That 1st pull after you turned right was genuinely thrilling to watch and listen too. Awesome thank you. Love the low and close ratio gearbox, so engaging. No radio required at all. I’d be giggling like a loon driving this. And probably get myself in a heap of trouble with family, friends and the law.
Have to agree... although the new Corolla GR (review coming on Sunday) while naturally still a modern car so no where near as raw as this, it's still a great car
Nothing beats the raw, older single scroll turbo Subaru’s. These RA’s cost so much now but back in there day when my dad was selling these off the lot, the standard STI’s were more expensive because they had features.
@@ztikmaen Big time. So much more ‘raw’. The twin scrolls lost a bit of the charm even though they are still great to drive. Losing unequal length headers too..
My dad had an STI Ra, bought from a dealer for around $30k, sold it to a kid for $12k about 6 years later, and within a fortnight it had been wrapped around a pole 😔
I agree, for the money it's an amazing car. I've bought an unmodified WRX Type Ra from japan with only 70.000km on the odo years ago down in the south island and drove back up north what a pleasure it was. I was really impressed by the performance compared to cars of the same era (not only Japanese) and even more modern one.
Oh that is gorgeous. Yeah I was surprised, apart from the 3.0R Legacy I had (which while good was still outclassed by my 130i) I haven't really driven any other Subarus I've been impressed by. But this was amazing
This is the ideal version. Tried one side by side decades ago with an Evo 3. The Mitsubishi felt also had a similar feeling. The push just felt endless. They were so light compared to now. This one you are driving is so quiet though.
Yeah haha just a light muffler modification, weird to hear mainly subaru engine noise. In theory this is from the unequal lenghth headers era of warbly boxer 4's but because it's basically stock it sounds like a BRZ HAHA
GREAT review! Your jaw dropping the whole time tells the whole story! Your expressions really make me feel like I'm riding the car too. Manual transmission + short gearing + 8k rpm + turbo + AWD grip = FUN!!!! While not as raw as this GC generation, I still have my GD 2006 STi and will never part with it. Just put a new short block on it after 161k miles (~259k km) due to excessive oil consumption as a preventative measure... but technically was still running. In comes new short block, new clutch, new engine mounts, new turbo, new oil pump, new valves, new hoses and good to go! Would love to get a S2000 or Civic Type R (FD2 or before) to go with it someday.
I had an 89 Subaru legacy RS back in the day painted Blue with silver pearl and wrx gearbox and diff with a group N chip was so much fun! Luv subby rumble
Glad to see a WRX on the channel finally! These cars are so amazing to drive, the way you reacted to it is pretty much how I did when I got my V11 STI :D
Great car miss mine, I had one in 2005 ish, definitely one of the most fun cars I've ever owned, I tried to relive the experience 5 years ago, but someone else wanted it more than me and within 3 months was stolen, after losing my no claims bonus and going through all the hassle I decided against getting another, but definitely love the gc8
As a long time rally fan I’ll never forget the first time I saw these sliding through the forests. Even met Richard Burns when he crashed out on the Motu in 95 I think it was.
Awesome! I've been watching some old rally footage in making some of these recent videos like the 2016 WRX STi, Type RA and Celica GT4. Golden era and incredible to watch. Camera quality is decent too
@@KiwiCarLife and the Evo3! Tommi Makinen was the man. Francois Delecour in the Cosworths. Have some good memories of the GT4 before they were banned. Was a golden age for sure. Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae in the subbies, Possum Bourne too…
I had the opportunity to go in Joe Mcandrew / Bob Haldane Subaru it was K555PRO 555PRO , ex Possum Bourne , Joe took me around mystery creek at full noise . It was the greatest experience of my life , Thankyou Bob and Joe . BC
Love these old models, own a japanese imported blobeye STI which has the same twinscroll 2.0 engine as this does. Absolutely fantastic to drive and surprisingly reliable unlike what all the Subaru haters state
unless you have been in one, you won’t understand just how scary first gen gc8’s are … absolutely no weight in it, with 200kw it is deadass frightening
I wouldn't say scary... I found it to be a very balanced and predictable car. Pretty easy to drive all things considered and very confidence inspiring. To be a passenger in though... well given how quick it is and the stability through turns, that's where I'd probably be scared if someone was pushing it haha
At last you test a car I have driven, my nephews 5 speed, fast but so nervous always wanting to go faster, not for me. My stately 380 is ideal for myself.😅
This is why I love that Toyota is making the GR Yaris and Corolla now. They're the only Japanese car company still making a car that captures that "rally car for the road" feeling. By comparison the current WRX is too plushy and compromised.
