Anyone want to weigh in with any opinions? My SO and me are testing the two this w/e. The car is primarily for her. I dunno why she wants a car that is that fast (it could be that she thinks I will like it) and I would be happy to hear of options to fit in that price band (it will be a company car). Myself, I am inclined to a fuck off diesel Golf or maybe a Saab but we need to do some leg work.
I had a '96 Impreza a few years ago and it was a nice car although it hadn’t been taken care of before I got it so it could have been in a hell of a lot better shape than what it was. The only problem I had with it is that it was a pain to start in cold weather… otherwise, I have no complaints.
I’ve got an '05 Impreza. The 2.5 RS, manual transmission.
I like it a lot. We also have an Outback, and I’m quite a fan of Subarus. The Impreza is definitely not as solid as the Outback though. Seats are comfy, handles well, I think it looks pretty cool. Decent mileage, and with the stick, you can also get some acceleration when you want it.
Neither is exactly pretty. I’d lean towards the WRX. Better breaking and handling balance. Also, IMHO, a little prettier.
If you have the budget, go with the VW G32 Golf. Not as fast 0-60 but a great handling car with AWD platform and great looks and finish.
Better still, A4 1.8T Audi Quattro. The tamest perfomer of the four but class and style by the mile.
BTW, compliments to your SO for liking ralley style cars. Nothing like the feeling of havin all four tires ripping up gravel while narrowly avoiding drifting into the ditch! 
Yeah, if the WRX is an option, that’s a pretty sweet car.
Still, keep in mind that it takes premium, and I was a little put-off by how it lacked the low-end torque.
It’s only a 2.0l (as compared to the 2.5l in the regular Impreza) and has a turbo for the real HP. I also think that the published 0-60 times are a bit of a gimmick (in general, but moreso with that car).
See how she’s going to be driving it. With my commute, it’s a lot of stop-and-go and then highway cruising. The turbo, in my case, can be either annoying or useless. If she really really loves driving the WRX is good for its price.
Wait, she want’s an Evo 8 or the STi? Or are we talking about the 2.5 RS and the Lancer?
As a daily driver I wouldn’t recommend either really.
I am a little confused what she wants exactly. She had mentioned the Golf GT Tdi before, and then this came out of the blue. I think she has a pretty snazzy WRX in her budget or an EVO 8 Lancer 2.0. Whatever. I am sure we will have fun just looking at the cars this weekend. She might just end up choosing the red one. 
I have it on good authority that, all things being equal, silver cars are usually faster.
If you want to replace the exhaust with a sewer pipe, load it up with yellow stickers, and maybe get a spoiler the size of water tower, go with the evo. If you had anything else in mind, stick with the WRX, but you can also consider an A4 quattro.