Potential Subee Newbie...

[LunchBox]

So I've been a Honda enthusiast for nearly a decade now, and I've come to realize, that while they are great cars, it's easy to outgrow the potential, faster than you can sink capital into them. I've done motor swaps, every bolt-on you can imagine, suspensions, etc. But unless you want to break the bank, the all-motor potential does have to be limited with functionality in tact.

I've always been fond of Subarus, and even went against the grain of my group of friends by saying I like the looks, style, and overall platform of the STi over the Evo (And it still holds true).

I'm at a new crossroad... Boost my Si (and blow a wad o' cash, and some reliability), or, get a more practical, 4 door, AWD, turbocharged, huge potential with reliability relatively similar costs. I want an '04-'05 Impreza WRX.

I've been doing some reading here (the stickied FAQ was AWESOME!), and perusing some of the other topics, but I'm curious, are there other, MUST KNOW facts before I make the switch? It's pretty much down to the financials, and locating a suitable vehicle.

I'm planning on keeping it stock for at least the first 6 months (so I can learn the difference between FF, and AWD, get adjusted to a new car, etc.) and then start with the basic, simple bolt-ons. Suspension will also be a big part of the advancement. I prefer a vehicle that handles better than a vehicle with a higher top speed (the honda world has shown me that V8 does not always = win, and I know the same holds true in the Subaru realm).

I hear the Subaru community is just as supportive and helpful as the Honda bunch, so I'm hoping to get some positive feedback in my quest for details.

Thanks in advance!