Yes, I found this out AFTER buying my STI. Drove my friends same-model-year WRX and was blown away by the difference. It could almost be categorized as comfortable, versus the STI where you feel Every. Freaking. Thing.

Did you happen to make an appointment?

This. I like this. You should definitely make a list of them.

The NA 2.5 currently in use is not old. While it may have the same displacement as the old motor, it's using the new FA/FB engine architecture, not the old EJ. The only subaru still using the EJ is the STI, and probably not for much longer.

If you throw enough Chromium and Nickel into the mix, eventually it'll be able to resist pretty much anything (though it eventually starts being named a Nickel Alloy instead of a stainless steel, but that's splitting hairs).

I was able to test drive one, and that was even after admitting that I was planning on ordering one from the factory.

Thanks for the perspective. I've never ridden in a GT-Four, but my highschool friend's gen 7 Celica (can't remember if it was a GT or GT-S, probably the former) stuck me not as lethargic, but really barely any better than a Civic EX of the same time period.

The previous gens may have been uninspired as you say, but I think calling the last gen a 'pure sports car' may be a bit of a stretch. Sporty, perhaps. And while I haven't ridden in a GT-Four, their performance at autocrosses was nothing to scoff at from what I recall.

First car I bought myself was a '95 3000GT VR-4, which I've always kind of considered the Eclipse GSX's older brother. Despite weighing as much as the RMS Titanic, that thing was a rocket when you started flogging it. Rad young person's car indeed.

It may be that nostalgia is getting the better of me.

The chassis may have been excellent, but if it's as good as you say it was, I feel like they didn't use it to its full potential.

My buddy did a co-op at Honda R&D while we were in college. His opinion was that the Civic Si was the nicer of the two cars interior-wise.

It feels like the last gen Celica itself was a downgrade compared to previous Celicas. In some kind of weird hybrid of current VW and Scion tactics, they cheapened the car to appeal to more/younger buyers. As you might imagine, just like it doesn't really work today, it didn't work back then either.

Who was Toyota's chief designer back in the late 90's? Seems like both the MR2 and Celica got beaten with the ugly stick right around the same time.

How about something like a mid 2000's Outback or Forester? Safe, decent on gas, slow, excellent in inclement weather, and reasonably reliable.

The answer is rarely Miata, especially when the question is what to give your teenager as a first car.

My STI will spin all 4 on snow if I'm not careful, even with winter tires. I can't imagine trying to sanely drive around with more than double that on tap.

That was true 10 years ago. Last year, Subaru sold 50% more cars than VW. They are no longer a extremely small car company. Granted, they aren't Toyota/GM size, but neither are they Volvo/Mitsubishi size anymore.

Is there any chance, as it is using the same engine as the Ecoboost Mustang (which I assume is oriented longitudinally), that this wouldn't have a Haldex-based drivetrain? Or would that be a pipe-dream considering the costs of developing a new AWD system from scratch?

I agree 100%. The practicality of anything with a rear hatch is just light-years ahead of a sedan. Plus, if done right, I think they can look awesome.