RE: Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA | The Brave Pill
Discussion
Chris.65 said:
As long as you are prepared to look after a GC8 and don't go for ridiculous BHP without significant engine internal upgrades (same for any engine) they are very reliable. Mine is a '95 V2STi with a new turbo and around 360 BHP on original 'box and engine. The drive is incredible, shows what can be done with good setup and light weight, steering is sublime and it always put's a smile on my face.
I love the 22B, the new P25 and all the limited editions but you can get a car as good or better for a lot less so unless it is an investment I don't see the point in shelling 6 figures. I have about 20K in mine i guess (respray, coilovers, exhaust, turbo and mapping) including buying it.
Great to see they are being noticed for the great cars they are once again.
Absolutely love that.I love the 22B, the new P25 and all the limited editions but you can get a car as good or better for a lot less so unless it is an investment I don't see the point in shelling 6 figures. I have about 20K in mine i guess (respray, coilovers, exhaust, turbo and mapping) including buying it.
Great to see they are being noticed for the great cars they are once again.
Fabulous cars. They had an insanely good chassis and drivetrain at the time.
I also think this gen is by far the best looking of the lot.
Want.
there's a nice P1 in the Netherlands RHD 1 of 1000 so it says.
https://www.autowereld.nl/subaru/impreza/p1-prodri...
https://www.autowereld.nl/subaru/impreza/p1-prodri...
It's only the STi RAs and Type Rs which are commanding the really big money.
The WRX RA doesn't fetch nearly as much, which isn't surprising given the only meaningful difference versus the standard WRX is a shorter-geared 'box.
Whereas the STi RA brings on top valuable goodies such as roof scoop, in later versions superior helical front and rear diffs, quick rack, bigger brakes and rear hubs, and most importantly DCCD in all STi RA models.
The STi RA in each model year is alleged to have superior engine components to the WRX RA in each year as well, but any such differences are relatively minor.
The WRX RA doesn't fetch nearly as much, which isn't surprising given the only meaningful difference versus the standard WRX is a shorter-geared 'box.
Whereas the STi RA brings on top valuable goodies such as roof scoop, in later versions superior helical front and rear diffs, quick rack, bigger brakes and rear hubs, and most importantly DCCD in all STi RA models.
The STi RA in each model year is alleged to have superior engine components to the WRX RA in each year as well, but any such differences are relatively minor.
stevekoz said:
MDMA . said:
I might be wrong, but I don’t think that’s a ‘99 RA, just the standard WRX. I’m sure the ‘99 RA wasn’t available in that colour, nor did it come with side skirts.
Looks rough in the photos too. Not for me. Much prefer the earlier 95/96 RA STI Version.
Yep i know someone has commented already to say that without the docs and matching the chassis number you can't be sure what version it is - but it does not LOOK like a Type RA. Looks rough in the photos too. Not for me. Much prefer the earlier 95/96 RA STI Version.
It looks more like a JDM MY98 STI Ver IV.
It has the limited edition plate of xxx/1000 but those can be bought as part of interiors - my UK MY99 Turbo had one when i need a new centre console from cracking and the used one i bought from Japan came with a limited plate too.
The seats aren't right too. They match a Type RA, but a limited 555.
The windows are electric and the aircon is in place as well as the dash is double din - could have been cut, but, the TYPE RA had a different centre and vent layout.
It could be a case of botched paperwork at the auction, but you'd have to be careful buying it as one particular car. An MY 96/97 v555 limted is a circa 25k car.
A Genuine MY98/99 Type RA is about £27-30K
The boot sticker is also correct for a WRX STi Ver. III V-Limited - but its missing the xxx/1000 matching bit on the boot - though they do come off over time. The vehicle colour is correct though for that model. Again no roof scoop etc. So can't be 100%
TBF the price is good regardless of the model even if it is a mish mash. Many JDM Limited versions being £20-25k plus cars.
Reliable too - service every 3k-6k depending on your type of use. Make sure you use the right weight oil. Make sure you use good fuel and i'd remap it to remove the JDM limited in place and so its used to UK fuel and you should be good for many km's/miles to come.
Look at the coil pack location, it's a v5\6 engine.
and a nice 22B in France if you missed the P25 buying
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
and another 3-door Subaru STI type R in Italie, but thats a LHD
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
and another 3-door Subaru STI type R in Italie, but thats a LHD
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
AC43 said:
Absolutely love that.
Fabulous cars. They had an insanely good chassis and drivetrain at the time.
I also think this gen is by far the best looking of the lot.
Want.
Thanks!Fabulous cars. They had an insanely good chassis and drivetrain at the time.
I also think this gen is by far the best looking of the lot.
Want.
