Evo IX or WRX STI...???

[WaspHunter]

Welcome to the flat-four symmetrical AWD club. Don't forget to change the muffler to bring out that beautiful boxer burble

[N.E.W.car]

I love the boxer burble, but I don't want it to be too obnoxious either - what brand did you go with?

First thing will be a set of adjustable coil-overs and finding a way to get rid of the wing...

[WaspHunter]

I'm just on a diffback (muffler). Adds a few decibels without changing the tone, and doesn't drone like the resonator-less cars out there. The MY06 we get already has a 2.25" all-through exhaust, so there isn't much to be gained changing it on an NA car.

I'd suggest Whiteline for coilovers, but I'm biased and they're Aussie. Tein are supposed to have a good set too for the Subaru.

Have fun with it before you start changing things, makes that money feel so much better spent

[bullet1]

I only have the WRX but if you are looking for a subtle exhaust that really sounds great. I think you will like the Borla Hush exhaust. I have a divorced wastegate Perrin Downpipe and Borla Hush catback and love the sound. It is nicely louder than stock, but definitely not obnoxious enough to draw attention from the police and won't droan you out on the highway. The best part about the exhaust is at Full throttle, it just sounds great.

I would never, ever, own a Mitsubishi. Too many horror stories from previous models of cars. I'm sure the EVO is a great car, and is reasonably reliable. But if I was putting my money into a car, I'd have gone with the STi hands down as well. And if you are getting it 8K under sticker, it just makes it that much sweeter.

[gofastman]

Originally posted by N.E.W.car
I love the boxer burble, but I don't want it to be too obnoxious either - what brand did you go with?

First thing will be a set of adjustable coil-overs and finding a way to get rid of the wing...

I would get new tires and replace the factory plywood-like brake pads as your first mod

[N.E.W.car]

I will be putting Potenza S-03's on it - they were incredible tires on my M3's, so hopefully they will transfer well to the AWD chassis.

The pads are bad, huh? I figured the Brembo's would come with decent pads...

I still need to get rid of the wing as soon as I get it...I don't like the big rally wing.

If the dealer won't honor his quote, I am thinking about just getting an '04/05 and spending the extra cash on mods. I have found quite a few '04's with REALLY low miles...and I kind of prefer the '04/'05 front end to the Tribeca-ish '06.

Are there any reasons I should really stick to the newer ones? From what I have researched it doesn't seem like much has been changed mechanically.

[Murr1525]

With hauling family and kids around, you might want to check the crash test ratings and things. I know the Legacy was quite redesigned from 04 to 05, and 05 to 06 to improve safety, so you might want to check that out.

[WaspHunter]

Not in America. Down here the 06 has just received the 2.5L block. But we don't get pad problems either.

ANCAP for the latest Impreza is 4-star (out of 5). If its the same internationally, then you get driver, passenger and side airbags and a pretty decent crash rating.

[stealth]

Crash ratings are incredible! My wife put my 04 head on into a phone pole @ 40mph & didn't touch the brakes either!! She got no injuries other than her ego & confidence. I saw the unit w/ air bags deployed engine cradle detatched & split, windshield shattered, right rear quarter hit by pole coming down. Jaws not needed for extracation! Every door & trunk worked no bowing of any pillars. They're tuff & safe. She's living proof. Sorry no pix it went to the bone yard in <24hrs. I miss it!!!

[electricgreen]

Safety of the Subie: http://forums.freshalloy.com/showthr...ight=jaws+life

[WaspHunter]

'Nuff said then. Eagerly awaiting first pics. Make sure you don't tick the DISO box.

[gofastman]

Originally posted by N.E.W.car
I will be putting Potenza S-03's on it - they were incredible tires on my M3's, so hopefully they will transfer well to the AWD chassis.

The pads are bad, huh? I figured the Brembo's would come with decent pads...

S-03's are a good choice, I also suggests taking a look at the new Falken RT-615 or the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212 they offer even more dry grip than the SO-3'S (especialy the RT-615) but cant mach the refinement and wet grip of the Brigestones- think of them as a road legal racing tire, very well priced too.
for brake pads, I have had good luck with the Hawk HPS on my Maxima, I have read the Axxis Ultimate offer beter bite and performance, but dust a little much (not a problem though as you will be washing it at least once a week ) and if you want the ultimate pad check out the Carbotech bobcats, low dust and crazy performance, $$$ though

[N.E.W.car]

Update:
I went back and drove the Evo, just to touch all the bases - and for me it's definitely the STI.
Like I said before, the Evo just seems like a younger persons car - and not in a good way. The seats in the Evo are AMAZING though, way more supportive than the STI.

I also like the front end on the '04/'05 better - and they seem to be easy to find with relatively low miles. I think I am going to go with a used one - that will leave me some $$$ to get some of the things I might be stratching to get with a new one.

I am still going to check back with the dealer - if he really will honor his -$8K offer I can't pass that up!

If not, looks like it will be one like this...



Thanks for all the help guys!!!

[Overtaker]

Keep the wing!!!

Are you going to BPU it? Upgrade the turbos?

Why are you getting adjustable coil-overs? Do you plan on road-racing, auto-x, or drag racing (with big power)?