260 horses and 6 gears sounds pretty good, but I really want one now...

What Brad said. (but I am obliged to join the chorus of silver WRXes!) Maybe $29-$30K, even, by the time they get here.

I'd love a 6-speed, but can't see spending that much on wheels (or afford it!). Only you know what's right for you. If fun is the priority, one risk of the delayed gratification approach is that the world is an unpredictable place and sometimes the DG never arrives. How much fun are your present wheels?