evo vs impreza? yes or no? and which one and why?...

[cra1gy1989]

I've been looking at the two of them... for some reason I'm drawn towards an evo... because seem rarer than imprezas and I love the look of them! Anyone give me any previous experiences of the two? Or some stats? Pref evo 8 cheers for your inputs

[DanDC5]

Only had limited experience with either, but purely on running costs I'd buy an Impreza if it was going to be a daily and an Evo if it was a weekend toy.

[300bhp/ton]

cra1gy1989 said:

I've been looking at the two of them... for some reason I'm drawn towards an evo... because seem rarer than imprezas and I love the look of them! Anyone give me any previous experiences of the two? Or some stats? Pref evo 8 cheers for your inputs

Price, budget which models? Both been around for a long time, lots of choice and variance. Very similar yet very different depending on specifics.

Also why are you looking at these two cars, what is it you want or are after? There really is no single one answer as it'll depend exactly what you are after, what you can get for your money and any personal preference you may hold.

[cra1gy1989]

Well, fq300 or hawk eye Impreza, budget around 8k, I have always fancied an evo, and as I can finally insure one, and I think they look mean!!! I know they aren't very good on fuel, but any idea how bad? And tax per year? And how expensive are they to maintain? Cheers for your help!

[toon10]

No experience with either but don't Evo's have rediculous service intervals? From a cost point of view, I'd be looking at the Impreza. I prefer the look of the Evo but I'd want something more special to justify the bank busting running costs.

Awaiting Evo owners telling me I'm spouting rubbish and they are can be run on the cheap...

[300bhp/ton]

cra1gy1989 said:

Well, fq300 or hawk eye Impreza, budget around 8k, I have always fancied an evo, and as I can finally insure one, and I think they look mean!!! I know they aren't very good on fuel, but any idea how bad? And tax per year? And how expensive are they to maintain? Cheers for your help!

ok, so do you have a budget?


Both are going to be equally bad on fuel most likely, but again it's model dependent and if you want to run a modified or imported one.

Sadly it's not just Evo or Impreza it's far more complex.


- as a rule the UK only got watered down Impreza models. Ok we had some STI Type UK models and such, but mostly the base model turbo. If you want a high performing Impreza you need to look at Jap imports or modded ones.

- with the Evo's they have mainly been quite highly tuned and specced models, a model or two above official UK Impreza's. To this extent they really aren't directly comparable or alternatives.

I'm not overly familiar with the Hawkeye model lineup, but it appears there was a UK STI with 276hp, but I have no idea what spec the rest of the car was. The RB320 seems the highest spec, but will cost you. All other models are the more lowly based WRX model. These are not as hard core or as focused as an Evo FQ. So for pace, ability and tuning potential any Evo is the superior.

Now if you are talking JDM spec STI's it's a much more level playing field with the Evo's.


In terms of road tax - look it up. It's easy to find the cost on the direct gov site, just check the banding vs the price. Imports likely score well here as they usually default the older way of classifying. Although insurance might be more.


Really not trying to be difficult, but I think you need read up (wiki, reviews and so on) and familiarise yourself with the different models on offer and how they differ. You'll then be in a much better position to make use of any opinions given on what models other people prefer and why.

[syko89]

I have a blob eye prodrive STI myself. I decided to go for the Subaru because it was been driven daily and the evo had 3,000 mile service intervals iirc. I picked up mine for £8k but for a similarly specced evo 8 (fq300) you are looking at about £12k for a good example.

I think you get more car with the evo, but it was just out of my budget. Saying that i still love the Subaru and its a great toy on the backroads...

[jhfozzy]

toon10 said:

No experience with either but don't Evo's have rediculous service intervals? From a cost point of view, I'd be looking at the Impreza. I prefer the look of the Evo but I'd want something more special to justify the bank busting running costs.

Awaiting Evo owners telling me I'm spouting rubbish and they are can be run on the cheap...

Evo owner here, you're not really spouting rubbish to be honest, it depends on how particular you are about who services your car.

