Fake news! After 05 the WRX
After 05 the WRX got a 2.5 similar to the STI but smaller cams, smaller turbo, no electronic center diff, and still an anemic 5speed manual trans. From personal experience owning both an 03 WRX and current an 06 STI, dig deep into those pockets and spring for the STI... the dccd, 6speed, factory brembo brakes, and Bilstein suspension alone justify the extra chedda. Yes, you can make a WRX "as fast" as a stock STI with some work, but it's an uphill battle... The STI also has 5x114 lug pattern (much wider selection in wheels, and beefier wheel bearings) compared to the 5x100 pattern from the WRX.