The original is so often the best: boasting a wonderfully communicative chassis the classic turbocharged Impreza was rightly regarded as one of the performance cars of the 90s. Offering previously unheard of levels of grip and grunt, the Japanese market-only STI versions were the pinnacle of the breed, but prior to 2000 they weren't officially imported into Britain. We got the (still impressive) Impreza Turbo 2000 instead, based on the Japanese WRX.
However hundreds of Classic three-, four- and five-door Japanese STIs and WRXs have since made it to Blighty.
Both UK and Japanese models make decent daily drivers (as long as you can stomach the sub-20mpg) and can readily be tuned to 350hp-plus, thanks to a plethora of experienced Scooby specialists across the UK.
As Sha at Scooby tuners Pole Position explains, "The Classic Impreza is the popular choice for lots of rally fans due to its versatile affordable tuning options. Enthusiasts can choose to utilise the many upgrade options offered on later STI models which share the same excellent platform, or design a bespoke setup with specific track or event targets."
But bear in mind that different 1992 to 2000 model years can require slightly different approaches.
Buy if: You are on a budget, or you're looking for a good longer-term investment (limited editions only)
Don't buy if: You're looking for the ultimate driving experience or a serious degree of exclusivity
We found:1999 STI V import, £3,995
Price Guide
Poor: Under £1,900
Good: £2,000 to £4,000
A1: £5,000+
Special Editions: Varies considerably - RB5 £4,500-£6,000, P1/WRX STI Type R £7,000 to £9,000, WRX STI Type R 22B £27,000 to £35,000