I personally think that the new STi looks like a pile of garbage. The '04 (or around there) STi looks WAY better.......but not better than the '08-'09 SS/TC

 

SS/TC bro.... new > used

 

Both good cars...

 

I beleive it matters as what is gonna get used for and what the guy is really looking for. Yes, we know STI are somehow "beaten".... but isn't what STI are made for? They are high performance cars with great handling and very powerful, you can't expect someone to drive it like an old granny. And well they are expensive. Most people who bought them new and now are selling, 99% of them were raced somehow, but they are paying for a +$30K car then it will not be beaten that bad and people installed great/expensive mods for them, some the cheap eBay stuff. Unless it was driven by some 17 yr old kid who's daddy bought the car for him and does not take care of it , then don't even go there.

Just find out what you are really looking for.

STI:
Expensive for used car.
Great handling and performance.
Good for all seasons.
4 door for when you start popping out kids
Subaru reliability

SS/TC:
Same price as the STI but NEW.
Lots of power for a cheap car.
Perhaps will exceed STI's HP in the near future
Cheap Chevy quality, but good warranty as well

I voted for an STI

 

if you still haven't decided on a sure thing then consider other options as well. swallow your pride and take caliber srt4 for a test drive, you will be pleasantly surprised with it. the MS3 is pretty fun to drive but i couldn't get comfy in it. i recently rode in my friends audi A3 and kinda regret not test driving one before i bought my Subie. make a list of all the cars in your price range that fit some of your desirable features and test drive them or at least check them out at a dealer.