RE: Subaru Impreza P1 | Spotted

[Guvernator]

FBP1 said:

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!

Not sure where you get your info about the Type R suspension but I don't remember it being harsh at all. It felt like it had acres of suspension travel befitting of a rally replica. I expect the 17" wheels and reasonable profile tyres helped too, in fact if anything it might have been a tad on the soft side as you got slightly more body roll then expected.

Compared to most modern performance cars with "sports suspension" that try to dislocate your fillings, it was magic carpet like in comparison.

[FBP1]

From driving both extensively.
Type r better on smooth tarmac- like a track.
P1 better down a bumpy UK B road - it just flowed where the Type r skipped and hopped.

[rallycross]

FBP1 said:

From driving both extensively.
Type r better on smooth tarmac- like a track.
P1 better down a bumpy UK B road - it just flowed where the Type r skipped and hopped.

The thing that made the P1 so good was the suspension set up Bilsteins and Prodrive spec springs - gives a massively improved ride over the Jap spec cars. The JDM spec sti never were much good in comparison on British roads ( and I’ve have owned most of them including S202, Spec C’ type 25 U.K. sti, Rb5 WR etc).

Being a 2 door also made them feel really special compared to the saloon - the 2 door felt like it had shrunk round you a bit like a mad hot hatch with 4wd grip.

One of my mates dads still has his P1 bought from new sitting in his garage - done less that 50k miles and hardly ever gets used have been asking when he will sell it but he’s not interested in selling (he’s in his 80’s).

Edited by rallycross on Friday 8th November 10:18

[iceicebaby1980]

Would be easy to sort out . Just stick some decent suspension and get someone who knows what there doing to set it up like chevron motorsport . I nearly bought a type r on a couple of occasions . One was a mica blue the other was sonic blue . There not a daily I’m my eyes were my hawk sti gets used for that . 4 doors for the kids loads of boot space dsnt drone on the motorway . Good on fuel compared to my last car a v8 m3 .

[eoghainn]

I use mine as much as I can, always puts a smile on my face, even after rust and engine issues. Got shot of that bloody maf sensor so now she's reliable too! Fuel consumption is neither here nor there, if I worried about such things I'd get the bus.

[rallycross]

rallycross said:

One of my mates dads still has his P1 bought from new sitting in his garage - done less that 50k miles and hardly ever gets used have been asking when he will sell it but he’s not interested in selling yet, ( he’s in his 80’s).

I will be getting this low mileage one owner P1 in next week and will be advertising it here once I take some photos and get the MOT done. Its a full Prodrive spec 1 owner P1 50,000 miles, could be the lowest mileage ones left ?

I know when I had my P1 back in 2007 even then it was rare to find a P1 with less than 80k miles so today must be a one off, and its never been on track or modified hopefully will go to someones collection and be preserved in its current condition.

Edited by rallycross on Friday 8th November 10:19

[rossub]

Sorry to piss on your chips....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beautiful-Subaru-Imprez...

I doubt that’s the lowest mileage one either.

[Guvernator]

£40k for a P1

[rossub]

Is it that crazy though?

I’m not arguing for it as I’m JDM through and through, but you wouldn’t think anything of the price if it were a 32k 3 Door Sierra or Escort Cosworth.

[soad]

Guvernator said:

£40k for a P1

Well, they don’t make them anymore. Low mileage too.

[rallycross]

rossub said:

Sorry to piss on your chips....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beautiful-Subaru-Imprez...

I doubt that’s the lowest mileage one either.

Thanks very interesting - you are probably correct there will be a few tucked away by collectors not putting any miles on them.

[Guvernator]

All I'm saying is I'm glad I got to experience some of these cars before prices got stupid.

[Speed Badger]

I imagine these dealers put them up for silly money in the hope a well off collector shows up with a money no object outlook. There are ones up for sale for £25k with 80,000 miles on which is ridiculous - what they are up for and what they actually sell for is a vast chasm, and if they don't get picked up by a rich collector they just seem to sit there for sale indefinitely, which is a shame.