[Tireiron]

If your 6MT hates going into first, there is something wrong with it. All of the 6MT I have driven, including mine, are smooth as butter in every gear. The 5MT are just as loud and normally are very notchy in each gear, and first can be a nightmare in any used one.

As for ratio, the SVX is 3.54 final drive. A WRX 5MT in the SVX will be a 3.90 final drive. Any 6MT swap will be a 3.90 final drive. No matter what you will be increasing the final drive ratio and the RPMS that you cruise at on the highway. Even worse would be the 4.44 auto swap.

The WRX (02-05) 5MT is the cheapest route to go by far if you can find one that has not been beat to hell and back.