If you want the 300 horespower get the STI, not an Evo. Would you rather drive an Impreza or a Lancer, since the STI and Evo or based on them. The Lancer it front wheel drive, the Impreza at least all wheel drive. I have heard some horror stories with regards to the Evo, as it's a boosed 2.0, where the STI is a boosted 2.5 litre.
Of course I am biased. I have a 2004 WRX, and it has the 2.0 litre motor. The 2006 WRX's have a detuned 2.5 litre motor. Like it was mentioned, the drivetrain is not even similar between the WRX and STI, although the torque down low with the 2.5 is better than in my WRX.
I have driven both 04 and 06 STI's and they are lightening fast for teh price. I got my 04 WRX for $23K though, while the STI was low $30K's. Knowing that the Subaru was a stop gap so I could save up for another 911 (a 993 C4S I think..), I couldn't justify the cost differnce (both purchase and insurance). I also commute 50 miles each way to work, and the STI was still pretty new, so I was concerned with the durability of the 2.5 in the STI. I also get almost 30 mpg with my WRX, and have 40,000 miles on it already.
Now as with any car for people like us, I of course couldn't keep it stock. Here is what I have done so far:
Wheels: 17x7.5 Wedsport's. They only weigh 14.1 pounds a piece...sweeeet.
Short shifter, shifter bushings.
Prodrive lowering springs (a nice drop, not totally lowered, this is my dialy driver).
Exhaust Gas Temperature, Oil Temperature and Boost Gauges in a pod that replaced the stock clock, color matched to the interior lights (this was actually a pretty easy job with the exception of the EGT, where I had to take the 2&4 cylinder exhaust manifold off and drill and tap if to the probe).
I will most likely get a COBB Accessport and new down pipe, with this combination I have read I can get another 50 horespower pretty safely. I do not plan on ever replacing the stock muffler.
If I were you, and looking for a daily driver I can take the dog in ( I have 2 dogs so know the need), I'd get a stripped WRX Wagon, and use the extra $ for some upgrades.
On a side note, NASIOC is a pretty decent forum. Yeah there are some boy racers there, from a technical standpoint there is some decent knowledge there. I have gone to some other forums, and they are way ricier.
This isn't the greatest picture of my WRX, but will give you an idea of how decent they can look with better wheels.