I have a later "Hawkeye" type RA so a bit of a Subaru fan - the GC8 is more fun to drive on the road though....
plenty said:
It's only the STi RAs and Type Rs which are commanding the really big money.
The WRX RA doesn't fetch nearly as much, which isn't surprising given the only meaningful difference versus the standard WRX is a shorter-geared 'box.
Whereas the STi RA brings on top valuable goodies such as roof scoop, in later versions superior helical front and rear diffs, quick rack, bigger brakes and rear hubs, and most importantly DCCD in all STi RA models.
The STi RA in each model year is alleged to have superior engine components to the WRX RA in each year as well, but any such differences are relatively minor.
The WRX Tyre RA and the WRX STi5 Type R had a quicker steering rack than the UK cars, at 15:1. The WRX RA doesn't fetch nearly as much, which isn't surprising given the only meaningful difference versus the standard WRX is a shorter-geared 'box.
Whereas the STi RA brings on top valuable goodies such as roof scoop, in later versions superior helical front and rear diffs, quick rack, bigger brakes and rear hubs, and most importantly DCCD in all STi RA models.
The STi RA in each model year is alleged to have superior engine components to the WRX RA in each year as well, but any such differences are relatively minor.
The WRX STi5 Type RA Limited (the plaque naming says Limited STi with its run number/1000 in large and then underneath 555 Subaru WRC Limited Edition) , as Alan's (my first RA), had the even quicker 13:1 rack. It also had a helical front LSD and a plated rear LSD (R180 diff unit).
It was a factory option to have the short 1-4 gears and a taller standard STi5 5th gear, i hated it, so took the box apart and fitted the shorter 5th gear fitted to the STi5 Type RA without that factory option ticked. It's much nicer on track and cross country with the standard spec gear spread, although eats more fuel on a motorway cruise.
The STi engine hard cut rev limiter kicked in much higher at 8200rpm, red line on the dash is 7900rpm. It wasn't there to give any more power though, it just allows you to hold onto the revs much longer mid corner, to save a gearshift. Peak power is at 6500rpm on both spec of engine.
Chris.65 said:
Thanks!
I have a later "Hawkeye" type RA so a bit of a Subaru fan - the GC8 is more fun to drive on the road though....
Your car has the later 41F:59R torque split centre diff unit.I have a later "Hawkeye" type RA so a bit of a Subaru fan - the GC8 is more fun to drive on the road though....
The last of the more rear biased 33F:66R torque split gearboxes were found in the MY05 widetrack blobeye STi and Spec C.
jsf said:
The STi engine hard cut rev limiter kicked in much higher at 8200rpm, red line on the dash is 7900rpm. It wasn't there to give any more power though, it just allows you to hold onto the revs much longer mid corner, to save a gearshift. Peak power is at 6500rpm on both spec of engine.
Great engines to fit a slightly bigger turbo though and make the most of those extra RPM.STi 5/6 are very very special cars indeed.
Prohibiting said:
Personally I’m loving all of the media attention that Subaru have been getting (and the attention on PH too).
For far too long the Impreza classics were considered as chav cars, but the reality is, a chav wouldn’t know what a classic Subaru (or even newer models) was even if it slapped them in the face. They’d rather PCP the latest S3/MSport/AMG.
Also, Impreza’s have now reached the price point of where they’re owned by petrolheads and are looked after. They’re also incredible reliable too even when sensibly modified (minus the 2.5 engine in the later models), cheap to maintenance and easy to fix, etc.
This is probably the opposite of a Brave Pill but whatever…
1995 to 2005 was the real sweet spot, BEFORE the used prices dropped enough for the chav magnet to stick. By 2008, I think the stigma was in full flight.For far too long the Impreza classics were considered as chav cars, but the reality is, a chav wouldn’t know what a classic Subaru (or even newer models) was even if it slapped them in the face. They’d rather PCP the latest S3/MSport/AMG.
Also, Impreza’s have now reached the price point of where they’re owned by petrolheads and are looked after. They’re also incredible reliable too even when sensibly modified (minus the 2.5 engine in the later models), cheap to maintenance and easy to fix, etc.
This is probably the opposite of a Brave Pill but whatever…
Edited by Prohibiting on Monday 27th June 11:43
Ironically, I can remember the exact same thing occurring to the Sapphire Cossies years earlier, when I bought my first TypeR in 2000.
The cars you mentioned have just gotten there quicker due to the way cars are funded nowadays.
(All in my IMHO- of course)
jsf said:
plenty said:
It's only the STi RAs and Type Rs which are commanding the really big money.
The WRX RA doesn't fetch nearly as much, which isn't surprising given the only meaningful difference versus the standard WRX is a shorter-geared 'box.
Whereas the STi RA brings on top valuable goodies such as roof scoop, in later versions superior helical front and rear diffs, quick rack, bigger brakes and rear hubs, and most importantly DCCD in all STi RA models.
