[klayfish]

OK, Matt. Some anwers. What I like least is not being able to drive it year round. Beyond that, not much. It is a rough ride, loud, and "brutal", but that's part of the experience of the car.

Parts will break depending on what parts you use and how you treat the car. If you use junkyard parts, you're more liable to break. If you use all new high performance parts, probably less likely. If you race the car, sure things will break at some point. Any car will break parts when pushed really hard.

The donor car is probably not what you think. It's not taking some whooped, beaten Mustang and droping a body on it. Nothing wrong with a donor, rebuilt motor. Remember, the car is only 2200lbs. I had a 302 when I got it, it was damn fast. Of course, more power is always better. I don't know there are any kits to stay far, far away from. Probably just one that was very poorly built.

Most guys here are V8 muscle car guys. Sure the 4 cylinders can be fast when done right. Hell, I've had my doors blown off at the road course by some fast "ricers" with experienced drivers. I even own an '85 Toyota MR2 (purely stock), but I just find the whole 4' wing, 40 stickers and silly rims on a Honda Civic, which is an economy car, kinda silly. If you already have a WRX, which no doubt is a phenomenal performer, forget the STi and go for the Cobra. You'll be happy.

Steve