Try the Legacy GT, while not quite as fast is a good vehicle and handles very well (I owned an MY02 STi and am currently own an MY12 Legacy GT both 6sp manual). The STi was a lot of fun, but I have just as much with the Legacy(Liberty over here in Australia), and you will have money spare(compared to RRP of STi vs GT- the sound system in the GT if you have the MacIntosh sound system in US is great for stock unit)!

If they do bring out an STi/WRX based on the concept vehicle... it will be worth the wait (looks astounding). Though the new STi will most likely be based on current Imprezza from the looks of things - and they may be moving to a 2L again (ie. derivative of BRZ/Imprezza engine) :( .

In the end you can't go wrong with the STi :D I loved mine, even if repairs were expensive (break pads/discs were not cheap).

The new STi will in fact be based again on the current Imprezza, even for 2014. I had heard that the concept vehicle looked astounding. I took a look at the Legacy on the Subaru website. They do not offer it in a station wagon form. If I do get the STi, it would be the hatchback variant, though I heard that that my go away in the future.

This talk of Legacy and station wagon has me looking at the new Outback. Perhaps that is where I'll splurge. I hear it is even larger than my old 2006 Outback.

I've got the Legacy GT (well as a Liberty here in Australia) as a wagon. Surprised they don't offer it in US, it is the most practical vehicle I've owned! I've got the STi strut brace in mine ... but if I was to say something: get the short shift/positive shift kit... as it is a bit borky going to 2nd gear.

Try the V6 Passat (if you are willing to try a VW)- it has an amazing engine... but it was going to be a 6 month wait for the spec I wanted.

I had a VW Passat years ago before I switch over to Subaru. The engine was amazing, but many of the accessories were prone to break down, and the dust from dirt roads played havoc with its systems. It is why I switch to Subaru. Also, it seems like there are no Passat wagons available here in the US, and none of them are all-wheel-drive.

I then recall to myself that everything I've done with this old Outback wagon of mine. I've hauled lots of cargo, and had lots of friends ride with me. It is quite a comfortable car for long drives and quiet too. The newer Outback wagons have even more cargo room, and that Ourback 3.6R has a pretty powerful engine in it. While not as fast as the WRX, the Outback would probably afford a more comfortable, quieter ride on long road trips.

As fun as a WRX would be to drive around, the more practical part of me makes me lean towards the Outback again. I could even put a trailer hitch on it if I wanted. I think I'm going to have to test drive both the WRX and the Outback 3.6R and compare.

Ahh they got rid of the GT completely in the US :( - they were saying they'd do that over here, but I was surprised to see it in the showroom.

http://www.subaru.com.au/liberty/2......-premium-wagon <- it was supposed to be scrapped, but I guess it is a decent seller here.

Yeah I'm a bit dubious about reliability of VW- some people swear by them, others, at them! It doesn't look like you get the V6 4motion wagon either - for a normally aspirated engine it was astounding, when I test drove (better than the GT, and nearly as effortless as my old Ford XR6T - a 4L inline 6 turbo).

The Outback or Liberty/Legacy wagons will serve well with the H6, the lower center of gravity with the Legacy will help handling (I'm not sure if the have a sports package in US, with lower profile tyres, the H6 over here is a vechicle set up for comfort vs the GT which is set up with a more handling oriented setup)

I can second the above reply. I had a friend that had an 08 STi, Awesome car just not what you really car the perfect daily driver. Hood and doors were aluminum so they dent VERY easy. Tires were about $2000 for a set, Brake pads very expensive. Also he went through 3 turbos and a motor in it because he lived in Ohio and the car sat outside during the winter and the turbo used on the car had a ceramic seal and because of the super cold it wouldn't seal. He traded it for a normal WRX and wishes he made that choice the first time.

Don't want to scare you away from the STi, just know what you're getting into by buying basically a race car for the street. You can look over the STi owners forums and most people can tell the good,bad and ugly of owning one.

I just replaced the brake pads and disks on my Outback after over 122,000 miles of driving. The fact that the STi doesn't seem to do well outside does give me pause. I currently live Upstate New York in a townhome and have no garage. I am starting to think that perhaps I'd be better off with another Outback. Either that, or go for the regular WRX, though the WRX is not as luxurious inside.

I've been kind of kicking around the idea of getting an STI as well, but I know as a daily driver they're not all that ideal. The price point is still pretty high on them as well versus more daily/street friends options in the same class. That's what pushed me towards the Mazdaspeed3 when that came out. For the moment I'm waiting to see how Ford packages the Fiesta ST before I think about jumping back up to a car as big as an STI/Focus ST/Mazdaspeed3.

For where you are it should be a really fun car to have.

I'm going to have to test drive some WRX again before I can decide. I'm also now considering the Outback 3.6R as well.

STI is sexy as hell, just a $ car - but their value keep up!