I daily drive a manual fully loaded 2019 WRX that I purchased brand new. 26 lifetime MPG in mixed driving (I frequently redline it). Have 25,000 miles on the ODO. I do all the maintenance on it myself as everything is simple to do and get to. Change the oil every 3,500 miles. Zero problems so far, car finally feels broken-in, and like it is built to last. Only fill up with 91 or better. Front end has lots of tiny stone chips (paint seems a little thin).
It's a tricky vehicle to drive until you learn it. Almost all of the rev hang is solved by letting go of the gas completely first, clutching in, waiting for the synchro to suck in the shift (not forcing it in), and smoothly letting out the clutch. I can shift it smooth every single time. If you clutch in while still on the gas it will hang. It's a mechanical vehicle and not a video game, so don't drive it like one. If you want that get a car with paddle shifters.
It's very quick from a dig but you have to abuse it to get that which I'm not willing to do because drag racing doesn't interest me. It has plenty of pep for the streets and more than enough to put you in jail.
The stock tune is crappy, yes, but it's built for safety. You'll never blow up anything with it. It and the hyper aggressive throttle input are the only things I dislike about my WRX.
Plenty of space (check out the trunk), and rear passengers have enough legroom, great in all weather as long as you have proper tires on it, and fun to drive.
It holds its resale value extremely well, and is cheaper to insure than comparable vehicles when I shopped around. The top safety rating on it is nothing to scoff at either.
I think a turbo, flat-four, manual, real AWD vehicle for ~$30K brand new is a bargain. Is it a perfect vehicle? No, but if you're striving for perfection you're going to be spending single-dwelling home cost money.
I'm happy to deal with the EPA tune if it means I can still purchase such a vehicle.
Lastly, the gearing isn't Porsche 718 terrible but I do wish it was geared more like an STI where 2nd didn't take you to 60mph. 0-60 is a stupid arbitrary figure.