How do you find this compares to the 2015 WRX STI you reviewed recently? About the same horsepower and still manual turbo AWD, but some 20 years newer...
Yeah honestly they don't even feel remotely alike. New one is very European in its drive. Quiet, compliant suspension, smooth power delivery. This is just a 1200kg bullet with ZERO thought given to comfort or refinement haha
Had a 97 STI RA back in 2005 wasn’t overly impressed, unreliable as hell , all the typical issues from back then. I had a 94 EVO 2RS before it in 2001 so much better car in every way
Interesting, I've driven an immaculate 98 Evo 5 and this 97 STi Type RA, and there was no comparison. Evo was much slower, more understeery, felt heavier, less raw, less connected, boring engine sound. I'd have the subie any day but glad you enjoyed your mitsi. They are good cars for sure
@@KiwiCarLife you are comparing 2 totally different cars there , 1 is a lighter car by about 100kgs , & set up totally different. Go drive an Evo 5 RS if you are comparing to a 97 RA STI . and a Evo 5 gsr with yaw control will leave this for dead in the corners , the 4s onwards with yaw control do feel strange at first but the more you push them the more they reward you , if you crash any Evo with yaw control then you shouldn’t be on the road .EVOS feel slower because they have a lot smoother & more linear power delivery. On a side note , I would donate a kidney to own an any of the mentioned cars again. Love the old school JDM .
I agree. The Subaru gives you an illusion of being quicker because they really only come on hard at like 3500rpm, whereas the Evo are more linear. The later twinscroll/avcs cars are a bit better though. Evo steering rack is faster and feel is better too. A Subaru benefits a lot by throwing out the chewing gum bushes throughout the suspension and replacing them with Group N/Hardrace/Nolathane items, to get a Subaru to turn in you need to sort out the rear end. Other items where the Evo is better is the hub and bearing setup, the 5x100 Subaru hubs are small and can’t handle much heat (I cooked wheel bearings in my Type R and version 8) and they flex causing pad knockback, especially with brembo equipped cars. Subaru only sorted that from version 9 onwards when they moved to the 5x114 setup. The version 5 and 6 GC8 are a bit stronger and more reliable than the earlier versions, after they changed to the EJ207 and TY754 case box. GDB shell is a lot stiffer than the GC8 too, drive one back to back and it’s quite apparent. Even though I love Evos and driven them a lot, I’ve never owned one and have had 5 Subarus. There’s something about them, like a Honda, or a BMW. I grew up watching Colin McRae which is probably part of it too. I find the Evo has less soul somehow? I don’t know. The version 7-9 spec c is the ultimate Impreza imo. Thanks for the video kiwicarlife, this made me straight up look on trademe as soon as this was finished lol.
Wait until you drive an R32 GTR. It's like a Subaru on Steriods. Once you have nothing will ever compare to it again. Yes I've driven both.. in fact I was going to buy an exact STI RA before I got the 32. Glad I didn't. 😂
@KiwiCarLife That will be cool, from what I've experienced they are definitely fast but very different linear power delivery with good power up to redline. Noticeably bigger and smoother cars
Gee it was so long ago I can't really remember. That one was a lot louder I remember, this felt like more of a race car because of the reduced weight and shorter gears
Subaru wasn't the only manufacturer to do a boxer powered 4wd, I had an Alfa 33 16v P4 which was boxer powered and 4wd.......it was introduced years before the WRX
Ahh I knew there'd be another one somewhere haha. I even googled it to be sure! I'm eating my words like with the Celica video where I said the 2ZZ and Honda VTECs are the only variable valve lift engines.
