Advice: ST205 GT4 to Evo 5/6 or Impreza
Discussion
Hi People,
I've owned my 4 for about 3 years and have loved every minute (almost!) But I feel that before I get too many commitments I need one more car in my life...
I've always, always hankered after an Evo purely for the looks and every time I've ever seen one on the road its had devastating performance.
An Evo 5/6 can be had for around 5-7k now but am just unsure if its the right way to go, I've studied the MLR and looked at the buyers guide but its a bit like most buyers guide with some saying you need to earn millions to keep them running whilst others saying for what it is its ok-surely Mitsubishi wouldn't have released them to the public with obscene service intervals?
I'm trying to convince myself an Impreza would be *cheaper* to maintain and possibly more reliable but I just don't think they have the unusual looks my GT4 has (imo) or the brutal looks of the Evo.
I've always considered my GT4 to be on the expensive side of maintenance, my brother's 1997 Sti Impreza has cost him very little on maintenance (and parts are so much cheaper) yet it has considerably more performance/handling. Never regretted that as I love mine but....
So i guess im asking a question that I can only answer but thought i'd pop it out to the PH community.
Is an Evo a wise choice or am i better with say an Impreza that has less of the fancy AYC and trickery (with the Evo VS Impreza who's fastest/tuneable battle aside)
Thanks!
I've owned my 4 for about 3 years and have loved every minute (almost!) But I feel that before I get too many commitments I need one more car in my life...
I've always, always hankered after an Evo purely for the looks and every time I've ever seen one on the road its had devastating performance.
An Evo 5/6 can be had for around 5-7k now but am just unsure if its the right way to go, I've studied the MLR and looked at the buyers guide but its a bit like most buyers guide with some saying you need to earn millions to keep them running whilst others saying for what it is its ok-surely Mitsubishi wouldn't have released them to the public with obscene service intervals?
I'm trying to convince myself an Impreza would be *cheaper* to maintain and possibly more reliable but I just don't think they have the unusual looks my GT4 has (imo) or the brutal looks of the Evo.
I've always considered my GT4 to be on the expensive side of maintenance, my brother's 1997 Sti Impreza has cost him very little on maintenance (and parts are so much cheaper) yet it has considerably more performance/handling. Never regretted that as I love mine but....
So i guess im asking a question that I can only answer but thought i'd pop it out to the PH community.
Is an Evo a wise choice or am i better with say an Impreza that has less of the fancy AYC and trickery (with the Evo VS Impreza who's fastest/tuneable battle aside)
Thanks!
depending on what you;'ve spent on your faff, will you need to spend again? you done your clutch, fig8s, cam belt, brakes? then should be cheaper motoring from now on. You've spent the money, now reap the rewards.
faff is Way cheaper to insure, way rarer and not actually (much) slower, it just FEELS slower cos its a big GT than raly car.
You can boost your faff with an EBC for a few quid, strip some weight, ARB upgrade etc... none costs that much and you'll close the gap on the evo.
Evo is brutal though, and there's something about it. I get the appeal, and in fairness it is a better car (should be cos its much newer!)
Do a driving day to xperience it, but stick with MrT as a realistic road car?
I found Imprezas to be far easier to drive fast than a faff, but not actually as fast as faff... over 1/4 mile I could win in a faff, but over real roads I'd be more confident driving a 'ru. All depends how you like to roll...
SO try em all, then think about it.
costs is a real factor for most - maybe not you - but for me evo is too pricey. Impreza is "wrong image". Faff does it for me. But I'm not you
faff is Way cheaper to insure, way rarer and not actually (much) slower, it just FEELS slower cos its a big GT than raly car.
You can boost your faff with an EBC for a few quid, strip some weight, ARB upgrade etc... none costs that much and you'll close the gap on the evo.
Evo is brutal though, and there's something about it. I get the appeal, and in fairness it is a better car (should be cos its much newer!)
Do a driving day to xperience it, but stick with MrT as a realistic road car?
I found Imprezas to be far easier to drive fast than a faff, but not actually as fast as faff... over 1/4 mile I could win in a faff, but over real roads I'd be more confident driving a 'ru. All depends how you like to roll...
SO try em all, then think about it.
costs is a real factor for most - maybe not you - but for me evo is too pricey. Impreza is "wrong image". Faff does it for me. But I'm not you
johnyboy1976 said:
Just test drive a good example of each then make up your own mind.
Id never buy a car on someones say so id have to drive both and evaluate which one suited me best.
This!Id never buy a car on someones say so id have to drive both and evaluate which one suited me best.
You won't find an unmolested example of either, so other people's experiences won't really be valid.
They never made a softer UK version of the EVO, so the Uk impreza should be your test drive starting point.
The servicing on a Evo is a doddle, frequent oil changes and just a case of inspecting and keeping on top of things , easily done by the home mechanic , just take it to a specialist once a year or when the belts are due, too many unnecessary horror stories about servicing imo
However things like AYC pump changes and clutch replacements arent easy and will leave a big hole in your wallet as it would on a GT4 I expect.
