Impreza P1 or RB5

[funkyelise]

Hi all,

New to this section as I currently run an Elise, but looking to change and get something with a few more seats and practicality but retaining performance! Always fancied an Impreza and as I prefer the shape, have been considering P1 or RB5. Can anyone tell me please what they're like in terms of reliability, annual servicing costs etc, recommended mods (if any on these 2 models as they seem pretty decent out of the box!) and just basically what they're like to own. It would be my daily car.

Many thanks in advance folks

[trickywoo]

I would go for an evo 6 if I were you. (I had a Jap spec WRX for a few years and regret it).

If you must have a P1 or RB5 I'd go with the RB5. The P1 suffered a lot of early engine failures. RB5 would also be more useable (4 doors). Parts from Subaru are stupidy expensive but you can source them elsewhere.

They are easy to work on but garages take the piss with prices because they assume you can afford to pay top £.

[havoc]

P1 engine failures are well known and curable if rebuilt with a v.8 or later block (not sure if a v.7 one suffices actually) - the v.5 block which was the basis of the P1 engine wasn't up to the job, long-term, but later blocks are fine, by all accounts.

P1 also has the advantage of being a UK spec car. Plus it's the one evo put top (ahead of DC2 ITR, Elise S1 and Boxster in that order) in it's 'best driver's car in the real world' feature c.6 years ago.

[b.johnson]

Just done a rebuild on a P1, it was a pain in the arse.
evo is the way to go, you cant beat the crude tractor engine.

[dnb]

If it must be a Subaru, then look at an STi type RA instead of the P1. They're cheaper and have more toys

Personally, I didn't like the Evo - it had less personality than the Scoob, even if it is a couple of percent more competant (and noticably more expensive to service)

[funkyelise]

Many thanks for the replies. Wasn't aware of engine rebuild issues with the P1 though! Is it just the P1 that is suffering the failures or is it the Subaru engine as a whole? What are the failures a result of, at what sort of mileage do they occur and how much are they costing to put right? Is it something Subaru is warranting?

Sorry for all the questions, but it just wasn't something I was aware of.

Also, does anyone know of a buying guide for the Impreza or Evo?

thanks again in advance

[trickywoo]

Subaru don't have a great reputation for the strength of their engines in particular. Big ends tend to fail at around 60k usually on no.3 piston (something to do with its position on the fuel rail). '98-'00 cars can also suffer piston slap.

P1 engines tended to let go at 45k ish and were fixed under waranty (don't think Subaru would help you out if one let go now though).

Just had a look in the classifieds section saw 5 P1s two with engine rebuilds two with 45kish showing and one 20k miler.

Have a look at [url]www.lancerregister.com/[/url] for more evo info.

Edited by trickywoo on Thursday 23 November 15:28