- Seller: Mike’s Foreign Car Service
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Mileage: 140,140 Shown
- Chassis #: JF1GD296X2G510832
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.0-Liter Boxer-4 Turbo
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
The Subaru Impreza debuted in 1992 and has gone through several generations in the past 32 years. The example being offered here as a no-reserve Barn Finds Auction is a second-generation WRX, also known as the Bugeye Impreza. Being a WRX (aka World Rally eXperiment) means this car came with all kinds of performance upgrades from the factory. Between their snappy turbocharged boxer engine and trick all-wheel drive system, they are a blast to drive. The seller has owned it since 2012, pulled the engine to install high-compression pistons, and rebuilt cylinder heads a while ago, but life got in the way, and they’ve realized they aren’t going to get around to putting it back together. Rather than let it sit in their garage, they want to see it go to someone who can finish and enjoy it.
The WRX was the mid-tier performance version of the Impreza, with the WRX STi being the highest-performance variant. The standard WRX is a nice balance of performance and driveability, with a suspension tuned to handle well without being overly stiff. You can’t go wrong with either car, but a WRX is an excellent choice if you want a fun daily driver.
This Impreza’s interior is dusty and has some sun damage from sitting. Other than needing a good cleaning, though, there don’t appear to be any significant needs. The original MOMO steering wheel, seats, and even the original Subaru-branded floor mats are present. A set of gauge pods and an aftermarket stereo have been added.
The EJ20 engine is a solid powerplant, displacing 2.0 liters and producing 227 horsepower in turbocharged form. These engines are highly tunable, and the seller accumulated many of the parts needed to give them some serious power. The seller has provided a list of all the parts they have for it, which you can find below. The real standout included parts are the freshly machined cylinder heads, forged crank, and high-compression pistons.
- Stock WRX uel headers
- Grim Speed catless up-pipe
- Factory TD04L turbo w/ CHRA rebuild kit
- Magnaflow 3-inch catless turbo-back exhaust
- Cobb cold air intake
- STi intercooler
- Perrin Signature series recerc valve
- Mishimoto radiator
- Rotiform 17×9 wheels
- TWM short throw shifter
- EJ208 open deck block/case halves
- 2007 Subaru WRX factory-forged crank
- Freshly machined EJ205 non-AVCS heads w/ new valve guides & seals
- Subaru factory forged rods and hypereutectic pistons out of an Australian domestic market BP5 2007 Legacy GT STi R-Spec 2.0L for an effective compression ratio of 9.5-1
The seller notes some paint failure, and the driver’s side fender has body damage. Otherwise, the body looks straight, and the underside looks good. This one is a project, but now that they are over 20 years old, they are becoming modern classics and are getting harder to find. Whether you use the included upgrade parts or go with original spec items, it will be a fun driver! So, if you’d love to have it, bid and leave any questions for the seller in the comment section below.
The bugeye model. Buddy had a wagon version of the wrx. Nice machine.
Interference engine?
I am not crazy at ALL about the sound these motors & their exhausts make.
Why this roof is so high & why this & the Neon SRT were 4 door only for the USA is beyond me. & Dodge even made a 2 door Neon earlier. & Subi made only a few hundred 2 doors for Japan only that sold out quick.
Go figure all of this.
No, you. You’re the one it’s important to.
My son had a 2004, blue, for many years. Great car, great in snow, daugher-in-law hated 5 speed, constant shifting in LA. I figured easy sell, late teen, early 20’s would love it, but standard shift and kids can’t drive them, owner of mechanic shop took it on consignment, could not sell it, “IF it was an automatic, I’d be all over it,” kids would say. Mechanic finally bought it for himself for $1300. It was worn, especially paint, but did not burn oil, sounded great if you like the sound, needed a bunch of small repairs. These are fun to drive if you don’t mind shifting, or, if you live out in a rural area. Tiring in the city.
I would definitely do some touch up on the rear bumper cover. I imagine that this is a custom color? Otherwise it’s a nice one, reminds me of a fast&furious tribute car. RIP, Paul walker!
I had both a 06 and 09 STi, super fun. I was eyeballing the dusty Alfa race car sitting next to it.
Very high “smiles per mile” quotient … mine has rallied, toured, and just commuted. Goes like a bat outta…
Couple responses
It is interference engine
Subaru never made a 2 door in this body style. You are thinking of previous generation. They made plenty of 2 doors in that generation, you are probably thinking of the 22b where they made 400 wide body 2-doors
I can see why the bids are so low. Add the $500 minimum buyer premium and you’re almost at where the car is worth.
When were the pics taken?
HIGHER compression pistons in a turbocharged engine? Hmmmm.
@seller: what’s the rust situation on it?