I'm posting my friends' 1999 STi TypeRA for sale. He decided getting a house if more important than keeping this car. I'm not sure if I agree. :cool: I've got nothing to do with the transaction, just trying to help him sell it. I'd rather see it go to someone who knows what it is instead of someone making an impulse buy.

Anyway, here are the details. It's RHD and registered. It's in great condition with no dents. White of course. Imported through Kansai.

Mileage is 60k

Mods:
Blitz catback with internal silencer
5Zigen rims, yokohomo tires
Tein coilovers with edfc
Defi jdm guages. (silver face, green backlight)
HUD
Compustar alarm
In-dash dvd (not sure what brand)
System (not sure the details on this)

Everything else is stock, including the 4-pot fronts & 2 pot rears, RA tranny, v4 seats, etc....

Sold!!

Marcel... any chance you can ask if he has the stock springs and struts?

got any pics?

Pictars!!!!!!

IN for pics!!

i think this car has been spotted a few times before on this site.... in fact i remember a thread w/ a few pics of the car which IMO was fuggin sick!!!

Mileage?

Added new info.

Erick, he doesn't have the stock springs. Most of these mods where on the car when he got it.

I only have crappy cellphone pics. I'll see if I can find someone with a good camera to take pics.

Any volunteers?

I think Armin took some pics when he came to Burgermaster.. might wanna bug him?

My pics are at home, and I'm not there. Won't be posting any pics until next week, sorry.

I've seen this car a number of times in person on the road, and it is SUCH an awesome car! Man, I hope this goes to a GOOD home (i.e. someone from here)

cool but way spendy
99rs+full v.9 setup <20K

Yes, but this is RHD. Its a REAL wrx.

Yes, but this is RHD. Its a REAL wrx.

It's not just that...it's a Type RA, complete with STi drivetrain and roof scoop.

IMHO still too much $ for that car...

BTW....
how do you insure a RHD car in the USA?
I'm curious on that one :)

IMHO still too much $ for that car...

BTW....
how do you insure a RHD car in the USA?
I'm curious on that one :)

You probably give them the VIN for a US-legal LHD Impreza of similar year. Then pray you never get hit.

IMHO still too much $ for that car...

BTW....
how do you insure a RHD car in the USA?
I'm curious on that one :)

Work for the Post Office? :p

any way i could get the seats out of this thing???

Jamie since the car is already been checked out for the US then the VIN in the car is used for insurance purposes. The price for this car is very reasonable. The amount of money needed to get it to and pass inspection is a large part of the price.

I think it's worth about that price. To get it here he needed 40% down and had to pay the other 60% when the car arrived. Most people don't have $18k in cash (that's what he originally paid) and you may be able to get financed because the car is here. It also took 3 months to ship.

Mark works with me at the Port of Seattle, and he actually got to see his car come off the ship, and drove the semi-truck his car was on.

Anyway, I'm not sure how registration works, you'll have to call him to find out the details on that. But you can insure it as a custom car or exotic car. If you've got a clean driving record it's not that much more.

any way i could get the seats out of this thing???
He doesn't want to part anything out. Sorry.

The amount of money needed to get it to and pass inspection is a large part of the price.Gee, it may cost money to get it inspected, but I doubt that very little was done to the car. The JDM cars actually have a better side impact that the US models. The JDM engine in my car burns cleaner then the US model engine it replaced. Front and rear impact might be a problem, but that is solved just by bolting on US version front and rear bumpers, which were probably replaced with the original JDM aprts after passing inspection. It is a sellers market for these cars, it all depends on how long he wishes to sit on it until the right buyer comes along. I personally don't like the 4 doors, which is why I built a Type R.

Jamie has a point - if you are asking people to fork over that much for a car, no matter what is (and if it be worth it if it was 100% real (maybe!) but it's been molested), you need to fill in a few people's blanks.....

As for getting it financed that would be doubtful unless it was 100% road legit (doesn't that mean it gets a 2nd US VIN??) - if the VIN does not check out through the usual checks they do, then they won't cover it as they don't have a simple and easy to collect on the asset if something goes wrong

Same for most insurance companies - going to baulk at it when a JDM VIN doesn't work in their systems - most likely would need to find a specialist insurance broker and that tends to be spendy

unless it has a "fake" vin.... and false registration

there is no legitimate way you can legally own a
RHD STi Type RA in the USA as a daily driven automobile

and if the papers / car have been altered

then there is no way it is worth $20k....

