Try to get a 99+ 2.5RS, they've got the much more reliable SOHC engine. They're torquey little cars that can be made to handle very well. I think 14s might be a bit much for a 2.5RS with boltons.

The old RS trannies are geared a lot better than the newer WRX transmissions too. I think they're a 4.11 or maybe even a 4.44 tranny.