Evo or Impreza?
Discussion
City or United? Blur or Oasis? McDonalds or Burger King? Evo or Impreza?
Not a what car thread, as I own an Impreza and am not in the market for another or an Evo. However, the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza have been rivals for many years on both road and on the rally stages but which one do you favour?
I always thought that the Impreza rally cars looked cooler and sounded better, although arguably, the Evos were more successful on the rally stages.
I was never that interested in them when I was younger, with Porsches and BMW M Power cars being my aspirational vehicles of choice but having owned an Impreza WRX Estate for over a year I now get them and am rather fond of my car. For the money (and they are ridiculously good value in the case of the Impreza), nothing else really offers the same level of performance in all conditions and practicality. I also find the ride comfort on my car on modest 17" rims perfectly acceptable. For me, the Subaru seems like the more well-rounded car for fast road driving and the extra practicality of the hatchback only adds to the appeal. The "new shape" Impreza has finally grown on me as well. Although I haven't driven the STI version (only the standard 2-litre), I would hope that the larger 2.5-litre engine is a bit more flexible (mine is pretty gutless below 2000rpm), it is certainly better equipped and although the classic Impreza saloon has a certain something about it, the Impreza has never been about looks, although I would liken the new model to a 21st century Lancia Delta Integrale. Not beautiful but certainly very purposeful looking.
Interestingly, prior to owning an Impreza, I favoured the Evo, as I saw the Impreza as a bit chavvy. I have only driven a standard Evo VIII (260bhp?), it is certainly faster than the Impreza and I imagine even faster cross-country or on a track but my passengers certainly didn't appreciate the very firm ride and although the clutch and gearbox on my Impreza isn't supermini light, the clutch was very switch-like and the gearbox difficult to use at low speed in the Evo. I've heard that the fuel consumption is also even worse and the service intervals a lot shorter on the Evo.
I would love to own an Evo one day (probably a "lower-powered" Evo VIII or IX) to compare what they are both like to live with everyday but I imagine the Impreza is an easier car to live with day-to-day but the Evo faster and more fun to drive hard on the road and on track (especially in the wet). Although I'm sure the latest Evo is still excellent, it looks a bit too Volvo-like, although by no means unattractive for my liking. I have taken my Impreza on track once on the Nurburgring but it felt a bit too heavy and soft and on what is quite a slow, twisty circuit, I wasn't able to use the power and traction advantage to go any quicker than the lighter and more agile hot hatches (MINIs and RenaultSport Clios), as I was off boost too much of the time. I expect it would suit a faster more flowing circuit such as Thruxton though!
So, do you favour the Impreza or Evo and why? Has anyone owned both? It would be interesting to get a balanced arguement regarding what they are both like to own and drive on a daily basis.
Not a what car thread, as I own an Impreza and am not in the market for another or an Evo. However, the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza have been rivals for many years on both road and on the rally stages but which one do you favour?
I always thought that the Impreza rally cars looked cooler and sounded better, although arguably, the Evos were more successful on the rally stages.
I was never that interested in them when I was younger, with Porsches and BMW M Power cars being my aspirational vehicles of choice but having owned an Impreza WRX Estate for over a year I now get them and am rather fond of my car. For the money (and they are ridiculously good value in the case of the Impreza), nothing else really offers the same level of performance in all conditions and practicality. I also find the ride comfort on my car on modest 17" rims perfectly acceptable. For me, the Subaru seems like the more well-rounded car for fast road driving and the extra practicality of the hatchback only adds to the appeal. The "new shape" Impreza has finally grown on me as well. Although I haven't driven the STI version (only the standard 2-litre), I would hope that the larger 2.5-litre engine is a bit more flexible (mine is pretty gutless below 2000rpm), it is certainly better equipped and although the classic Impreza saloon has a certain something about it, the Impreza has never been about looks, although I would liken the new model to a 21st century Lancia Delta Integrale. Not beautiful but certainly very purposeful looking.
Interestingly, prior to owning an Impreza, I favoured the Evo, as I saw the Impreza as a bit chavvy. I have only driven a standard Evo VIII (260bhp?), it is certainly faster than the Impreza and I imagine even faster cross-country or on a track but my passengers certainly didn't appreciate the very firm ride and although the clutch and gearbox on my Impreza isn't supermini light, the clutch was very switch-like and the gearbox difficult to use at low speed in the Evo. I've heard that the fuel consumption is also even worse and the service intervals a lot shorter on the Evo.
I would love to own an Evo one day (probably a "lower-powered" Evo VIII or IX) to compare what they are both like to live with everyday but I imagine the Impreza is an easier car to live with day-to-day but the Evo faster and more fun to drive hard on the road and on track (especially in the wet). Although I'm sure the latest Evo is still excellent, it looks a bit too Volvo-like, although by no means unattractive for my liking. I have taken my Impreza on track once on the Nurburgring but it felt a bit too heavy and soft and on what is quite a slow, twisty circuit, I wasn't able to use the power and traction advantage to go any quicker than the lighter and more agile hot hatches (MINIs and RenaultSport Clios), as I was off boost too much of the time. I expect it would suit a faster more flowing circuit such as Thruxton though!
So, do you favour the Impreza or Evo and why? Has anyone owned both? It would be interesting to get a balanced arguement regarding what they are both like to own and drive on a daily basis.
Personally, I prefer the Lancer Evolutions but I'd be more inclined to buy an Impreza, after having spent time with both cars.