However things like AYC pump changes and clutch replacements arent easy and will leave a big hole in your wallet as it would on a GT4 I expect.
I owned both a classic shape X plate Impreza Turbo, and an Evo, albeit an 8, at the same time, over a period of approximately a year....I still own the Evo 9 years later, and I don't miss the Impreza. They're so different that it's almost an unfair comparison, I regard the Evo as significantly more expensive to own and run, but also hugely more rewarding as a driving experience and in my opinion more reliable....they also cope with 400 brake very well, although, in your case, a 6 will be limited a little by the conrods.
From what I can see, many people go from an Impreza to an Evo, very few seem to go the other way, that seems to be the natural progression. The Evo is like driving a scalpel, the Impreza, by comparison, like a blunt knife!
I've said it before, but it's worth repeating, anyone who's interested in cars and specifically driving, and is in a position to own an Evo, is doing themselves an injustice by neglecting to take the opportunity. It'll cost you more, but it'll give you more back.
From what I can see, many people go from an Impreza to an Evo, very few seem to go the other way, that seems to be the natural progression. The Evo is like driving a scalpel, the Impreza, by comparison, like a blunt knife!
I've said it before, but it's worth repeating, anyone who's interested in cars and specifically driving, and is in a position to own an Evo, is doing themselves an injustice by neglecting to take the opportunity. It'll cost you more, but it'll give you more back.
Edited by Heaveho on Thursday 28th March 18:29
GravelBen said:
Did you ever try the sharper Impreza versions or just a UK spec turbo? People who drive Type-RA and Spec-C etc don't seem to agree with you
Fair comment, unfortunately Imprezas disappeared off the radar for me when the Evo turned up.......given what the op has suggested he's looking for, would a Type-RA or Spec-C be in budget, genuine question?Heaveho said:
GravelBen said:
Did you ever try the sharper Impreza versions or just a UK spec turbo? People who drive Type-RA and Spec-C etc don't seem to agree with you
Fair comment, unfortunately Imprezas disappeared off the radar for me when the Evo turned up.......given what the op has suggested he's looking for, would a Type-RA or Spec-C be in budget, genuine question?I've driven both, own a RB5 and love EVO's too and if you choose a higher end Impreza, they are very close in the experience.
Whilst it is true that EVO's can generally develop more power easier, the Impreza is usually more reliable at around the factory power levels. Still gaining more power in an Impreza is a very easy task until you venture over 400bhp, its just how you go about it. The EVO FQ400 is for instance in my view a better track car than it is a road car due to the power delivery which isn't very well suited to normal roads.
This isn't aimed at the above poster - Over the years, I've seen EVO owners try to distance themselves from Impreza owners by claiming their car is in a completely different league which clearly it is not and which track times and performance times also show. The EVO is generally sharper than the Impreza but I'd argue that away from the track in a lot of cases that makes the Impreza more ideal for rough British roads. I'm not sure if its down to the Impreza's tarnished image or just elitism but either way, its clearly not true.
My next car is most likely going to be an EVO, not because I believe its a step up but because I like both a lot and I want to own both.
You can't go far wrong buying either as long as you are getting one that is in good shape mechanically.
Heaveho said:
Fair comment, unfortunately Imprezas disappeared off the radar for me when the Evo turned up.......given what the op has suggested he's looking for, would a Type-RA or Spec-C be in budget, genuine question?
I don't know about UK prices, but down here (NZ) you'd usually find the equivalent Type-R or RA to an Evo 5/6 at a lower price for the condition. Spec-C's only came along later, from Ver.7 onwards so more comparable to Evo 7-9.I think part of the comparison issue is that turbo Imprezas cover a whole variety of specs/levels of harcoreness while the Evo was only ever the top shelf model. At various times they also made a Lancer GSR which was more comparable to the lower level Imprezas, but it never shared the Evo name so people tend to forget about them.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 29th March 11:55
Ordinary_Chap said:
.
I've driven both, own a RB5 and love EVO's too and if you choose a higher end Impreza, they are very close in the experience.
Whilst it is true that EVO's can generally develop more power easier, the Impreza is usually more reliable at around the factory power levels. Still gaining more power in an Impreza is a very easy task until you venture over 400bhp, its just how you go about it. The EVO FQ400 is for instance in my view a better track car than it is a road car due to the power delivery which isn't very well suited to normal roads.
Hi, I can obviously only go by my own experiences, but my very mildy modded ( 280 brake ) Impreza wasn't as reliable as my current 380 brake Evo...in 9 years, the Evo has only been apart to modify, not to rectify, whereas the Subaru had 5th gear replaced at the dealer under warranty at less than 40k, wheel bearing at 42k, aircon pulley bearings at around the same mileage. 5th was on it's way out again when I sold the car...... I just don't have faith that an Impreza modded to the same level as an Evo will hang together as robustly if treated in the same way, especially if ignoring the shortcomings of the top mount intercooler.I always felt like I was driving around it's shortcomings, I sometimes feel I'm still finding out just what the Evo is capable of. I'd stand by the comment that out of a standard Impreza and the equivalent Evo model at what I'm guessing to be the op's price range, the Evo would be the more rewarding car.I've driven both, own a RB5 and love EVO's too and if you choose a higher end Impreza, they are very close in the experience.
