1996 Subaru Impreza Series McRae

The model available here is a mid-run car as it’s number 112, as displayed proudly by the plaque inside the car – and also on the replacement badges on the exterior. It’s not been a complete garage queen and has been well enjoyed, having covered around 174,000 miles. The car comes with plenty of paperwork which will come with the car, along with the V5C, of course, and two keys.

The current vendor has owned the car for 18 months with a view to bring the car back to as original condition as possible. The car has been cherished and is well known in the Series McRae Owner’s Club, as the stickers would indicate. Even though this example has racked up a fair few thousand miles, it’s covered just 3,000 in the last TEN years.

As you will be able to see from the paperwork, plenty of money has been spent on this car and there are plenty of stamps in the service book, as well as the original owner’s manual. The current vendor has owned a number of Imprezas but proudly says this is the best he’s driven and believes it will only go up in value.

The Series McRae was only available in Rally Blue Mica with Gold 16” Speedline alloys, making it easier to make apart from your average ‘Scooby’. There is some light damage here and there, but it’s still in good condition especially when you consider the age and the mileage. Areas of damage to note include the front bumper, the offside rear bumper and the offside rear door. The alloys are in superb condition and are wrapped with Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres.

Although the bodywork does have a few imperfections, the panels look to be straight and true, plus the glassware looks to be in superb condition. As well as the eye-catching Speedline alloys, the Series McRae is also able to boast cheeky bonnet scoop at the front plus a chunky spoiler at the rear, letting you know this rally-bred beast means business.

You can almost smell the 90s – whatever that may smell like – when you look at the interior and it’s very ‘of its time’. That’s not a bad thing, as in this day and age an old school cabin is somewhat refreshingly simple. With it being a Japanese designed car, it does offer a sea of black hard plastics, but the funky design on the upholstery helps to gives character to the inside.

Considering the age and the mileage the seats are good condition, but there is a small knick on the front passenger seat and there is a tear that will need to be addressed on the top of the rear seats. There’s also some light scratching to the sides of the centre console and light damage to the driver’s door card.

Those niggles aside, the interior is mostly in very good condition with very little wear on the switchgear and the steering wheel. The gearknob is also free of scuffs and tears, and only features age-related patina. The car also comes with the correct Prodrive floor mats, which are in good condition and of course, build number is immortalised by the plaque on the centre console.

Powering the Series McRae is a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine offering 214bhp along with 290Nm, and of course, that power is fed to all four wheels. The engine has been looked after and there are plenty of service stamps to back that up, with an oil and filter change being carried out whilst the current vendor has owned the car. He has also had the silicone hoses replaced as well as having the airbag replaced.

There is some general age-related corrosion to the underside of the car, but let’s face it, Japanese cars in the 90s weren’t exactly known for their lack of rust. Despite this, the rust to the underside looks to be far from terminal and is in keeping with the age of the car.

Since being produced in 1996 the car has covered around 174,000 miles and has been enjoyed by 10 owners plus the vendor. Throughout its lifetime the car has seen many services and has had plenty of replacement parts, too many to list here. The car is well known in the Series McRae Owner’s Club so the new owner is bound to have fellow Series McRae owners to seek advice from.

Whilst the current owner has had it he has replaced the silicone hoses, the airbag as well as had a service carried out, so it’s ready to go for the next owner. Given the fact the last MOT was a clean pass, this example is fit to be enjoyed right away, but it can also be viewed as a light project as it does need some cosmetic work both inside and out.

This is a great example, especially when you consider the age and mileage, and as you can see this is a car that has been owned by an enthusiast. It’s also one of few Imprezas that hasn’t been mucked about with, and is an unmolested model. These models will not come up very often, and these will always been sought after, so now is a great opportunity to buy a slice of Colin McRae’s and Subaru’s legacy.

With an estimate between £15-000-£20,000, this could prove to be a shrewd investment as these cars get rarer and rarer, and harder to come by.

Viewing is always encouraged.

This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.