2002 Subaru Impreza WRX

Highlights

• Only one UK owner

• Under 65,000km

• ‘Bugeye’ WRX

• JDM car

• Very original example

Overview

Subaru, Impreza, WRX - three words that are burned into any PistonHeads users’ cerebral cortex, such is their importance in our world. Made famous by the likes of McRae, Grist, Burns and a plethora of other world-class rallying icons, the Impreza is a cornerstone of 90s-onward car culture, and for many enthusiasts, the earlier the car, the more desirable it is. 

Introduced in 2001, the GD-chassis (second generation) Impreza was available with a variety of engines and trims, with the most desirable being the WRX and WRX STI models respectively. This particular WRX is a JDM-only KRC option-code car, fitted with the n/a EJ204DX4BE engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Another indicator of desirability for collectors is originality - you don’t need us to tell you that - so this JDM market WRX is additionally appealing for its unmodified nature, which, coupled with its early production date (first registered March 2002) for the ‘bugeye’ cars, make this WRX a very appealing proposition for collectors indeed.

History and documentation

• Registered 01 Mar 2002

• Registered in the UK 01 Mar 2024

• Japanese export paperwork

• Collection of old MOT certificates

• One key

• Current MOT expires 15 Dec 2026 with an advisory for the vehicle having sill covers fitted

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Imported from Japan in 2023

• Windshield replaced in November 2025 due to a chip

• HPI clear

Interior

• Black / Blue fabric interior in very good condition

• Factory air-conditioning

• MOMO steering wheel

• The upper dashboard has an empty aperture, which likely previously contained a set of gauges

• The factory floor mats and carpets show some commensurate wear, consistent with the age of the vehicle

• Both front seats are in excellent condition, with only some very light abrasions noted to the outer bolster on the driver’s seat

• In the rear, the bench seat is in equally great shape, with no signs of any notable wear-and-tear that we can see

• Elsewhere, the switchgear and high-traffic areas show some light usage patination, there are some scuffs around the door jamb trims and rubbers, and there is an area of damage on the lower driver’s door card pocket

• The boot carpet is lightly stained

• The spare wheel and toolkit is present underneath the boot floor

• Other than a faulty interior light on the passenger side, there are no other known faults or issues

Exterior

• Aspen white pre-facelift bodywork in good condition

• Original GD ‘Bugeye’ design 

• Wonderfully original and free of any outlandish body kits or modifications

• The seller notes that there are some light stone chips and blemishes, but these are hidden until purposefully looked for

• There is some light wear around the ‘mouth’ on the front bumper, as well as some larger chips to the front end and a scuff inboard of the offside fog light

• We’d note that there appears to be an area of damage or paint running on the offside front lower edge of the front bumper

• At the rear of the car, there is a patch of damage on the lower nearside edge of the bumper, and what appears to be staining or paint damage on the spoiler 

• Whilst the wheels are free of any notable damage, the paintwork is bubbling in the centres and would benefit from refurbishment

• Yokohama BluEarth tyres on all four wheels

Mechanical

• 1990cc naturally aspirated DOHC EJ204DX4BE boxer-four engine, producing 152bhp and 196 nm of torque

• KRC option code car

• 4-speed automatic transmission (E-4AT) with ‘Sportshift’ manual shifting option

• Full-time four-wheel-drive system with ‘Active torque split’ clutch system

• No reported modifications from factory specification

• No reported corrosion issues

• There is no service paperwork with the car, but the seller notes that the car had ‘clean oil’ at the time of purchase, suggesting it was recently changed

• Reported to be in good health with no known issues or foibles

Summary

Original, unmodified Imprezas are becoming increasingly hard to come by outside of museum pieces or private collections, so this is an increasingly rare opportunity to purchase a JDM market-specific model, early GD-chassis WRX in good overall condition, with low recorded mileage and only one UK owner.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Macclesfield, Cheshire.