1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI – Auction Car of the Week

The Subaru Impreza was not an exciting, dynamic or otherwise exceptional car. In fact, in its home Japan it was just a rival to the Nissan Sunny, or the Toyota Corolla. Fun, it was not. It was just a car, normally with a 1.6 petrol engine. The engine did offer some charm by virtue of being a flat four, but that was about it. It wasn’t until Subaru’s motorsport division breathed on it that it became an automotive legend. A turbocharged, fire-spitting, wheel-spinning, rally-stage-dominating automotive hall of famer. And that’s what we’re looking at today in the guise of this 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

The Subaru Impreza has had an interesting life. When Subaru and tobacco-peddlers, 555, took a chance on Colin McRae, the car was shot into the public consciousness front and centre. The car was, of course, amazing. But Colin was equally amazing at extracting every bit of performance out of it. And of course, this means showrooms were full of budding motorsport fans looking to have a slice of that action on their driveway. For those who were savvy, many an Impreza landed in the UK via the grey import market direct from Japan. As per the car here, which came to the UK from the land of the rising sun in 2001.

And this is one is arguably one of the more special examples for a number of reasons. First of all, there is the import conversion. The speedo is in MPH, not KPH. The rear fog light is built into the cluster and not some dangling £5.99 Halfords special. Then there is the condition, which is delightfully original. A great many Imprezas, even special WRX STI models, were subject to the Max Power massive when the car was at the bottom of its depreciation curve. A lot of good cars were lost to body kits and big wheels. Then of course, we have the fact this 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI is still all car, and not rust. It’s had some work done, granted (the Impreza was known for corrosion), but that work has been done with no expense spared. Oh, and this minter has only covered 74,000 miles.

Power comes from a 280bhp, regularly serviced and well-maintained 2.0 flat-four ‘boxer’ engine, which is mated to a sharp, direct and engaging five-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. It’s a riot to drive. A bit of ’90s regulation turbo lag, then all hell breaks loose. Power for days, seemingly endless grip, sharp and engaging steering. This WRX STI is, make no mistake, as close as you can get to a new one. There are some small modifications, like a Pioneer head unit, volt and boost gauges in the A pillar, and an electronic boost controller, but that’s it. And these compliment rather than detract.

This 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI is, make no mistake, one hell of a find. This is pure, it’s how it should be, it’s lived a life of unending care and attention and as such, if you’re looking for one, this surely has to be it? To quote the auction listing here on Car & Classic; “The biggest difficulty, though, is in finding the right car. With so many Imprezas being modified or given huge performance upgrades, finding a cherished, low-mileage and completely standard car is nearly impossible. We say nearly… because you’ve just found it. Here’s your opportunity. It’s not one to miss.”