Just ordered a quick shift for my MY97 Impreza......... Does anyone know how easy it is to fit (just the gearstick itself)?

 

I fitted one...took about 30 minutes.
You will need some long nose circlip pliers.
You remove the trim, then rubber gaitor, then second rubber thingy. Unbolt selector rod then remove circlip which holds the gear stick in place....it will be probably be obscured by grease so you wont see the circlip easily, but it there under the grease. Assembly is the reverse.

Coincidently I heard from someone today that quick shifts put undue strain on the selector mechanism so I am going to post this as a query. I have had mine on for about 8 months without problems.