My 2002 WRX shakes and shimmies a bit while idling, but I've heard that that's typical. What I'm wondering about is, when I first start my car after letting it sit for a while, the rpm's hang at around 1500 to 1700. After I drive for a few minutes it goes back to its normal place at around 500. Is that ok? Also, when I'm idling, my rpm's stay constant but my boost gauge will flucuate a bit, coinciding with the shakes mentioned above. Normal, or something to worry about? Thanks.

When the engine is cold, it idles at a faster rpm. The computer compensates for the cold engine by running at a higher rpm with a richer fuel mixture to keep the car from "dying". This is comparable to the "choke" on cabureted engines.

....do you have the AC on or the defrost/defog on while this 'shaking' occurs???

if so that's the AC compressor cycling....

The car will shake even when the A/C and defrost are off. It's a little worse when one is on. It's not that big a deal, like I said, I've heard that that's just one of those Subaru quirks. Just wanted to make sure these things are quirks and not problems. Thanks guys.