well, I was wondering what Impreza is good as a 1st car and good to mod too, never heard about the RS model or whatever we call it.
my price range is about 5k, so what can I get for 5k ?

For about 5k, you can get a 98 or 99 RS.

How have you never heard of the RS?
It's been available longer than the WRX even.

Mmm, I dunno about 5K. The one late-90's RS I've seen online was going for about 10K. But you'd know more than me, so if you know where to find a 2.5 RS for under 7K (Automatic though...... I know :shakehead It's just that, well, never owned one before, we have hills, lots of traffic, lots of snow, etc), I'd love to hear about it: I'd take one over a 2005 Outback Sport or RS sedan in a heartbeat (Trying to buy a house soon).

Don't count on finding a 98-01 2.5 RS for 5K, and if you do, it'll probably be busted to hell. A good condition 98-01 2.5 RS is generally valued between 9K-12K. You may be able to find an older or lower trim-level Impreza for 5K, and those are still good first cars. The aftermarket scene is getting pretty good, with turbo swaps and autocrossing Imprezas becoming more popular.

You can find high mileage 98's for about 5k, you have to hunt for them though.

Or just get an L for cheap and do the necessary swaps.

L ? they are the FWD 1.8 liters ?

Not in a long time have they been available with FWD. At some point the car was available with a 2.2L as well, which (so I'm told) can be massaged to as much or more power as a 2.5 RS with exhaust, headers, and some other parts I can't remember (Timing?).

The basic cars are more of less the same, save for cosmetic changes inside and out, and things like the 2.5L engine and disc brakes in the rear (And other things I'm sure I don't know about: Ray?).

Since 1997 I believe, the 2.2L was standard in the L, and so was all-wheel-drive. It's only about 20 horses shy of the 2.5 RS, and that can easily be made up in the aftermarket.

The FWD hasn't been available since 1996, something I seem to be repeating here a lot.

There were a lot of cosmetic differences between the 1998 L and the 1998 RS models, the fenders, hood, front bumper and more.