RE: Subaru Impreza P1 | Spotted

[GlynMo]

One of the cars I most regret selling

[sledge68]

I so nearly bought one of these in 2006 after driving one, but fell more for the integrale Evo1 I drove as well, and purchased it.

P1 was rapid and visceral and you felt so alive after a good spirited run, the Lancia just pipped it for me though.

[Smifffy]

80k miles is *a lot* in these cars and so the 22k price tag seems faintly ridiculous to me. I sold mine with around the same mileage and it was spent - even after I'd re-bushed it, new engine @ 40k (imfamous P1 fuelling map error).

Having said that, the P1 drives better than the 22b on UK roads & I'd have another like a shot - but it'd need to feel fresh.

[DuncB7]

Genuinely lust for another but financially prohibitive now.

I've not driven anything more enjoyable 'point-to-point' since.

Its appetite for fuel and MAFs was tedious but the best car I've owned.

[Leins]

sledge68 said:

Leins said:

P1 article and no mention of Peter Stevens?

Its in the advert

Very true, I missed that!

[997JG]

Smifffy said:

80k miles is *a lot* in these cars and so the 22k price tag seems faintly ridiculous to me. I sold mine with around the same mileage and it was spent - even after I'd re-bushed it, new engine @ 40k (imfamous P1 fuelling map error).

Having said that, the P1 drives better than the 22b on UK roads & I'd have another like a shot - but it'd need to feel fresh.

Not necessarily true, mine was one of the 16 "UK" 22B's that Prodrive fettled the suspension and with 6 pot AP's and 19" wheels, was a fantastic car on the road, certainly better than any P1 I drove. Now this is one I wish I kept. Probably in storage somewhere?

[Smifffy]

Fairy nuff. My 22b was a JDM. Felt twitchy and unhappy on UK roads - P1 was ballistic and saved my poor driving from the hedges more than once.

Suspect both of our cars are now in air conditioned bubbles in collector garages now...

[Augustus Windsock]

I’d still prefer my old WR1 over one of these.
Drove both before I bought the WR1 and just couldn’t love the P1 as much.
The WR1 was of course more powerful as standard and st the time the P1 seemed to be driven (at least in my locale) by Max Power boys.
But it would pay for us all to like the same things I guess...

[LordHaveMurci]

Augustus Windsock said:

But it would pay for us all to like the same things I guess...

That would make for a boring world surely!

[Augustus Windsock]

LordHaveMurci said:

Augustus Windsock said:

But it would pay for us all to like the same things I guess...

That would make for a boring world surely!

Yep, everyone would like to sleep with my ex-wife. Oh wait a minute...
Thankfully my second wife is like the WR1 for me, infinitely better to ride (Sorry SWMBO if you are reading!!)
Personally I’d prefer a WR1 over a P1, and a P1 over a 22B (which is very nice but just over-hyped for me)

[soad]

GlynMo said:

One of the cars I most regret selling

At least you were in a position to experience it.

[GreatScott2016]

That brings memories flooding back! I was lucky enough to be one of the first to collect a new P1 when launched only to move on to an Evo 6 RS a couple of years later. The P1 was such a capable car in all respects, so much so that 2 years later I managed to source a low mileage P1 WR...stunning! Interesting to compare it to my current 4WD car, a mark 3 Focus RS. The Ford is glorious in many ways but deep down, the P1 was probably the more engaging to drive and as for the soundtrack, there’s no competition. Certainly a high point in Subaru’s history and perhaps never to be repeated? 😥

[Poopipe]

like those above I just don't see the appeal in these over an import.

You'll get a really good type-r or type-ra for about 10k less - which are better (gearbox) and you'll still lose no money (prices have risen 3-400% in the last 5-6 years).

[anonymous-user]

Great car but for that price I'd struggle to buy one over say a Hawkeye Spec C type RA.

The P1 Looks better admittedly but they rust for fun and the Spec C is a better steer imo.

[NotFromSomerset]

Great cars but going for silly money now when you can buy an import type r which is the better car for half the money.
Prodrive did a fabulous job with the suspension setup though, this and the rb320 are two of the best handling cars you can shove up a bumpy British B road.

[FourWheelDrifter]

I think the Type R as a base is far better than a P1 anyday. Only the 22b was better standard. My Subaru Impreza WRX STi V4 Type R V-Limited is work in progress. It has been seam welded, stripped, lightened, Custom Caged weld in, all safety equpiment, 2.1 forged stroker engine (350bhp low boost), loads of RCM parts, full JDM import 2004 wide track blob eye Spec C 6 speed DCCD 3.9 transmission, diffs, steering and suspension conversion, AST coilovers, AP brakes, STi & Super Pro poly upgrades. Awaiting interior fab work so stripped and a custom loom to be installed. Owned 2 years, a big investment so far, but car has significantly appreciated in value. Can't wait to drive it on road and to track days, sprints and club meets! Alistair (Solihull, West Midlands)

[EyeHeartSpellin]

All my teenage dreams do belong to you.

[iceicebaby1980]

id Go go for the cheaper type r . Get a good one for around 10k . Wouldn’t be as scared to use it put miles on etc

[GreatCornholio]

Remember reading about these in Evo magazine then a few years later my mate bought one.

I'm not sure why but if I was to buy a classic Impreza I'd really like an RB5.

[FBP1]

Picked mine up from Lancaster Sevenoaks in August 2000 and still have it now with 75k on the clock. Looks standard, but now has a stroked 2.34 litre 22B engine running 570bhp with a 2008 6 speed dccd box, together with pretty much the whole RCM catalogue! Plus Exe- tc suspension, Alcon 6 pots, carbon propshaft, etc. Only thing the Type R had better from new was the gearbox - otherwise it had the same same engine and so on - I couldn’t care less about climate control (type r) versus air con- and the P1 was far better suited to UK B roads with its prodrive fettled suspension versus the hard Sti suspension set up for the billiard table smooth Japanese roads. Can’t argue with the price differential now though, especially if you want to modify it.
Not going to let mine go as long as I can buy petrol!