true it is a little bigger car (the p5 wasn't exactly a small car though), but the extra 100hp makes it way more fun

i drove a gt limited a few weeks ago, very nice, very torquey, def. a good car all around. it comes standard with a lot more things that a 2.5rs, so you're gonna get more for your money, but it is still going to be more expensive. they're doing low interest financing now, at least in the US, but the 2.5rs probably has the same thing, and you can probably get either for invoice. i'd at least give one a test drive while you're checking out the 2.5rs

or maybe a forester xt, same basic 2.5l turbo motor, a little less power, but the utility of the 4 door, and a bit cheaper, still more than an impreza though.
i can't really think of any other cars in your price range that are fun to drive, so i'd probably say the impreza from the given choices if you want to stay with a new car