Stock#6131

The classic Impreza is a timeless chassis with a whole lot of staying power. Bulbous, newer Subaru WRXs can certainly trace their lineage to models like this 1996 Version III STi, but sadly are hampered by a whole lot more weight and electronics than this nimble little sedan.  Backed by a robust turbocharged boxer four, AWD, and simple to own and maintain, these road-going rally rockets are great fun in both stock and modified form. Finished in Glacier White (230), the exterior of our GC8 is accented by a factory mid-rise spoiler, front and rear spats, and a rally-inspired front fascia. Known for being driven hard in the States, this Impreza has racked up a mere 110k verified and documented miles over the past couple of decades and doesn't have much to show for it outside of a replaced rear bumper and some expected light chips and dings in the paintwork. Capable, stylish, and downright fun to drive, it's easy to see why generations of rally enthusiasts can't get enough of these Japanese Classics.

The GC8's interior form and function is strictly business, from the custom embroidered sport bucket seats to the factory Nardi appearance package. The upholstery on this STi is no worse for the wear and has resisted any serious wear and tear over the years save for some light wear to the leather touch points. The dash is trimmed in a soft-touch black vinyl and is free of any unwanted UV cracking and distortion, and the center "tombstone" frames factory automatic climate control and a US-compatible Pioneer audio upgrade. As expected, both cold A/C and piping hot heat work flawlessly on this all-weather warrior, and the sound quality is decent for what it is. Power windows, locks, and mirrors all work as advertised, save for the mirrors' power folding option, and the instrumentation reads accurately. Rear seat space is deceptively large, and should fit a few extra passengers in easily. Sure there are some light chips and divots in the door panels, and a modified horn button, but overall the condition of this 27-year-old cockpit really impresses!

Under the hood, the EJ20K maintains the same formula Subaru has been capitalizing on for the last couple of decades, and this turbo boxer-four shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Luckily for US enthusiasts, this motor shares most of its parts and serviceability with stateside models, making maintenance a cinch! This one cranks over swiftly, care of a new 12v battery. A fresh oil and filter service keeps this one well-lubricated until the next maintenance interval, and we've even replaced the valve cover gaskets to prevent any unwanted seepage. Acceleration is impressive, and you clearly feel this compact sedan's rally roots as you rocket to highway speeds. Boost comes on strong and pulls consistently to this Impreza's 8,000 RPM redline, and shifts through the close-ratio 5 speed gearbox are smooth and direct. We replaced the outer axle boots and steering rack boots to shore up the drivetrain against any unwanted leaks, and we've even installed new pads and rotors on the front to ensure this STi stops on a dime, every time. The factory sport dampers keep the GC8 flat through the twisties and a Cusco front chassis brace stiffens up the platform even more.  With the aforementioned maintenance giving this one the green light for the road ahead, we polished things off with new Falken rubber on all four corners to give your AWD warrior plenty of grip for tens of thousands of miles to come!   

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant 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.