great help guys! thanks alot! im not up on all the subby lingo. whats a gdb or cai?
as far as particulars go .. i would like a decent exhaust that i won't have any problems with. a cold air would be nice too, but the AEM one is $300. that's just ridiculous for a pipe and a filter. the car is a daily driver so long term reliability is a must, and with gas at $5 a gallon, a few efficiency mods are good. the car needs a cat converter(s) so i figure I'll just do the whole exhaust block to bumper and be done with it. not looking for an ultra-loud obnoctous exhaust, but a little rumble is good. no other motor mods. no turbo

so you can only go so far anyway.
other than that ... i plan to repaint it (HOK Kameleon) but finish it really nice with a solid color sand and buff so it gleems. i do body work so i can take my time on it and make it perfect for next to no money. lower it around 1.5" and get some nice 18" wheels. suspension/body braces all around to tighten it up and tint the windows. that's about it for now.
not really to into cosmetic mods. ok, maybe a couple. more interested in a strong running car

with correctly configured and installed parts. no racing or mod rockets here. just a solid impreza with a touch of style. thanks again everyone!