subaru imprezas

David _b

David _b

David _b

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28 Mar 2004
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2,430
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N Ireland
So whats the craic with these, im stuck for a new toy and never had one. Anyone want to educate me, or share there experiences. I love the classic shape, in 2 door form, but also the blob and hawk eyes are nice too. Any owners on here ?

Personally, i have always slated them for blowing up, seeing several classic type r and p1's eat cranks and pistons, so much so that likely i would want one that has been recently forged and on aftermarket ecu. Just after a general chat, what goes, are they any good etc etc. I have picked a few for inspiration

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...a-wr-p1-fully-forged-with-low-mileage/2677241

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi.../sti-type-uk-2-1-stroker-fsh-only-57k/2063001

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...xample-with-only-52-000-miles-and-fsh/2456089

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/subaru-impreza-p1/7279713
 
Generally avoid anything that's a 2.5 unless it's been forged. Otherwise they tend to be pretty bomb proof.

Most sought after models are the late blob eyes (widetrack with DCCD) best to drive and the last of the EJ20s.

If you plan on modding then the PPP is largely pointless as it's sports cat in the downpipe, 2nd decat,prodrive back box, different springs, different wheels and a map.
 
Are they exciting or a bit dull to drive at sub 400bhp ? I hd a 400bhp evo 8 which didnt really do it for me, but most my toys since i was 19 have been RWD. That doesnt meant i love sliding about, it just seems how its went, silvias m3's skylines etc
 
I was also under the impression the 2.0 engines were quite crappy,

Is it just a coincidence that the market is full of ones that are in around that "im about to eat the crank" milage ~50-60k
 
P1's are renowned for going pop around the 60k mark, not heard of any major issues with the Type R's. As stated above, avoid the 2.5 which will be the Hawkeye. The Blobeyes are the ones to go for in the new age form, only real issue with these are the struts are notorious for developing a knock and most owners usually replace with coilovers or aftermarket struts.

First link I would definitely go have a look.
Second link looks like it's worth a view but is quite pricey.
Third link looks ok but is very pricey for what it is.
Fourth link I wouldnt bother with, I would be on a knife edge every time I drove it thinking the engine would go pop.
 
David _b said:
Are they exciting or a bit dull to drive at sub 400bhp ? I hd a 400bhp evo 8 which didnt really do it for me, but most my toys since i was 19 have been RWD. That doesnt meant i love sliding about, it just seems how its went, silvias m3's skylines etc
Click to expand...

You will get nothing more from a Subaru over your old Evo apart from the more pleasing engine note, Evo's are more sharper/direct than Imprezas in standard form but the Imprezas are a little easier to live with and a slight bit cheaper to service/repair.

The 2l engines are fine, nothing to worry about unless they have been modded by a noob.
 
I'd say reasonably exiting to drive at stock power, feel much more alive with 330bhp or so, and as a passenger In Kostas 400bhp blob eye it was pretty ballistic. Think they may have been amplified due to the way it delivered it's power with a VF43.

edit: Evos and Imprezas are fairly similar comparing an 8 fq330 to various imprezas. The evo handles better out the box and is quicker although light mods bring power equal.

World's apart in running costs from my dad's experience with the EVO being a lot more expensive.

The EVOs also seem to be less forgiving on the limit.

As already said the only things to look out for is mods fitted by an idiot. Decats or induction kits without a map are asking for trouble as the majority of cars will suffer with boost creep, and induction kits completely throw the fuel map off as they change the MAF scaling
 
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there is a good evo 9 available to me, sitting with full aftermarket management, all the carbon, that has been eating away at me to go view. 12k, 55k miles, clutch coilovers wheels vipec ecu etc etc.

I have been told the subarus are easier to live with day to day though, for instance evo steering lock is comical,
 
imprezas are much easier to live with.

They're much less harsh on the suspension, steering lock is better, quieter around town and on the motorway.
 
I see mostly good info in here, not a lot to add from myself.
Worked on the damn things day in, day out for the last eight years.

If you are thinking about it, go for something between 02-07 JDM based and un modified then leave the bloody thing alone. It'll never go wrong.
OK well the rear shocks will probably start knocking but that's about all.
Personal preference would be an 06 Spec-C.. In white. <3


That's about all the info you need to know.
 
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As said,
Bottom ends seem to just **** themselves for no apparent reason on the classic.
P1's have this inane ability to grenade themselves at 60,000 miles
2.5 pistons are made of Chocolate
WRX gearboxes don't like more than about 350 bhp shoved up them.
01 bug eye fuel pumps fail at an alarming rate.
99MY T2000 standard ECU's are made of cheese and fry themselves when trying to program them.
Induction kits don't work on any model prior to the 08

I think that about covers it. :D

Oh and none of the ones in your list David :p
 
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336 on 95 RON ahaha in his dreams

Apart from the fact it's been ****ed about too much for my own liking, that is definitely the way forward.
 
Fuzz said:
336 on 95 RON ahaha in his dreams

Apart from the fact it's been ****ed about too much for my own liking, that is definitely the way forward.
Click to expand...

yeah on reading the small print in the ads maybe not that exact one.

But that shape / model is the sweet spot.
 
There is zero chance of a standard one entertaining me, so that idea is out the window

Hence i fancied one with a forged engine by a reputable company.

I did look at that white one, but its not 10 years old yet so getting it on UK plates would involve SVA. Rather than just a simple MOT, which i have done before to get a car from the south,
 
Do not **** about with it internally.

Put an exhaust on it, stick a panel filter in it and make sure you are on 98 RON, which I suspect will be virtually impossible over there.

If you reply back with you want it tuned on 95 RON I will tell you now, close your wallet and buy something else because you will be proverbially ****ing money up the wall. :D
 
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