@KiwiCarLife please do! You can't quite compare it to this bone stock STI, but maybe hit up ProjectVR4. Surely, he could loan you a nice example of an 8th Generation VR4. Also, I love the videos keep it up!
Ohhhhhhh that's why! I was wondering why it sounded a bit BRZ'y... the ver 3 WRX STi I reviewed last time sounded verrry rumbly like most Subarus do. I was surprised this one didn't, but that makes sense now
There's a more hardcore, the WRX STI Spec-C Type RA-R. The RA-R is always the ultimate version in all Impreza generations (only the 22B, was better than the RA-R). RA-R are limited editions, that's the only problem. The RA-R is famous for making more power, and being amazingly tuned by STI. It receives turbo with balls bearing, giving it a great responses at any rpms, and giving it litteraly no lags. The most finely tuned. It seems like on the GC8 there were only calling it Type RA, not yet RA-R. Need to investigate it more.
@@KiwiCarLife There was a Spec-C but the RA-R only arrived on other generations. Honestly the type RA really feels like a RA-R by the speed and the way it takes the corners.
Yeah weird how Japanese brands would change the name like that to denote subtle differences. I remember the Torneo SiR was the manual one and SiR-T was the auto.
That 1st pull after you turned right was genuinely thrilling to watch and listen too. Awesome thank you.
Love the low and close ratio gearbox, so engaging. No radio required at all.
I’d be giggling like a loon driving this. And probably get myself in a heap of trouble with family, friends and the law.
Oh yeah man was super fun. The rpm is wild
modern day JDM cars don't even come close to the 90's era.
Have to agree... although the new Corolla GR (review coming on Sunday) while naturally still a modern car so no where near as raw as this, it's still a great car
In terms of raw feeling and driver input. Yeah they don't have that vibe no more.
You are so lucky to have those beautiful roads to drive on!
Yesss there's plenty of good ones around here!
Nothing beats the raw, older single scroll turbo Subaru’s.
These RA’s cost so much now but back in there day when my dad was selling these off the lot, the standard STI’s were more expensive because they had features.
That's so interesting about the pricing, makes sense though. Also yeah, single scroll turbos are just dramatic even if they're not faster haha
@@ztikmaen Big time. So much more ‘raw’. The twin scrolls lost a bit of the charm even though they are still great to drive. Losing unequal length headers too..
Pulsar GTiR
Mitsi Evo
Celica GT4
323 GTR...
🤔
@@265justy theyre all inline 4's
My dad had an STI Ra, bought from a dealer for around $30k, sold it to a kid for $12k about 6 years later, and within a fortnight it had been wrapped around a pole 😔
I agree, for the money it's an amazing car. I've bought an unmodified WRX Type Ra from japan with only 70.000km on the odo years ago down in the south island and drove back up north what a pleasure it was. I was really impressed by the performance compared to cars of the same era (not only Japanese) and even more modern one.
Oh that is gorgeous. Yeah I was surprised, apart from the 3.0R Legacy I had (which while good was still outclassed by my 130i) I haven't really driven any other Subarus I've been impressed by. But this was amazing
4:29 That is some impressive acceleration! 300hp + lightweight chassis + AWD + manual must make for a great experience
Yeah man I was shocked how fast it was for "only" a 206kW car.
Makes me miss mine! I had a STI version 2 with a full Tein coil over setup. Such a great driver’s car. Perfectly balanced power and gear ratios.
Oh agree, the gear ratios are the best part. Way too many great performance cars are let down by garbage gear ratios. They can never be too short
This is the ideal version. Tried one side by side decades ago with an Evo 3. The Mitsubishi felt also had a similar feeling. The push just felt endless. They were so light compared to now. This one you are driving is so quiet though.
Yeah haha just a light muffler modification, weird to hear mainly subaru engine noise. In theory this is from the unequal lenghth headers era of warbly boxer 4's but because it's basically stock it sounds like a BRZ HAHA
Now thats what you call a real sports car. Full video and Im smiling
Yessss
I thought literally every RA had been turned into a rally car. Can't be many left. Very special
Heaps left.
