1997 STi V-Limited Wagon

Sold: $23,495

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Stock #5661

By the late 1990s, Subaru was fiercely capitalizing on the success of the Impreza platform, peppering its lineup with numerous special editions meant to recognize the brand's prowess in the acclaimed World Rally Championship series. Said to be one of only 291 STi wagons produced in "V Limited" trim for the year, this 1997 Version III GF8 is a highly capable, and even more collectible sport wagon! The exterior is finished in a Subaru's Monte Carlo blue. Unique to the V Limited package, the paint on this one shows well, and eagle-eyed enthusiasts will recognize it as the same blue used on Subaru's WRC championship winners. Although the exterior is stunning, we did want to note a prior replacement of the front bumper and front right fender in Japan. The production model served up some additional subtle exterior mods, and factory rainguards, side skirts, and dual rear deck spoilers provide the finishing touches needed to make this STi a real head-turner. The paint on the gold 16" factory alloys is clean, and with only 93k verified/documented miles on the clock it's easy to see why the exterior has held up so well. Fresh off a recent service, this GF8 wagon is turn-key ready to do all-weather duty without skipping a beat. Powerful, reliable, and beloved by all, this special edition Japanese Classic is a worthy investment for any Subaru enthusiast! 

The interior is clean and was clearly cared for during its past 25-year stint in Japan. The factory suede sport bucket seats are the standout feature of this interior, and these ones show well, aside from some typical age-related bolster wear and pilling on the suede. The dash is clean, with the black vinyl trim showing no serious cracks, peeling, or UV damage. The lower dash trim houses a Clarion audio upgrade that plays crisp and clear. An automatic climate control unit is intuitively laid out, with cold A/C and hot heat on demand for whatever climate this AWD wagon travels. It seems to have an issue that prevents it from working in the middle setting range for temperature, but works fine at the extremes of the adjustment. For those looking to put this STi to work as a daily driver, power windows, locks, and power-folding mirrors are fully functional and add some much-needed accessibility for day-to-day use. A leather MOMO steering wheel feels good in hand and frames a V-Limited specific carbon instrument cluster. The rear seats can comfortably seat 3 additional passengers and fold completely forward if the pilot values extra cargo space a little more. Even the headliner and door cards have resisted major wear over the years. Overall, it's hard to pick apart the condition of this interior, and aside from some light staining on the seats and wear on the shift knob, we think the next owner will be more than satisfied. 

Under the bonnet, the turbocharged EJ20K powerplant stands loud and proud, and fortunately is not much different than the turbocharged boxers equipped in later-model US offerings. This makes parts acquisition and servicing a snap for Subaru gearheads, and this one runs right as rain. The flat-four fires up promptly with the twist of a key, thanks to a new 12v battery and she runs smooth and worry-free after a fresh oil and filter service and the install of a new fuel filter. We replaced the tired, old turbocharger with a brand new unit to get the acceleration up to snuff, and this wagon rockets to highway speeds at the snap of a finger. A Blitz BOV amplifies the turbo's soundtrack and emits a whimsical chirp when you let off the throttle. Shifts through the close ratio 5-speed box are smooth and direct, and this STi is perfectly geared for weekend trips through the twisties. New pads and rotors on the rear ensure you won't have any issues when coming to an abrupt stop. The power steering is direct while still being decently weighted for performance driving, and we've put fresh all-season rubber on all four corners to keep this one gripping strong on whatever roads it traverses.

*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.

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