Highlights

• A nicely preserved example of the GC8 Subaru Impreza
• A car with thousands of pounds recently spent on key preventative maintenance
• Benefitting from some well-chosen upgrades and enhancements
• 12 month MOT
  
  

The Appeal

Our example started life in its domestic market and is believed to have been used by just one owner before being imported to the UK in 2003. This example has had thousands of pounds recently spent on key maintenance and improvements. It is now futureproofed for further uprating, if required, or to be used and enjoyed as it is. In either case it provides an exciting ownership opportunity.

The History and Paperwork

• This Impreza was built in 1996 and supplied to its first owner in Japan
• It is believed to have remained with that first owner until 2003
• At that point the car was imported to the UK
• The Impreza was first registered in the UK in March 2003
• The importer became the car’s first UK keeper
• The current owner acquired the car later in 2003 to become the second UK keeper
• In its current ownership the car has been maintained and improved 
• This includes a documented spend of over £7,000 
• Paperwork includes the current V5 in the name of the owner
• Brand new MOT valid until April 2024
• A previous MoT in hard copy is also present
• Several high value invoices are on-hand documenting the significant spend

The Interior

• This Impreza’s interior presents well and is finished in hues of grey and black
• The high-backed front sports seats are predominantly finished in grey fabric
• This consists of a dark grey shade for the deep bolsters
• The centre panels are finished in a lighter, complimentary grey fabric
• A red STi logo is embroidered into the seat backs
• The “shoulder-wings” of the seats are picked out in red
• These seats appear to be in great condition with no issues noted
• The rear bench is similarly trimmed and also presents in a fine condition
• Dark grey carpets are fitted, and these have been protected by over-mats
• The dashboard is conservatively presented but in great original order
• A set of semi-circular, white on black gauges are housed within a binnacle
• A three spoke STi leather steering wheel is fitted featuring red stitching
• The centre console is home to an Alpine DAB / CD head unit
• Uprated, oversized speakers have been fitted in the front door cards
• The usefully sized boot is trimmed in hard-wearing grey carpet
• This is also home to a large Kicker Comp sub-woofer
  
  

The Exterior

• The exterior of this Impreza presents very well in its Silver livery
• The colour helps accentuate the design simplicity and purity of the earlier cars
• The paintwork is seemingly original and is in generally good order
• Inevitably there are some scrapes and dings in evidence
• These have been photographed for your review
• Some surface rust appears to be present, especially around the wheel arches
• All the signature WRX STi touches are in evidence, however
• These include the pink STi motifs to the front lamp covers
• The bonnet is vented, and a large central air intake is present
• The large rear boot spoiler is present together with rear “WRX” motifs 
• The car rides on a new set of OEM 17-inch gold alloy wheels
• These were bought and fitted in 2022 at a cost of nearly £800
• As such they appear to be in a pristine condition
• They are fitted with a new set of matching Toyo Proxes in a 225/45 configuration
• The overall impression is very positive, specification and period correct
  
  

The Mechanics

• By the time the GC8D appeared the quoted power was up at 280bhp
• This was delivered from the famed 2.0L, turbocharged, four-cylinder “boxer” engine
• It is known that power outputs of this period were generally understated
• This was to comply with the “gentlemen’s agreement” limiting outputs to 280 bhp
• Power is fed to all four wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox
• This example has benefitted from a number of recent mechanical interventions
• In November 2022 engine work valued at nearly £5,000 was undertaken
• An uprated block and freshly skimmed head were fitted
• Work also included fitting a new oil and water pump, new cam belt, plugs and filters
• An Xtreme heavy duty organic clutch was also fitted at this stage
• The owner reports that all necessary work has been done to support an upgraded ECU
• A Brembo big brake kit was also fitted earlier in 2005
• The under-bonnet presentation looks good for the age of car
• The underside looks very clean and apparently solid
• A non-standard exhaust and tailpipe is fitted
  
  

Summary