you guys are mostly correct but there are other differances, minor, but still do-able. i converted mine and the sub frame is diff. the undetail,tail light, plastic, seat, and actuall the wiring harness is shorter on the 01-03 to the ECU. it wont mount as far back as the 05-06's do i had to let mine set loosly ,upside down on top of my batt cover. The rectifier will mount up but the comp wont reach. also the fuse box wont either atleast with mine.

 

Most of us know that, but as you said they're minor and come with the retrofit process.

 

find an 01-03, there are still nice, unstunted, low mile, ones out there. No reason to pay money for an 04-06 then spend more just to have the looks of an 01-03

 

Get the lowest milage, un-droped deal you can find, dam the year.

 

you can look for subframes on stuntlife.com or craigslist
i see parted out 01-03 f4i's all the time. most of the guys with newer f4i's have converted the tail
its not too hard and cheap.