Subaru Impreza P1: PH Carpool
From motor show dream car to daily driver for the Impreza P1 and this Carpooler
Car: Subaru Impreza P1
Owned: January 2004 until 2008
Previously owned: 2x MK2 Golf GTI 16v, Seat Ibiza Cupra
18-inch wheels meant tyres were a hefty expense
"To be honest I was never much into the Impreza and always preferred the Evo V/VI, that was until I was introduced to a UK WRX in 1998 that my friend's brother bought. After a quick spin round the block in it I was pretty much smitten and decided it was on my 'hit list' as soon as finances and mainly the insurance companies permitted.
"After a trip to the London Motor Show where the P1 was unveiled I did some much needed swotting up and decided that this was the model I wanted to aspire to. To my eyes it looked great as a two-door and had oodles of power too."
What I wish I had known:
"I had 'geeked out' on all things Impreza and even though the grey market was very much alive and kicking I set my sights on the P1. I knew about the chocolate pistons, the paint bubble issue on the rear wing, the alarm not working within 100 feet of a radio mast and the other niggles that came with the car. The one I bought was under warranty and I was young and impetuous so threw caution to the wind and ploughed on."
Things I love:
"A Ferrari it is not but I just loved getting in it and firing her up and listening to that burble. It had the Prodrive 'P1' backbox which made it a little fruitier as well. The acceleration was pretty savage and it pulled strongly all the way through to silly speeds.
Two-door shape did it for Mathew
"The best thing about Impreza ownership was the owners' clubs; I met some great people over the time, many of whom remain good friends now and saw some fantastic and well cherished cars."
Things I hate:
"Not a lot really... the brakes were pretty pants after track work and faded quite badly, the Sigma alarm locked me out and refused to disengage on the top floor of a shopping centre car park in Reading town centre which resulted in me and a mate pushing it down the ramp alarm blaring until we could find somewhere far enough from the source of interference so it would respond; the biggest kicker though was starting it one morning and hearing a few nasty knocks on tickover..."
Gone now, but much missed
"Insurance started at £1,600 fully comp when I was 23, but over time dropped to around £600 although the tracker had to be active. Once out of warranty it was serviced by a local independent so servicing was OK. Tyres were reasonably pricey as it had the 18s and I liked Eagle F1s. As would be expected fuel was the biggest expense, I averaged between 180 and 250 miles to a tank depending on how enthusiastic I had been."
Where I've been:
"While under my custody we went to lots of meets and car shows around the country, did a charity rally for MENCAP a couple of times, went to Sarfend many times to meet fellow owners over that part of the world and eat fresh doughnuts and a convoy of about eight of us went to Cornwall for a long weekend."
What next:
"Settled down and had kids so the silly cars went... now have a Mini Cooper D and concentrate on miles per gallon rather than smiles per gallon! I would love a Mercedes C63 AMG to scratch the V8 itch though... one day."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
but IMO the best looking Impreza ever made....I bought mine when i returned from the US earlier this year. I looked at quite a few, some were in need of some TLC but generally they seem to be better looked after by their owners than a standard WRX/STI.
Again, in my opinion, the good ones are past the bottom of the depreciation curve and on the rise
Here is mine
Personally I have always preferred the RB320 - but still there are a couple of P1s in the classifieds for 8k ish... hmmm!
"So what car are you in?"
"The P1"
"Oh my god really, I bet its amazing"
"Its pretty good for a 15 year old car"
"Eh??? you mean its not the Mclaren one?"
"No, Subaru"
"Oh
"I have had this twice already lol
Nice mention of the p1 in evo this month too, Henry Ctachpole had never driven one before and seemd to enjoy it. It had great reviews back in 2000/2001, in fact it came 3rd in ECOTY, behind the Diablo VT and 996tt. Evo also rated it as the greatest drivers car for uk roads ina spearate group test.
I paid £4k for mine, good ones are available from £6k I would say and £10k will get you a belter (i wouldn't modify a low miles, oem spec one).
Get a replacement oem alarm fitted. I did about 4 years ago and no problems since as they have done something to the new ones that makes it impervious to all the previous issues with interference.
They usually come with a keypad as well as the original one wears out if it's used a lot.
I've had my P1 from new and still love it (although it's far from standard anymore). Very capable in standard form, just needs a brake upgrade and then you can go out and embarrass all sorts of exotica which isn't bad for a 14 year old mental oriental.
Rant over, harmony restored.......
Rant over, harmony restored.......
As you were.
That's why P1 prices are dropping in comparison to the Type R, people have realised which is the better drivers car.
Dan - In the last couple of weeks we've had cars people just bought and now one that's been gone for six years. I think we're getting away from what the car pool feature is all about. Maybe another feature for members cars? Just seems a bit directionless at the moment.
"So what car are you in?"
"The P1"
"Oh my god really, I bet its amazing"
"Its pretty good for a 15 year old car"
"Eh??? you mean its not the Mclaren one?"
"No, Subaru"
"Oh
"I have had this twice already lol
Still love them. I think the P1 was what really got me interested in cars.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff