At Garage Dreams, we are big fans of the Subaru WRX (especially the WRX STI). Subaru’s hero car is one of the finest examples of Japanese performance motoring, across all of its generations.
Anyone who has driven one will tell you that these cars are some of the quickest and most exciting ‘real world’ driving out, delivering old-school, analog thrills.
While every generation of the WRX has its own merits, we are particularly fond of the first generation. Along with the Mitsubishi Evo (with which the WRX shared a legendary rivalry) Subaru’s legendary piece of automotive engineering is one of the finest rally replica cars to ever grace the roads.
As with all of the 1990s/2000s ‘JDM heroes’, the WRX STI is becoming an increasingly rare sight on the roads (especially in good, original condition – there are many modified, tatty examples out) and prices are climbing fast, especially on good examples.
This is especially the case for special/limited edition cars.
We were lucky enough to get to snap some photos of this excellent 1999 WRX STI Type RA that is soon up for auction at Turners Cars in Christchurch, New Zealand.
We saw this particular example listed online, and the friendly team at Turners were kind enough to invite us down to take some photos. Timing-wise this worked out well, as we are currently working on a comprehensive buyer’s guide and model history for the first generation WRX STI (that will come soon – but as this car is up for sale at the moment we wanted to alert any potential bidders/buyers).
Here are the key facts:
- 118,700 kms
- Limited build number 250/1000
- Genuine STI Type RA (not a badge job)
- In the proper color combination
- Great overall condition and highly original
Without giving a full history lesson, Type RA was an improved, lightened version of the already epic WRX STI (we will have full information in our upcoming buyer’s guide & model history).
If you were going to buy the “peak” of the original generation WRX/STI, then this would have to be one of the most desirable models. 250/1000 is a nice, round edition number as well.
It’s great to see a car that has been used properly, rather than being some ‘Garage Queen’ that never gets taken out.
However, it is still in very good condition for its age and mileage, with an extremely tidy interior, good paint and panel work, nice Yokohama tires and so on. It is clear this car has been loved and cared for, and also enjoyed by its previous owners.
What’s even nicer about this particular example is that it hasn’t been modified excessively. There are two certified modifications (completed in Japan) to the exhaust and adjustable suspension, but none of them detract from the overall package, and it feels very original.
Certainly this car has not been given the ‘Need For Speed Underground’ treatment, which is an unfortunate fate that befalls many WRXs.
Add to that the fact that it is in the best colour combination (blue with gold wheels) and has the lovely 555 blue bucket seats, and even if you’re a Mitsubishi Evo loyalist, you’ve got to admit that this is one desirable – and very cool – WRX STI.
You can see full information – including auction details – on the Turners Car Auctions website here. The car goes under the hammer on 20/11/2021 (NZDT) with an estimated reserve range of $38,000-$42,000 NZD, which seems fair value based on our knowledge and assessment of the car.
Turners Cars Christchurch also have some other interesting performance cars up for sale, including a Gen 1 RX-7 that we spotted lurking (maybe the Turners team will let us come back and get some images of that one too) and a brace of classic Holdens. While we focus primarily on Japanese classic cars, there’s no doubt some of these old Holdens are very cool pieces of kit indeed. With Holden effectively a discontinued brand, prices on these cars are going through the roof as people look to secure a piece of motoring history.
Turners have indicated to us that international bidding is available on this WRX STI; you’ll just need to register in advance. With prices rising and good stock becoming harder and harder to find, buying a car like this in a different market and importing it might be one of your better options.
Thanks once again to the team at Turners Cars in Christchurch – it’s so important for us to be able to get original imagery of increasingly rare cars like this, and when dealers can support us by allowing access to their stock, it makes things so much easier.
Help us to help them in return by checking out their auction/listing link here – and placing a bid if this is a bit of you!
Turners Cars is NZ’s largest buyer and seller of used vehicles and has been in business for over 50 years. Over that time Turners has earned its title of the most trusted dealership in NZ. There are always interesting cars coming through the network – keep an eye out for them here (www.turners.co.nz)
