newbie here ! might be buying a scooby. sold my r33 for 4 doors !

[rabskyline]

hi guys ! to cut a long story short, i sold my r33 which my wife found too much of a handful in that it likes going sideways a lot and has a small boot and two doors. (two kids you see !) so looking for a genuine sti aged from 95-97 and was wanting to know all the things to check to make sure i dont buy a tarted up wrx. ive been told to look for 4 ed or 4dd on the id panel or the engine to be a red  top. any suggestions..

[rabskyline]

CMON GUYS !

[paddy247]

The 7 digit "applied model" code found on the vehicle identification plate inside the engine bay is decoded in the following way.

1.Series code G=Impreza S=Forester B=Legacy etc.

2.Body type F=Wagon C=Sedan

3.Engine type 8=2.0L Turbo

4.Year code A=MY93 B=MY94 C=MY95&96 D=MY97 (facelift) E=MY98 F=MY99 G=MY00

5.Number of doors 2=2 door coupe 4=4 door saloon 5=5 door wagon/hatch

6.Model type 8=WRX 7=RA type E=Sti D=Sti Type R & RA

7.Transmission D=5 Speed Manual AWD P=4 Speed Automatic AWD

[]

[rabskyline]

muchas gracias senior paddy !

[Carl Davey]

My advice would be to go for an early facelifted Version 3 MY96/7. These have what is believed to be one of the better engines, 4-pot brakes and the facelifted headlights/bonnet/grill.

Version 1 STi's didn't have the red manifold but all other versions did so this is a good place to start. The Version 1's are very rare (only 200 made IIRC) so not much chance of stumbling over one anyway. There should be other clues all over the car such as stickers and embroidered seats but the best way to check is (like you've said) by the chassis code.

Ken Ross's website has loads of great info as well as a list of all the applied model numbers - http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/index.html

The SIDC FAQ also has lots of general Impreza info - http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm