Highlights
- Remarkable 600bhp AWD Subaru Legacy rival
- Mechanically similar to the R33 Skyline but with family plus dogs practicality
- Extensive upgrades applied by a former long-term enthusiast owner
- Vanishingly rare opportunity to buy a former Ultimate Nissan cover star
The Appeal
The Stagea is already revered amongst the cognoscenti, but for those less familiar with the Japanese car scene, it may be pretty unfamiliar. This is hardly surprising since there are just two AWD examples currently registered in the UK, according to How Many Left.
Built as a rival for Subaru’s Legacy wagon, the Stagea came in various states of tune and AWD or RWD formats. What makes it particularly sought after is that besides originating at Nissan, home of rocketships like the Skyline, it shares much of the mechanicals of the R33 version of that car.
This 1996 Stagea started life as a top of the range RS4V but has developed a long way since it left the production line. Running 600bhp and heavily mechanically and cosmetically modified, including a R34 GTR Skyline front end, this is a very rare opportunity to acquire a carefully modified Stagea.
If you’re after a very rare Japanese classic or perhaps need to blend your enthusiasm for them with accommodating your family and perhaps a dog or two, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
The History & Paperwork
- Manufactured in December 1996
- First registered in the UK on 23rd January 2008
- Just two former UK registered keepers
- Featured in Banzai magazine and on the cover of Ultimate Nissan (a Banzai special issue)
- Grey Import with no history prior to its arrival in the UK
- Serviced regularly, regardless of mileage
- Accompanied by a substantial history file
- MOT until 10th July 2025
The Condition
- Custom purple metallic paintwork resprayed to a high standard
- Masa R34 conversion front wings
- Bomex front spoiler
- Full R34 GTR spoiler and headlamp mounts
- R34 GTR front valance
- Carbon R34 GTR Seibon bonnet
- Custom rear arches in glass fibre and steel
- Rear door handles removed and poppers fitted with solenoids and remote opening
- Side skirts and rear spoiler from Masa Stagea S1 kit
- Dry carbon rear spoiler mounted on custom rear mounts
- Carbon rear splitter
- LED rear lights
- Forgestar alloy wheels – 12Jx19 rear and 10Jx19 front
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres fitted all round – 325/30ZR19 rear and 275/35ZR19 front
- Good condition interior that tastefully blends originality with upgrades
- Custom Recaro leather and Alcantara front seats with heating and ventilation on the driver’s side
- Original rear seats and door cards
- Double DIN Kenwood 7in head unit with DAB / SatNav
- Upgraded speakers in the doors
- OEL replacement gauges fitted to driver’s A post
- Twin Electric sliding sunroofs
- White-faced electro-luminescent dials
The handsome, understated styling of the Series 1 Stagea included neat detailing like pillarless front and rear doors and a boxy rear load area for maximum practicality.
This car has been carefully upgraded with some choice improvements. Set off with custom purple metallic paintwork and dark gold Forgestar alloy wheels, the details include a R34 Skyline front end, carbon fibre bonnet and of course that unmistakable dry carbon rear spoiler. This is a car that looks as well as it goes.
The bodywork is in the sort of condition you would expect of a former magazine cover star and one owned by a dedicated enthusiast. There are no visible marks or scratches around the car, just some stone chips on the front bumper and a tiny chip on the nearside alloy to note.
Part of this wild car’s appeal is that beyond the eye-catching exterior is a mainly standard interior but with some tasteful upgrades. It’s also a very practical place to be, with space for four adults plus luggage and maybe an animal or two.
The diversions from standard are there to enhance the appeal and include those attractive two-tone leather and Alcantara seats, which are also electrically operated, heated and ventilated on the driver’s side. There are also auxiliary dials let into the A pillar and a high end Kenwood 7in head unit with DAB and SatNav.
The condition is remarkably preserved, with only the poor fit on the centre console around the Kenwood head unit detracting. The carpets, seats, and trim reflect the obvious care this much-loved car has received.
The Mechanics
Engine:
- Nissan Stagea 23U engine block
- R34 GTR Crank
- Tomei conrods
- Tomei pistons 87mm with oil cooling channel
- ARP bolts
- Engine capacity increased to 2.7litres
- Gas flowed big valve cylinder head
- Tomel high lift camshafts, valves and lifters
- Plazmaman inlet manifold and eThrottle 85mm throttle body
- 6Boost top mount exhaust manifold
- Billet Turbos Turbo (T4 base) and Funk Motorsport turbo blanket
- Drag spec intercooler from Project GTS-T
- Oil cooler, alloy radiator and silicon hoses
- HKS oil pump and 750cc injectors
- In-tank 400l/h fuel pump and Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator
- Link G4X ECU with AEM High Output Smart IGBT coils and electric fan conversion
- Custom twin side exit exhaust with 4in downpipe and screamer pipe by Hayward and Scott
- Dyno tested to 600bhp through rear wheels
Suspension:
- BC Racing coilover suspension with adjustable shock absorbers
- Whiteline front and rear ARBs
- Cusco front adjustable top arms
- Polybush mounts
- Front and rear strut braces
Brakes:
- D2 8pot front callipers with 275mm vented and cross-drilled discs
- D2 4pot rear callipers with 260mm vented and cross-drilled discs
Transmission:
- Converted from Auto to Manual
- Extreme triple plate clutch and R33 GTR 5spd gearbox
- 4WD with GTR ATTESSA and Skylab 4WD controller
- GTR rear LSD
The Stagea was devised as a family-friendly Legacy rival but Nissan clearly couldn’t help itself and added some tasty R33 Skyline running gear to spice up the mix. A previous long-term owner of this remarkable car has taken that idea and run with it.
As you can see from the specification above, it has been carefully and comprehensively upgraded by someone who clearly understands the possibilities available. Power is up to 600bhp at the wheels thanks to a host of improvements, and the suspension set-up has been suitably upgraded to cope.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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