*shrug* my $.02 as usual :D

i'm done... carry on... :alien:

Quick question how can he register a car that isn't on the list with the nhtsa? His car isn't one of the approved cars. Also was the epa and all DOT done with the car?

Mike

You can license any car on or off the NHTSA list.

But you don't necessarily have a federal legal vehicle.

The only way to own something off the list is for the car to be 25 years of age. In this case, this car won't be federally legal until the year 2024.

-paK +1

"clif/cliff notes"

get vin,take to insurance & see what happens & wow!

joe r

so a R33 GT-R can be legally imported now? cause 89 to 99 GT-R are on the NHTSA list.

i know that car won't cost$20k coz my friend import it for him less then that...and yes... can import RHD car i mean any....so if you want to get one pm me i will let my friend help!!! bty you can legally own it :D

Not sure how they are doing it but there are like 6 RHD cars here in Boise getting driven around with plates. 3-4 Skylines, a Sylvia, an old school Mini, and even a CRX at one point.

Not sure why it would be illeagal? It would actually be safer for cops who pull you over on the freeway. :p

I heard for a guy the I get JDM parts from that all car are going to be imported complete now, no more front clips from Japan, they will be cut up here. It seems like the import laws regarding these vehicles is getting more relaxed. It seems only right since most, if not all Japanese cars (with the exception of their bumpers) would have no problem passing US safety and emission requirements.

If in doubt, go to the source... http://nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

so a R33 GT-R can be legally imported now? cause 89 to 99 GT-R are on the NHTSA list.


99 = R34 GT-R

i know that car won't cost$20k coz my friend import it for him less then that...and yes... can import RHD car i mean any....so if you want to get one pm me i will let my friend help!!! bty you can legally own it :D

Legal own it is a LOT different from legally driving and insuring it

IMHO still too much $ for that car...

BTW....
how do you insure a RHD car in the USA?
I'm curious on that one :)

I have a RHD car insured, but it was imported 100% legally. I am not sure how this car could legally be imported and registered.

Not sure how they are doing it but there are like 6 RHD cars here in Boise getting driven around with plates. 3-4 Skylines, a Sylvia, an old school Mini, and even a CRX at one point.

Not sure why it would be illeagal? It would actually be safer for cops who pull you over on the freeway. :p


Don't forget the Pulsar GT-R

my buddies bought a cut in half pulsar gt-r sunny and welded it back together. strictly for racing though. the car is awesome.

Legal own it is a LOT different from legally driving and insuring it
i drove my friend white skyline(gts33) it park at my house and i had no problem there a WSP lived next to me and never had any question?

i drove my friend white skyline(gts33) it park at my house and i had no problem there a WSP lived next to me and never had any question?

A) most WSP wouldn't know if a car was legal if it bit them. That is also not proof of legality just because they didn't pull it over.

b) that's a Skyline, which is already well documented as being legal after specified mods and there is a lot of them around as a result

c) that's not this RA being mentioned.

I am not alone in not having heard of anyone getting a RHD RA into the US and making it road legal.......

If that RA is being driven around I very much suspect it is doing so illegally

A) most WSP wouldn't know if a car was legal if it bit them. That is also not proof of legality just because they didn't pull it over.

b) that's a Skyline, which is already well documented as being legal after specified mods and there is a lot of them around as a result

c) that's not this RA being mentioned.

I am not alone in not having heard of anyone getting a RHD RA into the US and making it road legal.......

If that RA is being driven around I very much suspect it is doing so illegally
anyways $$$$ can do whatever you want!!!!!!!!!!!

anyways $$$$ can do whatever you want!!!!!!!!!!!

When it comes to getting cars road legal here that is just not the case.

Yes it takes funds but I still have not seen a post about this car stating without hinting or evasion that it is 100% road legal

I think until we get the owner of the car on the board to talk with, we will never know the legality of this vehicle. Now if I were going to get into performance rallying, and this was already built as a JDM rally car, I might be willing to pay that kind of money. But I still think even the performance rally cars need to be street legal in the USA.

