ImprezaP1

[funkyelise]

Hi there,

I'm looking at a potential purchase of an Impreza P1. Found one at what seems to be the right money but new to these. Is there anything specifically I should be looking for on them? Is there a buying guide anywhere showing this and service intervals etc? Its done about 50000 miles and barring a few stone chips on the front, seems quite tidy. A few questions though...
1. How long do clutches tend to last?
2. What are DEFI gauges? (apparently has some fitted)
3. I've seen details on a few showing engine rebuilds & replacement air mass or air flow meters. What were the issues here?!
4. When do the cambelts need replacing on them?

Thanks all

[craggers]

Check if there any engine build recently as P1's engine block is made of chocolate.

Fine car tho !! Have fun.

[stevieb]

Defi guages are a set or Oil temp Oil Pressure and Turbo Boost guages

The clutch will last if you look after it properly and dont do many launches.

But why the P1?

there are a few other models that are a lot better. Sti Type Ra. Lighter and more power. Or a newer 53 plate STi for P1 money!

Steve

Edited by stevieb on Monday 5th March 13:32

[vixpy1]

Don't bother with the P1, get an sti 5 or 6...

They are much much better cars

[funkyelise]

Thanks for the replies.

The P1 had been on my list of cars to own at some point (that or an RB5 but can't find any really clean examples yet!) and located one at good money. Also as a limited edition, I wondered if it might hold its value quite well.
On the options though, are the STi's imports? I wanted to stick to a UK car, mainly for insurance issues. That being said though, I am curious now! Why are the STi's better cars?

[trickywoo]

I think the mileage and owner wanting to get rid may be linked. They tend to go pop around the 50k mark.

[stevieb]

funkyelise said:

Thanks for the replies.

The P1 had been on my list of cars to own at some point (that or an RB5 but can't find any really clean examples yet!) and located one at good money. Also as a limited edition, I wondered if it might hold its value quite well.
On the options though, are the STi's imports? I wanted to stick to a UK car, mainly for insurance issues. That being said though, I am curious now! Why are the STi's better cars?

STI type RA and most Early STi are imports but you get a 03-53 plate UK WRX STi for £12k or £13k with the Prodrive pack.

[cw42]

www.p1woc.co.uk is the place you need to spend the next few days

as for the engines going pop on p1's, this is true, but a good remap, uprated oil and fuel pump will sort that out. The type 5/6 sti imports v p1 debate will rage on for ever, if you want a uk car though, you can't touch a p1 as the best classic impreza. I nearly bought one myself, but like has been said, when you can get a my03 sti for the same money, why bother. The p1 is an old car, and it shows. I'm more than happy with my car, and it'll run rings round a p1 after a few mods

[rallycross]

great cars, you will love it.
the engine issue is exaggerated (read some of that info on P1 owners forum)
a standard P1 should be fine if looked after, plenty out there with big mileages
thing to watch out for is the MAF sensor going and this can then cause engine failure, MAF can go due to old age or more commonly due to engine having too much oil, see comments from engineer at Prodrive about this on the forum (says run oil level about 70% rather than to the max)

[dnb]

Totally agree about the oil issue and MAF issue. (The type RA has the same engine as a P1, and suffers the same problems.)

I replace the MAF sensor every 18 months to 2 years now as part of the service. They're only £80, so a good insurance policy.