Question of the Week : culture|garage

Ooh, I have a treat for y’all this week. Now then, I know there are contingents of folks who visit the site every day, searching for content and coverage of the JDM brands. Well, this week, it’s a battle royale, as you, our readership, will be the judge.

This week I’m looking for supremacy in one of the hottest vehicle-borne conflicts today- the fight between the Subaru Impreza and the Mitsubishi Lancer. There’s so much to be said about either car, but this week, we want to hear about the strengths/weaknesses of each car, and why your choice is the best one. So, what’s it gonna be? Mitsu or Scooby?

Now then, I know little of each car, other than that I see each of them everywhere, and a former roommate of mine had a black WRX that he claimed as God’s preferred personal mode of transport. The disdain for the Lancer was everpresent whenever we discussed the merits of each car, and I did my best to play devil’s advocate, fighting the good fight for the Evo. In this case, I am more prone to look at the base version of each car, the non-WRX, non Evo variants, and I like the Subaru a bit more, but only because it has a flat-four boxer underhood. However, I think the Lancer has it all over the Subaru in the looks department, but that may just be me. In the spectrum of this question, you can discuss any model year, variant or configuration, so go nuts…please. What say you?

via: Edmunds, AOL, Discount New Cars

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10 Responses to “Question of the Week”

flameJello Says:
April 28th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

for 2008, a base model lancer looks nicer than a base model impreza (especially the sedan). I keep looking at base model 08 lancers thinking they’re evolutions, whereas I find it easier to find a base model 08 impreza typically due to the different center grille (unless you see an impreza 2.5i SE, with the black grille).

before that generation though, base model subie > base model lancer. I think the older ones look fairly cheap looking, until you see a lancer evolution.
Raza Says:
April 28th, 2008 at 10:31 pm

I haven’t driven the new models, but I have the old. I like Subaru better, as a company.

But the STI is dull to drive. Lifeless; fast without feeling. The Evo is a truly special car. Therefore, it is my choice.

Now the new STI is ugly, so is the Evo X. They’re also slower around a track and decidedly less involving. So they both lose.

And 40 grand for the STI? Please. I’d rather have an Evo XIII and pocket the 22 grand.
Ryan Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 2:10 am

Raza makes some good points.

Both new versions are ugly and overpriced (the Evo has always been overpriced).

I’ve always been partial to the WRX even before thinking of owning one. I like the direct rally lineage that the brand enjoys.

However, I would take an Evo MR any day of the week over an STi. It’s a superior car in most aspects.

As far as looks, I think the WRX has gotten worse with each successive generation. The Evo hit its peak with their versions 8 and 9.
Chris Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 9:56 am

MY08 STI, all the way. They start at 34k. I can go without the Nav and the BBS wheels.
John Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

It’s a tough call, but I bought the 06 STi and I love it. I have driven EVO’s and have much respect. I like the interior, the sound, the rotation, and stability.

An EVO is a beast for sure, but I don’t trust it as much. I also got turned off on the EVO’s looks after EVO VI. I think subies get ugly sometimes, but always unique. The boxer is nice and torquey and did I mention the sound? Yum.

Subaru also has a great culture, lots of people to help. Minimal doucheatude and maximum waves on the road. I will even wave at EVO’s. What fun is it to have this car without some healthy competition?

Also, I don’t trust Mitsubishi to turn a profit or compete in WRC any given year… how do I know my car will survive and I will still be able to buy parts?
Raza Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

I think when Mitsubishi goes under (I’d say sometime before 2015), there will be enough third party support for the Evo for you to keep it running. People still have Oldsmobiles.
Jim Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

Yaaaaay Oldsmobile! Wha-oh, sorry.
Jon Says:
April 30th, 2008 at 12:41 am

Evo all day long. Performance and looks its no comparison to the Subie.

But…the STI just sounds so damn good and the Evo…not so much :/

Tough call indeed.
Tony Says:
April 30th, 2008 at 8:25 am

base model 08 lancer>base model impreza
base model impreza>base model lancers 07 and earlier

as far a s the evo sti comparison…

I would have to lean towards the evo. The bang for buck factor is quite a bit better. If your going to modify the car you can get a lot more power out of the evo than you will out of the sti given the same amt of money.

I think the STI is an awesome car and the boxer engine will always sound better than the inline 4 but my vote goes to the wingless evo.
Raza Says:
April 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am

Ah, the Evo without the wing. I believe in 2003, the spoiler was an option, but since they underestimated demand, they had to stick standard Lancer spoilers on there (at no cost to the customer). I wouldn’t mind one of those either. But I’m not going to give up a radio and air conditioning in an Evo RS though; it just doesn’t matter enough for me to do that. When I was driving the STI (yes, capital I in the year I drove), I looked into my rearview mirror and saw the big spoiler cutting into my visibility. Stopped at a light, I shrunk in the seat, worried that someone I know might see me. I was embarrassed.

In the Evo, I was having so much fun, I didn’t care. The Evo is on the same level of fun as cars like the Lotus Elise and Porsche Boxster. And because it’s made of Coke bottle plastics and doesn’t have a premium badge on it, you don’t feel bad driving the pants off it. And you definitely don’t feel bad the first time you get all four wheels off the ground.

If you’ll excuse me, I have to go check Autotrader…