20k!!! thats what I paid for my stock WRX but that was 3 years ago. I would pick this up and put everything into another shell if I couldn't legalize it RA parts are the best

When it comes to getting cars road legal here that is just not the case.

Yes it takes funds but I still have not seen a post about this car stating without hinting or evasion that it is 100% road legal
If you're interested in it then call him and get the details. I posted his phone number.

If you're interested in it then call him and get the details. I posted his phone number.
So why doesn't he join us here on the board?

He doesn't have a computer. He works alot, so can't really justify buying one.

The rule is......

Is it under 25 year old - Yes (so therefore not a collector car)

Then

LIST OF NONCONFORMING VEHICLES CAPABLE OF BEING MODIFIED BY A REGISTERED IMPORTER

http://nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG081905.html


2 things

1) There is NO Subarus on that list

2) I doubt he is a registered importer or worked with one. If he can't afford a PC then I doubt he has the resources to have done this legally

There is 0% chance this car is road legal

The only people who could do this are Subaru themselves or someone willing to do the crash testing etc that I believe got done to allow GTR's in (and that took years - that company in LA tried for years and ripped a lot of people off in the process)

The appropriate quote is

One basis for determining a motor vehicle eligible for importation is that it 1) is substantially similar to a motor vehicle of the same model year that was manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer as complying with all applicable FMVSS and 2) is capable of being readily altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS. See 49 U.S.C. § 30141(a)(1)(A). Where there is no substantially similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle of the same model year, a vehicle can only be determined eligible for importation if its safety features comply with or are capable of being altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS based on destructive test information or other evidence NHTSA decides is adequate. See 49 U.S.C. § 30141(a)(1)(B).

Vehicles that have been determined eligible for importation are assigned a vehicle eligibility number. All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles except where right-hand drive (RHD) is identified after the model. While there is no specific restriction on importing a right-hand drive vehicle, these may not be imported under eligibility decisions based on the existence of substantially similar U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicles. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of right-hand drive vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, we will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises us that the right-hand drive vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in dynamic crash tests. Absent such a showing, the RI would have to demonstrate (through a petition) that the vehicle, when modified, would comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, including those for which dynamic crash testing is prescribed.

Each vehicle on the following list is followed by a vehicle eligibility number. The importer of a vehicle admissible under any eligibility decision must write that number on the Form HS-7 accompanying entry to indicate that the vehicle is eligible for importation.


Not that I am 100% sure it wasn't marketing exucses but one of the stated reasons we never got the old WRX in the US was that the old design did not leave enough space between the turbo and other assemblies to pass US crash requirements

Who said he can't afford a PC? I said he can't justify buying one. He paid $18K for this car IN CASH from Kansai. I know exactly what he makes because I make the same.

Kansai has imported alot of cars. Maybe you should ask them how they were able to register the car.

Jesus stop the pissing war. The point of this thread is to inform people there is a RA for sale. That is it! If you want to know how he registered the car in WA (if he did at all) then give him a call. The rule is......

Is it under 25 year old - Yes (so therefore not a collector car)

Then

LIST OF NONCONFORMING VEHICLES CAPABLE OF BEING MODIFIED BY A REGISTERED IMPORTER

http://nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG081905.html


2 things

1) There is NO Subarus on that list

2) I doubt he is a registered importer or worked with one. If he can't afford a PC then I doubt he has the resources to have done this legally

There is 0% chance this car is road legal

The only people who could do this are Subaru themselves or someone willing to do the crash testing etc that I believe got done to allow GTR's in (and that took years - that company in LA tried for years and ripped a lot of people off in the process)

The appropriate quote is

One basis for determining a motor vehicle eligible for importation is that it 1) is substantially similar to a motor vehicle of the same model year that was manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer as complying with all applicable FMVSS and 2) is capable of being readily altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS. See 49 U.S.C. § 30141(a)(1)(A). Where there is no substantially similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle of the same model year, a vehicle can only be determined eligible for importation if its safety features comply with or are capable of being altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS based on destructive test information or other evidence NHTSA decides is adequate. See 49 U.S.C. § 30141(a)(1)(B).

