RE: Smifffy's Subaru Impreza P1
Discussion
Cheers Bonce - oooh , where do I start with this car?
Ok details first:
2000 "W" reg.
15300 miles at purchase last weekend (15850 now)
Uprated prodrive front brakes (330 mm discs)
FSSH
Tracker (fitted as standard on P1)
For those who don't know:
280 Bhp
0-60 4.6 secs (whatever that means)
Top whack; 155 +
Paid £24000 for it, got respray of boot, 4 new boots included.
Comparing it to my original Impreza isn't fair really, it'd be like comparing an Astra with a touring car version.
Ride is alot harsher than standard turbo, but not as bone crippling as the Evo VI. The engine has a good deal of torque low down before the magic 3000 rpm, where everything goes totally bonkers. Lag is always a factor in turbo cars, but it spools up so much faster than the standard turbo.
It's got a really solid feel to it, and the engine red lines at 8000 rpm which I just can't get used to yet. I keep reaching to change gear at 6500 when the beast still has plenty more to give.
So far I've only driven it in the wet/damp and the grip is fairly astonishing. I haven't been pushing it 'cos I want to keep this one "shiny side up" as you diplomatically put it
The only problem with this car is it's rocket ship tendencies which will have me in front of the beak soon probably
If I were to have a small quibble it'd be that the steering is a little too light and doesn't give quite as much feedback as I'd like at times.
Definitely taking it to Folembray next year so see you there
My mum hasn't been in the car yet, but I've had GTIR's mum in it already.
Ok details first:
2000 "W" reg.
15300 miles at purchase last weekend (15850 now)
Uprated prodrive front brakes (330 mm discs)
FSSH
Tracker (fitted as standard on P1)
For those who don't know:
280 Bhp
0-60 4.6 secs (whatever that means)
Top whack; 155 +
Paid £24000 for it, got respray of boot, 4 new boots included.
Comparing it to my original Impreza isn't fair really, it'd be like comparing an Astra with a touring car version.
Ride is alot harsher than standard turbo, but not as bone crippling as the Evo VI. The engine has a good deal of torque low down before the magic 3000 rpm, where everything goes totally bonkers. Lag is always a factor in turbo cars, but it spools up so much faster than the standard turbo.
It's got a really solid feel to it, and the engine red lines at 8000 rpm which I just can't get used to yet. I keep reaching to change gear at 6500 when the beast still has plenty more to give.
So far I've only driven it in the wet/damp and the grip is fairly astonishing. I haven't been pushing it 'cos I want to keep this one "shiny side up" as you diplomatically put it
The only problem with this car is it's rocket ship tendencies which will have me in front of the beak soon probably
If I were to have a small quibble it'd be that the steering is a little too light and doesn't give quite as much feedback as I'd like at times.
Definitely taking it to Folembray next year so see you there
My mum hasn't been in the car yet, but I've had GTIR's mum in it already.
Nice car smifffy! Looks like your car has had the black duct inserts under the front indicators repainted too (they get stonechipped to orange pretty quick)
Compared to the standard Impreza, the P1 is more prone to lift-off oversteer, which makes it more fun, but be careful the first time the back steps out on you - don't brake, just opposite lock & keep on the throttle
Oh, and redline seems to come up at 160MPH in 5th I'm reliably informed.
Edited to say - surprised about your comment on steering feedback. It is very susceptible to tyre pressure changes - try changing things 1 or 2 PSI & see if that makes any difference. Is it same in dry or wet?
I've got Bridgestone SO3PPs on mine, which seem better in the wet...
>> Edited by CraigAlsop on Friday 6th December 15:27
Compared to the standard Impreza, the P1 is more prone to lift-off oversteer, which makes it more fun, but be careful the first time the back steps out on you - don't brake, just opposite lock & keep on the throttle
Oh, and redline seems to come up at 160MPH in 5th I'm reliably informed.
Edited to say - surprised about your comment on steering feedback. It is very susceptible to tyre pressure changes - try changing things 1 or 2 PSI & see if that makes any difference. Is it same in dry or wet?
I've got Bridgestone SO3PPs on mine, which seem better in the wet...
>> Edited by CraigAlsop on Friday 6th December 15:27
CraigAlsop said:
Oh, and redline seems to come up at 160MPH in 5th I'm reliably informed.
- Craig, did you sit down and do the maths or something, final gear ratios etc etc....... Well, how else could you find out??
Craig's example is in particularly good health - I have to say that the first time i felt the almighty thump in the back that comes with full throttle in 2nd/3rd/4rth is something i will remember for a long time to come!
Cheers
Moonie
Cheers guys.
Craig - I've cheated in that the photo isn't actually *my* car, but I believe that mine has this too. Will check tonight whilst the turbo's cooling down
The car is frighteningly competant, I'm looking forward to some driving instruction at the hands on Don Palmer as soon as my bank account recovers sufficiently in the new year. I don't want any repeats of my last excursion.
Mooney, yep, the punch in the back is fairly noticable, but is less pronounced than the standard turbo IMHO because the P1 has so much low down torque anyway, but yes, there's no moving in your seat when it does Wheeeeeee 
Craig - I've cheated in that the photo isn't actually *my* car, but I believe that mine has this too. Will check tonight whilst the turbo's cooling down
The car is frighteningly competant, I'm looking forward to some driving instruction at the hands on Don Palmer as soon as my bank account recovers sufficiently in the new year. I don't want any repeats of my last excursion.
Mooney, yep, the punch in the back is fairly noticable, but is less pronounced than the standard turbo IMHO because the P1 has so much low down torque anyway, but yes, there's no moving in your seat when it does
Wheeeeeee
MikeyT said: Never been in one but if it's everything you say it must be superb ...
BUT ...
What happened to the Cerb-owning idea?
Sorry Mikey, the cerb owning idea was great but the old chesnut of reliability & running costs came back to haunt me. My experience with the Griff was awful and felt I wasn't ready to take the risk.
Sorry guys, I know alot of you run them every day and get no problems, but.....
Besides, the P1 is such a great car, will be happy to give you a passenger ride anytime!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff