The 2006 WRXs have the 2.5 turbo (detuned STI motor--same as in the Forester XT). Max power is not up by much, but the extra 25% displacement reportedly does wonders for throttle response and low-end driveability.

I live at over 5000 feet, and actually do not mind the boost not kicking in until about 3200 RPM. I drive about 45 miles on the interstate and if stay right at about 80, I am not on the boost, so I can get 28 MPG on average.

The Wheels are about $267 a piece for the 17" ones, I have seen some 18's, but I think the 17's will work just fine.

When I bought my sedan I wanted one without the wing, but all the the ones the dealers had were winged, so they took the cost off. I think I only paid about $24.5K for mine. I looked at the STI, but decided that I could not afford the speeding tickets.

Bill

Kudos on the RS! There are some who have supercharged the engine.... Food for thought. Also check out USMB.net (ultimate Subaru Message Board) there is a wealth of knowledge of all things Subaru.
My last Subaru was given to a friend after I just couldn't put time and energy into keeping it running. It was an 83 BRAT that I had owned since high school, when I gave it away it had over 460,XXX miles on it. You can't kill them, they just are reborn as someone else's project car.

Micah