How to tell if its a limited edition?

[Guest]

Hi all, we are looking at a '97 Impreza STI with 100k on it, its an RA model, blue, gold wheels, massive brakes, roof scoop etc

The owner seems to think its a limited edition is there any way to tell if it is? And also what version it is ? (sorry new to Subarus)

Anything else to look for particauly on these cars? It seems standard mostly

Cheers

Mike

[ReubenH]

Got the rego number for us?

97 will either be a Version 3 or 4 btw, very nice versions.

[Guest]

Cheers for the fast reply, http://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=fby203 Yeah its a very nice looking car 8)

[Guest]

Ok, so went and had a look at the car

Noticed it has electric windows and no driver controled center diff knob

Is it still a "limited edition" and still an RA model? Cheers

[newsuba]

The rego number tells you almost nothing.

What you need is the Applied Model Number, then reference it against databases like...

http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html

RA's are limited in the sense that fewer were made than regular STi's but the real limited editions usually have a numbered plaque inside.

[Guest]

Ok, is this applied model number part of or near the chassis number?

Couldnt see any plaques inside it tho

[QRAF]

yeah model code should be by the front left strut on a plate should start with GC8

[Guest boostin]

And not GC8-123456, but GC8E4DD or similar.

[Guest]

Ok so i went for another look and managed to peak through the bonnet and see the applied model number and saw "GC8D4ED"

It has electric windows, a/c, aeriel beside boot but still has the roof scoop

Not an RA and not limited edition?

[Guest]

Electric windows were an option for RAs

[Guest]

According to that website listed above its not an RA but is a genuine STI, altho still not sure of it being a limited edition without the option code

[Swindog]

Limiteds normally are numbered on a plate in the interior. Normally.

You can get RAs that arent stis as well which it maybe.

[BC5RA]

There won't be many of them...

[Guest]

My code is GC8G4DD its a limited model sti ra and has wind up windows.......oh and look at that its for sale.

[funkytown]

 sharktale said:

My code is GC8G4DD its a limited model sti ra and has wind up windows.......oh and look at that its for sale.

yours is a 6 tho.. not a 4

[Swindog]

I used to have an RA non sti. Was avery cool car. No vents, windy windows no abs but had aircon, big brakes etc. Very nice.

[Guest]

Ok so to comfirm it is a limited edition 1997 wrx sti but not ra

[ben-jamminn]

Pretty sure the v limited's have the roof scoop, but no dccd, or other RA goodies

[GC8E2DD]

Don't Limited models also have wr blue plastic fascia surrounds and centre console inserts?

[ben-jamminn]

on the v5's and 6's as far as i know.

[Guest]

I check its code against that website and with the option code being 62c its a limited edition, dont think it had the blue surrounds tho

Is there any common problems with these model vehicles?

[ben-jamminn]

not really any different to a normal wrx as far as issues

[wrxguy]

An Idea for you to have a looksee at is, the RA has been lightened and stuff like the head liner is liteweight and not that awesome with the sound deadning. A colleague of mine involved with Rally has a 98/99 RA & it sounds a little tinnier when you are inside it because they dont have all the sound absorbing materials like a normal road car.

Have a looksee on the console in front of the gear stick for the ltd ed number plate, or ... my 97 rex is a LTD Ed, on the boot lid the number is in a rectangle badge below a round one with "World Rally Manufacturers Championship" on it. I guess you cant exactly rely on that cos anyone could pick up a boot with it on there.

Obvious ones to have a looksee at are cambelt, oil leaks under the motor( when I got mine I had to replace rocker cover gaskets). Power steer pump is better to get rebuilt I found because there wasnt much difference between the wreckers & rebuild/overhaul (cost $250) atleast with a rebuild you get the guarantee & wreckers wont do that.

Unless you like paying thru the butt you dont have to go genuine subie for parts. eg, BNT only had 1 cam plug left which I bought for $3.50. Repco were out. Had to goto Subie dealers, 3 more cam plugs cost 40 something buks!

Its hard to find a earlier model wrx that hasnt been someones thrash mobile, an AA chek is well worth the $. So whatever you buy just keep up the maintenance & you'll have a car thats fun to drive and wont let you down.

[nzkaosnz]

never pay any more for a limited model, they were never more peformance enhanced...

The V-ltd stands for victory limited (same as the "555" edition, and the plain "Ltd" ones). To celebrate winning WRC that respective year, they released a limited run (usually 555) of 'rally car look alikes' (so hence the flat blue, the roof scoop, and some a blue interior - i.e just the looking stuff, not the functional stuff (e.g. DCCD), and a plate with the number, usually on the boot.

They had the normal wrx/sti versions, but they are still just a wrx/sti, with a roof scoop. So normal sound deadening, normal running gear.

Ra's on the other hand are the better ones.

But hell. you get a roof scoop with an RA/VLtd. let me put that another way... ROOF SCOOP.

You know that half the people here would give one of the precious twins up (probably the left one) for the roof scoop.

[GC8E2DD]

 nzkaosnz said:

let me put that another way... ROOF SCOOP.