Hi all,
I might be looking at an RA on Saturday, but it has no roof flap & it has electric windows. I thought these two facts would mean it's not an RA but the seller assures me it is & the model code which is GC8G47D lists it as an RA. I'd like advice from an RA expert on this before I go to look at it.
Thanks, Richard.

 

Is it advertised as a wrx sti type ra. Or a wrx ra?? Wrx ra's didn't come with a roof flap, the sti ra did. As for electric windows they were optional on all RA's hope this helps.

Joe

 

Only the v1 sti ra never had a roof flap, all from v2 on did the wrx never had them fitted.
Easy to fit electric windows, if its an sti it should have dccd, no abs and the ariel on the a piler.

 

Jay.....The STI RA is V2-on, there is no V1 only WRX RA

 

Rich, the car is the WRX version of the RA and could be a "Limited" hence the electric windows...what colour is it?

 

It's advertised as a WRX RA it has an aerial on the pillar & the seller says it's not an STI but is badged as one. It's on a V plate. Does it sound legit, I don't want to bother looking at it if it's not as described.

 

GC8G47D

http://www.type-ra.com/subaru-impreza-my00-wrx-type-ra/

or the RA Limited

http://www.type-ra.com/subaru-imprez...pe-ra-limited/

 

If it has a numbered plaque it's the limited and has elecy windows as standard, The standard RA is not numbered.

 

It's not a orange one with a black bonnet it is?

 

No it's blue but I don't think that's the original colour.

 

Apparently it's No 200 out of 1000

 

If its blue then it does sound like an RA Limited

 

Its deffo a Limited then.

 

Assuming this is a WRX RA, are these cars actualy worth buying or should I hold out for an STI RA which is what I was really after?

 

I've owned both, V2 WRX RA and a V3 STI RA......The WRX RA is still a good car but I'd hold for the sti variant...

 

This is what I'm thinking, but the car needs work & as my V3 STI is about finished I'm looking for my next project. I wanted the STI RA but if the price is right I may be tempted by this. What exactly are the differences between the two cars? Thanks.

 

The main things being roof vent, dccd, cams and the kudos of being an sti....

 

But.....the sti is heavier by about 30/40kg, Not a lot in it like jay says but worth it for roof vent and dccd....oh and the sti fanboy appeal

 

Gotta agree with Jay, I was gonna say the self same thing but did t want to get people's backs up. I'd like a bone stock v2 wrx ra as a bit of a daily if our lass would let me get away with it

Joe

 

OK guys, I think I'm put off it now, but what is it worth with a knocking bottom end & scruffy paint work?

 

I wouldn't pay much more than £500 for it. On ebay I would expect it make around £1000 though. The engines are nothing special in them and they rot quicker underneath from a lack of underseal.

I would avoid and pay more for a sti ra v2.

 

The sti ra has a better engine, with underbucket shims compared to hydraulics, better cams, forged pistons, better ecu to match. 5th injector although I'm not sure if thats just for show.

The gearbox is very close ratio on the sti ra and may annoy you on the motorway.

 

Thanks for all your replies, very informative. I'm going to hold out for an STI RA if anyone knows of a good one for sale let me know even if it's a project car.
Many Thanks, Richard.

 

Sti type ra all the way
Good choice on the version 2 by far the best looking, here's mine next to my mates version 3

 

I agree the V2 sti ra is a nice car. closed deck block too ftw

 

The WRX RA also has solid lifters and shares the same gear ratios as the STI.....yup, the 5th injector does bugger all but obviously it was only pre 96 RA's that came with it.

Apart from the cams I wouldn't say the engine was that much better, both still had weak classic rods!

 

On all the rods I've seen fail there's been a common cause. Partial piston seizure from factory tight tolerances and running too much heat by turning the boost up. I wouldn't blame the rods.