Nice car. Enjoy your WRX. Ignore the haters.
Some won't be able to understand why you'd want to trade-in a RWD "sports car" for an AWD "econobox". Especially in a Z forum, what'd ya expect?
I owned a 2005 WRX, and I still miss it from time-to-time. Especially when it snows.
Seriously though, if you've going to mod, be aware of the warranty implications. While no manufacturer embraces mods, Subaru is especially vigilant about denying claims for modded WRX's. They know that people mod them. At least, that was the big hubbub back in 2005-2007 when I was into the NASIOC scene. Maybe it's different now.
Good luck!