Vehicles that have been determined eligible for importation are assigned a vehicle eligibility number. All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles except where right-hand drive (RHD) is identified after the model. While there is no specific restriction on importing a right-hand drive vehicle, these may not be imported under eligibility decisions based on the existence of substantially similar U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicles. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of right-hand drive vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, we will consider the vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises us that the right-hand drive vehicle would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in dynamic crash tests. Absent such a showing, the RI would have to demonstrate (through a petition) that the vehicle, when modified, would comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, including those for which dynamic crash testing is prescribed.

Each vehicle on the following list is followed by a vehicle eligibility number. The importer of a vehicle admissible under any eligibility decision must write that number on the Form HS-7 accompanying entry to indicate that the vehicle is eligible for importation.


Not that I am 100% sure it wasn't marketing exucses but one of the stated reasons we never got the old WRX in the US was that the old design did not leave enough space between the turbo and other assemblies to pass US crash requirements

Who said he can't afford a PC? I said he can't justify buying one.

My apologies about misreading that but that still is a little strange


But the fact remains that I don't believe this car is road legal and was imported as parts or racing only.

If they are using them on the road I suspect it's only the limited mileage waivers and not for full road use.

Kansai is a small shop down in the dock areas and not at all a large operator. I suspect they are just someone who has contacts, possibly in the real Kansai which is an area of Japan

Jesus stop the pissing war. The point of this thread is to inform people there is a RA for sale. That is it! If you want to know how he registered the car in WA (if he did at all) then give him a call.

No problem - I'm out

Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware

So... Are there any pictures of this thing?

So... Are there any pictures of this thing?
That's all I'm waiting for....who in their right mind posts a for sale on the internet without pictures?!?! :)

I have some pictures.

http://homepage.mac.com/supermarkus/PhotoAlbum28.html

now where's my F'N cookie!:mad:

The pictures you posted aren't a '99 JDM STi Type RA
According to the vin plate you posted that car is:

09/97 WRX type RA STi Version 4 GC8E4DD

According to:
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/ken.ross/sti/wrx.html

So is the car for sale a Ver5 (that's 1999 right?) or is it a Ver4?

Just curious...

-Tim

thats expensive for a V4 TypeRA...

And whats with the JDM Tyte craze? its just from japan!!

And with 20gs you can get a quicker 2.5rs

But good luck on the sale

yeah whoa ..

98 maybe but not 99 very differnt cars

v.4 RA clips are going ~4k
i would say that it is only worth salvage price so maybe 6 if it was in exelcent shape

with that wing and bumper, its v.4 yes?

Thanks Markus! I didn't know you were at W1 that day, I woulda said hi after dropping Mark off that day.

Anyway, I guess it's either a 97 or 98. Like I said earlier, it's not my car so I don't know alot of the specifics.

You're more than welcome to make him an offer, but he's not in any hurry to sell.

If its a 97 did it have an interior swap? Or did JDM cars get that dash a year before us?

jdm my97= usdm my98 - well sorta any way

The year codes, the fourth character GC8XYYY are as follows, A=93. B=94, C=95 & 96, D=97, E=98, F=99, so since the car in the pictures is a GC8E4DD, that would make it a 98. Very strange that it would have a version 4 bumper, MY 97 were the last ones with that style bumper. Also the STi ovals are placed too high on the fenders and there is no 'Type RA' decal under the right taillight, but a repaint job could explain those items.

Maybe it was something Kansai did to get it registered. The only thing Mark added to the car was the rims/tires, hud, alarm, and dvd head unit.

I just got off the phone with Mark. He doensn't know what's up with bumper. He's gonna talk to the guys at Kansai to find out what's up. They sold it to him as a 1999, but the chasis code shows it's a 1998.

He wasn't sure about the registration, but he's gonna see what Kansai did with that too.

As far as insurance, he has it insured through Geico as a gray market car. He said there was no problem insuring it and he told his agent exactly what the car was.

When I listed 9/97 I think it meant it was production date, which would make it a 1998... just to clarify

ver 4 bumper is not totally correct it is a ver 1-4 bumper
grill/headlights/hood would make it 3-4
engine (ej20k) would make it a 3 or 4 (a late 99 would have a ej207/ver 5)

its a gc8 rev d version 4 sti RA 97/98

Given enough pieces don't match, a good idea would be to have a look at the engine and transmission stampings to make sure they are what they are supposed to be.......

