I have to say, for a guy who had to buy an OBS in 1999 instead of an RS because of insurance, I feel your pain.
Still, I've had fun modding my OBS, and think I have it up to STOCK RS power (maybe 160 at the crank). And you can have fun modding your RS also. Plop a $4000 turbo kit on it (plus install, of course) and you have a turbo RS for about the same price as a WRX. Just don't go over 5psi LOL!