Though configured in right hand drive, this example of Subaru’s world rally car is near the top of the stack in terms of collectability. Never sold in the US market, it’s a niche model (1000 copies made) inside a hugely successful run of performance cars. The story begins in the 1970s, when Subaru first ventured onto the dirt and gravel trails that characterize rally competition. By 1988, the company had founded Subaru Tecnica International (STi) to focus on dominating the World Rally Championship (WRC). Its first entries were based on the Legacy chassis but as its competitors downsized their race vehicles, Subaru shifted to the Impreza chassis. The RA was introduced in 1992, with lightweight windows, body panels, and accessory-deletes. The company won the WRC constructor’s championship three years in a row; this car advertised here on craigslist for $21,999 represents a celebration of that string of successes. Drive it home (vigorously) from Gilbert, Arizona. Thanks to Mitchell G for finding one of my favorite performance cars!
Let’s dissect the nomenclature for a second: “WRX” refers to the name Subaru gave its rally cars, and most believe it stands for “world rally experimental”; the STi indicates it’s a performance version from Subaru Tecnica International with certain features shared with its competition cars; GC8 refers to the body style which is a “meaneye” sedan (referring to the headlamps) while the “8” refers to its EJ20 or variant boxer engine; “RA” is the lightweight version of the WRX series; and V5 indicates that this car is from the fifth version or generation of RA cars made by Subaru. The turbocharged/intercooled/two-liter four-cylinder engine is good for at least 270 hp. Steering is tuned for immediate response; the five-speed manual is a short throw – the seller notes that the shifter bushing is worn. Brakes match the “go”. Handling is outstanding (remember, it’s a rally car); the adjustable differential locker is fun. Whatever you may think of how these look, I encourage you to drive one. There’s nothing like it; it’s a blast of exhilaration and a shot of confidence in one car. You will laugh, you will stomp on it and laugh again; you will cry when you must return it to its rightful owner. Ok, it’s a little fuel thirsty but small price to pay. Ok, also, you will have a devil of a time passing emissions inspections in this country (especially with that aftermarket exhaust, where the installation looks a bit ham-fisted), and mind the type of gas you feed her. She doesn’t like crappy gas.
The driver’s seat is from a later Subaru, and the seat belt doesn’t latch – time for race belts. The seller also notes that the gas gauge isn’t working – worth noting because this puppy will run you out of gas in a right quick hurry. NO! you do not get windshield wipers – too heavy. That’s what Rain-X is for. No AC either, that’s why there’s a roof vent. Open that and you’ll have all the air you need.
This is the view you will see if you tangle with a WRX STi, unless you’re in a niche-y Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, also a worthy car. The question is whether a driver can live happily with this car in the US. The odometer reads 160k km – just shy of 100,000 miles – and it’s not easy to find parts for these engines here. Then there’s the licensing issue and whether you’ll tolerate RHD. Personally, if I knew I could pass it at DEQ, I would live with its faults; what do you think?
You know you are getting old when noisy things bother you. These with that fart can muffler make the most annoying sound. They always sound like there’s a dead cylinder. I’ll never get tired of a loud Harley or American V8, however.
Well to be fair a loud Harley or American V8 at least is stereophonic
Unmuffled Harleys are some of the most obnoxious-sounding vehicles, and among the most common.
Loud Harleys, jet fighter engines, playing rock and roll, sirens from emergency vehicles, and poorly muffled cars have all contributed to my profound hearing loss. I thought that it didn’t really matter that I was intermittently exposed to high noise levels. While most of it was fun and my hearing degradation was gradual and really not that noticeable over time, getting through life as an almost deaf person (even with hearing aids) sucks, at least as a senior citizen. If it’s not too late already for you- protect your hearing (and eyesight as well). It’s not cool or fun if you can’t hear. You miss a lot of life and are on the outside of many conversations. Loud noises and hearing loss are not macho. Being smart enough to preserve your senses is.
Hi John, what you say?? Like grandpa always said, “aw, I hear what I want to hear”, and if I was to lose one sense, it would gladly be hearing. I’ve been subjected to a lot of loud noises( then I divorced her,,:0) loud trucks, motorcycles, heavy Detroit powered equipment, chainsaws, for years on end, I still love Lynyrd Skynyrd at “whuh-OH” sound levels, and never used any kind of hearing protection. I have lost a portion of my hearing, but I’ve found, it’s not so much my hearing loss, as it is people just don’t talk anymore, they mumble. Young especially, they don’t talk like we used to, as evidenced by my ramblings. Besides, I learned sign language a long time ago, and I could get by.
BTW, anyone irritated by loud noises, those squishy ear plugs work great.
They sound like an Elephant farting through a broken balloon.
And you would know that, how?
I think you should publish your own line of automotive Cliff Notes, Michelle. You never fail to educated us.
With regards to this bad little Subaru its understandable of how it must really tempt those that love the performance but have to meet their local smog standards…at the very least it’d be an incredible SCCA competitor on or off road!
I agree with Nevada. Michele always finds interesting rare cars, and I always learn something new. The research she does along with other writers is very impressive. To me, thebsound of an opened up V8 is just music to my ears, but to be honest, I really like the sound of a Subbie boxer 4 too. My oldest son has had 2 WRX STI models now. Let me tell you, from the factory they’re fast. Nice feeling manual transmissions, they handle like a slot car too. My only gripe ( cue up the old man in me) were the seats. Fine for a younger individual, but not so much for a guy in his mid 50s. I could only imagine what a blast it is to drive this one. The fact that this factory race car has 100K miles is a true testament to that, and the reliability as well. We have had several Subarus in our family over the years, (Outbacks and Forresters besides the two hot rods) they’re great cars. If you can get used to the stick on the other side you’ll have a blast with this.
Giving credit to the great writers here at B.F. is certainly due – they have earned it.
What I don’t understand is all of the credit given to them from so many commenters for “finding” the vehicles that are written up here. The vast majority are submitted by readers, and I for one really appreciate the time they take to find the interesting things we get to read and comment about.
Come to Texas! No smog or inspection after 25 years.
Not to be a negative Nelly here, but with a non-working gas gauge and being a “little thirsty”, carry a tank dipstick. And since it’s a highly tuned car with 100k miles, it’s on the edge of the money pit. Things are already starting to break.
Too, instead of the dipstick you could as just as most of us learned the hard way at a younger time in life use the odometer to calculate how much further you can go.
I used to keep a notebook and a pencil. With a working odometer. I guess you could call it an antiquated analog fuel mileage computer. And it was dead on reliable too!! Never even had to change the batteries in the pencil or notebook.
I owned one of these. Not impressed. Expected it to be faster and stronger. Back to a v8 and stick for performance and longevity. With that said I’m wanting a 4V351cleveland4speed
These cars generally have been abused their whole lives. This one would be a hard no.
I see windshield wipers