This is looking a lot like a bitza (bits of this bits of that)

Also didn't the 98 RA get the new wing?

Bumper, RA wheels (same as 98 RS), Steering wheel etc all of which go to making an RA worth something are missing

every thing matches except the calling it a 99
remember a STI is hand-built-when-ordered car it can have lots or no options

every thing matches except the calling it a 99

remember a STI is hand-built-when-ordered car it can have lots or no options

No - that's just not true - Wheels, the bumper, steering wheel etc were NOT options on the RA - Many of those items were things that HAD to be there like they are today so they could be used on the rally car - Things like AC, power windows etc were options for those who were not going to rally with them but most of the RA's were intended for use as Group A/N cars and as such had a tightly controlled set of base parts - Remember this was when you needed to do the 5000/500 thing for WRC.

That bumper (2 strakes not 1) and that wing (WRX not Sti which got the rally wing in '98) do not match what the VIN says it should have. Other clues are the color coded mirrors yet the door handles are not (MY97 on they are painted on the JDM's)


http://www.j-garage.com/subaru/impreza/gc8/sti.htm has a good summary


Anyway you cut it - a lot has been changed on this car and whilst it might be an RA, it does not look to be in good condition nor could you claim it's concours enough to be have lots of extra value as an RA......

Any real subaru euthusiats would beleive this car is worth the money. If I didn't have my car, I would find a way to buy this, in a heartbeat. NO front'n involved, just the real deal. GOOD LUCK

Who said he can't afford a PC? I said he can't justify buying one. He paid $18K for this car IN CASH from Kansai. I know exactly what he makes because I make the same.

Kansai has imported alot of cars. Maybe you should ask them how they were able to register the car.
i agree... coz is my best friend shop :D ask kevin to help you! if you guy want to find out should go get one :banana: :disco: @!!!!!!!!!! :banana: go kansai..................danny ;)

ver 4 bumper is not totally correct it is a ver 1-4 bumper
grill/headlights/hood would make it 3-4
engine (ej20k) would make it a 3 or 4 (a late 99 would have a ej207/ver 5)

its a gc8 rev d version 4 sti RA 97/98
I have a Ver III, and it has a EJ20G in it, the EJ20K didn't come along until 97, mine is a 96.

every thing matches except the calling it a 99
remember a STI is hand-built-when-ordered car it can have lots or no optionsPrior to 95 that is a true statement, from 95 on they are production cars, they just get special parts.

ok A its fishy

moving on
That bumper (2 strakes not 1) and that wing (WRX not Sti which got the rally wing in '98)

it got the bumper you speak of as a version 5 and the wing
http://www.ravensblade.com/car/techdocs/history/history.html (which is a copy of a page that used to be on www.sti.co.jp)

I have a Ver III, and it has a EJ20G in it, the EJ20K didn't come along until 97, mine is a 96.
once again the model years are subject to interpetation. what letter revision is it ?
a ver 3 (gc8D) with a G in it would be news to me .. look here http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html

Prior to 95 that is a true statement, from 95 on they are production cars, they just get special parts.

Werent the RA's still hand built?

So I'm all confused. What's not matching up on the car as far as parts? (besides the wing, people swap wings all the time)

the wing/bumper are correct ... for a version 4
steering wheel is an aftermarket, as are the wheels...

honestly i don't know what the confusion is its a v.4 RA

Werent the RA's still hand built?Well that depends, there were actually two versions of RAs, one just just a WRX Type RA, and the other was a WRX STI Type RA. But I'm pretty sure that after 95, none of the STi's were hand built (with the exception of the 22B). By 95 Subaru had it's production system working so that it could handle multiple model coming down the assembly line. The special parts were mated up to the cars on the normal production line. I do believe that the STi's had some special attention given to them after they rolled off the line though.

the wing/bumper are correct ... for a version 4
steering wheel is an aftermarket, as are the wheels...