Yeah there's plenty in NZ
GREAT review! Your jaw dropping the whole time tells the whole story! Your expressions really make me feel like I'm riding the car too.
Manual transmission + short gearing + 8k rpm + turbo + AWD grip = FUN!!!!
While not as raw as this GC generation, I still have my GD 2006 STi and will never part with it. Just put a new short block on it after 161k miles (~259k km) due to excessive oil consumption as a preventative measure... but technically was still running. In comes new short block, new clutch, new engine mounts, new turbo, new oil pump, new valves, new hoses and good to go!
Would love to get a S2000 or Civic Type R (FD2 or before) to go with it someday.
Great vid as always mate, I have always admired these cars, I had a stock 1996 WRX Wagon and it was awesome fun!
Thanks man! Yeah if even the WRX was good, this is another level!
I had an 89 Subaru legacy RS back in the day painted Blue with silver pearl and wrx gearbox and diff with a group N chip was so much fun! Luv subby rumble
That would have been epic
Glad to see a WRX on the channel finally!
These cars are so amazing to drive, the way you reacted to it is pretty much how I did when I got my V11 STI :D
Yeah man incredible cars!
Great car miss mine, I had one in 2005 ish, definitely one of the most fun cars I've ever owned, I tried to relive the experience 5 years ago, but someone else wanted it more than me and within 3 months was stolen, after losing my no claims bonus and going through all the hassle I decided against getting another, but definitely love the gc8
That's what happened to my RS Legacy back in 2003. 😭
Rough man... so annoying absolute retards do that.
These are by far the best drivers car EVER
Up there for sure!
A lot of things peaked in the 90s. Cars didn't get better after the 90s, they just simply went in a different direction.
This is true
As a long time rally fan I’ll never forget the first time I saw these sliding through the forests. Even met Richard Burns when he crashed out on the Motu in 95 I think it was.
Awesome! I've been watching some old rally footage in making some of these recent videos like the 2016 WRX STi, Type RA and Celica GT4. Golden era and incredible to watch. Camera quality is decent too
@@KiwiCarLife and the Evo3! Tommi Makinen was the man. Francois Delecour in the Cosworths. Have some good memories of the GT4 before they were banned. Was a golden age for sure. Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae in the subbies, Possum Bourne too…
Great review of such an iconic car 😎
Thanks!
Subaru is what got me into jdm
Honda for me! But Subaru and Toyota are probably my two other favourite JDM brands
Man that sound is awsome i got goosebumps, now i want one 😂
Awesome aye!
I had the opportunity to go in Joe Mcandrew / Bob Haldane Subaru it was K555PRO 555PRO , ex Possum Bourne , Joe took me around mystery creek at full noise . It was the greatest experience of my life , Thankyou Bob and Joe . BC
Oh that's awesome so cool!
I like these, the early model Evo’s and the R32 GTR Skyline.
JDM peaked in the 90’s.
Oh yeah man, super era of cars
Good review, have a 500hp 99' 2 door in Chch but I'm in Canada for a couple of years. Miss it, not much compares to a GC8 even stock, they're great!
Wow that's both rare and also extremely fast!
Good to see you experienced one man. Wish I had you drive mine back in the day. Still in the shed for rust repairs xD
Oh no haha well when you get it back on the road I'd be keen!
Love these old models, own a japanese imported blobeye STI which has the same twinscroll 2.0 engine as this does. Absolutely fantastic to drive and surprisingly reliable unlike what all the Subaru haters state
This one has the single-scroll turbo still, but yeah all the early STIs are pretty fun!
