Quick note on the handling here from Japan! I recently purchased my STi and the deciding factor was the test drive. Luckily, the dealer had both a WRX and STi there I could drive back-to-back. First the WRX, fun, fast and responsive - I was impressed. While driving I was thinking is it really worth dropping the extra $5000 for the STI..........Next up the STi drive - I would say after the first corner I was sold - tight, no roll and it honestly felt like a completly different car. I never even took a second glance at the WRX after that - STi all the way.
Now, 6 years ago I bought an Impressa HX - for those that don't know that model in Japan is was the 2.0 liter non-turbo WRX look alike - and I regretted that for the next 5 years. Not this time, I thought the WRX would be enough but if you're going to do it - DO IT! The STi is worth every yen, sorry, penny. 8)