Whilst it is true that EVO's can generally develop more power easier, the Impreza is usually more reliable at around the factory power levels. Still gaining more power in an Impreza is a very easy task until you venture over 400bhp, its just how you go about it. The EVO FQ400 is for instance in my view a better track car than it is a road car due to the power delivery which isn't very well suited to normal roads.
I'd be interested to hear what you regard as likely to go wrong on a standard power level Evo...they can warp the front Brembo discs, and the AYC pump can corrode internally if driven through winter year after year, eventually causing failure, aside from that, they're extraordinarily reliable if maintained correctly. The car can even still be used with a busted AYC pump.
Agree that the Evo 400 model isn't the best effort, but that was based on an 8, again, doesn't sound like the op is looking at a car of this budget, so maybe not relevant?
Really not looking to be overly critical of Imprezas, so apologies to those who still own and love them. When it was my only car I enjoyed it.... in an ideal world I'd have run them both together for longer than I did, but one had to go, and the decision I came to was something I didn't regret, obviously just my opinion.
Good luck to the op wherever you end up, cheers.
Edited by Heaveho on Friday 29th March 18:19
Mate had an Evo 5 for 7 years and went through 2 gearboxes, 3 clutches, 2 sets of suspension and 1 turbo. Think he must have driven it pretty hard, but still...
In comparison I've had my Legacy GTB (factory 280bhp) getting on for 5 years and the only thing I've had to replace was a MAP sensor.
In comparison I've had my Legacy GTB (factory 280bhp) getting on for 5 years and the only thing I've had to replace was a MAP sensor.
Hi,
I faced the same problem until recently. torn between an Evo 8 or late Impreza, it ended up being a case of head ruling heart. I know Mitsubishis well, had (& still got) a Lancer Turbo for over 20 years, an active MLR member and have a few friends with Evo's and Imprezas alike. What put me off Evo's were the servicing costs , shorter servicing intervals and their affinity to eat tyres at an alarming rate.
In my case, I needed a daily driver which would be reliable enough and (kind of) sensible enough for the short commute to work, coupled with realistic servicing costs. Ultimately for the same price as a clean Evo 6 or a not so clean Evo 8, I managed to get a 57 Impreza WRX from a dealer with a warranty, years tax, years ticket and some goodies thrown in. Practicality was really my primary motive for choosing an Impreza, and to me it made good sense. Finding unmolested and well cared for Evo's is not an easy task, there are some really horrific examples for sale out there (as there are Scoobies).
Purely from a financial / running costs / practicality standpoint, I think the Impreza WRX makes the grade. STI's command more of course, but still offer a degree of practicality over an Evo. However, for pure driver pleasure, feedback, better chassis, performance and overall a better car all round (but for more money) the Evo has it.
Good luck on what you decide.....don't forget some pics
I faced the same problem until recently. torn between an Evo 8 or late Impreza, it ended up being a case of head ruling heart. I know Mitsubishis well, had (& still got) a Lancer Turbo for over 20 years, an active MLR member and have a few friends with Evo's and Imprezas alike. What put me off Evo's were the servicing costs , shorter servicing intervals and their affinity to eat tyres at an alarming rate.
In my case, I needed a daily driver which would be reliable enough and (kind of) sensible enough for the short commute to work, coupled with realistic servicing costs. Ultimately for the same price as a clean Evo 6 or a not so clean Evo 8, I managed to get a 57 Impreza WRX from a dealer with a warranty, years tax, years ticket and some goodies thrown in. Practicality was really my primary motive for choosing an Impreza, and to me it made good sense. Finding unmolested and well cared for Evo's is not an easy task, there are some really horrific examples for sale out there (as there are Scoobies).
Purely from a financial / running costs / practicality standpoint, I think the Impreza WRX makes the grade. STI's command more of course, but still offer a degree of practicality over an Evo. However, for pure driver pleasure, feedback, better chassis, performance and overall a better car all round (but for more money) the Evo has it.
Good luck on what you decide.....don't forget some pics
Had both
Evo running costs are very high. Granted Evo had a more smile factor and the only god send would be having a adjustable boost option.It just lets you live with it a bit easier.
Scooby is more robust and probably easier to live with and cheaper running costs. It just feels like its can take the abuse when you want it too.
Moneys on the Scoob baby.
Evo running costs are very high. Granted Evo had a more smile factor and the only god send would be having a adjustable boost option.It just lets you live with it a bit easier.
Scooby is more robust and probably easier to live with and cheaper running costs. It just feels like its can take the abuse when you want it too.
Moneys on the Scoob baby.
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