Stock #5712

Outside of Subaru enthusiast circles, it may not be common knowledge that the first generation Impreza underwent 6 revisions, with each subsequent example bringing new styling, interior fit and finish, and horsepower to the table. This 1997 GC8 "Version 3"  is among some of the most desirable examples legal for import currently and features plenty of choice factory equipment and Subaru's steadfast, rally-proven drivetrain. Finished in Black Mica Pearl (47A) the exterior looks swell with a revised front end. Records from Japan indicate the front fenders and hood were replaced prior to landing here, but that does little to take away from this WRX's dashing good looks. Still boasting the brand's signature large fog lights, the rest of this one is accentuated by side skirts, rear bumper spats, OEM rainguards, and of course a tasteful low rise spoiler. With the factory 16" five spoke alloys still in great shape, the exterior is in fantastic nick for the age, save for some typical dents, stone chips, and minor paint fade. With all wheel drive on tap and only 85k verified/documented miles on the clock, it's no surprise this Japanese Classic made its way to our facility! 

The cabin is well appointed for a road going rally car, and it's clear the previous owner cared for this one in a prior life. The seats are trimmed in a durable black sport cloth with white accents. Aside from a hole on the driver's seat bolster, the remaining defects are to a minimum, and the increased bolstering throughout does a swell job at holding you steady throughout back road twists and turns. The dash is trimmed in a soft touch black vinyl and shows no imperfections to note. The lower dash trim is in good nick as well, housing a fully functional automatic climate control system with Cold A/C at the ready. The factory audio has unfortunately given up the ghost, but we'd say it was due for an upgrade anyways. Power windows, door locks, and even power folding mirrors are fully operational and make the daily driving experience a bit easier for any aspiring day-to-day rally drivers. The rear bench can fit three additional passengers with ease, and the trunk offers plenty of space for a bit of additional cargo. The door cards and headliner are in good shape as well, and aside from some significant cracking on the steering wheel the cabin should be in satisfactory condition for the next driver. We've even retained the OEM carpeted floor mats and owner's manual, great items to preserve the history of this classic Subaru sedan!

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, and our trained technicians have completed a laundry list of preventative maintenance to get this one ready for the road ahead including a desirable timing belt and water pump service. A fresh oil and filter service keeps this one well lubricated until the next maintenance interval, and we've even replaced the rear main seal to prevent against any unwanted seepage. Acceleration is breathtaking, and you clearly feel this compact sedan's rally roots as you rocket to highway speeds. The signature Subaru rumble is on full display through an aftermarket catback exhaust, and boost comes on strong and pulls consistently to this WRX's 8,000 RPM redline. Shifts through the close-ratio 5 speed gearbox are smooth and direct, thanks to a new clutch, and a replacement of the passenger rear axle seal shores up the drivetrain against any unwanted leaks. We've even installed new pads and rotors on all four corners to ensure this WRX stops on a dime, every time. 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.