honestly i don't know what the confusion is its a v.4 RAIt is a 98 (E code) car, not a 97 (D code), therefore the bumper and the wing are wrong. The fender STi badges are in the wrong location and there is no 'Type RA' decal under the right taillight. The bumper changed in 98 (9/97) and so did the wing. What is really strange is that the 98 Type R is called a Ver V and the 99 Type R is known as a Ver VI. If the Type RA's followed this, then the 98 would be a Ver V. This is even more confused by the many web sites out there that contradict each other, and Subaru doesn't have any information on these cars on any of their English web sites.

the wing/bumper are correct ... for a version 4
steering wheel is an aftermarket, as are the wheels...

honestly i don't know what the confusion is its a v.4 RA

Jaxx, as 96WRX pointed out like I did, it's not a V4 if we are to believe the VIN - it has a MY98 or later dash and bonnet but the wing and bumper are MY97 or older items.....

Now is it a case of a later VIN tag put on another car or incorrectly replaced parts (which given the parts makes little sense to use the wrong ones)


As I mentioned before, someone needs to pull the engine and transmission part/serial numbers and check they match what they should be.

Given the bumper, wing, wheels, suspension etc etc were all changed, who knows what else.......

So which website has a correct picture? The v4 on Ravensblade looks just like Marks car, with the wing, bumper, and even the unpainted doorhandles.

(btw, he changed the rims and still has the stockers)

So which website has a correct picture? The v4 on Ravensblade looks just like Marks car, with the wing, bumper, and even the unpainted doorhandles.

(btw, he changed the rims and still has the stockers)

First question would be what does the build date plate say and does it back up the VIN......

On the bumper there is zero doubt - they were items including the hood (with the hex rather than slot vents) that were changed in September 1997 and later built WRX's (eg the AUDM MY98 I got in Oct 97 had those on).

On the wing I am not as 100% sure but I believe the RA's had a different wing in that version to mark the difference with the STi.

That's the reason for the break in the "what WRX" list - 09/97 and later....They were the last chance at a FIA version update before the 22B was released in '98 for the '99 season

These were the RA's that came out with the "NEW" WRX look - new bonnet/bumper/interior etc to match what was going out in the rest of the world as MY98's, including the common dash with the Forrester.

The MY98 STi wing and brakes was was was fitted to the MY99 WRX's as a upgrade when the STi's went to a big wing (based on what was on the 22B) and Brembo's in MY99.

Maybe it was something Kansai did to get it registered. The only thing Mark added to the car was the rims/tires, hud, alarm, and dvd head unit.

Where did Mark get the wheels from and how much did he pay? Thanks!

Alfred

as 96WRX pointed out like I did, it's not a V4 if we are to believe the VIN -

:confused: :huh:
yes it is its applied model code GC8E4DD option code XEC is a "WRX type RA STi Version 4 V-Limited"
produced 9/97-9/98
its a v-limited so it has AC
thus the ver 1-4 bumper
thus the 98 style dash
thus the "coupe" wing

These were the RA's that came out with the "NEW" WRX look - new bonnet/bumper/interior

the hood/headlights changed with the ver 3 -9/96
engine change to ej20k -9/96
interior (forester dash) ver 4 -9/97
new bumper with ver 5 as of -9/98
big rear wing with ver 5 as of -9/98


Brembo's in MY99...

uh no no brembos until new gen/44s/bugeye
model years don't really help differentiate .. a 96 could be a ver 2 or a ver 3 if you look at impreza magazine they don't use model years they use letter codes

Jaxx, like I said, there is a lot of mis-information out there on the web, and Subaru has no site that explains these cars. It does seems strange to me (since I am more familar with Type R's) that a 97 Type R (not RA) is a Ver IV, the 98 a Ver V and the 99 a Ver VI, so why wouldn't the Type RA's follow the same? I think I have visited most of the web sites that post information about these cars, I don't think that I have found any two that match.

I'm not editing that web page any more! :furious:

:lol:

Well that depends, there were actually two versions of RAs, one just just a WRX Type RA, and the other was a WRX STI Type RA. But I'm pretty sure that after 95, none of the STi's were hand built (with the exception of the 22B). By 95 Subaru had it's production system working so that it could handle multiple model coming down the assembly line. The special parts were mated up to the cars on the normal production line. I do believe that the STi's had some special attention given to them after they rolled off the line though.

You are correct matey.

