These things seem to soak up the miles like real troopers, judging from your stories. Mine hasn't gotten to stretch its legs beyond the local highways yet, but I definitely want to road trip from my home in upstate NY to visit family in Las Vegas. 2,500 miles each way. I really want to take my WRX on the Bonneville salt flats, but the cost difference in fuel alone for a 5,000 mile trip is substantial. It would kinda suck on the coilovers and fixed-back seats too...my vertebrae would be ground to dust.
5000 miles/23mpg (being nice to the wrx) = 217.39 gallons, x $4/gallon(ballpark) for 93 octane = ~$870
5000 miles/34mpg (flogging the 2) = 147.06 gallons, x $3.75/gallon(ballpark) for 87 octane = ~ $551