Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C RA-R: Spotted
With the £100K 22B now a reality, a £25K RA-R is looking even more tempting
Nowhere is that theory more strongly supported than with Subaru Imprezas. A WRX STI is an interesting car. A Spec C is a bit special. But a WRX STI Spec C RA-R? Now we're talking, if you can actually say it.
This car was the last fast Impreza saloon, what with cars now simply badged 'WRX STI'. But it's far, far more special than simply being the end of the line. This was STI showing exactly what could be done with an Impreza, and the end result was spectacular. The 2.0-litre engine as used in the JDM Imprezas was fully blueprinted and used a new twin-scroll turbo, revised intake and new exhaust to make 320hp, this in addition to the more aggressive cams, uprated pistons and stronger con-rods used in the Japanese cars that the British ones didn't have.
It was 70kg lighter than a WRX STI thanks to reduced soundproofing, thinner glass, a lighter battery and even a thinner roof. The steering was quickened. The brakes were made bigger with huge Brembo six-piston calipers. The suspension was overhauled too, lower than a Spec C and with 'STI aluminium pillowball lateral links with bushings'. Which sound fancy. Everything was ramped up to make this the most intense and rewarding Impreza ever. Sounds like quite the car, doesn't it?
Just 300 were made for Japan, so to find one in the UK is rare. To find one in white - of which just 125 were made - is even more notable. This car was imported just last year, has less than 60,000 miles recorded and will be sold with a fresh cambelt. It has been modified, which initially sounds concerning, but is nothing more drastic than a tad more power, a couple of tweaks inside and some different brake pads. Nothing has been fundamentally altered, it would appear.
The advert is knowledgeable, the seller is clearly a fan (he's had a Spec C Type RA at the same time, and is selling to buy a GT-R) and it's MoT'd until the end of the year. You will never be spoilt for choice of RA-R Imprezas, but this one looks particularly nice. To some £24K for a 10-year-old Impreza will look ludicrous; to others it will be one of the most thrilling cars to ever come out of Japan and, in a world of the £100K 22B, the £50K Evo VI and the £85K GT-R Nur, perhaps not all that excessive.
Just as a final point, here's a Tsukuba Best Motoring vid from when the RA-R. In it the Impreza posts a best lap three tenths off an NSX-R and makes mincemeat of the other assembled Japanese metal. It's that good!
SUBARU IMPREZA RA-R
Engine: 1,994cc, turbocharged 4-cyl boxer
Transmission: 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 324@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 319@4,400rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: 58,000 miles
Year registered: 2006
Price new: 4,284,000 Yen
Price now: £23,950
See the original advert here
The market tends to do a pretty good job of sorting out the desirable cars from the not so desirable over time and there is a reason why a 22b is now worth £100k and a clean Evo 6 is worth £50k. . If I wanted a car to actually drive and enjoy I'd pickup a 2 door, classic Type R\P1 over this and save myself a good £10k.
I have it's slightly lesser companion - the Spec C RA and while I would love one of these, I'd be scared to drive it every day for fear of putting too much miles on it.
I said this on Scoobynet about a 22B in May 2015:
"In the not too distant future £50k will seem like a bargain for this and a lot of people will be kicking themselves.
I know I keep saying it, but it's so flipping obvious. The whole petrol head world knows what these are and they only ever made 400.
Prices are comparable with Sierra RS500s at the moment, but the Far East and USA don't know what the hell those are - they know full well what a 22B is.
Just wait until the US 25 year rule kicks in for these!
Just wish I had a spare £50k - I wouldn't even haggle."
I'm the Nostradamus of the Impreza world
http://www.classicandsportscar.com/classifieds/cla...
Sold the property, and have enough to buy a few 22B's; would I buy another? Hell yes. But not at the £100k people are talking about. I think the one that sold was a prototype with some provenance. There may be the odd one for sale at that price, but they're asking prices only. It doesnt mean the same as a sale price. I don't believe an "average" 22B is worth anywhere near £100k at the present moment in time.
As far as the new age cars go, the RA-R is the one I would look at first.
Plenty of cars for-sale right now with looney pricetags - until they SELL tho, that's all they are - pricetags - I think the market is mostly smoke with the odd mirror...
I know people who've kept and cared for McRaes, Makinnens, WR1s etc. and whilst their cars didn't plummet in value, they didn't leap up either (not as much as they cost to keep in decent order!!)
I think the sheer number of 'special' Imprezas and Evos - added to the fact almost all cars have some mods and other work done - makes the market a bit of a minefield and whilst the odd 'gem' might appear, most of the cars will end-up costing FAR more than you'll ever make from them (because that's what cars do!)
Fortunately, being a DRIVING forum, we'll buy them to drive and not to stare at whilst hoping they make us rich?
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