Following the success of the first STi Type RA Subaru moved STi production to the Yajima plant. Only the engines were hand built, however.

^^Heh, so your on NABISCO as well! :lol:

OK, so we have figured out it could be a 98 RA. As someone who works for the agency that all of these cars has to go through BEFORE being allowed on the road, I am going to do a plate check and see how this one is registered/ VIN check. As Subie Gal and a few others pointed out, I was ready to declare it a not legal road car, because it does not pass the NHTSA/DOT restrictions. The only other way to get the car legal in the US was not mentioned, so I am guessing it was not brought in this way. Either way, I will have a report in a few days on what the down-low is. As for insuring it, yes, there are a few companies that will insure the car, even being RHD, but it is listed in a different way, and if it is hit, you will not be able to fix it, only get money for it. Now, as for value- I don't think it is worth 20K, but it is worth more than a swapped RS- IF IT IS LEGAL. Just my .02 cents

OK, This car has been registered as a 97 Impreza in Washington. Somehow it slipped through the federal cracks and has been registered and titled without going through all the Federal BS. It has a short VIN ( the JDM build numbers) on all the licensing. I am willing to bet if you keep it in Washington, you will never have a problem with any paperwork. But, if you take it out of state, you may be asked for all of the federal paperwork that I am willing to bet is missing.

Thanks for looking that up.

OK, This car has been registered as a 97 Impreza in Washington. Somehow it slipped through the federal cracks and has been registered and titled without going through all the Federal BS. It has a short VIN ( the JDM build numbers) on all the licensing. I am willing to bet if you keep it in Washington, you will never have a problem with any paperwork. But, if you take it out of state, you may be asked for all of the federal paperwork that I am willing to bet is missing.

I doubt it "slipped" through the cracks - I am betting someone knew full well they were not handing over the real VIN when the paperwork was done and I am surprised it did not get flagged as the VIN are a standard format for just that reason. I am surprised WA DOT doesn't require a full VIN on their systems

A common practice is getting the VIN off a wreck of the same year/shell - something very illegal as well. Also just because it's "registered" in WA does not bless it and make it legal to drive on the road.

If you had an accident, you could very well be out on a limb as the insurance company would be able to deny coverage bcaused it's not federally road registerable.

I also doubt an insurance company would accept the build code as a VIN!!!

Ok, as someone with EXPERIENCE in vehicle importation/licensing and knowledge of insurance practices, let me again state what I think happened:

There are "grey market" cars all over the US. Returning high ranking diplomats and very high ranking Military personnel sometimes have the priviledge of bringing back cars from their overseas assignments. To license and register these cars, insurance companies and States have ways of putting these cars in their systems. NO- they do not have a full 17 digit VIN, but these cars are legal and insured driving the roads all over the US.

I say this vehicle slipped the cracks because I HAVE FIRST HAND seen cars imported from Canada not pass through Customs and not have the NHTSA/DOT paperwork get licensed in a state. The people at the STATE-LEVEL DOT are the ones that are supposed to double check if a vehicle has all the proper paperwork when it is licensed. As some states only require a bill of sale to get in the system to get registered ( and still not have a 17 digit VIN), if they are not smart enough to check on the lack of a 17 digit VIN, it will get registered.

Insurance companies will insure the car 17 digit VIN or not. All this does is make it harder to determine value and find parts to fix it ( for the insurance company).

As for "swapping" the VIN from another car, yes, that may happen, but this SPECIFIC vehicle has a short VIN which most likely came from the build plate as it has less than 10 digits.

How do I know all of this: I WORK for US Customs, I DO vehicle importations, I KNOW the laws for all of this. And my GF WORKS for an insurance company- so I know what happens with Grey market cars.

I am not just making general conclusions. The licensing information was retrieved from the WA Licensing computer.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Sorry to rant, but I wanted to post the FACTS! Free bump for the sale!

Sorry to rant, but I wanted to post the FACTS! Free bump for the sale!

Then sorry to be blunt but get the facts right....

There is a big difference between a "Grey" market car and this RA.

A Grey market car is a car that legal for use in a particular country but is not imported by the authorised importer of that car.

A classic case is the many JDM 22B's that made it to the UK. They are legal to drive once you deal with the speedo issues et al but they have no warranty support from Subaru UK because they did not sell them and therefore did not get the warranty reserve portion of the sale price that goes towards that.

