The only thing I can really say is, that the car is sexy as hell. It's a decent ride, but the gas consumption would scare me away from it. The WRX sucks down the gas too - And while it's not in the teens anymore, it is in the low 20's - which is insulting for a 4 cylinder.
Now, a word about track results:
AWD cars will hook up better, but not really for the reasons that you might think. And to demonstrate this dynamic, I will choose the following two cars: a RWD Front engine... say.. a Chevy Vega. Then, compare it to a similar dimensioned car....
... a 1992 Laser AWD Turbo (This is important). The 92 Laser AWD Turbo (Of which only a few hundred were made) are the lightest of all the AWD DSMs, and had no sunroof (It also has front and rear LSDs) Now, you might think that the car can hook up at the track because the front drive wheels are complimenting the rear drive wheels (Basically, Push-pull). And you wouldn't be wrong - But the Laser demonstrated a dynamic that the Push-Pull doesn't explain.
Now, compare that Laser to the WRX. The Laser hooks up better than the WRX all the time. Why is this ? Maybe it's the front and rear LSDs ? I asked Pruven Performance (DSM Specialists in CT) why this is. They pointed out races where the WRX was being annihilated not only by the AWD cars, but the FWD DSMs as well.
This is because when the rear of the car squats, it draws an imaginary line from the front hubs, to the rear wheels and then to the ground. When this line dips below the rear axle, the rear wheels skid. When the line stays above that axle, the drive wheels get more grip.
Now watch how the Mustang V6 squats on take-off. Watch how the DSMs squat, and watch how even the FWD cars squat and hook up. Yes, push-pull has something to do with it, but the impressive snaps and launches are acheived by getting the power from the wheels to the concrete.
And that is why these family sedans, in my eyes, will NEVER be considered a sports, or "sporty" car. They are too tall, not stable enough, to put the power to the power to the ground. They are dimensioned and proportioned to carry people with head room and foot room. And while a Mustang and the WRX may have 4 seats - I'm sure you can't argue the arrangment of those seats in relation to the dimensions of the car.
The lower, "squatter" car will launch better, corner better, and drive better because that is how the car gets efficiency. The WRX, hp to hp, isn't an efficient body for such a power plant.
When it comes down to it, the WRX Wagon at my house has the same track potential as my Loyale Wagon - Which is nil. Get your flamethrowers, I'm ready for you .
-> Steve