1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type Ra 2.0 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

One of the best Subaru Impreza's ever to come out of Japan

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car since I have had it.

When I got it, I had a full service done and new cambelt kit fitted, and it still drives absolutely fantastic.

General Comments:

What can I say about this car, well it is one hell of a car to drive as it's basically a lightweight, stripped out, road going rally car.

It has a very low ratio gearbox with DCCD and is not very good on the motorway as it's pretty well maxed out at 110 mph, but the acceleration is unbelievable.

The handling of the car as you would expect from a 4 wheel drive car is fantastic; you can throw it into a corner at any speed and it will take it with ease, and it feels like it's stuck to the road.

All in all an iconic car that is still as good to drive today as it was when it was new in 1995.

This particular model, being the Impreza WRX STI Type Ra, is getting rare now as many of them were used for what they were designed for, which was rallying.

If you ever get chance to have a go in one of these, jump at the chance, and I can say you will not be disappointed if you are a petrol head like me :-

With all the electric cars been manufactured nowadays, they will probably never make a car like this again, which is such a shame as they are so much fun to drive.

I will be keeping this one till I am too old to drive it and then I will still look at it with a smile on my face :-)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th November, 2019

15th Nov 2019, 20:08

The 1990s Impreza is an iconic car, glad you are happy with it. I've wanted one since I saw one for the first time back in 1998 in a video game called Gran Turismo. In real life it's hard to find one that has not been modified though... is your's all original?

In reply to 15th Nov 2019, 20:08

29th Nov 2019, 10:25

Hi,

Yes it's totally standard as it came out of the factory except for aftermarket alloys.

I have now purchased the correct original type alloys for it.

1995 Subaru Impreza AWD from North America

Faults:

Basic stuff. Brakes, wires and plugs, tires. Nothing else was wrong or had gone wrong with it.

General Comments:

I bought this 95 Subaru Impreza in 2001, and it had 179000 highway miles on it. It was a one owner when I got it, and it had all wheel drive. It was in excellent condition, had been garage kept since it was bought new. I paid $1700 for it at a dealer. It was a new car trade in. The whole car was built, I was told, for the international market in Japan. It was shipped to the US to be sold new. In the few years I had it, I had no problems with it but the usual maintenance.

This car, with the exception of a 1969 Buick Wildcat I once owned, was the best car I had ever bought. I bought the car in Missouri, and moved to New York a couple years later. I drove to New York from Missouri with no issues. The truth is, I didn't expect any. I knew this car would get me to the moon if there were roads to go there. If you find one in good condition, buy it right now. It will serve you well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th May, 2011

14th Feb 2012, 16:20

I agree 100%. I too bought one, same year, almost the exact same mileage, but mine needed a new water pump, timing belt and pulleys.

The owner was told it was ruined when a timing belt pulley failed. Knowing this was impossible with a noninterference engine, I got it for $600. Cost $30 for a new belt and I swapped out a nearly new water pump from a block I pulled from a 96 Legacy, that the 19 year old owner ruined by never adding oil. Got a nearly new (but used) pulley from the same block. Replaced the oil pump o-ring as well.

Started right up, and has been running like new ever since. 30-31 mpg on the freeway at 65-70 mph, and 25-27 mpg at 75-80 mph.

It's a hatchback, so it is just what I wanted for an all purpose mountain-snow car. Just snowed last night (it averages 37 inches here by a ski resort in the Sierras of California). Just drove it out a drift more than 2 ft high. Better than a Jeep. Seriously!

And I found a used 6 CD factory stereo unit from a 2005 Subaru, plugged right in!

Great car. No tappet noise at all, put new rotors on it and new tires. Better than the 2002 Impreza with the 2.5 interference engine that my friend just bought for $4200. Gotta love these non-interference 2.2s.

If I don't see 350k I'll be surprised. It's at 173k right now. And feels like new.