Subaru Impreza STi Version 6 Limited

[RS Grant]

Well after just over 5 years away from Subaru Impreza ownership, I'm back with number 7... and 8, haha.

Over the last 6-12 months, I'd been 'passively' keeping an eye out in the usual places for a nice Classic Impreza to appear which I could tuck away to tinker with and use on the odd occasion, with nothing really taking my eye and a seemingly endless amount of cars with 'just a couple bubbles of rust' and poorly executed 'modifications' appearing instead.

At the same time, one of my best friends was also looking to re-live his Impreza days... although looking at spending a fair chunk more than I was, on a Hawkeye STi. After he had found a car for a decent price, he realised that personal commitments may force him to pull out of the deal as he wouldn't be able to travel to collect it. Anyway, it just so happened that I was free and a week later I landed in Heathrow to view/collect the car on his behalf.

I'd say that in under an hour, I realised that my slight reservations that I had been wearing my rose tinted glasses when looking back at my Subaru history were misplaced and that I genuinely missed that flat-four burble... and so my search for a car went from passive to active.

It's far more irritating seeing the previously mentioned tired/poorly modified examples appear when you have actually decided on a real budget and are actively searching for a suitable car to buy, haha!!

Skipping out the wasted trips/phone calls/emails about cars which weren't to make the grade; I eventually found a cracking example of a 1997 STi Version 3 Wagon. Absolutely bog standard, in black with a mountain of history which included; recent cambelt service, clutch/flywheel, rocker cover gasket, radiator, etc... and it had done ~800 miles between the last MOTs which is the reason the owner was selling it. Another flight to Heathrow later, pleasing inspection/test drive and swapping of documents/cash later... I was on my way home in my 7th Impreza.

Here are a couple of pictures of the car:





A few days after I got the car home, one of my friends told me that a mutual friend was thinking about selling his Sonic Blue Version 6 STi Wagon... which was a car that I'd been a huge fan of since he bought it as a fresh import a few years ago. After a few days of serious consideration and will I/wont I type deliberation, I decided that I needed to take a look at the car (I'd not seen it for a wee while since he moved out of the area) to satisfy my curiosity and see if my desire for the car was still as strong as it had been before... so I contacted my friend and arranged to view it.

After taking a look around it and talking numbers, I ended up owning it... so I'd gone from owning zero Imprezas to owning two Imprezas in around as many weeks?!!

Given that space is a luxury which is in short supply for myself and as much as I'd LOVE to have kept them both, I reluctantly put the Black Version 3 STi up for sale and it sold within a couple of days. Just hanging on for the buyer to arrange collection for the car.

Anyway, that's the story behind it all, here are the details and some pictures that I've taken of the Version 6 STi which will be staying with me for a while:

MY00
Impreza Version 6 STi Limited (Number 232 of 500)
5dr Wagon/Hatchback
Sonic Blue
Additional 'Limited' Extras: Rays Engineering 16" Alloys, Tinted Windows, Blue Dashboard Trim/Instrument Binnacle and Seat Trim

Performance:

AlcaTek ECU mapped by Andy Forrest
HKS De-Cat Downpipe
Apexi N1 Exhaust
GT Spec Headers With Matched Up-Pipe
Cosworth Panel Filter
Turbosmart FPR800 Fuel Pressure Regulator
Walbro 255 lp/hr Fuel Pump
Mishimoto Radiator

Handling & Braking:

Standard STi 'Pink' Suspension
STi Carbon Strut Brace
Cusco Rear Strut Brace
Tarox F2000 Discs & Pagid Pads (Front and Rear)

Pictures :






















I haven't got any massive plans for it really (famous last words!!) but I'm definitely going to change the Apexi exhaust for something a little less in your face... both visually and volume-wise!! It could do with a proper detail (will get that booked into the guy I've used before) and a few wee bits of trim cleaning up/replacing... but I had it in for it's MOT yesterday and it is in unbelievable condition underneath, even cleaner than the Black car, which was immaculate itself. I wish I'd had my proper camera handy rather than just my phone. But I will update the thread whenever I snap a nice picture of it or change any parts.

Anyway, if you made it this far, thank you for sticking with me!! If you've skipped straight to the photos then you must be wondering why there are pictures of a black car and a blue car, haha.


