2005 Subaru IMPREZA WRX-STI

First registered on the 6th of July 2005, this two-registered-owners-from-new Impreza Turbo WRX STi TYPE UK is actually a one-owner car; the vendor, a long-time Impreza enthusiast, took it for a test-drive when it had just 11 miles on the clock and didn’t hand it back, buying it on the spot and taking it home with him…

Fitted with the much sought-after, dealer-fit Prodrive Performance Package from new, it has been used by his wife since then – and driven so carefully that they reckon the centre differential control has never been used. Barely used in the last couple of years, they’re now spending more on road tax than petrol, so have reluctantly concluded that it’s time to let it go.

Completely standard and featuring the rare and valuable six-speed manual gearbox, this Blue Mica example was driven here and is fighting fit and ready to demonstrate to its new owner why they’re so revered.

Blue Mica is a classic colour, and never more so than when it is supported by a set of gold alloy wheels and a huge (and we do mean HUGE…) boot spoiler. Pink decals too - and no-one is ever going to object to a massive bonnet air intake, are they?

And it’s all in pretty good fettle with only moderate marks and the sort of collateral damage that any daily driver will pick up. Importantly, the shutlines speak of a life lived well – and the vendor insists that it has never been in an accident or had paint.

It all lines up well too, and shines gloriously in the sun. The whole thing has the most perfectly judged stance and while this generation of Impreza took a while to find a fan base outside of hardcore enthusiasts, we think it’s maturing nicely.

While the gold STi alloy wheels might be iconic, they are a little scuffed around the rim and have some brake dust staining in the corners. Still, they allow a peek at the gold Brembo brake calipers and they’re shod with matching Uniroyal Rain Sport 3 tyres, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

As we will never tire of explaining, our 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. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you an insight into their attitude towards maintenance.

Aside from the aforementioned stonechips and minor marks, the Impreza does have a couple of car-park dinks on both offside doors and the paint is flaking off the wiper arms.

Still, a car is only original once and the new owner can decide whether they want to freshen it up or to continue to allow its patina to develop.

The blue and black interior is, like just about every well cared for Impreza, in an incredibly good condition. It’s true that the materials used might be more utilitarian than luxurious but the way they defy the years is astonishing.

So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise to see that the high-back, STi-embroidered, perforated front seats are still free of damage and as firm and supportive as the day they were fitted – and the rear seats are in an even better condition.

It’s the same story with the rest of the interior fixtures and fittings; they’re still looking fabulous and showing almost no signs of wear. So, the headlining is clean and taut, the carpets are free of holes and damage, and the dashboard is still completely standard.

Even the red stitching on the handbrake handle is bright and vibrant, the lettering on the steering column stalks is white and unworn, and the original STi TYPE UK overmats are still present and correct.

Signs of intent include an I/C water spray button, the twin controls for the centre differential, the alloy pedals and footrest, and the neat row of still-bright nuts on the underside of the boot lid that hold the gloriously OTT rear spoiler in place.

(Speaking of which, the very clean boot includes the water reservoir for the intercooler spray.)

Problems? Well, there are some scuffs to a couple of the door cards and the aircon is not pumping cold air any more, that’s it really.

The servicing regimen comprises:

• 12.08.2005 and 1,808 miles – 1,000-mile service by Simpsons of Swindon

• 23.12.2005 and 10,223 miles – 10,000-mile service by Simpsons of Swindon

• 07.07.2006 and 20,084 miles – 20,000-mile service by Simpsons of Swindon

• 19.01.2007 and 30,355 miles – 30,000-mile service by Simpsons of Swindon

• 26.09.2007 and 40,408 miles – 40,000-mile service by Simpsons of Swindon

• 09.02.2010 and 53,961 miles – 50,000-mile service plus a new timing belt by Simpsons of Swindon

The vendor also assures us that at 65,000 miles all 4 discs and pads were changed along with an oil/air filter and new oil, and another batch of oil and filter was charged at 81k. Receipts for both of these have been waylaid unfortunately.

The owner tells us that the only thing he had to replace - other than routine service items - is the radiator, which was done in 2016. We have no trouble in believing this given the car still sports its Prodrive performance exhaust.

The underbonnet area is fairly clean without being obsessive, although it is good enough that you’ll almost certainly want to replace the odd rusty bolt that spoils an otherwise pleasant view.

The underside, on the other hand, is clean and straight enough to need nothing other than admiration.

The Impreza’s MOT certificate, which is valid until July 2021, was gained without a single advisory point, something it’s been doing since 2015.

It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years.

It also still has its original owner’s handbook, stamped service history, book pack, and storage wallet plus two sets of keys (only one is photographed) and the original sales invoice.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

And please be reassured, we’ve undertaken a full COVID-assessment and put into place strict control measure to enable us to safely facilitate a no-contact, socially distanced viewing that includes disinfection of the vehicle before and after your viewing.

The Impreza Turbo’s reputation had taken a beating in recent years, 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-drive Scooby thanks to that turbocharged punch and faithful, hugely grippy chassis.

And, if you’re free-thinker and not easily swayed by popular culture, then the Bug Eyed Impreza’s reputation might actually work in your favour because prices are still low - and that’s a state of affairs that can’t continue forever.

While you will need to find a six-figure sum to buy a low-mileage and original 22B, the vagaries of the modern classic world mean that something like this is likely to fetch less than a tenth of that, which strikes us as an absurd situation.

And, even more bonkers, the owner is happy to offer this on a No Reserve basis, meaning it will sell from the very first bid no matter how derisory that might be…

Viewing is always encouraged, 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’.