Are these things really as durable as their resale value suggests? I miss my Speed 3 dearly and want to replace it with a boost buggy. 
To be honest, I'm amazed at what these things are still selling for (or at least the starting asking prices) on cars with 75,000+ miles and such.
Are new ones in short supply that guys are willing to pay near-new prices with worse financing to get a few year old one with 10k miles?
Which Evo? 8? 9? X?
The 9s and Xs seem to hold their values pretty well out here, the 8s are a tad cheaper.
Finding an unmolested on is going to be an issue, I would think.
IX or X.
And say a 2006+ STi.......depending on the wife, a new one could be an option. But really any info on the recent two models of either would be great.
I know the 2008 STi's had a bad batch of engines, but I'm sure those have mostly blown up and been replaced by now.
Sure it isn't the "ricer" tax? Certain vehicles carry that penalty 'cause "JDM yo" causes brain shrinkage.
Evos are pretty rare and thus sought after. STIs seem to be easier to find (at least out here) and thus cheaper. There's also a lot of demand for the 8 & 9 as it's more tuneable (or at least "better understood") than the X.
Plus, I like Evos and loathe the looks of the X. If I had the spare cash I'd probably go for an unmolested 9.
the value of a lot of cars is enhanced simply because so many have been "used up". It's the same reason that classic Mopars bring so much coin. These were the cars the "kids" had. They got driven hard, wrecked, and there just ain't too many of them left
But with the new ones...........how the kids going out and affording nearly $40k car + insurance?
Is it just roommates + poor financial planning?
And spending all the beer money on insurance, I'd guess.
I tested EVO VIII's when I worked for Mitsu and the '05 STI. Loved the steering in in the VIII vs. the STI. The VIII was 3+sec. faster at Grattan.
When I was car shopping this spring, I test drove an EVO X and a new STI. The EVO X felt like I was driving a bus I was sitting so high and stepping down on the pedals. STI was better.
So my opinion EVO X < '05 STI < new STI < EVO 8.
I've driven an '04 STI that had a coilover suspension, turbo-back exhaust, stock turbo, and upgraded top-mount intercooler. I loved it. Diesel like torque from down low, great brakes, great handling. The only negative to me was that it ran out of breath before 5K RPM.
My friend who owned the STI sold it and bought a 2008 EVO IX MR SE with stock shocks (Bilsteins) Swift springs, turbo-back exhaust, and RS-3s. I wasn't expecting to like the car that much, but it was incredible. I'd never guess that something like 62% of the weight is on the front end by how it handled. It had great power up to redline, and wasn't gutless off-idle, either. The steering was sharp without being twitchy, and the way it put down power in low traction situations was incredible. Brakes were great, too.
If I could pick a fun car to drive on a daily basis through all seasons (I'm in CT), it would be an '05-06 STI or EVO VIII or IX. The newer versions of the two cars really don't do anything for me.
In terms of resale, I'm still kicking myself for not buying a new '02 WRX. The WRX, STI, and EVO have done an amazing job of holding their value over the years...
I'm still kicking myself for not buying a new '02 WRX. The WRX, STI, and EVO have done an amazing job of holding their value over the years...
That reminds me, i should go check out that $2000 wrx thread... 
I was also hoping to hear weak points, expected HP with minor bolt ons and a tune, etc
z31maniac wrote: IX or X. And say a 2006+ STi.......depending on the wife, a new one could be an option. But really any info on the recent two models of either would be great. I know the 2008 STi's had a bad batch of engines, but I'm sure those have mostly blown up and been replaced by now.
there were some ringland problems on the '08 STi's, but the big subaru engine debacle was the first 2-3 months of 2009 WRX production (Sept-Nov '08 builds), where they didn't clean the crank correctly and everyone was spinning bearings within the first 5-10k miles. Ask me how I know 
For the more serious car I would take the EVO 8, for a DD practical but still fun machine I would go 05+ WRX
I'll also note that the 09-10 WRXs can be found less expensive since they were the "less kid-racer" looking models (the '08 too, but it had a smaller turbo and softer suspension) and therefore less desirable by the "import tuner" crowd.
The nice thing about the 09-10s is that they are just as fast as an STi in a straight line (thanks to VF52 turbo) and dyno about 10whp less than the STi (and weigh less). The main thing you're missing is the Brembos and DCCD. But if you're replacing a MS3, the 09-10 WRX might fit the bill for you.
The also have the advantage of being pretty plain looking so as to not attract unwanted attention from police and/or guys in riced-out civics at stoplights.
The 08 STIs also had a really poor tune that was pretty lean while the motor was in significant boost.
http://www.efilogics.com/dyno/getrundetails.php?runid1=87
12.8 psi of boost, 14.1 to 1 AFR...
dj06482 wrote: The 08 STIs also had a really poor tune that was pretty lean while the motor was in significant boost. http://www.efilogics.com/dyno/getrundetails.php?runid1=87 12.8 psi of boost, 14.1 to 1 AFR...
same with the 09+ WRXs. Nothing a stage 1 tune can't take care of.
btw I have before and after A/F and dyno if anyone wants to see them.
Of course!
I can't believe the regular WRX's are that close to the STi's.........very interesting....
I came really close to buying an '04 STI back in '06. But as an almost 40 year old, I couldn't get past the kiddie looks...bright blue interior and monster rear wing. I suppose I could have ditched the wing but I couldn't see myself in a car that looked like that. Loved the way it drove
I still lust over the econocar looks of the Evo RS:
z31maniac wrote: Of course! I can't believe the regular WRX's are that close to the STi's.........very interesting....
my baseline dyno (stock '09 wrx with SPT catback only) was done a little while after the shop owner's stock '08 STI. After doing mine, he was like..."damn....those numbers are pretty damn close to our STi that was just done [on the same dyno]". IIRC it was like 10whp and 12wtq difference. And it's been seen in a lot of 09-10 wrx dynos on the forums that they're frequently putting down numbers within 5% below STis
My personal opinion is that SUbaru under-rated the crank HP (265) on the WRX so as not to infringe too much on the 305hp STi, even though in reality they're much closer than the 40hp difference.
Anyhow, here's my baselines. The runfiles are on my old computer, so sorry for the lousy screen captures that I had up on photobucket...
one of the runs after stage 1 flash. Power numbers didn't change all that much but the A/F much better and eliminated the midrange hesitation due to timing pulling. This is just a Cobb AP stage 1.
Not sure why I have an uncorrected graph here, but the correction factor was very minor on that day (maybe 1-2 whp/wtq difference).
stock A/F...gross. pulled timing like a mofo on boost.
and vid, lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2faK9wuXuKI
z31maniac wrote: I was also hoping to hear weak points, expected HP with minor bolt ons and a tune, etc
The main weak point - especially with Evos - seems to be the loose nut behind the wheel and their not very well thought out mods.
^Not surprising.
Knowing the 09-10 WRX is that close to the STi, makes it much more appealing. Brakes can be handled, and how big a difference is the DCCD? Can't imagine it's huge on what would mainly be a fun/fast DD.
Evos seem to be much quicker and better handling mod-for-mod than WRX/STis just from my experiences.
A subie is probably a nicer daily driver, but man i would do despicable things for an Evo 8/9. I would probably do none of those things for a WRX/STI.
z31maniac wrote: IX or X. .......depending on the wife, a new one could be an option.
How many wives do you have? I'd stick with the one who will let you get an EVO or STi!
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