2004 Subaru Impreza WR1 Limited Edition

Still in the hands of only its third registered UK keeper, ‘571 WRX’ is a 2004 Subaru Impreza WR1 that still looks minty-fresh having been carefully curated and driven only sparingly since 2013.

Not that it had had a hard life up to then; with a total of only 30,000 miles on the clock, just 5,000 of which have been added in the past twelve years ago, it’s clear the first owner was aware of its rarity and potential future value and treated it accordingly.

This included nine services, and keeping it in a dry garage, where the absence of sunlight has left the paintwork and interior looking incredibly fresh.

Bought as a 60th birthday present, he kept it until 2020. The second owner kept it as part of a private collection, while the seller bought it from us in May 2022.

Freshly serviced and rarely driven in the three years she’s owned it, it is still to the exact same specification it was when it was first delivered, making this an exciting opportunity to buy a stunning example of an increasingly rare car.
 

Still wearing what is thought to be the original Ice Blue paintwork (colour code 23G), while it wears a personalised registration number now, it was wearing what we think were the original numberplates from the supplying dealer when the seller bought it from us three years ago.

Regardless, the overall fit ‘n’ finish looks every bit as good now as it did when the first owner took delivery over twenty years ago.
The windows also still have the correct factory decals on them, all the panels align very nicely indeed, and even the stainless-steel mesh grilles that sit above and below the impressive front bumper run straight and true.

Even the exhaust, often the first thing to be modified, is still the standard Prodrive item. 

The badges and lamp lenses are all bright and colourful too, something the dedicated curation and careful storage it’s enjoyed will have helped. They all work as they should, and isn’t it great to see that warm, yellowish tint to them rather than the cold, stark blue we’ve grown used to on modern cars?

Of course, the WR1 retains the base car’s huge bonnet scoop and impressive rear spoiler, with ‘WR1’ logos affixed to each front wing to let folk know this is no ordinary Scoobie.

The ‘flowforming’ (sic) alloy wheels, which bear the names of both Speedline and Prodrive, are free of scuffs, scrapes and other damage. True, the centre caps have lifted a little but this is a minor issue that everyone bar the most fastidious could ignore. Behind them lurk a quartet of gold Brembo brake calipers.

The tyres are 225/40ZR18 Pirelli P-Zeros dating from 2012, which means that while they have plenty of tread, they will need to be replaced.

Nonetheless, as we will never get tired of telling you, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 
 

The WR1’s interior specification includes a black leather-trimmed three-spoke STi steering wheel with red contrast stitching, a feature that’s also found on the handbrake.

Other niceties include the grippy anthracite seats (trim code B20) we mentioned, as well as WR1-branded gearknob and mats.

Like the coachwork, it’s all still in an incredibly good condition; Subaru interiors tend to last well anyway, but this one, which has also been recently valeted, is an especially good example of the type with no cigarette burns, extraneous holes or instruments, or even visible wear.

The door cards, headlining, and dashboard are all very good indeed, the seats are firm and supportive, the rear seat looks like new, and the labelling on the switches and controls, including that for the DCCD next to the handbrake and the intercooler spray to the right of the steering wheel, is still bright white.

It's all original too, even down to the presence of the double-din Subaru headunit it left Japan with, rather than the 'el cheapo' Halfords item we so often see.

Plus, of course, the WR1/Prodrive aluminium tax disc holder. Engraved with the number 334, it even still contains the tax disc the supplying dealer inserted when the car was first registered.

The boot is also excellent, which means the only wear we’ve identified is to the heel of the driver’s mate, which has worn through.

But that that’s the only problem means we can justifiably wheel out the #firstworldproblem hashtag.
 

The Impreza’s service history is impressive, comprising:

•    01.06.2004 and 10 miles – pre-delivery inspection by Monks Heath Motors
•    17.07.2004 and 1,148 miles – service by Monks Heath Motors
•    03.02.2005 and 6,827 miles – service by Monks Heath Motors
•    15.12.2005 and 11,267 miles – service by Monks Heath Motors
•    20.12.2006 and 14,361 miles – service by Monks Heath Motors
•    07.06.2008 and 17,750 miles – service by R Webb Motor Engineers
•    08.05.2010 and 21,380 miles – service by R Webb Motor Engineers
•    12.07.2011 and circa 22,761 miles – service by Autoservices Chelford
•    28.05.2013 and 24,777 miles – service by Autoservices Chelford
•    09.05.2022 and 29,884 miles – service, including a new cambelt, by Autotechnica
•    12.06.2025 – service by Bulldog Twyford

Of course, being a well-maintained Subaru, it starts on the button, idles and revs perfectly, and makes the distinctive exhaust note we all know and love.

The engine bay is as nicely presented as everything else; clean and still boasting original features like the underbonnet sound insulation, you could rock up at your local car show, pop the bonnet, and bask in the knowledge you should be walking away with a rosette or two.

As for the underside, from a layman’s perspective it looks good and strong, and even the experts haven’t ever mentioned structural rust or corrosion during its annual MoT, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
 

Speaking of the MoT, the Subaru’s certificate is valid until November 2025, and the only advisory it was given was for thin front brake pads, which should be easy enough to sort – and, if that weren’t enough, it racked up seven advisory-free passes in a row prior to that.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys and two unused leather key fobs from the supplying dealer.

As for the paperwork, sadly it only exists in digital form. But that virtual file includes the welcome letter from Prodrive, photographs of the all-important stamped service history booklet, and plenty of expired MoT certificates, tax discs, and invoices.

Originality is key with cars like this, and they don’t come much more original than this, which means it won’t be cheap.

How expensive will it be? Our guide price is between £25,000 and £35,000.

Yes, this is more than most you’ll see advertised, although with only an estimated 350-ish left on the road, many of which will be high mileage and/or modified, cars of this quality don’t crop up very often.

Which makes it still something of a bargain in our eyes; there’s always a ready market for the best of the best, and an WR1 in this condition is the Holy Grail of the second-generation Impreza Turbo. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.