Impreza WR1 owner views
Discussion
Hi all
One of the cars I'm thinking about this year is a WR1 Impreza. I used to have a WRX years ago and at that time the WR1 had just arrived in showrooms. I was lucky enough to be allowed a test drive in their demo car and remember all too well the sheer power of the thing. Only got the drive because I'd bought the WRX there!!
What I'm after are owners opinions, the good and the bad. What are they like to live with on a daily basis etc? What sort of things should I be looking out for?
I know some parts are expensive but thats the same with any other performance car. Another consideration is a VXR8 and some of the parts for those are eye watering!
Already checked out insurance and its pretty favourable compared to other things I'm thinking about.
So anyone got one, had one? Or a similar STi?
How do they stack up?
One of the cars I'm thinking about this year is a WR1 Impreza. I used to have a WRX years ago and at that time the WR1 had just arrived in showrooms. I was lucky enough to be allowed a test drive in their demo car and remember all too well the sheer power of the thing. Only got the drive because I'd bought the WRX there!!
What I'm after are owners opinions, the good and the bad. What are they like to live with on a daily basis etc? What sort of things should I be looking out for?
I know some parts are expensive but thats the same with any other performance car. Another consideration is a VXR8 and some of the parts for those are eye watering!
Already checked out insurance and its pretty favourable compared to other things I'm thinking about.
So anyone got one, had one? Or a similar STi?
How do they stack up?
I've had a WR1 for just under 2 years and here are my thoughts.
Good points;
Incredible pace and grip - when you get the chance to make full use of the perfromance you won't stop smilling, it's very addictive.
Unbeatable performance for the money in what a is a perfectly usable and practical car. You can quite happily drive it like a 'normal' car and forget about the performance when you don't need it.
Nice exhaust note - tradional Impreza noise from the standard Prodrive exhaust without being too loud.
Bad points;
The rear shocks are a weak point on any Impreza of this age - I had to have mine replaced a couple of months ago. Make sure you check for knocking when looking at any cars.
Fuel consumption may be worse than you'd expect. Obviously these cars are never going to be very frugal but when you're using all the performance you can virtually watch the fuel gauge go down like a second hand on a clock
If you need any more info feel free to ask any questions
Good points;
Incredible pace and grip - when you get the chance to make full use of the perfromance you won't stop smilling, it's very addictive.
Unbeatable performance for the money in what a is a perfectly usable and practical car. You can quite happily drive it like a 'normal' car and forget about the performance when you don't need it.
Nice exhaust note - tradional Impreza noise from the standard Prodrive exhaust without being too loud.
Bad points;
The rear shocks are a weak point on any Impreza of this age - I had to have mine replaced a couple of months ago. Make sure you check for knocking when looking at any cars.
Fuel consumption may be worse than you'd expect. Obviously these cars are never going to be very frugal but when you're using all the performance you can virtually watch the fuel gauge go down like a second hand on a clock
If you need any more info feel free to ask any questions
Hi Shane
Thanks for your reply, thats exactly the sort of thing I'm after. Its very handy to know what any general weak spots are on any particular car. Knowing about the shocks is good, are the fronts as prone to going as the rears?
I'm not too worried about fuel consumption as I dont do that many miles and chances are I may buy a small cheap runabout for doing longer distances. I used to run a stage 1 Skyline R32 GTR with 400bhp so trust me, I know what a fuel gauge going down quickly looks like
Thanks for your reply, thats exactly the sort of thing I'm after. Its very handy to know what any general weak spots are on any particular car. Knowing about the shocks is good, are the fronts as prone to going as the rears?
I'm not too worried about fuel consumption as I dont do that many miles and chances are I may buy a small cheap runabout for doing longer distances. I used to run a stage 1 Skyline R32 GTR with 400bhp so trust me, I know what a fuel gauge going down quickly looks like
As said above an STI is a STI had a 03 STI for nearly eight years and is truly a great car, few mods will see it over 400 brake and as long as its warmed up and cooled down with regular servicing it will be bullit proof.
Mine does 200 miles to a tank...nearly lol. Front shocks are fine and the rears don't fail as such just knock and its get worse, and new replacements have been known to knock as well. My advise would be just get a well sorted and looked after STI with low mileage.
Mine does 200 miles to a tank...nearly lol. Front shocks are fine and the rears don't fail as such just knock and its get worse, and new replacements have been known to knock as well. My advise would be just get a well sorted and looked after STI with low mileage.
I took a WR1 out as well. While it is quick it is just a STI with a few colour changes. For the money I would say a late 55 blob would be better. 10k service rather than the 4500 on the WR1 and for the money you save buying it, you can get some new shocks and turn the candle up well beyond the 320bhp the WR1 has.
ScoobieWRX said:
This. Just get a standard STi and get it mapped...I looked at one as an option before I bought my 2007 STi.
There are not many with low mileage out there and most have been remapped. I looked over six in total over three months. In fairness nearly every WR1 was clean and looked after. But they were asking big money for something I could get in an STi (as mentioned) with a remap.
So after being patient I located an immaculate 10,000 STi Hawkeye for good money.
Undoubtably the WR1 is an epic car in standard trim but you pay a premium like the RB320s, RB5s and 22bs for that limited edition.....
There are not many with low mileage out there and most have been remapped. I looked over six in total over three months. In fairness nearly every WR1 was clean and looked after. But they were asking big money for something I could get in an STi (as mentioned) with a remap.
So after being patient I located an immaculate 10,000 STi Hawkeye for good money.
Undoubtably the WR1 is an epic car in standard trim but you pay a premium like the RB320s, RB5s and 22bs for that limited edition.....
watky555 said:
Front shocks are fine and the rears don't fail as such just knock and its get worse
Recently bought an STi Type UK PPP with suspension issues...Turns out the nearside rear suspension collapsed as the spring cup rusted out off the original shock :-o (and the rest of the car is practically mint, being an un-abused example)
...probably not common but do be careful. Worth checking yours guys, clonks or not.
New shocks (KYB Ultra SR is OEM rmanufacturer and is the after market eplacement - full set from Camskill, approk 450 ish for the x 4).
Gallen.
paulmoonraker said:
ScoobieWRX said:
This. Just get a standard STi and get it mapped...Or just buy a WR1 in the first place.
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