AWD Rockets

[castagna]

The EVO has the better handling but the Subaru has a better engine, uuuhhhhmmm...I'll take the Mitsu. The 335xi is a luxury sedan with a powerful turbo engine, we will never see a car like the BMW on a rally stage.

 

[CarGuy]

And yet even though we all know the STi and especially the Evo are better cars than the Bimmer everybody is still picking it.

 

[Mr Robert]

And yet even though we all know the STi and especially the Evo are better cars than the Bimmer everybody is still picking it.

The BMW is better allround than both the STi and the Evo.

To me, this poll would have been much harder had the 335i been compared to the previous generations of both STi and Evo, they had character! In my opinion, both of them were better cars than the current models and it was easier to look beyond crappy interiors and that type of things. Not to mention the price... the Evo is about the same as a 335iX.

 

[Poverty]

I am asking about the best overall package to live with everyday between the three.

Comeon now thats not a fair poll. Thats like putting a ariel atom or caterham against a bmw 7 series and asking which ones would be a more relaxing drive over 200 miles or something.

Evo X got my vote. Looks better than the 3 series in my opinion, more fun to drive and just as quick for alot less money.

Or you could spend a little more money and get a Evo X with 360 hp and make the beemer look slow

 

[Zafiro]

Comeon now thats not a fair poll. Thats like putting a ariel atom or caterham against a bmw 7 series and asking which ones would be a more relaxing drive over 200 miles or something.

Evo X got my vote. Looks better than the 3 series in my opinion, more fun to drive and just as quick for alot less money.

Or you could spend a little more money and get a Evo X with 360 hp and make the beemer look slow

In Sweden WRX are more expensive than a 335i Coupé. Earlier Imprezas were well-known for offer lots of performance for little money here in Sweden. Then suddenly Subaru Sweden got crazy and now WRX is redicolous expensive. Too much money for a WRX nowdays.

 

[martinbo]

Well I suppose it all boils down to one's experience and frame of reference. Most people voting here haven't really got the personal experience with these three cars to make objective comparisons. So to them as German car fans the BMW is the car of choice here.

As a Subaru instructor of course I'm biased. Heck, they gave me all of the opportunities any car enthusiast could ever wish for. That said, the STI is still the only car that I've ever feared for my life in - driven at 11/10ths by a professional racing driver and one of the fastest men in SA around a highly technical circuit. So, in the end my vote is put down based on my ownership and driving experiences and my loyalty to the brand. I wonder how many other voters have the same claim?

 

[martinbo]

Just_me - you're right. The WRX STI in South Africa went up by 30% with the introduction of the new model here. SA versions are very nicely specced tho'. 18" BBS alloys, front foglamps, Xenons, top of the range Recaros. A much nicer cabin to be in by a country mile than the previous versions. Just don't go prodding the dash plastics expecting a Mercedes-Benz soft touch feel.

 

[Zafiro]

Well I suppose it all boils down to one's experience and frame of reference. Most people voting here haven't really got the personal experience with these three cars to make objective comparisons. So to them as German car fans the BMW is the car of choice here.

As a Subaru instructor of course I'm biased. Heck, they gave me all of the opportunities any car enthusiast could ever wish for. That said, the STI is still the only car that I've ever feared for my life in - driven at 11/10ths by a professional racing driver and one of the fastest men in SA around a highly technical circuit. So, in the end my vote is put down based on my ownership and driving experiences and my loyalty to the brand. I wonder how many other voters have the same claim?

Personally, I've driven Impreza STI (previous version with 265hp?), I also driven EVO IX. I haven't spent hours and hours with them but I drove the EVO just a few days later after the STI and my personal favorite after the drives where the EVO (dont shot me Martin )
I havent driven the these new bastards but after watching the Top Gear episode I think I would still choose EVO X over the Impreza (Dont shoot me twice Martin )

I have never driven a 335i AWD only the rear wheel drive version. The 335i is more mature than a EVO or a Impreza, better comfort, more luxurios and "feel" more well-built so it isnt exactly a drivers car like the EVO or the Impreza.

My impression over the years here at GCF and GCF is that the members often prefer luxury and comfort over sporty cars so I'm not surprised that the BMW is winning the poll.

PS I havent voted....

 

[martinbo]

Ah yes, the infamous Top Gear episode where the EVO X runs rings around the STI - literally - doing doughnuts around it. Oh yes, and the fact that the STI is now some 2 seconds off the pace at Bedford.

I've also driven the EVO, Andreas, and I don't like the controls or the sound of the engine. The steering is sharper but then not much steering's quicker than an EVO's. The EVO is harder than the STI and that presents a problem on roads that are less than smooth. The STI is better equipped to deal will more varied road surfaces than the choppy Mitsu.

Also, here in SA we've only ever gotten bland EVO 5-speed manuals and I don't expect that to change as if you're after a six gear 'box you'll have to opt of the SST transmission. And in a car like an EVO or STI for that matter this is a waste in my eyes. Manual all the way for me in cars like these. The really good EVO's don't make it down here and a stock STI is a better machine. The only real ace up the Mitsu's sleeve is the very clever electronic active torque distribution AWD system. It's been very interesting to see that Mitsubishis without this system - but still with their version of AWD - are singularly dull to drive.