How to tell wrx or not
 

Hi everyone this is my first post here so please bear with me, i have always driven the uk 2000 awd models and am now looking to purchase a wrx. Does it say on the v5 or anywhere on the car like the beginning of engine chassis number etc? that it is definatly a wrx and how to tell what type it is etc? I would just like a bit of inside info so i dont buy a replica and waste my hard earned cash. Thanks.. jim:thumb:

a easy way to tell a clasic wrx is they have a rear wiper, a ariel on passenger side quarter panel,also they wont have headlight washers on the front bumper.
the above should cover any normal wrx apart from the ra which has no rear wiper and an ariel in the same position as your turbo 2000's,none should have the bumper headlight washers.

Thanks for that what sort of year could i get for around 4k thanks jim.

96 to 98, a fair few good ones on pistonheads.com

This looks good: Subaru : Impreza WRX Type RA

Thanks i will take a look i just wantedto know what is an sti or not or are they all sti as my friend says their is type 1-2 etc thanks jim.

That is a nice car however i would like a white one if poss, do you know of any around for a good price.

Also check the metal plate on the passenger side of the engine bay it will tell you the model / engine and transmission codes...

Mine is a 1996 wrx (v limited) import and is gc8c48d however the strange thing is on mine my engine code is that of a sti v2 import???

mines a wrx import and my aerial is above my drivers side window i have to pull it out.but its got a wiper on the back

i think the 96' onwards had rear leccy ariels... v2's (might be '95 onwards)

A UK car has a 17 character VIN: a JDM car has an 8 character chassis number starting GC8... It will also have an applied model number (also starting GC8) below the chassis number, which will enable you to identify the exact model.

Simon

Test drove a 98 wrx today i have to say they are better than the uk 2000 awd even though they are sa good car and done me proud, however after about 15 mins of driving it their was a clicking coming from the passenger rear corner on everytime we went round corners. The guy said this only comes on when the car gets warm?? could it be just the driveshaft or something like the diff???i thought maybe the sway bushes or rear strut but i hope it`s the first as im thinking about buying but do not want to chuck loads of pounds at it but as £3000 i still have something in the kitty. Has anyone had this problem and found the solution.??? please help.

If you like the car take it, along with the owner, to a local well-regarded specialist. For the cost of 1/2 an hours labour youll know exactly where you stand.

Uk spec wrx dont have rear wipers or wing mounted aerials. They also have headlight washers, i prefer to have a rear wiper but mine is uk spec, so i make do with headlight washers lol.

Import wrx do look better IMO as most come colour coded as standard etc.
I believe the engine type you need to look out for is an EJ20 XXXXX as well as the GC8 prefix on the chassis plate.

You know when you are driving a WRX/STi compared to an ordinary scoob :)

im not far from you only at ely do you go to welch`s in shelford or somewhere you may know better thanks jim.

Its pretty limited in these parts for Scooby specialists. I have heard good reports about Michael Wicks at Wisbech, he seems to be the locals favourite.
There are a few from Cambs in here so they may point you in the general direction.

GC8 IS A WHAT MODEL AND TYPE?????
 

Just got the vin number off the owner it starts with gc8- then 6 numbers follow, could you tell me if it`s the wrx sti.?? I has the passenger rear ariel momo steering wheel, quick shift box and also a space above the existing radio looks like the wrong stereo is fitted, it also has a little gadget that says play,rec,ff,rew,peak and reset on it that makes the pod gauges go mad when you press it. any ideas is a sti or not??? oh it does have the i badge on the front grill as appossed to the subaru star one thanks jim.:thumb:

At the least its a WRX. The i badge is an STi but these are easily purchased. Almost certainly an import. The intercooler should be a good place to start, as they are physically different in appearance to WRX ones.

Its worthwhile doing HPi check, this should confirm the model exactly or just ask the owner. £5 for HPi is well worth it.

Thanks i will do an hpi tonight as the owner is unsure is it`s sti, the price has just dropped over the telephone by £250 so i will hpi then buy. PROUD OWNER TO BE OF A REAL SCOOBY.. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT KNOCK THE 2000 AWD GREAT CARS.If i see you on the road i will let you have a look over it see what you think cheers jim

good link that, very informative.

Sure, will like to have a nose. You must have worried the seller if he dropped by 250 quid. Most of these you buy with your eyes, and a smidge of common sense lol :):thumb:

These might help

JDM model codes V1-V4

WRX GC8A48D 240 4 door First Impreza Turbo
WRX V1 GC8B48D MY95 240 4 door
WRX V1 GF8B58D 240 First appearance of 5 door
WRX V1 AT GF8B58D 240 5 door Auto transmission fitted after production
WRX V2 GC8C48D MY96 280 4 door
WRX V2 GF8C58D 240 5 door
WRX V2 GF8C58P 240 5 door AT First production automatic transmission
WRX V3 GC8D48D 280 4 door
WRX V3 GF8D58D 240 5 door
WRX V3 AT GF8D58P 240 5 door AT
WRX V4 GC8E48D 280 4 door
WRX V4 GF8E58D 240 5 door
WRX V4 AT GF8E58P 240 5 door AT

WRX RA GC8A47D 260 4 door
WRX RA V1 GC8B47D 260 4 door
WRX RA V2 GC8C47D 260 4 door
WRX RA V3 GC8D47D 280 4 door
WRX RA V4 GC8E47D 280 4 door

Sti V1 GC8B48D 250 First appearance of STi, modified from production WRX
Sti V1 GF8B58D 250 5 door modified from production vehicle.
Sti V2 GC8C4ED 275 4 door First STi full production
Sti V2 GF8C58D 260 5 door
Sti V2 GF8C58D 260 555 5 door Special edition
Sti V2 555 GC8C4ED 275 555 4 door Special edition
Sti V3 GC8D4ED 300 4 door
Sti V3 GF8D5ED 300 5 door
Sti V4 GC8E4ED 300 4 door
Sti V4 GF8E5ED 300 5 door

Sti V4 RA V Limited GC8E4DD 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
Sti V4 RA V Limited GC8E27D 300 2 door Special edition 2 door RA

Sti V3 R GC8D2DD 300 2 door First 2 door coupe
Sti V3 R 555 ? ?
Sti V4 R GC8E2DD 300 2 door

Sti V3 R V Limited GF8D5ED 300 V-Limited 5 door Special edition
Sti V3 R V Limited GC8D4ED 300 4 door Special edition
Sti V4 R V Limited GC8E2DD 300 2 door Special edition


Tony

imports have the "i" badge on the front instead of the subaru stars badge..... does not define wrx or sti

sti's have a pink "i" badge but as said these can be easily purchased seperatly

hi i have the gc8e48d does this meants 280bhp standard?:wonder: cheers

I believe that is a copy n paste error sorry :Whatever_ it should be 240 and also will be PS and not BHP

Tony

An E-Series Saloon was rated at 280PS. Only A+B-Series Saloons and late 'Wagons (+automatic Saloons) were rated at 240PS.

Eh - no such thing as a UK spec WRX in a classic! if your going to give advice, make sure its right first!

Simon

Most of the advice given here now is poor. Whats the point when you do know what you are talking about as several uninformed people usually contradict you.....