Subaru · GDB
Subaru Impreza WRX STI GDB
The 'bug-eye' and 'blob-eye' generation of Impreza STI refined the GC8's rally-bred formula with a stronger six-speed gearbox and a driver-controlled center differential, arriving during the peak years of Subaru's fierce WRC rivalry with Mitsubishi.
Spec Sheet
- Generation / Chassis Code
- GDB
- Years Produced
- 2000–2007
- Manufacturer
- Subaru
- Country
- Japan
- Body Style
- 4-door sedan
- Engine
- 2.0L turbo flat-4 (EJ207)
- Horsepower
- 276–316 hp (JDM rating varies by year)
- Torque
- 260–318 lb-ft
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Weight
- ~3,100 lbs
- 0–60 mph
- ~4.6 seconds
History
Launched with a distinctive round-headlight face nicknamed 'bug-eye' by fans, the GDB STI continued Subaru's rally-derived engineering approach, adding a Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) that let drivers manually adjust AWD torque split for changing conditions.
Why It Became Famous
It arrived during the most intense years of the Subaru-vs-Mitsubishi WRC rivalry, and its distinctive styling and rally-honed engineering made it one of the most recognizable and beloved Subarus ever built.
Strengths
- Driver Controlled Center Differential allows genuine on-the-fly AWD torque adjustment
- Stronger six-speed manual gearbox than the earlier GC8's five-speed
- Distinctive, instantly recognizable 'bug-eye' styling with cult status
- Same well-proven EJ-series boxer engine tuning ecosystem as the GC8
Weaknesses
- Head gasket issues remain a known weak point on the EJ-series boxer engine
- Distinctive styling is polarizing — some enthusiasts prefer later, more conventional facelifts
- Values have risen as 2000s STI collector interest grows
- JDM-only in early forms, requiring import in markets where it wasn't sold new
Common Problems
- Head gasket failures typical of the EJ-series boxer engine family
- Turbo and boost control wear on aggressively tuned examples
- DCCD system wear or faults if not properly maintained
- Rust in typical early-2000s Japanese sedan problem areas
Modification Potential
Excellent — shares the EJ-series platform's mature, well-documented tuning path, supporting big turbo upgrades and built engines with strong aftermarket parts availability worldwide.
Buying Guide
Verify head gasket service history, check DCCD system function, and confirm genuine STI equipment and documentation, especially for early JDM-only 'bug-eye' examples imported into other markets.
Enthusiast Popularity Today
Extremely popular among Subaru and rally enthusiasts, with the 'bug-eye' front end achieving genuine cult status despite its polarizing looks at launch.
Fun Facts
- The 'bug-eye' nickname comes from its distinctive round headlight design used only in the earliest GDB model years
- The Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) let drivers manually bias AWD torque split from inside the cabin, a genuine rally-derived feature
- This generation coincided with Subaru's fiercest WRC rivalry years against Mitsubishi's Lancer Evo
More from Subaru
Subaru Impreza WRX STI GC8
1994–2000 · 247–276 hp · AWD
The car that launched Subaru's WRC-winning rally dynasty and the boxer-engine/AWD formula the brand is still known for today, the GC8 STI is a compact, turbocharged sedan that punched dramatically above its weight on rally stages and mountain roads alike.
Subaru SVX
1991–1996 · 230 hp · AWD
A genuinely daring design exercise penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the SVX paired a smooth flat-six engine with distinctive 'window-in-window' glass doors, positioning Subaru — usually known for rally-bred turbo boxers — as a maker of quiet, technologically ambitious grand tourers.