Yeah especially given how low the k's are on this one I would expect it to be a solid runner
Props to whoever was in the bmw behind you keeping up!😆
It was trying its hardest to😂
Haha that was the owner of the STi, driving my M135i while I reviewed his
Subie gang ❤
Yessss
Fantastic as per
Thanks!
unless you have been in one, you won’t understand just how scary first gen gc8’s are …
absolutely no weight in it, with 200kw it is deadass frightening
I wouldn't say scary... I found it to be a very balanced and predictable car. Pretty easy to drive all things considered and very confidence inspiring. To be a passenger in though... well given how quick it is and the stability through turns, that's where I'd probably be scared if someone was pushing it haha
At last you test a car I have driven, my nephews 5 speed, fast but so nervous always wanting to go faster, not for me. My stately 380 is ideal for myself.😅
HAHA up the mighty 380
This is why I love that Toyota is making the GR Yaris and Corolla now. They're the only Japanese car company still making a car that captures that "rally car for the road" feeling. By comparison the current WRX is too plushy and compromised.
Yeah definitely man! You'll like the Corolla GR video coming this weekend!
@@KiwiCarLife excellent!
_Absolutely my favorite version/model of the WRX. This example is amazing, love the finish❤_ .. _cool review_
They're epic aye!
I had a mk3 STI. Still miss it 😢
Nice!
Repping the Lawson, nice
It’s 2021 Alpha Tauri kit sadly
Yeah haha I got it when I worked at Honda
Damn I want one.
Me too!
Yup 90z subarus are were it was at
Awesome cars
How do you find this compares to the 2015 WRX STI you reviewed recently? About the same horsepower and still manual turbo AWD, but some 20 years newer...
I think later cars (bugeye onwards) were quite a bit heavier, 200kg comes to mind, due to safety features.
Yeah honestly they don't even feel remotely alike. New one is very European in its drive. Quiet, compliant suspension, smooth power delivery. This is just a 1200kg bullet with ZERO thought given to comfort or refinement haha
Hi! I've got a 2005 skyline 350gt coupe, But I'm planning leaving NZ, and now it's selling with a good prize, did you guys interesting it?
Hey man, not for me sorry! All the best with your new adventure though!
Had a 97 STI RA back in 2005 wasn’t overly impressed, unreliable as hell , all the typical issues from back then. I had a 94 EVO 2RS before it in 2001 so much better car in every way
Interesting, I've driven an immaculate 98 Evo 5 and this 97 STi Type RA, and there was no comparison. Evo was much slower, more understeery, felt heavier, less raw, less connected, boring engine sound. I'd have the subie any day but glad you enjoyed your mitsi. They are good cars for sure
@@KiwiCarLife you are comparing 2 totally different cars there , 1 is a lighter car by about 100kgs , & set up totally different. Go drive an Evo 5 RS if you are comparing to a 97 RA STI . and a Evo 5 gsr with yaw control will leave this for dead in the corners , the 4s onwards with yaw control do feel strange at first but the more you push them the more they reward you , if you crash any Evo with yaw control then you shouldn’t be on the road .EVOS feel slower because they have a lot smoother & more linear power delivery. On a side note , I would donate a kidney to own an any of the mentioned cars again. Love the old school JDM .
I agree. The Subaru gives you an illusion of being quicker because they really only come on hard at like 3500rpm, whereas the Evo are more linear. The later twinscroll/avcs cars are a bit better though.
Evo steering rack is faster and feel is better too. A Subaru benefits a lot by throwing out the chewing gum bushes throughout the suspension and replacing them with Group N/Hardrace/Nolathane items, to get a Subaru to turn in you need to sort out the rear end.
Other items where the Evo is better is the hub and bearing setup, the 5x100 Subaru hubs are small and can’t handle much heat (I cooked wheel bearings in my Type R and version 8) and they flex causing pad knockback, especially with brembo equipped cars. Subaru only sorted that from version 9 onwards when they moved to the 5x114 setup.
The version 5 and 6 GC8 are a bit stronger and more reliable than the earlier versions, after they changed to the EJ207 and TY754 case box.
GDB shell is a lot stiffer than the GC8 too, drive one back to back and it’s quite apparent.
Even though I love Evos and driven them a lot, I’ve never owned one and have had 5 Subarus. There’s something about them, like a Honda, or a BMW. I grew up watching Colin McRae which is probably part of it too. I find the Evo has less soul somehow? I don’t know.
The version 7-9 spec c is the ultimate Impreza imo.
