sti is a better platform to start off with. standard brembo brakes, 17" alloys, 6spd with DCCD, RE070s, vf39, and 2.5L

wrxs upgraded brakes in 06, but still not to STI specs. Also changed to 17" in 06. Has always had the 5spd, 05 was probably strongest when they still had the 3.90, 06+ has the 3.70. All WRXs have the crap re92 tires. all WRXs have the shitty little td04. 02-05 WRXs have he 2.0L, 06+ has the EJ255 2.5L. 05+ WRXs and all STIs have two cats in the downpipe. 04- WRXs also had a cat in the uppipe which was a nice long install to replace it. 05+ WRX has newer interior, 06+ has black and silver seats (compared to all black). 06+ has smaller intercooler (dealer told me that it is thicker, but it didnt really seem to be to me), not really a *huge* deal though.