1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type-R Version 5

Updated: 29 Nov 2024

A brief history:

At the very start of 2014 I found out I was going to be promoted at work and decided the first, most logical thing to do in light of this news, was to buy myself a new car. After pondering a lot of fast GT cars, I took a trip to the 2014 Autosport International and seeing the Type-RA Owners Club stand convinced me that it was in fact, an Impreza that I needed. It was my poster car as a child – granted it’s not in the same league as a Countach/ Diablo etc. But that image of McRae jumping a crest, all four wheels off the road in one of these things still sticks with me now…

Anyway, I think I was still on the M40, with the missus driving, when I found this in the classifieds. The car was a low-mileage (60,000 miles), no UK-owner, relatively clean example with the added benefit/ slight negative (depending on how you prefer your cars) of having a few performance orientated modifications – mainly on the breathing side of things. I went and viewed the car a few days later, and fell in love there and then. It is very clean in terms of the body, there are a couple of car park dings and the odd stone chip, but importantly it is rust free.

Up against the shortlist that I had originally drawn up (XKR etc…) the Impreza is crude, ungainly, obnoxious, anti-social, and all a bit low brow. But I love it. Absolutely, 100% love it and wouldn’t change it for the world.

It underwent a full engine rebuild at the start of 2015, and despite being largely standard, it made 335bhp which I was more than happy with. Sadly, thanks a temperamental temperature gauge and a coolant leak, following a split silicon hose, the block has warped meaning the engine is coming out again. The big question now is, what to do with it next…

Modifications:

• Over-sized Apexi air filter
• Various Samco silicon hoses
• Upgraded head gasket
• Full Apexi stainless steel exhaust system + decat downpipe
• HKS SSQV Dump Valve
• 16” STi/ Rays TE37 ultra-lightweight alloy wheels, wrapped in 205/55R16 Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R tyres
• STi Carbon strut brace
• Clifford CAT 1 alarm & immobilizer
• Personal Neo Grinta red suede wheel, HKB boss & Snap-off adaptor

Comments

Really? No… No…

My dream car! How much was she? #fanboyingsohard

“More than you can afford, pal.”

Looks nice!

Thanks man! It cost me around GB£5,500 at the start of 2014, but I think I’ve probably sunk more than that in to it since, trying to get it back to show room quality (with a few tasteful tweaks!) It’s essentially going to be as close to OEM as possible, just that bit lower, quicker, and louder!

She finally running right and ready for some CT video love? How about E36 M3 vs Scooby?

Unsurprisingly, it’s broken again dude - I should know more in the New Year though, when the engine is apart - suspected warped block! But when it’s back, I’m all over that! I can offer a Golf GTi 8v as a worthy alternative in the meantime?? Some mid-90’s German on German action! No? Thought not…

Love your car! I just can’t seem to like the steering wheel, but everything else is perfect!

Thanks! And having ran it for the past 12 months now, I’m beginning to regret choosing a red alcantara one - but the size, shape and feel of it is such a huge improvement over stock! Will most likely replace it with something a bit more subtle in the new year!