 2003 or STI 2004 Version 9

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queenstown3

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#57427 13-Feb-2010 01:41

Hey guys im a bit stuck. Im buying a car and im not sure what to buy between the 2004 WRX STI version 9 or the 2003 Evo 8.

Both cars are about the same price. $25k - $30k depending on how many km's it has done.

What i know about these two cars is
The STI has the interior looks as the Evo uses cheap plastics, but the Evo has more room then the STI.
And the Evo out preforms the STI as it handles better and gets from 0 - 100 quicker.
Thats it

Do any of them have any major common problems like the engine blowing or something like that?

Which one is more reliable?

Do any of them use a excess amount of fuel?

I also live in queenstown. Im going to be using it to get up the ski fields and such. So im going to need a car with a good 4wd system.

Help!!

Personally i was going to go with the STI, but i dont want to make a mistake and should of bought the evo instead

xpd

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#298543 13-Feb-2010 04:13

Personally Id go for the STI, but thats mainly cause Ive owned a Subie before and loved it....
However Subaru's are not cheap/easy to maintain.

Both will use fuel quite happily if you sit on the turbo all the time - with my old GT the fuel economy was as good as any non-turbo car I ever owned mainly dur to the factr I didnt drive like an idiot and stay on the turbos.

Goto the library and get out the Dog and Lemon guide - thatll tell you straight up what you could potentially be buying into :)

XPD / Gavin

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cr250bromo

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#298547 13-Feb-2010 07:25

I bought a 1996 wrx sti over 6 years ago now, have covered 85,000km in that time. with regular servicing (every 6 months) and not thrashing it when it's cold it's served me very well. anything that has needed doing is fair wear and tear type items rather than any catastrophic failure.

Still, they are performance cars. Chances are the previous owners werent just using them to go to Woolworths once a week. So I think regardless of which one you get, the long term reliability will partly be dependant on how the previous owner treated it. regular servicing/oil changes and checks are a must for these sort of cars.

savag3

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#298729 13-Feb-2010 21:34

xpd: Goto the library and get out the Dog and Lemon guide - thatll tell you straight up what you could potentially be buying into :)

I my opinion there isn't anything in that guide which can't be found with google. I think that is where the info comes from.

I would buy the STI but I am biased as well being a Subaru owner. To be honest you are probably best making the decision on which car you like more.
Given how much you are spending I would highly recommend that you arrange for a pre purchase inspection from the service dept of the dealership for the car you buy. They will know what to look for and can tell you what work might need to be done and what it might cost. Much better than an AA inspection.

CYaBro

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#298761 14-Feb-2010 00:23

Having owned an evo 2 myself as well as two gtb's (not quite the same as an sti but still Subaru) I would say take them both for a drive and buy the one you like best.
They are both good cars.
Definately get them both checked first. I had aa checks done on all of mine.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Adamal

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#298773 14-Feb-2010 03:42

The Evo 8's turbo will give you less hassle. That model they went to titanium compressor wheel/turbine, meaning they could go larger, but have a lighter reciprocating mass, giving quicker spool times and more power.
They are a bit ugly though....

The Evo's also have tricker diffs, having yaw control and the likes. The Subaru's have a controlable centre diff, meaning you can control the torque front to back ratios.
A mate of mine has the V9 STI and swears by it. He's very much a rally fan, with a Celica ST185 in the build. He really knows his stuff, and says that the Evo's tend to give a bit more trouble than the STI's.

They're both pretty strong engines, but things like spark plugs are a pain on the STI, and cam belts are expensive.
It'll end up just coming down to personal preference.