Guys,
I bought a jap spec GTB 04 recently and think it is hands down the best car I have ever owned. I sold my JDM 2004 integra type R to buy it. 4 doors, 206kw and good fuel economy is everything I could wish for and it cost less than what I got for the Integra!
The hard part (or easy) is that it is also everything my partner could wish for and it is a fight for the keys each morning. The Honda accord euro station wagon (yep we get all the weird stuff in NZ) doesn't pass muster anymore. I tested a 2005 sti forester and was amazed by it. Simply the biggest grin factor I have had in a long time. The wagon version of the GT also appeals for all the same reasons I love the sedan.
Who can comment on the fuel consumption of the 2.5l donk versus the 2.0l. The forester sti is detuned to 190kw but it felt much meatier down low especially with the short shift 6 spder. I am concerned she'll be a tad thirstier though.