Cheers,
Grant

[j44esd]

Looks lovely! (so did the first one!) I think they are so much nicer as a wagon than a saloon - somehow more classy! Never had one, but various car loving pals have raved about that addictive engine note!

[danjama]

You've immediately got me looking at the classifieds and scrambling for a payrise!

I'm sure the V6 is out of my budget, but out of curiousity, how much did you pay for the black one?

I've always wanted one of these!

[RS Grant]

j44esd said:

Looks lovely! (so did the first one!) I think they are so much nicer as a wagon than a saloon - somehow more classy! Never had one, but various car loving pals have raved about that addictive engine note!

Thank you, I'm of the same opinion... the saloon of the same age as my car got a huge rear wing and bright blue front seats. Which isn't really my cup of tea, this is about as understated as a bright blue Impreza with gold wheels and a loud exhaust (due to be changed!) can be, haha.

Cheers,
Grant

[RS Grant]

danjama said:

You've immediately got me looking at the classifieds and scrambling for a payrise!

I'm sure the V6 is out of my budget, but out of curiousity, how much did you pay for the black one?

I've always wanted one of these!

Haha that's the danger of browsing Readers' Cars... we've all been there!!

You could pick up an example like the black car for c3k, but, be careful because there are a lot of heavily polished turds out there advertised at the same sort of level as genuine cars. Unless paying TOP dollar, then you can allow a little wear and tear since they are getting on a bit these days; the black car is 18 years old and even the blue car is now 15 years old. But, the rear arches rust from the inside out, so if a car is advertised as having 'just a couple of small bubbles' on the outside of its rear arch; then you can safely assume that the inner arch is probably in a hellish mess.


Cheers,
Grant

[DanielSan]

That looks awesome. I had the same issue searching for a tidy RB5, found nothing buy sheds or rot boxes, even at top money for them. Gave in and bought a blob eye STI instead. And I love it

[GravelBen]

Excellent

[danjama]

Thanks for the info Grant, keep us updated

[Greggyboy]

That is one of the nicest classics I have ever seen.

What other imprezas have you owned and how does this compare?

[RS Grant]

DanielSan said:

That looks awesome. I had the same issue searching for a tidy RB5, found nothing buy sheds or rot boxes, even at top money for them. Gave in and bought a blob eye STI instead. And I love it

Haha absolutely spot on, Cosworths went the same way for a while, people started asking big money for fairly ropey examples because they saw genuine cars selling for a lot of cash.

Blob STi are great cars; come with decent brakes, strong engine and transmission as standard.. plus with a few wee mods they can become very punchy performers too, without sacrificing reliability.


Cheers,
Grant

[RS Grant]

GravelBen said:

Excellent

danjama said:

Thanks for the info Grant, keep us updated

Thanks lads, will definitely be adding to the thread once I clean it right up and if I make any wee changes here and there.


Cheers,
Grant

[RS Grant]

Greggyboy said:

That is one of the nicest classics I have ever seen.

What other imprezas have you owned and how does this compare?

Thanks very much Greg. The colour is something else when the sun hits it!!

I've had five Classic UK Turbo 2000 models, ranging from standard 208bhp to 340bhp and I absolutely loved each and every one of them. Each had slightly different pros and cons, but were all very enjoyable.

1st


2nd


3rd


4th


5th


I've also had a Hawkeye (2006-2007 shape) STi SpecD which I bought brand new and while it was fantastically quick after a couple of basic modifications and remap from Andy Forrest (~360bhp and ~400ft/lb); in my opinion the actual sensation and feel of the car wasn't quite as sharp as my Classics had been.



This blue STi wagon is very quick, even though it's at a slight disadvantage power-wise compared to the Hawkeye above... but I put that down to the weight difference between the two and the fact that despite its age, the 5 speed gearbox is still an absolute joy to use and quite short ratio.

Suspension is compliant enough on a B-road run, there won't be any coilovers finding their way onto this car in my ownership if I can help it!! The brakes are effective but may be an area that I look to upgrade further if/when the time comes for replacements... but that will also require a wheel change too.

The exhaust is getting changed ASAP, will probably get a replacement 3" centre and backbox made by the company who did the exhaust for my Hawkeye STi actually... will go for a subtle prodrive style tailpipe and a drastic reduction in noise levels, because this Apexi N1 is bloody loud, haha. Ten years ago, I might have lived with it, but not these days!!


