I drive a '04 5-speed XT...

I think the facelift is stupid-looking, although I'm kinda envious of the chassis upgrades. I'm also curious about the power...The MY04 and MY05 Foresters have been shown to make about 235-240hp and about 260tq at the crank...So I wonder if there was any actual increase or if they brought the number up to actually reflect what the EJ255 has been making all along.

As far as the Forester STi, it's been around for years, even in the previous generation. Due to a wider track, it can actually outhandle the WRX STi. People who follow auto-X and the like in Japan say that the hot Foresters regularly surprise the competition.