I bought the car new with the anticipation of the 2.4L in it getting in the upcoming WRX so that I could make a sleeper wagon. One thing I didn't count on was the stock trans being so terrible...
I do take this thing to the track occasionally. It has surprised people everytime I take it out for a lap or down the strip. It's not the fastest by any means but it will keep up with a surprising amount of things till I swap out the transmission.