I would take an EVO platform over a WRX/STI for the following reasons.
- The boxer design on the WRX/STI is a pain to work on, expect a spark plug change to take at least an hour.
- The 4G63t engine has been proven over and over again as one of the most (if not the most) strongest 4 cylinder engines in the world.
- I prefer the 4G63t since I learned on them, they come easier to me.
- Easy access to information regarding maintenance, upgrades...etc (dsm.org, vfaq.com...etc)
David Buschur, the grandfather of DSM's has been tasked by Mitsubishi Motors in the US for staged and warrantied upgrades. See buschurracing.com.
The only caveat I am aware of on the Evo is a weak clutch and the fact Mitsu(read SATAN) has been known to eyeball certain "upgrades" as performance-minded and will null the warranty or deny warranty work, such as a turbo timer.
My buddy Jeff bought an Evo as a daily driver, now it's a daily driven 400whp monster. His other car, coincidently is a 700whp Mitsu 3000gt VR4 Spyder. I'm not saying you can't daily drive a fast Scoobie, because that's not true, I'm just saying just because you make a Mitsu fast does not mean it will break all the time.
REMEMBER: DSMs - cheap, fast, reliable; pick 2.
If your friend spent that much to get into the 12's he's insane. I've spent about 10k in all (not including the cost of the car) to get my DSM to put down 550whp (no nitrous), and it still has AC and power steering, is very streetable, reliable, and still emissions legal. Not sure what it will run in the 1/4, but I would expect somewhere in the low 11's at 130+mph. Just a thought...