Cheers,
Grant

[AntiLagGC8]

Very nice selection of cars Grant! Number 5 looks amazing!

I've been in lots of Scooby's and I love the classics because of the raw, visceral experience. The classics for me also feel much less of a compromise than the later models.

Would I be right in thinking it wont be long before the new car gets modified in some fashion?

[epom]

So much want for the black one....more pics please
Love your choices, even if you are a little greedy

[RS Grant]

AntiLagGC8 said:

Very nice selection of cars Grant! Number 5 looks amazing!

I've been in lots of Scooby's and I love the classics because of the raw, visceral experience. The classics for me also feel much less of a compromise than the later models.

Would I be right in thinking it wont be long before the new car gets modified in some fashion?

Number 5 was phenomenal. Low mileage, stacked full of Subaru/Prodrive options from new, expensive upgrade parts and in fantastic condition. It combined the Classic looks and driving experience, but with some added Newage reliability in the form of a full 6-speed gearbox conversion, which at 340bhp, was a fit and forget modification really. Selling that car was extremely difficult and wouldn't have happened had personal circumstances not forced the sale.

So far the list of proper modifications is quite limited on the, err, Limited.

- The exhaust is completely unacceptable to me, haha. The combination of the loud cat back system and the change in note created by the aftermarket exhaust headers, makes for a very loud, very intrusive raspy rip rather than low down bass-tastic throb I associate with an Impreza.

I've contacted the company who made the 3" exhaust for my 2007 STi and will get them to make me something along the same lines, both in noise level and looks, as the system I got before. Just trying to organise a suitable time which works for us both.

Should look something like this:



...I just hope that this will quieten the car down enough. Although I'm a bit worried that I'm potentially going to have to change to some ported standard exhaust headers if that rasp is still too intrusive... which will require a session with Andy F to satisfy myself that things are still running fine with the original remap.

- I really want to store the rare RAYS alloys rather than run them on the car daily, so at the moment, I'm looking out for some replacement wheels. More than likely go up a size to 17" and am unlikely to go as far as 18" because I don't want to spoil the way the car drives. I just missed out on some used 17" Speedline Turini alloys the other day, which I was a bit gutted about given their rarity and cost new. Whatever I do fit, will likely be refurbished in either Silver or Anthracite though in an attempt to quieten down the exterior a little.

- The registration on the car is in the process of being removed, so once that happens I'm tempted to treat the Impreza to a new private registration. Whether that happens or not, the square plates will be going, replaced with some standard shape plates.

- Apart from that, there are a couple of wee clips needing replaced and it's missing a load bay cover in the interior. Exterior wise, it's straight but will look far better once it's been in for its detailing session. Sometimes I look at the foglight covers and think they're a different shade of blue, then other times I think they're spot on... a friend has just bought a Cool Grey (RB5) Version 6 STi Wagon and he's had to have his foglight covers resprayed because they were sun damaged in Japan, so I think that's what planted the seed with mine.

I'd like to get these wee jobs sorted out so I'm totally happy with the Impreza when my Golf R arrives in May. So while it's not going to be a lightning quick transformation, there should be a couple of wee changes over the next couple of months.


Cheers,
Grant

[RS Grant]

epom said:

So much want for the black one....more pics please
Love your choices, even if you are a little greedy

Thank you!!

Yeah I'm more than happy to share some more pictures. There aren't many in different locations because I never owned it that long, but here we go:













Cheers,
Grant

[AntiLagGC8]

Fantastic thread Grant!

I completely understand when you make mention of the noise of the exhaust. I've had my RB5 converted to a twin scroll and along with the new equal length headers and larger Miltek exhaust fitted it now has a deep and un-Impreza (sounds more like an Escort Cosworth) like sound and I'm not sure if I can live with the volume.

[DanielSan]

Put some proper manifolds back on and settle for a bit less power. No finer way to make an Impreza a noisy horrific mess than equal length manifolds

[AntiLagGC8]

DanielSan said:

Put some proper manifolds back on and settle for a bit less power. No finer way to make an Impreza a noisy horrific mess than equal length manifolds

It's running a twin scroll buddy and you really need to use a equal length manifold to make the most of the turbo. It's actually running a genuine Subaru manifold.

It sounds epic although it doesn't sound like an Impreza but the volume is a bit over the top really.

[BaronVonV8]

Brilliant, love a good STI Wagon.