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Don’t Expect New WRX STI Type RA to be a Valuable Collector Car

The new 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR won’t likely be a collector car. What did a 2000 WRX STi Type RA S201 recently sell for?
2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA, NBR Special, 2000 WRX STi Type RA S201

Don’t expect the new 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA performance car to be a valuable collector car in 20 years. A rare and revered 2000 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA S201 just sold for 11,800 British Pounds at the Classic Car Auction in there UK. The car was number 28 of 300 examples with just 36,000 miles on the clock. 11,880 British Pounds converts to $15,139 USD in today’s money markets.

S201

RA stands for “Record Attempt” and Subaru will try to set a new lap record for a four-door sedan at the Nurburgring track sometime this summer in a race model WRX STI Type RA NBR Special version. After the record run, Subaru will produce 500 examples of the special 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA and make them available sometime in 2018. Subaru is celebrating 50 years in the U.S., and this model will be an anniversary model.

If you think the new special edition Subaru WRX STI Type RA that will be sold in the U.S. next year will be more valuable in 17 years, think again. While some Subarus like the late great Colin McRae’s legendary Subaru Impreza rally car just sold for big money ($292,903) at auction, it’s not going to happen with the new STI coming next year. McRae’s Subaru Impreza proved to be a wise investment for the owner who sold it last week for 50 percent more than he paid.

So for the 500 performance enthusiasts who do buy the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA, don’t stick it in the garage hoping it will increase in value. It’s a car that was meant to be driven and shown off on the street. You’ll only be one of 500 owners who have one, so have fun with it and enjoy the rarity of the car. If you could get your hands on the race model WRX STI Type RA NBR Special that sets a record at the Nurburgring, that one could be an excellent investment. Stay tuned as Subaru attempts to set a new Nurburgring lap record this summer.

Photo credit: Subaru USA and Classic Car Auctions

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Comments

Jack Cleary (not verified)    January 13, 2020 - 6:47PM

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Hi...no doubt all wise; that said keeping Subaru standard and looked-after and garaged is one way of 'your' car being up the top end of price recovery.

In the environment of lunatic behaviour on and off the road even during the "zero" phase (as shown all through Subaru utube)... the 'knowledge' generation, the 'sharing' generation epileptics, the sound system has become the most significant point for them. Try to ignore that bizarre behaviour and just buy a standard, well serviced, apparently trouble-free car. Please, don't buy it and run it into the ground as may be what is being suggested by Dennis...treat it, yourself ...and other road users...with respect and learn how to drive the car at its safest road and social interaction.

Philippe (not verified)    February 29, 2020 - 5:18PM

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I am sorry to say that nobody s know for sure of future value of low production cars
A 2004 Subaru STI in stock form fetched over 20000$ today without any problem
The UK market is a totally different market and your assessment is far from the truce
The type RA is one of 10 cars named by Hagerty as an instant collectible
The key for Subaru’s is to leave them in STOCK form

Dom (not verified)    February 27, 2022 - 2:42PM

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Just because this one was sold way under value doesn't mean its not a collector car, the seller got duped by this auction.