That used to be the case. It isn't anymore.

The base WRX is fine until you start adding more power. The stock tranny is close to its limits (at least that used to be the case a few years back). Around 280HP is the "pin" on WRX transmissions...something with some gear or pinion being uber gay. I'm not sure what exactly is the weak part #'s but I'm not in a position to care enough to remember that kinda info.
STi transmission is beefier.

I guess not.

Meh, for the price, I would get a 2010 GT, I hear they are selling for low 20s, cause everybody wants a new 5.0 GT.

All accounts say that it handles surprisingly good. If someone uses it on perfectly smooth roads or tracks, they're not going to notice the difference between live axle or independant. You'd probably only notice the difference when you hit a bump mid-corner.

Is it a sports car, no....... A sports car is something that was built from ground up with its own chassis, not a chassis that is shared with sedans, like the Mustang's. Same goes for the Audi TT, it is not a sportscar either. It uses a Golf chassis.