I just drove a 2003 WRX STi (JDM) last friday, and I have to agree with the thread starter on alot of things. The car had 280 hp (compared to the 230-ish on regular STi's) because it's a JDM version. It also had alot of fancy stuff that's not normally found on european STi's. It has the 2.0 engine though, and not the 2.5 found in the US (and in Eu from 06 and on).
The car had IC water spray, adjustable diffs, full recaro bucket seats, a new intake and exhaust, new gauges+++. It was of course a right hand drive, but after like 10 corners that was just like driving a left hand drive.
Almost everything on the JDM STi is better than a US or Eu version. And compared to a normal Eu STi this car was a beast. I have two friends who own STi's. They work really well even without boost and I could drive without problems in fifth where I usually have to use fourth in my Audi. This is because the STi have a six gear tranny though, so the fifth is kinda like my fourth.. But also because the two cars can't be compared at all. 130 hp Audi A4 versus 2003 JDM STi with upgrades.
Anyway, my point is that those cars are really great. They are pricey, but they are worth it. A Celica GT-Four could probably beat one, but a 94 GT-Four vs. 2003-2006 STi.. What car will most likely last the next 10 years? You just can't ignore age on a car..
Btw; those cars cost _alot_ in Norway.. Closer to 87 000$ US.. So they are naturally very rare. The kids took out their cell phones and started filming us as we were driving past.. People turning their heads everywhere. It was fun

And even though I was driving like 30 in a 45 nobody tried to drive past me

They just formed a line behind me waiting..