Is there such a thing as one of these??

[ScoobieWRX]

WRX STI TYPE RA SPEC C V7 (bugeye) (2002)

I spotted this in classifieds:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1639406.htm

And no rear spoiler of any sort.

The S202 has a spoiler and lightweight panels, that's as close as you'll ever get to a later Spec C in bugeye terms isn't it??

[GravelBen]

That would be the car the S202 is based on

There was a Version 7 STi type RA, and an RA Spec-C - I'm fuzzy on the the exact differences but I think the Spec-C is better. Off the top of my head the major thing it was the facelift (mid-01) version with slightly longer wheelbase and revised suspension geometry for sharper turn-in which became standard with the Version 8 Spec-C - no RA in the name once the Version 8 came along.

They were available in two different forms:

17" wheel model with 17" wheels (funny that), the big brembo brakes and ABS but no DCCD, was generally specced with a bit more luxury stuff and a tad heavier.

16" wheel model was the proper rally homologation version with 16" wheels (no duh), DCCD with no ABS and smaller brakes to fit under gravel wheels. Also stuff like a smaller fuel tank, 12L reservoir in the boot for the IC water spray, etc.

They're also one of my favourite Imprezas - having the strength advantages of the newage chassis and a kickass engine but not being that much heavier than a classic. I think 1290kg for the 16" wheel version but would have to check.

type-ra.co.uk is a great forum dedicated to the more special Imprezas, you'd like it over there!

ETA: Do I win some kind of 'special' anorak award?

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 11th May 12:52

[ScoobieWRX]

So you're saying the car in this PH classifieds advert is genuine. I presume then they came with no rear spoiler/wing. Interesting.

Nice looking car, looks pretty much mint and not bad for the money. I love my bugeyes and that one looks good!! Or would an S202 still be a better buy and equally as rare??

[GravelBen]

I think the wing was optional, some have it some don't. At a quick glance it looks genuine - no rear wiper, A-pillar aerial instead of an automatic one, little things like that. Should also have manual wind-up windows inside, though some have electrics retrofitted.

An S202 is still much rarer and more special with a lot of extra STi trickery in the chassis department and AFAIK a different ECU. If its a 16" wheel version then DCCD is a big plus, but you'd want to upgrade the brakes from the gravel-spec originals. S202 was based on the 17" version so no DCCD but a very well tuned understeer-free chassis with front and rear LSD.

Personally if I bought an S202 I'd want to keep it standard or close to, as a platform for your own mods a Spec-C might be a better bet - if nothing else just to avoid altering such a rare car.

I don't know what prices are like over there to comment on value for money, but here in NZ an S202 (on the rare occasions you see them for sale) will generally sell quickly at a much higher price than a regular Spec-C.


Dammit, you're making me want one now!

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 11th May 14:03

[ScoobieWRX]

Yeah....We'll get you out of those bloody legacys yet!! I think i'll stick with my ultimate S202 dreams. Now there are no import restrictions it will make a good import one of these days, along with a Bugeye Sti Wagon

Thanks for the info Ben, i know you're good at those obscure bits of Subaru fact few people on this planet know or even remember....But is that a good thing?

[rallycross]

I've got one of these for sale at the moment, a genuine S202 in WR blue.

2002 52 reg.

I've had spec C and Type 25 / Type 20 before and I reckon the S202 is a bit of a performance bargain especially considering how rare they are (half a dozen in the uk!).

I find its not quite as incredible as my spec C was (no dccd) but its very very close, and I like the fact its such an unusual car.