They need servicing every six months / 4,500miles. Main dealer is about £200-£250, Evo specialist is about £150, if you bought the fluids and do it yourself it's about £40-£100 depending on what spec oil you buy. They're really easy to service as you'd expect for a rally car apart from the trick rear diff on the GSR models that need a laptop or a two post ramp to service. Cambelts are every 5 years

I personally bought mine for the rarity factor, we've got enough members in the local area to have some decent drives, but I can go for weeks without seeing another Evo unlike the Subarus which appear to be everywhere.

The problem may be that if you see an Evo, you damn well know know it's an Evo (apart from the softer styled X) whereas if you see an Impreza, it may be a WRX STI or may just be a non-turbo Sport model, the differences are quite small to the casual observer seeing it go the other way up a dual carriageway.

I'm biased, but if I did it again I'd still buy an Evo.

[300bhp/ton]

jhfozzy said:

toon10 said:

No experience with either but don't Evo's have rediculous service intervals? From a cost point of view, I'd be looking at the Impreza. I prefer the look of the Evo but I'd want something more special to justify the bank busting running costs.

Awaiting Evo owners telling me I'm spouting rubbish and they are can be run on the cheap...

Evo owner here, you're not really spouting rubbish to be honest, it depends on how particular you are about who services your car.

They need servicing every six months / 4,500miles. Main dealer is about £200-£250, Evo specialist is about £150, if you bought the fluids and do it yourself it's about £40-£100 depending on what spec oil you buy. They're really easy to service as you'd expect for a rally car apart from the trick rear diff on the GSR models that need a laptop or a two post ramp to service. Cambelts are every 5 years

I personally bought mine for the rarity factor, we've got enough members in the local area to have some decent drives, but I can go for weeks without seeing another Evo unlike the Subarus which appear to be everywhere.

The problem may be that if you see an Evo, you damn well know know it's an Evo (apart from the softer styled X) whereas if you see an Impreza, it may be a WRX STI or may just be a non-turbo Sport model, the differences are quite small to the casual observer seeing it go the other way up a dual carriageway.

I'm biased, but if I did it again I'd still buy an Evo.

I don't know the exact intervals, but a similarly powered JDM Impreza is likely to have very similar service intervals and costs. It's more the fact that a regular "WRX" model is a lot slower and quite different from the hardcore models that it's cheaper to run.

[Dangermouse58]

Scoobys are common as muck and have a very chavvy image. The evo's are rarer and higher spec, do all the minor services yourself and book in a few track days or trips to the 'ring.

[cra1gy1989]

Thanks for your inputs...

Yes I understand, I will wiki some more info, to 'jhfozzy' what evo do you own and what sort of mpg do you get? I'm not after an absolutely immense machine, just something with a bit of umf! I am guessing 25mpg max motorway? 20 around town? Or am I being to nice?! And with the servicing other than major services I will carry out myself so shouldn't be too much of an issue! I'm guessing the regular intervals are just mainly oil and filters?

[DanDC5]

Dangermouse58 said:

Scoobys are common as muck and have a very chavvy image. The evo's are rarer and higher spec, do all the minor services yourself and book in a few track days or trips to the 'ring.

I'm not sure Evo's are exempt from the chav tag to be honest.

[djfaulkner]

DanDC5 said:

Dangermouse58 said:

Scoobys are common as muck and have a very chavvy image. The evo's are rarer and higher spec, do all the minor services yourself and book in a few track days or trips to the 'ring.

I'm not sure Evo's are exempt from the chav tag to be honest.

They arent 100% exempt - But they are less chavvy than the Scooby.

[300bhp/ton]

cra1gy1989 said:

Thanks for your inputs...

Yes I understand, I will wiki some more info, to 'jhfozzy' what evo do you own and what sort of mpg do you get? I'm not after an absolutely immense machine, just something with a bit of umf! I am guessing 25mpg max motorway? 20 around town? Or am I being to nice?! And with the servicing other than major services I will carry out myself so shouldn't be too much of an issue! I'm guessing the regular intervals are just mainly oil and filters?