The STi RA in each model year is alleged to have superior engine components to the WRX RA in each year as well, but any such differences are relatively minor.
The WRX Tyre RA and the WRX STi5 Type R had a quicker steering rack than the UK cars, at 15:1. The WRX RA doesn't fetch nearly as much, which isn't surprising given the only meaningful difference versus the standard WRX is a shorter-geared 'box.
Whereas the STi RA brings on top valuable goodies such as roof scoop, in later versions superior helical front and rear diffs, quick rack, bigger brakes and rear hubs, and most importantly DCCD in all STi RA models.
The STi RA in each model year is alleged to have superior engine components to the WRX RA in each year as well, but any such differences are relatively minor.
The WRX STi5 Type RA Limited (the plaque naming says Limited STi with its run number/1000 in large and then underneath 555 Subaru WRC Limited Edition) , as Alan's (my first RA), had the even quicker 13:1 rack. It also had a helical front LSD and a plated rear LSD (R180 diff unit).
It was a factory option to have the short 1-4 gears and a taller standard STi5 5th gear, i hated it, so took the box apart and fitted the shorter 5th gear fitted to the STi5 Type RA without that factory option ticked. It's much nicer on track and cross country with the standard spec gear spread, although eats more fuel on a motorway cruise.
The STi engine hard cut rev limiter kicked in much higher at 8200rpm, red line on the dash is 7900rpm. It wasn't there to give any more power though, it just allows you to hold onto the revs much longer mid corner, to save a gearshift. Peak power is at 6500rpm on both spec of engine.
Hol said:
Ironically! I had someone swap out the 5th gear in my V4 TypeR for the taller 5th gear/synchro , to get that better cruising speed. I think it went from 19mph per 1000rpm to 22mph.
I remember Hol. Just didn't work for me when pushing it.19.53MPH on stock V5 RA 5th, 21.83MPH on STi5 5th @1000rpm
There is a similar issue between JDM and European spec 6 speeds, bigger gear jump on 5th and 6th on a European gearbox.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 27th June 17:11
jsf said:
Your car has the later 41F:59R torque split centre diff unit.
The last of the more rear biased 33F:66R torque split gearboxes were found in the MY05 widetrack blobeye STi and Spec C.
It does but it also has the dial to change the bias, cross country it is a weapon - broke the production saloon car record for Nordschleife back in the day, little or no soundproofing it sounds like you are in a tent when it rains!The last of the more rear biased 33F:66R torque split gearboxes were found in the MY05 widetrack blobeye STi and Spec C.
Chris.65 said:
It does but it also has the dial to change the bias, cross country it is a weapon - broke the production saloon car record for Nordschleife back in the day, little or no soundproofing it sounds like you are in a tent when it rains!
That's the maximum rear bias you can get. It's a different design of DCCD unit in the Hawkeye. Still a great handling car of course, just not quite a able to go towards the rear with the torque bias as the earlier cars.Hol said:
1995 to 2005 was the real sweet spot, BEFORE the used prices dropped enough for the chav magnet to stick. By 2008, I think the stigma was in full flight.
Ironically, I can remember the exact same thing occurring to the Sapphire Cossies years earlier, when I bought my first TypeR in 2000.
The cars you mentioned have just gotten there quicker due to the way cars are funded nowadays.
(All in my IMHO- of course)
It did feel like there was a real tipping point at that time…seems to be coming around again now though.Ironically, I can remember the exact same thing occurring to the Sapphire Cossies years earlier, when I bought my first TypeR in 2000.
The cars you mentioned have just gotten there quicker due to the way cars are funded nowadays.
(All in my IMHO- of course)
Chris.65 said:
As long as you are prepared to look after a GC8 and don't go for ridiculous BHP without significant engine internal upgrades (same for any engine) they are very reliable. Mine is a '95 V2STi with a new turbo and around 360 BHP on original 'box and engine. The drive is incredible, shows what can be done with good setup and light weight, steering is sublime and it always put's a smile on my face.
I love the 22B, the new P25 and all the limited editions but you can get a car as good or better for a lot less so unless it is an investment I don't see the point in shelling 6 figures. I have about 20K in mine i guess (respray, coilovers, exhaust, turbo and mapping) including buying it.
Great to see they are being noticed for the great cars they are once again.
That’s awesome. Quite jealous. Do you need to upgrade the intercooler for that sort of power?I love the 22B, the new P25 and all the limited editions but you can get a car as good or better for a lot less so unless it is an investment I don't see the point in shelling 6 figures. I have about 20K in mine i guess (respray, coilovers, exhaust, turbo and mapping) including buying it.
Great to see they are being noticed for the great cars they are once again.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff