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Thanks to the passing of the Import Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act in 1988—a law that restricts cars not originally available in the US from being imported until they reach the ripe old age of 25—we’re perpetually waiting two and a half decades to drive forbidden fruit on our home soil. But that just means each year that passes is like a new entry in an automotive advent calendar, opening the doors to new treats as time passes—treats like this first-generation Subaru WRX.
Right now, over on Japanese Classics, there’s a mint condition 1993 Subaru WRX GC8 for sale—and at just $12,995, it’s wildly affordable. It does show 112,000 miles on the odometer, but seeing as how the WRX is a cult favorite—and America didn’t get the WRX until a decade later—this first generation example is poised to be a serious collector car.
Inside, the cloth racing seats look barely used, with hardly any wear and tear. The contrasting accents on the seats match the Cardinal Red exterior, and brighten up the dark interior with the sort of ’90s-chic fashion many brands are clamoring to replicate these days. The rest of the interior and dash are in surprisingly good shape as well, with no apparent cracks or damage—although the steering wheel looks like it has seen a lot of use.
Pop open the hood, and the good news continues. The engine bay looks almost factory-fresh, so there’s a good chance the punchy little 2.0-liter flat-four is still good for 238 horsepower. Combine those specs with the world-famous symmetrical AWD, characteristically direct steering, and just 2,689 pounds worth of WRX, and it’s not hard to see why Subaru dominated the World Rally Championship back in this car’s day.
Luckily for any buyer, considering how rare and well-kept as this Subaru is, the sale isn’t an auction; $12,995 is the going price, not an offer to be bid up further. Whether you’re looking to invest in a possible collector car or just want a vintage WRX for some good old-fashioned ’90s-spec hoonage, this is your chance to do it on the cheap.
