Stock Number: 4470

Plenty of hardcore rally rockets were hitting the asphalt in 1995, and very few were as good as the Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA. By lightening the chassis and adding a center differential control unit (DCCD), this AWD missile digs into the pavement with a tenacious grip. Finished in a custom Blue Ridge Pearl, the body is in good shape other than some typical chips and minor dings associated with normal use. Offered with only 68K verified miles, this particularly rare rally legend is finally here in the USA.

The interior materials in all of our Subarus have aged well over the years. Unlike Nissan and Toyota, they all seem to utilize more premium materials and feature top-notch ergonomics. This example has an impressively maintained cockpit as evidenced by a number of things. The dash is made of soft-touch material that is neither cracked or worn by the sun and heat. The carpets and door cards are in equally good nick, and the headliner is tightly upholstered to the roof and clean. To save weight the Type-RA models were not offered with A/C or power windows in favor of a roof scoop and roll-up windows. The factory Nardi steering wheel feels perfect in the hand and the short shifter is exceptionally crisp. The gauges are all easy to read and the extra set of STi LAMCO's sits below the head unit. The factory radio was ditched for a Carrozzari unit and it happily pipes tunes through the cabin. The gray, manually adjusted, seats aren't too tightly bolstered and are in well above average shape for a vehicle of this age. They don't suffer from any major wear like rips, stains, or tears and they manage to keep everyone comfortable for long durations if a road trip is in order.

The chassis displays particularly good handling characteristics compared to our average GC8, and we attribute a lot of that to the trick Driver Controlled Center Differential and the peppy boxer four. Fresh off a power bump in late '94, this EJ20G is rated at 275 hp and is mated to a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox. With a twist of a key, the boxer springs to life and benefits from a fresh semi-synthetic oil and filter service. The rumble is fantastic and makes it impossible not to blip the throttle a touch sometimes. Acceleration is brisk with power being sent to all four wheels, and the sedan gets up to highways speeds quickly. Rowing through the gears is far more rewarding than most WRX's due to the couple extra ponies and crisp short shifter. You can lock the center diff, or throw a bunch of power rearward if you wish. We prefer the latter as its actually possible to step the rear out if you're feeling adventurous. The suspension is cushy enough for daily duty yet can handle rougher roads and still feels unflappable. The brakes are direct and stop the sedan impressively well, and the steering is exceptionally direct and on point. A set of gold Speedline alloys completes the look, and they are wrapped in a new set of all-season rubber! It's really hard to find a gripe with this 1995's performance, even by today's standards.

This Type RA is rare and highly collectible. It's rewarding handling, AWD grip, and room for five could make it one of the most complete Japanese Classics we have seen in a hot second! Up to date on maintenance and legally imported, you won't want to miss out on this one.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.