Subaru Impreza Terzo | Spotted
Special editions Subarus aren't rare; one previous owner special edition Subarus definitely are
What’s the best automotive gift that your better half has bought over the years? There’s all sorts of useful stuff (and absolutely loads of junk) to buy the petrolhead in your life, from clothing to cleaning and driving experiences to motorsport hospitality. Despite what people say, we’re actually very easy people to buy presents for.
But this has to be one of the best automotive presents ever. Because in 1998, a wife bought her husband a car - and not just any car, a Subaru Impreza Turbo Terzo. Wow. Imagine having to follow that when the roles were reversed. Because even back in the '90s, an Impreza was a pretty niche proposition; you had to know about cars, and definitely know your husband, to spend more than 20 grand on one and know it was the right thing. Everything points to it being a brilliant decision, though, as it was kept by that first, very lucky owner until 2022, after which time it was taken on by the dealer now selling it.
This Terzo is number 329 of 333 ever made (it was created to mark a trio of WRC Constructors' titles - ‘Terzo’ is ‘third’ In Italian) and has been garaged its whole life. In fact, it hasn’t been out of the garage very much in 28 years, covering less than 16,000 miles in that time. The Terzo may not have been one of the most notable Impreza specials, but in this sort of condition, it’s almost unrepeatable. The only modification the first owner did was the private plate.
Unlike the 22B, P1 or more famous editions, the Terzo was little more than a spruced-up Turbo; power was unchanged at 210hp, the chassis untouched. It was painted Mica Blue instead of WR Blue, and some suggest it was the first time that gold wheels were fitted to a Subaru from the factory; surely not, but when that’s the claim to fame it’s clear this isn’t some kind of highly strung road racer. This one, of course, boasts everything that a Terzo should have, right down to the floor mats.
Similarly, the service history is said to be ‘extensive’, and the MOTs are staggering: sometimes just a handful of miles added each year, and not a single advisory in 22 tests. It’s failed two on the wipers not being very good - seriously. While some will say that Subarus are for driving at every opportunity rather than saving for best, it’s a real treat to see one that seems so immaculate. With head gasket problems and corrosion having afflicted so many Imprezas, to say nothing of modifying, this is very special. So special, in fact, that it's already an award winner.
Is it £35k special? There’s a discussion. Obviously that’s not an unheard of amount in silly Subaru circles, but it’s the most we’ve seen what's basically a normal Turbo advertised at. Because it’s an Impreza Turbo like no other, you might well say. And for everyone who’d prefer something higher mileage and everyday suitable, it’s easy to imagine a few others who see their sunny Sunday car as a '90s Subaru, treating country lanes to the pub as special stages. And this is exactly the car for them. Maybe send this link to your wife, just in case…
SPECIFICATION | SUBARU IMPREZA TURBO TERZO
Engine: 1,994cc, flat-four turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 210@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 214@4,000rpm
MPG: 29
CO2: 239g/km
Year registered: 1998
Recorded mileage: 15,950
Price new: £22,995 (1998)
Yours for: £35,000
Real cars move around in the owners groups for a fraction of the price.
A Terzo is a nice colour but nothing special spec wise.
And point it down a twisty road that you know well, it would still blow the doors of most things.
It was tremendous fun around the back roads but the interior always felt little better than a Nissan Micra. I guess that was the point though: all they were really was a tricked-up version of a very ordinary car.
This one seems expensive to me, but evidently I'm no Subaru nerd and I doubt there are many around like this.
The Turbo 2000 came with 215bhp and weighed 1230kg and did 0-60 in 6.3 seconds.
It is about the same power to weight as a Fiesta ST MK8 and around the same performance figures.
With an exhaust and remap, you are looking at a car that does 0-60 in low 5's, with some serious midrange pull...not far off a Golf R. Obviously a Golf R typically benefits from a more modern DSG box, so it is not going to be a Golf R beater.
My RB5 had the above mods and it was more than quick enough for me and along with the "character" others have mentioned, it made for a very nice thing to drive.
The Turbo 2000 came with 215bhp and weighed 1230kg and did 0-60 in 6.3 seconds.
After reading all the hype over the years about how incredible these cars were it really didn't feel that quick at all. It lasted less than two years before I did a spreadsheet of how much it was costing me and I sold it soon after.
After reading all the hype over the years about how incredible these cars were it really didn't feel that quick at all. It lasted less than two years before I did a spreadsheet of how much it was costing me and I sold it soon after.
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