Subaru Impreza WRX STI GC8
Import a Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GC8) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1994–2000
- Engine
- EJ20 2.0 L turbo flat-four, all-wheel drive
About the GC8
The first WRX STi arrived in January 1994 with 250 PS; from Version III in September 1996 the EJ20 turbo flat-four made 280 PS. Versions IV, V and VI followed each September from 1997 to 1999, and the GDB replaced the car in October 2000.
This is the McRae-era WRC Impreza. The 22B-STi, announced on 16 March 1998 with a 2,212 cc EJ22 and a planned 400 cars for Japan, trades in a different price range from any other GC8.
This is the Impreza of Subaru’s best WRC years. The team won the manufacturers’ championship in 1995, 1996 and 1997, and Colin McRae took the 1995 drivers’ title by winning the final round, the RAC Rally in Britain. The road STi kept the light shell: a Version V sedan weighs 1,270 kg.
- Power
- 280 PS at 6,500 rpm (Version V)
- Torque
- 36.0 kgm (353 Nm) at 4,000 rpm
- Weight
- 1,270 kg (Version V sedan)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drive
- Full-time all-wheel drive
- Model code
- GF-GC8 (Version V)
Can a GC8 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on a GC8
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Engine
Do a compression test for piston slap, cracked rings, rod and head-gasket failure.
Leaks
Check the cam covers for oil leaks.
Rust
Check the wheel arches, rear suspension towers, sills and around the rear screen.
Chassis and gearbox
Confirm the chassis legs are straight, and check the five-speed does not jump out of fifth.
Running
Hesitation often comes from the air-flow meter. The timing belt is due within 100,000 km.
What we check on every GC8
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What a GC8 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 22B-STi, CLASSIC.com market value West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Sep 2026 | about US$206,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Sep 2026 |
| 22B-STi, 5,000 miles, Gooding Christie’s auction sale West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Mar 2026 | US$329,500 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Mar 2026 |
| 22B-STi, 24,108 miles, Collecting Cars auction sale The Classic Valuer, Aug 2025 | £194,201 | The Classic Valuer , Aug 2025 |
| GC8 family (all WRX, not STi-specific), JDMBuySell median of seller-reported sales (19 cars) JDMBuySell, Dec 2025–Sep 2026 | US$17,500 | JDMBuySell , Dec 2025–Sep 2026 |
| Impreza STi built January 1994–September 2000 (GC8), Carsensor average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥3.25 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
GC8 buyer questions
Is every GC8 STi eligible?
Yes. The STi was built from January 1994 to September 2000, so every car is more than 25 years old and can be imported into both the US and Canada. A 22B or S201 still needs full provenance checks.
Which Version should I look for?
From Version III in September 1996 the EJ20 made 280 PS. Versions IV to VI are the most developed, and the Version V sedan weighs 1,270 kg. Earlier 250 PS cars cost less but are rarer in good condition.
What does the engine usually need?
A compression or leak-down test comes first, because ringland, rod and head-gasket damage are common on tuned EJ20s. Budget for a timing belt within 100,000 km and expect to source JDM engine parts from Japan or specialists.
Want a GC8?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.