2000 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA

This Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA Evolution(or Version) 6 Limited Lightweight (model code GC8G4DD) is a 2.0-litre (1990cc) turbo with four-wheel-drive (and a locking centre diff) developing up to 280bhp and was built in 2000 for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) but imported new by a dealer in Aberdeenshire and eventually sold and first registered in November 2000 to its first and only owner.

WRX and STi are dealt with above and the Evolution 6 (or Version 6) says it was the sixth iteration of the WRX STi. RA stands for Race Altered - which meant that it had shorter gearing, twin-plate clutch, a rally-style roof vent and a closed-deck-block. For those who don’t know what that is (including the writer until he looked it up) it means that the cylinders are fully enclosed within the engine block (rather than freestanding with chambers all around) to withstand higher horsepower and to give greater durability. The chassis plate also notifies us that this car has option Code 73C - an alloy bonnet, lightened flywheel and a number of other internal components  - hence why this can be known as a 'Lightweight'.

This Impreza was built in a Limited Edition, bearing number 543 of 2000 and is one of the very last of the classic generation of Imprezas built.

The owner bought the Impreza WRX - as most young men did, especially Scottish ones - because of the Colin McRae connection. Having used the car as a daily driver for commuting since late 2001, the owner covered 82,500 miles by the spring of 2016 but since then - with a need for a safer, family-oriented car - it has sat on his parents’ driveway and been driven no more than a few hundred miles a year since.

The thought back then was to get it sold, and it was repainted in preparation, but he didn’t really want to part with the car and so, for largely sentimental reasons, it sat barely used until now.

The exterior Sonic Blue paintwork (Note: This is not 555 rally Blue) is fairly recent and mostly in good order. With the gold wheels, 4 doors and a small wing evokes the spirit of the world-beating WRC rally cars.

The front number plate - a private number plate that you should note the vendor is not including in this auction - is cracked (which Dad now admits to reversing gently into with his tow bar) although we can’t see any damage around it and there’s a scrape on the offside corner of the front air dam. There are also signs of a previous repair between the offside rear wheel arch and the filler cap.

When you take the car out, there’s a choice of boot-lid you can fit depending on your mood. There’s one with a discreet low-level spoiler for road use or one with a Williams-designed high wing for track use or when you just want to impress and show people how big yours is. The owner bought the more subtle spoiler/boot-lid in an attempt to better blend in with the other cars in the council employees’ car park! And, he says, as a homage to Colin’s WRC winning car.

The Impreza sits on 16-inch 6-spoke gold alloys which appear in good condition with no rim scuffs or damage evident and are fitted with Prestivo Sport tyres dated 2009 but showing sufficient tread depth. An indication perhaps of the driving style of the current IAM owner.

The interior is a mix of black vinyl trim and carpets with grey upholstery, although blue cloth STi sports seats are fitted in the front. They are in a fairly good condition with just a little rubbing wear and pilling on the driver’s seat base.

Up front the dash and centre console look in good order and there is a black leather-clad Momo steering wheel with red stitching and matching gear knob for the driver to get their hands on.

There is a Kenwood CD Radio Cassette stereo, the windows and mirrors are electrically adjustable and all are working as they should.

The car does have air conditioning, which is understood to be working, but if you don’t fancy processed air, just flip the lever above your head and you’ll open up a hole in the roof, getting fresh air rammed into the cabin via the rally-style roof scoop vent.

The carpets look in good condition and there are blue-trimmed fabric overmats front and back for additional protection.

The engine bay looks a little bit scruffy, as the paint coating on many of the ancillaries has oxidised and flaked off and there are some areas of surface rust across the radiator and the fan and belt housings as well as on the turrets and some of the bracketry. The heat-exchange core on the intercooler looks to have seen better days too. Mostly though, the issues seem to be superficial and a wire brush and some heat-resistant paint could take the look of the engine compartment to another level.

Underneath the car, there is quite a bit of rust and corrosion on show, as advised by the most recent MOT report. None of it is as yet a safety problem but worth monitoring and sorting out. The wheel arches, suspension and steering linkages and parts of the subframe and undersills all have rust developing to greater and lesser degrees. Clearly Scotland’s east coast air and the heavily salted winter roads have taken a toll. The stainless exhaust system looks in good order though and is understood to be a Magnex type made for the STi.

In the boot, the carpet and linings are clean and intact and are further protected by a plastic loadspace tray. The Kenwood CD auto-changer is fixed to the floor carpet which, when rolled back, reveals a board covering the temporary-use spare wheel. The boot lid itself appears fine but there are patches of rust beginning at the top of the opening below the rear windscreen.

We’d always recommend a personal inspection or, if you’re unable to travel, a video call to see the condition of the car in detail. As we’re looking after this Subaru during the sale we’d be delighted to arrange either option for you - just use the ‘Contact Seller’ feature.

This Impreza has a current MOT valid until December 2021 with advisories on underside corrosion, although not significant or extensive enough to be unsafe at present.

There is a history file of previous MOT reports and invoices for works done and parts purchased including:

Aug 2019 - wiper blades

Aug 2011 - coolant issue, new header tank

Jan 2010 - service

Jul 2008 - mass air flow sensor, recon cat, leads

Jan 2007 - service

Nov 2006 - magnex exhaust

Sep 2006 - battery

Mar 2006 - service incl cambelt

May 2005 - service, 4 x Toyo tyres

The vendor reports that the original split/adjustable differential failed within the first year of his ownership and being unable to locate one in the UK, had a standard unit fitted that has since been compliant. He also informs us that the interior is all original but the car had a full repaint a few years ago in readiness for sale, as and when he could bring himself to part with it.

The car comes with an additional set of 15-inch alloy wheels in a fair condition which are fitted with winter tyres and, a section of stainless exhaust. This was the original ‘pre-catalytic’ converter configuration and offers a ‘straight thru’ option if desired.

PLEASE NOTE: the personalised registration number R6SSA is on retention and will not transfer to the new owner.

The Impreza’s reputation went a little bit feral in recent years, thanks to them falling into the wrong hands, which means that it is easy to lose sight of how iconic, groundbreaking, and sizzlingly quick they are.

Even now, few cars can keep up with a well-driven Scooby, whether on the tarmac or down a forestry track, thanks to that turbocharged punch and grippy chassis. This example still runs well and drives exactly as it should.

While you will need to find a six-figure sum to buy a low-mileage and original 22B (and we’ve got one of those for sale too), this late first-generation Impreza will be listed with No Reserve and will likely sell for between £7,000 and £10,000 - a mere tenth of the price.

Given that there’s not a factor of ten difference in terms of power and handling to the 22B, this Type RA STi Evolution 6 Limited Edition Lightweight looks like quite the bargain by comparison.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.