Thanks for the video kiwicarlife, this made me straight up look on trademe as soon as this was finished lol.
someone give this guy a Pulsar GTI-R to test ;-)
That would be awesome!
Wait until you drive an R32 GTR.
It's like a Subaru on Steriods. Once you have nothing will ever compare to it again. Yes I've driven both.. in fact I was going to buy an exact STI RA before I got the 32. Glad I didn't. 😂
Very heavy cars
@@ztikmaen yeah I'd rather have a Honda
@simpleisbest3977 best motoring compared the R32 GTR vs a DC2. The Integra got the better Dougscore.
I've got one in the pipelines, very interested to see how it goes.
@KiwiCarLife That will be cool, from what I've experienced they are definitely fast but very different linear power delivery with good power up to redline. Noticeably bigger and smoother cars
How does it compare to my STI you reviewed 2 years ago?
Gee it was so long ago I can't really remember. That one was a lot louder I remember, this felt like more of a race car because of the reduced weight and shorter gears
Subaru wasn't the only manufacturer to do a boxer powered 4wd, I had an Alfa 33 16v P4 which was boxer powered and 4wd.......it was introduced years before the WRX
Ahh I knew there'd be another one somewhere haha. I even googled it to be sure! I'm eating my words like with the Celica video where I said the 2ZZ and Honda VTECs are the only variable valve lift engines.
Do a Legnum or Galant VR4 8th Generation
He did a Legnum a few months back
@@Oldhex1978 link? Or video title? I couldn't find it
That would be cool! Haven't done a Legnum or Galant?
@KiwiCarLife please do! You can't quite compare it to this bone stock STI, but maybe hit up ProjectVR4. Surely, he could loan you a nice example of an 8th Generation VR4. Also, I love the videos keep it up!
Mine didn’t come with those seats and that steering wheel??
Haha yeah nah the owner swapped them out
Want to buy a GC8 type r in Wellington?
Look on trade me man!
At least it doesnt sound like all boxer engines under load.
Yeah haha this one has equal length headers so no rumble this time
Ohhhhhhh that's why! I was wondering why it sounded a bit BRZ'y... the ver 3 WRX STi I reviewed last time sounded verrry rumbly like most Subarus do. I was surprised this one didn't, but that makes sense now
There's a more hardcore, the WRX STI Spec-C Type RA-R. The RA-R is always the ultimate version in all Impreza generations (only the 22B, was better than the RA-R). RA-R are limited editions, that's the only problem.
The RA-R is famous for making more power, and being amazingly tuned by STI. It receives turbo with balls bearing, giving it a great responses at any rpms, and giving it litteraly no lags. The most finely tuned. It seems like on the GC8 there were only calling it Type RA, not yet RA-R. Need to investigate it more.
There is no RA-R GC8
Quick google suggests there is an RA-R? Interesting nonethelesss!
@@KiwiCarLife There was a Spec-C but the RA-R only arrived on other generations. Honestly the type RA really feels like a RA-R by the speed and the way it takes the corners.
Bro said this was the best one it's a 4 door the 2 door is the type r
The 4 door is actually lighter believe it or not, and they have the same wheelbase. So there wouldn't be much of a difference in the drive
That front lip is disgusting
I think it's alright?
That homemade gauge pod too with that ugly cupholder. It would've had one stock covering up those screws.
Only thing faster was a ra coupe!
Or 22b
There is no RA Coupe, but there is a Type R. It's heavier though with the same powertrain
no such car mate.
RA means 4 door. R means 2 door.
Not the same as the RA's from the GD+ generation.
Yeah weird how Japanese brands would change the name like that to denote subtle differences. I remember the Torneo SiR was the manual one and SiR-T was the auto.
Looks hella fun to drive but who the hell drives without music
Listen to the engine ffs
@@bestcrazyboy8487 bro even says on long drives you should wear earplugs lol.
Fun toy but completely impractical in the real world
@@spacedog2980I use a Bluetooth speaker for music haha
People with nice sounding cars.
@@joshklaver47 so nice that you need earplugs?