as long as its slightly modded to maintain STOCK STi power I should be happy. Hell, ill be happy with a stock WRX
Subaru is quite a bit nicer than nissan, in my opinion, as far as actual interiors and comfort goes. Will be nice.
What is it like to do basic maintenance on a boxer? Alternator looks pretty easy. I havent seen one up close for quite awhile so it is hard to gauge the other stuff.