I haven't driven the tS, but I think the chassis improvements have to be legit from what I've read and that's the judgment call you're making on the price. However, I still think the Performance Package cars fill a value niche (yes, I do own one, so take that FWIW) and provide the Sachs dampers & Brembos. And if you're of the opinion you don't want to redesign the car with FI (like I am) you add the $3K ACE A350 pkg our favorite 86 vendor offers and you have a fix on the power issue- linear delivery and more of it. A Subaru version of VTEC.
Jonny Lieberman can be a love him or hate him type of reviewer, but he's right about the tires. If it were me buying the tS I'd just thank Subaru for providing the first set of track tires and find a cast off set of Primacies for the street. Way more fun.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/subar...-drive-review/