The new age Impreza's have taller gearing than the classics, so are more frugal. I think 24-27mpg is quite doable from a UK spec Impreza. Maybe more on a run and less on a hoon. I also think they are 95 RON, although you might need to check for the STI Type UK.

Any modded ones or JDM ones will likely need superunleaded.

I'm not too sure but I think many if not all of the FQ Evo's need superunleaded. So factor this in, superunleaded costs more and in reality makes the pence per mile ratio different. A car doing 23mpg on superunleaded will cost you similar money to run as a car doing 20-21mpg on 95RON.

[*Fletch*]

Evo 5 owner here, owned for 2 years, now a daily driver. They do benefit from an attentive attitude to maintenance, but to be honest I think they are relatively cheap to run for the performance.

I have not been on the receiving end of big bills which I believe is down to buying the right car. It's absolutely essential to find a well looked after example with no rust. I could trace my history right back to it's import through the MLR forum and see what the owners had been dealing with.

Failing Turbo, rear diff, and AYC pumps are not uncommon it seems but relatively cheap to replace. Rust is killer on those older Evo's imported from Japan and not undersealed.

Oil and filter is easily changed every 4500 miles like any other car. Use a good performance oil like Fuchs Silkolene 10W50 and a mitsi filter which comes to about £60. AYC and diffs/gearbox I get the garage to do every year as it's easier for me which works out about £150-£200.

Outside of normal maintenance, I've had an exhaust manifold gasket fail and driver's window stop working, in addition to the usual expected brakes and tyres expenses.

I believe a "Stage 1" Evo is the perfect balance between £££ and performance. (ie air filter, exhaust, decat, remap) Once you start forging the engine, and going for 450bhp+ you start pushing the limits of the transmission, introducing lag etc which many owners it seems end up regretting.

MLR website is a goldmine of info

[Hol]

This question is now 18 years old!!!!!!!!
surely you could have used the search tool???

Summary of standard vehicles:
Evo in later form with AYC is easier to drive fast as the electronics help you. They were dsigned for the JDM market and not really changed for the UK roads, so harder to live with day to day
UK Impreza's are a softer car all round as they were designed specifically for UK drivers who want 5.3sec 0-60, a car they can take the whole family out in and want an average car servicing frequency.
JDM Impreza's are pretty much smack between the two.

Both marques have special editions that do not follow standard prduction values - But they are 'special'.


Drive them all and make your own mind up. An Evo or Saxo driver would never willingly recommend a scoob, a STI driver would never recommend a UK car.


Simples!

[MadMark911]

Evo IX FQ340 or Scoob RB320 - both more modern than the earlier versions, but not as expensive as the current models.

Both great to drive and plenty quick!

[DanDC5]

djfaulkner said:

DanDC5 said:

Dangermouse58 said:

Scoobys are common as muck and have a very chavvy image. The evo's are rarer and higher spec, do all the minor services yourself and book in a few track days or trips to the 'ring.

I'm not sure Evo's are exempt from the chav tag to be honest.

They arent 100% exempt - But they are less chavvy than the Scooby.

I'd agree with that.

[Dan_1981]

Using an FQ300 VIII as my daily at the moment.

Commute is a short 5 mile run - averaging 20 / 21 mpg.

Last week I threw in two 100 mile motorway trips as well. Manged to get it up to circa 25mpg.

Should be run on V power really / similar 99 ron.

Tanks are small also, so i'm getting between 220 / 270 miles to a circa £70 fill up.

As mentioned above servicing is every 6 months / 4500 miles.

Interior is nowhere near as bad, cheap or nasty as i'd been led to believe, its quite a pleasant place to be, AC, nice seats, - i've even got a mini disc player

[inman999]

It sounds like your heart is set on the Evo, Which if true is definitely the one to go for.

I've got no experience of Evo's but do like Subaru's. You either love or hate the noise and who cares what other people think. Avoid blue with gold alloys if you don't want the attention.

My pick would be a mint JDM STI, older but you'd have change. Either way you'll have a lot of fun.