Long story short: I want the 06 nose on my 02 WRX wagon. Can the bodywork be swapped with a reasonable amount of effort, or are they majorly different from eachother?

can be done...
besides swapping everything on the outside (fenders, lights, bumper, etc)
you'll need to replace the radiator support

i'd hate to know the cost on such a project. search that yet?

don't do it steve.....bug eyes rule over that alpha romeo wanna be thing.
Ritch

okay, you should call this guy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBARU-FRONT-CONVERSION-KIT-WRX-TO-STI_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33640QQitemZ8017865 462QQrdZ1

i'd hate to know the cost on such a project. search that yet?

No, I fully expect it to be ungodly expensive, body pieces always are. I was more concerned with the difficulty level, as it would be my first major bodywork and I'd want to do it myself.

don't do it steve!

You're probably right... just a fleeting thought, but I would still like to know more about the difficulty and swappability between bodywork bits on the different models.

i completely rebuilt my 02 front end after a low speed accident

it was totally time consuming...took me like 3 full work weeks to complete after you figure in fitment, welding, prep, and paint (not to mention wait time on the parts from subaru :rolleyes: )

i was tempted to go with the 04 look but i came to my senses before it was too late.

I would just assume sell the 02 and buy an 06 for the added cost and benefits of the 06