1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Highlights

• Subaru Impreza WRX STi Version III Revision D
• Owned by vendor for 18 years
• Lots of repair invoices and thousands spent
• Freshly restored and painted bodywork
• Complete mechanical overhaul

Overview

Car enthusiasts often change their cars as often as they change their pants – after all, if you’re a petrolhead then there’s also a very good chance that you have a long list of cars that you want to tick off your bucket list.

But even if you’ve enough makes and models on that list to fill the biggest of buckets, sometimes a car gets under your skin, and that’s what happened to the vendor of this striking Subaru Impreza WRX STi, which entered his life in 2007. He didn’t know, back then, that he’d end up keeping it for 18 years, and only now is he of the mindset that he’d better get on with working his way down his own bucket list. He’s owned, cherished and restored this car over a sustained period, driving it almost 100,000 miles, and it’s only the allure of something he can’t resist that’s leading to its reluctant sale.

The car itself in a WRX STi Version III Revision D, which outside of Scooby-speak means it’s a third-generation STi, based on the fourth model year of the first generation Impreza (Line G, body style C, if you want to win even more nerd points).

It’s a Japanese Domestic Market car which spent the first 11 years of its life in the Land of the Rising Sun, before heading west to a new existence in the UK, where the vendor purchased it from an established Japanese car importer in Surrey.

For the next eight years, he used the Impreza as his daily driver for his work as a field support engineers, taking it from 109,694km (68,175 miles) to 261,695km (162,638 miles) in the process, until disaster struck in 2015 and the car threw a rod.

After it had been such a faithful friend, though, he couldn’t bear to part with his rally-bred treasure, and instead had the engine rebuilt by API Engine Performance Ltd in Warwickshire, reusing the old heads on a new block.

The clutch was replaced at the same time, while the car was also given a comprehensive suspension and running gear overhaul and the body resprayed in the original silver. Light modifications aside, it’s a largely original car and is presented in great overall condition.

When the vendor sells it, it’ll be a real wrench. Knowing it has gone to a genuine enthusiast will soften the blow – so if you’ve long-hankered after a first-generation Impreza, here’s your opportunity.

History and documentation

• Original build data showing the car was manufactured 22 October 1996
• First registered in the UK on 14 September 2007
• Vendor is the only UK owner other than the supplying specialist
• Huge file of invoices documenting parts purchased for the car during its restoration
• Original used car sales invoice from when vendor bought the car
• Over 1,000 photos on file showing the engine rebuild, suspension rebuild, mechanical overhaul, body repairs, underside restoration, powerflex bushes being fitted and other work carried out by the vendor since 2015
• MOT carried out on 10th April 2025 and passed with no advisories, expires 2 May 2026
• Original stamped Japanese service history documenting first 10 years of the car’s life
• Invoice for full body respray carried out in 2023
• Invoice totalling £3,413 for engine rebuild
• TOAD immobiliser with certificate of installation

Interior

• High-back STi bucket seats in good condition
• Minor wear to driver’s seat central cushions
• Very slight wear to driver’s seat bolster
• Momo sports steering wheel
• STi dial pack
• Sparco pedals
• Sony XPlod stereo
• Air conditioning disconnected to allow for uprated cooling system
• Spacesaver spare wheel
• First aid kit and fire extinguisher

Exterior

• Resprayed in 2023 in original silver, and in superb overall condition

• Subaru Blue stripes, mirror and wheel centre caps

• 16-inch WRC Motorsport alloy wheels

• Appears very good underneath with no corrosion advisories on MOT

• Low WRX boot spoiler

• New front indicators

• New led lights for indicators, front and rear

• Largely original and unmodified and in very good condition

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre turbocharged engine

• Produces 280bhp

• Five-speed manual transmission

• Less than 2,000 miles since full engine rebuild by respected specialist using new block and original heads

• Speed locked to 120mph as per original JDM spec – can be derestricted

• New Exedy clutch kit fitted when engine rebuilt

• Ported head

• Upgraded Michimoto radiator (because of the size of this radiator the aircon had to be removed)

• New fuel pump

• Powerflex bushes all-round

• New front strut mounts

• Front and rear wheel bearings replaced

• New front knuckle hub assembly ball joints.

• Brake discs, pads and lining replaced during rebuild

• Hel Performance stainless steel brake lines

• Silicon hoses with stainless steel clips

• All brake callipers rebuilt – new or refurbished pistons, new seals, protected against rust and painted in red with high temperature paint

• Turbo tested, cleaned, protected against rust and painted in silver with high temperature paint

• Fuel tank cleaned, rust-protected and painted in silver with Hammerite paint

• All springs and shock absorbers are original KYBs, rebuilt and painted in red and blue with high temperature paint and new bump stops

• Steering pump rebuilt with new silicon hoses

• Intercooler rebuilt

• Radiator fans refurbished

• Gearbox cleaned, seals replaced and gearbox adjusted for preload

• Propeller shaft replaced, re-greased, protected against rust and painted in blue with high temperature paint

• Recent battery

• Vendor reports that it drives well with no mechanical issues

Summary

You can tell the vendor knows this car inside out by the list of the work he’s carried out on it during his ownership – it has a phenomenal maintenance record, backed up by stacks of invoices and a photographic record of all the work carried out. There’s no denying it has been brilliantly well looked-after.

It’s also a first-generation STi, which means it’s a deeply desirable car, spoken of in hushed tones by a generation who grew up seeing them properly driven by the likes of Colin McRae. If this was you then it’s time to seize the moment and buy the car that fuelled your childhood dreams, and can bring them to reality today.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. The car is located in Hertfordshire.