The GC8 Impreza is the rally-bred legend that made Subaru a household name, and the Type R STI is among its most coveted forms. This 1997 Version IV is a two-door homologation special, already imported and US-titled, in Glacier White. It sits on Cars and Bids at $5,655 with six days to go.
Cars & Bids
What it’s worth right now
The GC8 market is strong for clean cars, but condition drives everything. According to Classic.com and current market data, GC8 Imprezas average close to $23,700, with clean, desirable Type R and STI variants generally trading from the mid teens into the $40,000s, while rust and history concerns can slash a car’s value dramatically.
Fair value for this example sits close to $15,000 to $30,000, most likely close to $18,000 to $24,000, with the coveted variant and already-titled status supporting the figure and the rust question below holding it back and adding real uncertainty. At $5,655 with six days remaining and a reserve, the bidding should climb, though caution over the underbody has kept it measured so far.
Cars & Bids
Condition and details
The car is a genuinely desirable variant, but its condition is the central issue. Finished in Glacier White over gray, it is a right-hand-drive Type R STI Version IV running the EJ20K 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four, rated close to 276 horsepower, through a five-speed manual and the DCCD all-wheel-drive system, with Recaro seats and a MOMO wheel.
Cars & Bids
It carries a clean North Carolina title, so it is already imported, and it wears fresh 2025-date tires. The modifications are limited to OZ wheels, an HKS exhaust, and a head unit, with the factory wheels included. The rust is the crux. The seller notes underbody corrosion, and multiple bidders have flagged what looks like painted-over rot and requested more underside photos.
Cars & Bids
GC8s are notorious for rusting at the rear quarters, strut towers, and sill seams, and rust is the single biggest value killer on these cars, so a buyer must obtain comprehensive underbody images and, ideally, an in-person inspection before bidding, and walk away if the rot is structural. The extensive recent service the seller describes is undocumented, so confirm it, and the detonation-sensitive EJ engine warrants a compression and leak-down test. There are also dents on the front fender and trunk lid.
Cars & Bids
The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Subaru |
| Model | Impreza WRX Type R STI Version IV |
| Year | 1997 |
| Mileage | 85,000 miles |
| Engine | EJ20K 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four |
| Power | 276 hp and 260 lb.ft of torque |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Glacier White |
| Interior color | Gray |
| Current bid | $5,655, with six days left |
Interested in this 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX Type R STI Version IV? View the listing here.
What makes the Type R unique
The Type R STI is one of the most special versions of Subaru’s first-generation Impreza, a lightweight, two-door homologation special developed by Subaru Tecnica International and offered only in Japan on a special-order basis. It formed the foundation for Subaru and Prodrive’s Group A and Group N rally efforts, the cars that Colin McRae and others drove to World Rally Championship glory, and it packed genuine competition hardware, including the driver-controlled DCCD center differential, a close-ratio gearbox, an STI-tuned chassis, and the turbocharged EJ20 flat-four. Never sold in the United States, it became the ultimate forbidden fruit for a generation of enthusiasts.
Cars & Bids
That combination of motorsport pedigree, rarity, and the raw, focused character of a purpose-built rally weapon is exactly why the Type R has become so coveted now that these cars are import-eligible. It represents Subaru at its most single-minded, and clean examples have climbed steadily in value as demand for the genuine article grows.
My take
For a Subaru enthusiast, the appeal of a genuine Type R STI is enormous, and the already-titled status removes the biggest hurdle of importing one. This is one of the most desirable GC8 variants, and in the right condition it would be a compelling buy. The problem is that condition is precisely the open question here.
Fair value sits close to $15,000 to $30,000, most likely close to $18,000 to $24,000, but that range assumes the rust turns out to be manageable. Before bidding, the single most important step is establishing the true state of the underbody, so demand comprehensive photos and an inspection, and treat any sign of structural rot as a reason to walk away. Confirm the undocumented service and test the engine, and this could be a genuine rally-bred icon. Leave the rust unexamined, and the low bidding is a signal in itself.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog