Well, I recently got one and here is my opinion.
Cons:
-I feel that the gear ratios are a little too wide. It would be nice if they were a bit closer.
-The interior is kind of cheap looking
-The fog lights have these cheap plastic brackets holding them in that tend to break easily if you have to replace a bulb or something.
-The trannys on the non-STi's aren't very stong and can break easily if you like to launch. In other words don't race on a stock tranny or drive like a prick.
-My cupholder is broken
Pros:
-I like the torque after 3.5k rpm
-AWD ftw in the winter time
-Gas milegae isn't too bad, about 27 mpg highway.
-Really haven't had any problems and I am just under 60k miles (it's a 2002). Just keep the maintenance regular, don't beat the hell out of it and it should last as long as a Honda.
I paid $16,500 for mine. However, it has a stage 2 turbo package from Cobb tuning that was professionally installed along with a Compustar remote start and alarm system, powder coated rims and it's a special edition that came with an aero kit from the factory so I paid a bit more for mine. Expect to pay in the range of 12-15k for a 2002 with under 70k miles.
Also, a BOV isn't very hard to install at all. The car comes stock with a fully recirculating system but you can just get a greddy package and toss it on in a couple hours, maybe less. I've never done it but here are the instructions from some other site:
1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal
2. press the brake pedal a couple of times as this will drain any stored charge in the system
3. Disconnect the small hose (vaccuum hose) coming out of the stock part.
4. Remove the two side mounting bracket bolts on the IC
5. Loosen the hose clamp closeset to the ic at the throttle body
6. Loosen the hose clamp on the turbo where the air enters the Y pipe.
7. Remove the 3 vent lines on the black hard tubing attached to the IC
8. Unbolt the stock wastegate/bov part. There are two bolts holding it to the tmic
9. Disconnect the larger hose (By pass hose) on stock wastegate/bov part at the engine (not from the part itself)
10. Cap this outlet area. (my kit came with a black rubber cap to cover the this area)
11. Install your new bov onto the IC while it is off. Note, if you have a TurboXS you simply mount the adapter plate and then the bov to it-not sure how the HKS goes on but I do know you will have to sit it at an angle as some have had hood clearance issues.
12. Reinstall the tmic-in reverse order as before
13. Connect smaller tubing to bov.
14. Make sure all hose clamps are tight.
15. Reconnect the negative battery terminal
16. Wait about 10-15 minutes prior to starting the car.