I test drove both STi8 & Evo 8 when I was buying mine.

The Evo is without a shadow of a doubt the better out of the box car. But plasticy and a car with no soul. The scooby understeers like buggery and is not as quick point to point as the Evo. But it is a nicer place to be and the car has soul, it's more of a drivers car for sure.

I would have always favoured the Scooby side of the tracks until the recent Germany trip, where Niges Evo was just the most phenomenal car.

Do yourself a Favour and test drive them both