I own a '03 WRX:

1. The "frameless" windows. I'm just not used to them yet.
2. IMO, don't get an auto if you can drive a stick as you'll be much happier with the performance.
3. I get about 23 MPG, but my car is still being broken in (about 500 miles total now). Remember you have AWD.
4. Get one with low (under 15 or so miles) to make sure it wasn't used as a demo.
5. Not sure about this. My WRX is my 1st Subaru and I'm hoping for the best. Most of my previous cars have been Hondas which lasted forever. I did own a '91 VW that had many, many problems.

 

1) Paint quality is pretty bad, particularly on the hood. I know a few other people with WRX's and their paint isn't great, but not as bad as mine. I think I got a sub par paint job. There is no turbo boost guage integrated in the guage cluster, the only option is to put one on the steering column, A pillar or where the clock goes in the center of the dash. These all look too "boy racer" for my taste and appear to be an after thought.
2) I don't think it is a waste of $'s to get an auto, depending on what you want out of the car. This turbo charged engine doesn't develop any power to speak of until about 2,500 rpm and really starts to cook at about 3.5K, therefore it is a very different style of driving than a V8 which has torque on demand. I work with a guy who just bought a WRX wagon equipped with an automatic and he really likes it.
3) I get around 20 mpg. This is on crap California gas and almost all city driving with bike racks on top of the car. Oh yeah, I like to get into boost when I can. I usually get ~23 mpg when going to the ski slopes loaded down with a big box of gear on top and the best I ever got was just under 26 mpg with the cruise control set on 65.
4) As stated, with a new one off the lot, make sure it has low miles. Some sales people/customers like to rod the hell out of these cars before they are warmed up, also disregarding the break in period.
5) Subaru's are known for their reliability and longevity, but as stated above, the paint is crap. Also, the WRX is a nicely tuned economy car. The interior is much better than the '97 Civic I owned but not even in the same league as a Saab or Mercedes. I have no problems with my interior, but I accept it for what it is - a high end economy car.

Have fun shopping! Have your wife test drive a Forester XT, which is built on the same chasis as the Impreza. It looks a little boxier, and sits higher. However, It's got a bigger, turbo charged engine, allegedly with tons more low end grunt (good for the automatic). It's also got better ground clearance and a cushier suspension. It looks like you live in Arkansas. If that is anything like SW MO, where I used to live, the extra suspension travel would be a welcome trade off for a little extra body roll.

 

Well, automatic or not it's still a wrx. Youll enjoy it and im sure she will too. I believe the automatic has tiptronic on it so at least its a little more fun than just your standard automatic slushbox. People generally average about 22-23 mpg. If your buying it new then there isnt too much to worry about. As far as reliability, Subaru's last a while. People who beat the crap out of their cars still have them running fine at 55-60k miles. If your easy on it, which im sure she will be, then it should last a really long time with very minimal problems. I dont really know too many subaru owners who aren't happy with their cars. If your buying older Subarus then watch out for modifications, because they have a tendency to be put on by people who beat the crap out of the cars and then trade them back into the dealers for something else. By the way, im used to v8s also. Ive driven a 71 mustang and an 84 vette for many years and I love the wrx engine.