The 200 SX also had a valve venting to the atmosphere, but it only chimed in under heavy load and was never as loud anyway. 

The WRX’s front-mounted intercooler and bigger snail have, however, led to a slight increase in the time taken between when you plant the clog and when the engine starts to really boost up.  It’s not bad by turbo standards, but it’s not as instantly up-for-it as the Nissan’s livelier mill. 

The other area where the WRX was a walk-up winner was in ride quality.  The all-wheel drive compensates for the extra body roll which, in the two-wheel drives, would probably reduce the achievable grip.  No such prob in the APS car, which simply hunkers down and hurtles through a bend.  It’s still understeer into slow, right turns, but you’re splitting hairs at that point and the vastly more comfortable end result is more than worth the slight trade-off.  In fact, it feels almost stock which, apart from lowered springs and the wheel and tyre package, it is.