But the model was manufacturer tested and approved so they are ok to import. In the case of the 22B, that never happened here so they aren't around (and no one really in the know has acknowledged the process about that one in CO) The one @ SOA has never been road legal.

There is many other examples M3's etc etc etc but the basic point is a US road legal car already sold here and/or being on the NHTSA excempt list but brought in privately rather than factory sales and distribution channels.

This RA is not a "Grey" market car because it is currently not and can't be ever be made "US road legal" in the US until it is submitted to the well document process of getting it added to the excemption list, a process that requires either SOA's involvement or providing examples to crash test.

Neither of which has happend nor ever likely to happen.

By the law & regs you are quoting, this car would only be legal for use on WA roads with a limit use permit and certainly not as a daily driver.

Having the papers does not mean squat when they are effectively fraudulent since this car should never have been allowed imported in the first place since it is on that list and having them does not change the legal status of the car.

Working for Customs, you should know that NHTSA process and those regs well. Show me where on that list this car appears......

And I stand by saying, you get involved in an accident, you could well find yourself without insurance coverage - they will take any and all opportunities to not have to cover you and the fact the car is not US legal would allow them just that unless you disclose that fact before hand.

I don't have anything to add regarding the legality of the car, but I did have an encounter with it.

I pulled up next to it at a stoplight. I gave him the thumbs up, he did the same, and immidiately pointed to the car mouthed "You want it?". I replied in kind with "I have no money..."

He proceeded to blast away at the green and fate had it so that we ended up stopping together at the next 3 or 4 stoplights..

Sum it up.. The car is fast, it has a Sweet Boxer sound (rumble, rumble, rumble) and I want a swap NOW!

Then sorry to be blunt but get the facts right....

There is a big difference between a "Grey" market car and this RA.

It seems you did not read all of my posts because I made this clear already. This car was not brought in through standard procedures .

A Grey market car is a car that legal for use in a particular country but is not imported by the authorised importer of that car. Sorry but that made no sense. Every car is legal somewhere, and there are many definitions of "authorized importer". Take for instance Motorex. They are not affiliated with Nissan, but they are one of the few "authorized importers" of Nissan Skylines.

And you can't compare importing and licensing vehicles from one country to another because there are different rules that apply.


This RA is not a "Grey" market car because it is currently not and can't be ever be made "US road legal" in the US until it is submitted to the well document process of getting it added to the excemption list, a process that requires either SOA's involvement or providing examples to crash test. Again, I already stated this car has not gone through any of the processes. But a car can be made road legal without going through the exemption list. ( This specific RA has not done that- so back to my previous point)


By the law & regs you are quoting, this car would only be legal for use on WA roads with a limit use permit and certainly not as a daily driver.

According to Washington Dept of Licensing, this RA is licensed and registered in the State of WA. THIS IS A FACT - I said nothing about a limited use permit nor anything about a daily driver. But I would suggest you read up the RCWs on all of that.

Having the papers does not mean squat when they are effectively fraudulent since this car should never have been allowed imported in the first place since it is on that list and having them does not change the legal status of the car.

You are partially right. According to federal regs, the car is illegal according to NHTSA and DOT laws. But it SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS and WADOT has it in their computers as a licensed and registered car making it LEGAL to drive in the state of WA. It complied with state laws but not federal ones. Thus my statement that if they ever tried to take it out of state there most likely would be issues

Working for Customs, you should know that NHTSA process and those regs well. Show me where on that list this car appears......
I NEVER said it was on the list NOR did I say it was here completely legitimately. Again, you did not read my posts.

And I stand by saying, you get involved in an accident, you could well find yourself without insurance coverage - they will take any and all opportunities to not have to cover you and the fact the car is not US legal would allow them just that unless you disclose that fact before hand.

If the policy is written for that car, and they have done NOTHING to violate the policy, then the insurance company has NO REASON to deny their claim. Yes, after the fact if they find out there were some questions that should have been raised, they may not issue another policy, but insurance companies are LEGALLY BOUND to honor the policy as it was written.

I hope everyone will take the time and read all of this. I am done with this discussion. Good luck on the sale.

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