Built Not Bought: This 2007 Subaru WRX STi Packs $40K in Upgrades for $25,500

The seller of this 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi claims to have sunk more than $40,000 into modifications. Now they're asking $25,500 for the finished product. That's a big number for a 17-year-old compact car, but this is no ordinary Impreza. It's a 'Hawkeye' generation STi, widely considered the best-looking of the early 2000s Subaru lineup, and it comes with a laundry list of performance upgrades that go far beyond bolt-on parts.

Under the hood, the flat-four has been fully rebuilt with a larger turbo, a front-mount intercooler (replacing the factory top-mount), and a host of supporting mods. The seller lists upgraded injectors, fuel pump, and engine management, plus an AEM water/methanol injection system.

The suspension has been addressed too, with adjustable coilovers, thicker sway bar bushings, and a strut tower brace. On the outside, the carbon fiber hood and clean black paint give it a menacing look, while the interior remains largely stock save for auxiliary gauges, an updated stereo, and a tall billet shift knob.

The odometer reads just 93,000 miles, and the seller describes the car as being in like-new condition.

There are a couple of caveats. The ad doesn't specify who built the engine or provide any dyno sheets, which matters when you're buying someone else's project. And while the modifications are tasteful and functional, modified cars can be harder to sell than stock examples. Still, for a buyer who values the work already done, $25,500 might be a fair price for a well-sorted, low-mileage Hawkeye STi that's ready to play.

The car is listed in the San Francisco Bay Area on Craigslist with a clean title. If you've got thoughts on whether this built Subaru is a bargain or a gamble, the seller is waiting to hear from you.