Impreza v Evo

adamaca · 23 Oct 2007, 15:57 (Ref:2049297)

I was thinking of getting myself an early impreza sti (type 3 or 4) circa 96/97. Just wondrering does anyone have an opinion on how they compare to the evo's of the time? (evo 3 or 4 i think)

garcon · 23 Oct 2007, 16:31 (Ref:2049339)

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Very similar cars in so many ways that in the end it comes down to personal choice. I'm a Scooby fan, so I'd say go for the Impreza!

Whichever you go for, be sure to have it properly checked out. Japanese imports usually have very little in the way of reliable history.

Barry Pomfret · 23 Oct 2007, 18:58 (Ref:2049494)

You need to drive both to make up your mind, however the Evo does not understeer like the Impreza and has the potential to extract more power from the engines without becoming unreliable.I own a 6 that is producing 370bhp and is used as an everyday car. It is better to try and get an Evo 5 rather than 4 as the engines in the 5 were better. There is a very good free to download buyers guide on the Mitsubishi Lancer Register website, www.lancerregister.com and also a members cars for sale section. The other bonus is the Evos are a little more exclusive. Negative features are the short service intervals on the Evos, only 4500 miles.

Rockmunky · 23 Oct 2007, 20:36 (Ref:2049622)

Yep, like Garcon says, definitely pretty much down to personal preference.

I'm a subrau boy so yes, go for the Impreza.

Knowlesy · 23 Oct 2007, 21:19 (Ref:2049667)

97/98 Impreza's (22B particularly). That era of Impreza was the best looking by miles, the ones Colin drove in rallying.

<<<<<<<<<<<<----The ones like that.

They went a bit less good looking after that with the more prominent intercooler and then they had the total restyle.

I'd take either really, they are both iconic.

Notso Swift · 24 Oct 2007, 06:29 (Ref:2049874)

Six of one half a dozen of the other:
BUT
Evo has a stronger box, with better ratio's. Subaru has more lag, so when it comes on it comes on with a whollop - it always FEELS faster, even though times say it is not, in fact, if you are in the wrong gear it can be a lot slower, in particular for the b/c-road jaunt. When you have them both on the boil they are equal.

DAVID PATERSON · 24 Oct 2007, 08:39 (Ref:2049973)

I love both of these cars and would find it really hard to choose one over the other, so i asked my best mate who knows a lot more about cars than I do and he insisted, defintely go for the Lancer.

Mike_Wooshy · 24 Oct 2007, 10:15 (Ref:2050045)

Id put it simply if your going for the older models Id have an impreza,(before they went bug eyed) but if your going for a newer one (anything after an evo 5) Id have the evo. Just personal preference I supose to which you go for. Most love the burble flat 4 of the impreza, while others like the agressive looks of the evo. There are little difference you may want to consider, stuff like the driver operated differentials on the impreza, or the Anti Yaw control of the evo, If its possible get a test drive in both and then make your decision, so you get a taste of "owning" both.

garcon · 24 Oct 2007, 10:24 (Ref:2050051)

Probably also worth checking out a few enthusiast websites to find out more details ... particularly with the minefield of countless different import versions of the Impreza. (www.sidc.co.uk might help for the Scooby)

Even if you're keen on modified cars, I'd start with as near to standard factory spec as you can find, and then choose the mods yourself as you get to know the car.

adamaca · 24 Oct 2007, 12:29 (Ref:2050155)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Pomfret

You need to drive both to make up your mind, however the Evo does not understeer like the Impreza

Thats interesting, I always assumed it was the other way round, when you see them on top gear etc, its rare to see an evo sideways, but you do see it with the subarus. I was thinking with the driver controlled centre diff it could behave more like a rwd car than an evo. Thats something to think about, turn in is very important, I drive an mx5 at the moment and theres not much thats road legal that will turn in like one of them.

Barry Pomfret · 24 Oct 2007, 14:32 (Ref:2050243)

Rockingham Race School used to have Imprezas and Prodrive had to have them back to reset all the diffs because the instructors complained about them understeering too much, when BMW linked up with Rockingham and supplied M3s with the traction control off you didn't get the same complaint !

garcon · 24 Oct 2007, 14:49 (Ref:2050259)

It depends on the version, but the Impreza was generally set up with a bit of understeer when it came out of the factory. However, it can be as simple as adjusting the geometry a few degrees to sort it.

And/or a trailing brake...

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