Agreed . Sti is a good /fun DD. But for a weekend fun car, def not

 

Go for a completely different experience.

I would look for a cheap old muscle car. Something carbed, and maybe even "on the tree".

I didn't go that extreme, but I complimented my S2k with a C5 corvette. Same sport car experience, but completely different driving/engine experience.

Low revving, Higher HP, Faster, torque, V8.

A friend just inherited a 65 2 door buick skylark from his grandfather. It's completely different from what we've been into, but it's super cool.

I'm getting the need for something really old and simple...

 

Not me. If you want a dry/warm only car, sure, no way. But if you want an all weather all road conditions vehicle, there are none better. I'm looking forward to Subaru putting the new 2.4L DIT into the 2021, finally an all new motor. I'll be ready with cash in hand.
They are not 2 seat sports cars. But they are all season performance cars. We get so much heavy rain, so often, it's my preferred drivetrain. Subaru's problem has been the powertrain and the lack of updating it.

 

So why not buy a Forester or Outback instead? With the WRX and STi the sporty expectation is really high, but doesn't live up to it IMO. I have owned 4 Subaru's.

 

I like the idea of AWD since it would be a different drivetrain than the S or my civic. You read a lot about people having 2 cars and they love them both but drive one way more than the other because they’re too similar. That’s what I’m trying to avoid to an extent.

 

I would look beyond the drive train and think about the intent of the car. Buy a car that fits a unique use case that the other two do not.

 

The Impreza platform has become increasingly refined as Subaru has been gradually moving more and more upmarket and thus the WRX/STI has also become increasingly more refined.

The GC/GF platforms were very raw and a whole lot of fun. The chassis may not be as capable as the more modern ones, but by far my most preferred chassis. They feel light and small which they are for an AWD machine. A GC/GF Impreza had curb weights around 2700lbs. For an AWD machine! With a JDM WRX swap, man you were cookin but even with the NA spec EJ25s they were fun.

The GD is essentially the same platform though its slightly larger size and weight makes it less playful (plus they have got some weird styling). When I had my Evo8, my buddy also had a GDB STI and we would always switch cars to compare all the time. I really liked them for hooning out in but the 1-2-3 gearing was off on the early STIs (fixed in 06?). I thought the WRX was more fun on the streets. The GDXs are still a pretty fun car although it is a completely different driving style compared to the S. They love to be man handled and are not a finesse car by any means.

The newer models seem to have gotten even softer as they deviate further from their rally heritage and the base chassis (Impreza) gets more refined. I remember there was a BIG "Woop! Woop!" from the automotive media collective when the windows got frames.

My Bro-in-law uses his GR STI as a DD which I think it is perfect for. Lots of power and torque, AWD for those midwest winters with good handling to hoon out in every once in a while, and a really rather comfortable ride. Hatchback model looks great IMO and is super practical as well. I don't know about it being my weekend fun car though. I've never actually driven the GR very hard other than testing out the powerband but if they're anything like the GD chassis they like rough play and the limits are such that I would not feel comfortable doing so on the streets.

My nephew has a stock VA WRX which I've driven once. Chassis is really refined and quiet. The FA20DIT boosts early although it had some weird hesitation throughout the powerband (the infamous FA20 mid-range torque dip?). I didn't care too much for it. It ticks the right boxes on paper but is rather boring.

 

The intent of an AWD car to me is to have something not really limited by conditions such as rain, sleet, or snow. I would never take my S or Civic up to Lake Tahoe during the winter but an AWD car absolutely. If it’s dry or nice out something that is still a drivers car and doesn’t mind some abuse but doesn’t feel exactly like my S is the goal for me trying to find a second fun/weekend car.

 

Just picked up a 2019 Impreza base 5mt as a DD. Probably the slowest car I’ve driven... pedals are placed weird too making it extremely difficult to heel toe. if I didn’t live in an area with a lot of snow, I would have never gotten it. Are you sure you need AWD in California? There’s so many sacrifices going with Subaru’s for the sake of AWD. Poor mpg, burns oil, interior sucks, plenty of faster cars for the $$.

 

@AP1Zach Sounds like a Subaru could be good choice for as would many AWD cars. Would a 996 C4 be something you'd consider? With winter tires they are a hoot in the snow.