The first Lancer I drove was an Evo VIII (possibly a GSR). I loved how fast it was, the massive grip it had, just a stunning car. But since then I've drove plenty of Imprezas too, and though the Lancer felt a bit quicker on the day, the Imprezas I've driven have definitely not been slouches either!
If I were going to buy one, I think a decent limited edition Impreza represents good value over an Evo. For me, they are cheaper to insure than a standard type Evo (if I were looking to buy, I'd be looking exclusively at Evo's 1-6), and the have the benefit of longer service intervals, no AYC servicing etc etc. I have spent a lot of time recently looking at both cars as I had decided my next car was going to be 4WD. That said, after much looking and soul searching (and my plan to keep a car for years and years) I decided on getting an Audi TT 225. It doesn't have the permanent 4WD I'd like, but it does provide a lovely comfortable place to sit which I will probably learn to appreciate in future!
Generally, it's all much of a muchness as there isn't a great deal between the cars. I suppose I prefer the Evo look, but the Imprezas generally sound better with that offbeat, unequal-length-header burble they make. I have also been impressed with the Imprezas ability to hang it's arse out when provoked, though I'd avoid later models of either car.
I recall reading something in a magazine years ago saying the Impreza was easier to feel like a driving god in because it biased torque backwards and forwards across the axles in the event of a skid, whereas the Evo biased torque side to side across the car, which was tougher for mere mortal to exploit. I wish I could that magazine to remember exactly what it was saying!
The first Lancer I drove was an Evo VIII (possibly a GSR). I loved how fast it was, the massive grip it had, just a stunning car. But since then I've drove plenty of Imprezas too, and though the Lancer felt a bit quicker on the day, the Imprezas I've driven have definitely not been slouches either!
If I were going to buy one, I think a decent limited edition Impreza represents good value over an Evo. For me, they are cheaper to insure than a standard type Evo (if I were looking to buy, I'd be looking exclusively at Evo's 1-6), and the have the benefit of longer service intervals, no AYC servicing etc etc. I have spent a lot of time recently looking at both cars as I had decided my next car was going to be 4WD. That said, after much looking and soul searching (and my plan to keep a car for years and years) I decided on getting an Audi TT 225. It doesn't have the permanent 4WD I'd like, but it does provide a lovely comfortable place to sit which I will probably learn to appreciate in future!
Generally, it's all much of a muchness as there isn't a great deal between the cars. I suppose I prefer the Evo look, but the Imprezas generally sound better with that offbeat, unequal-length-header burble they make. I have also been impressed with the Imprezas ability to hang it's arse out when provoked, though I'd avoid later models of either car.
I recall reading something in a magazine years ago saying the Impreza was easier to feel like a driving god in because it biased torque backwards and forwards across the axles in the event of a skid, whereas the Evo biased torque side to side across the car, which was tougher for mere mortal to exploit. I wish I could that magazine to remember exactly what it was saying!
I had an FQ300 and although it was one of the fastest cars Ive ever driven plus did everything really well I just couldn't cope with it daily as it was just too raw.
If you want a fast car that's not going to cost you an arm and a leg then you'll go for the Impreza but with that you get a poor image due to chavs and poor residuals due to image and volume on the market.
Buying an Evo will cost you more in maintenance due to 4500 service intervals plus the initial cost but you'll get much more back as they don't lose the money an impreza does.
I wouldnt actually say there is much between the two, obviously talking about like for like models and not comparing an FQ300 with a WRX.
Ive scratched the itch and wont ever do it again.
If you want a fast car that's not going to cost you an arm and a leg then you'll go for the Impreza but with that you get a poor image due to chavs and poor residuals due to image and volume on the market.
Buying an Evo will cost you more in maintenance due to 4500 service intervals plus the initial cost but you'll get much more back as they don't lose the money an impreza does.
I wouldnt actually say there is much between the two, obviously talking about like for like models and not comparing an FQ300 with a WRX.
Ive scratched the itch and wont ever do it again.
I'll take a bog standard 1999 Mica Blue Impreza Turbo with just 215bhp, 16" silver 5-spoke alloys, a tiny spoiler and a slightly louder than usual exhaust. Ta.
Of course, if we're having a race or trying to impress in a McDonalds car park, I'll have a Lancer Evo 6.
Of course, if we're having a race or trying to impress in a McDonalds car park, I'll have a Lancer Evo 6.
Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 19th February 17:40
worsy said:
EFA
BK chips are the best part.
The OP's question is actually something I was discussing last week at work.
While the styling is marginally better on the Evo, I'd much rather be in the Impreza if something went wrong.
The safety cell in the latter is really very impressive in an accident, whereas the Evo seems to compare with an empty Coke can.
PS. I'd take Coke over Pepsi.
If you go to the comments of any YouTube video of an Evo or Impreza you'll see 13 year olds calling each other all kinds of names for preferring one over the other. 
Personally, I always preferred the Impreza - no reasoning other than I liked the look and sound better. I've owned an Impreza, and would actually like to own an Evo at one point so I can compare the two. There's no denying that they're both fantastic machines.
WRT performance and such, I was always under the impression that the Evo was the faster car, but the Impreza was the one you'd want to drive to the track and back. i.e. both better than the other, but worse at the same time.
Personally, I always preferred the Impreza - no reasoning other than I liked the look and sound better. I've owned an Impreza, and would actually like to own an Evo at one point so I can compare the two. There's no denying that they're both fantastic machines.
WRT performance and such, I was always under the impression that the Evo was the faster car, but the Impreza was the one you'd want to drive to the track and back. i.e. both better than the other, but worse at the same time.
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