I had a uk wrx 2003 for 3 years superb and very reliable, I now have a jdm import twinscroll sti 2005 and is even better, insurance was same for uk wrx with 225bhp and jdm sti at 340bhp for me, you just need to shop around. The imports are far better cars and any car post 2005 on a sti has wide track and dccd as standard and in the case of the jdm the engine on twinscroll cars has nitrided cross drilled crank and much stronger than uk car. They will take 450bhp without issue. As for mpg I average between 18 and 22 with mainly town driving. If you can live with the mpg then I don't think you will find anything better for the money. Jdm cars are the best but uk sti is still good but look for a post 2005 as there are lots of improvements. As a side note since I went jdm I would not have another uk car they are in a different league.