1998 Nissan Stagea RS Four S 'Manual' Wagon

Description

Derived from the Skyline, Nissan’s Stagea was a high-performance station wagon built for the Japanese market in three different generations between 1996 and 2007 and has long had a cult following with JDM enthusiasts around the world.  Sold in both two and four-wheel drive versions, the original Series 1 - dubbed the WC34 - was mechanically similar to the R33 Skyline and came with a wide range of engine and transmission options, from the base level single-cam 2-litre in-line six to the range-topping Autech 260RS offering GTR-level performance from a twin turbo 2.6-litre twin-cam engine.  Nissan updated the Stagea in 1998 with revised headlamps, indicators and bumpers along with colour-coded body mouldings.  Nissan also revised the interiors and updated both engines and transmissions, adding a Tiptronic automatic and unsurprisingly the majority of Stageas were specified with only two pedals.  In RS Four S specification, the turbocharged 2.5-litre twin-overhead camshaft six-cylinder boasted four-valves per cylinder and an output of 276 bhp (206 kW) at 6400rpm, driving all four wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.  Combining raw performance with sure-footed practicality, the Stagea has cemented a place with JDM enthusiasts around the world and is a natural rival for the Subaru Legacy Touring.  The RB25DET and RB26DETT engines are known for their tuning ability and it’s not uncommon for owners to modify Stageas in the quest for horsepower, making it rare to find a good one in original condition.