OK, I don't know a ton about street cars, but I've always been a fan of the Impreza WRX and have wanted one for a while. I like the 02/03 model better than the 04 (Do I have myy dates right, the 'bug eye'?), but there are too many of them on the road today, so I thought maybe the 2001 and earlier model might be for me (That's the one I always liked best anyway).
I bought the February 1999 issue of Sport Compact Car for a long flight, and they converted an early 2.5 RS to basically a WRX with suspension and body mods, but more or less left the engine alone. What could I do to a similar 2.5 RS or even Impreza L (I kinda like the WRX wagon) as far as suspension, brakes, body, exhaust, and some mild engine mods? I want something fun to drive that looks good, but I don't need to go nuts in the power department (I've only owned an 84 Omni and now an 88 Camry: anything withing shouting distance of 200hp should suit me fine).
Does anybody have an advice on a project like this, what I could do, what it would cost, etc?