2018 wrx;

Redglare

I wanted to like it too, for me it wasn't as much interior but the drivetrain....
its pushing out 268hp, but when you really get on it, it doesn't feel like it has the power, frankly it felt about as fast as my old '12 civic si in the top rpm range,
the transmission was meh at best, Si>370z> wrx transmission based on shifter / clutch feel.

Its a great car if you are coming from something like a base corolla or some other econobox, but if you are coming from anything remotely sporty, i.e. 370z, civic si, gti or any other competing class - it just falls flat on its face.

Recently I got to drive a stage 2 WRX, it definitely felt much faster but still, something was missing..

like someone else mentioned at ~30k OTD for a wrx, way better options in used and new markets.

btw; the wrx doesn't suffer ringlands but it does suffer from direct injection carbon build up, people on forums at 15k miles have really bad exhaust valve gunk, after cleaning liberating 10whp/15wtq..........
so long term its not a good platform either, from both the DIT engine and compelx AWD drivetrain with wearable clutch packs.