Selective quoting? I addressed the 'points' you raised

Yes the standard brakes on the P1 were up to scratch, I hardly thought typeRs brakes were better seeing as they were virtually identical As commented earlier, if you wanted better brakes change the pads for performance ones, a very cheap fix.

More rust on a P1? Yet another manufactured myth. Where does this crap come from

 

P1 and Type R = 2 door; same bodyshell.

If anything I'd have thought/guessed that the P1 would have better rust-proofing as it was for the UK market.

Oh and as already been mentioned; P1 has ABS whereas Type R doesn't.

It really is a case of deciding what you're going to use the car for. A p1 will be a little easier to live with on a day to day basis.

I still bought a Type R though.

 

thanks guys. i'll think i'll go for a typr R!
how much more do the ltd go for with the longer 5th gear?
cheers

 

Hi Graham,

Thats a bit strange then, I'd like to get to the bottom of this, I haven't stamped on the brakes to see if abs does cut in, but just seems a bit odd that 2 fuses of the correct rating are in place where ABS is stamped.

I think I'm gonna keep the tyres that are on my car at the mo mate, just wear them down and change them when they need changing, there is an awful lot of tread on them so might as well use them. Thanks a lot for the offer though, appreciate it.

 

Well done on choosing the best car

 

My typeR didnt have abs, 2 front flat spotted tyres as a testament braking from 100 mph plus when ex g/f pissed me off one day.

 

If you can find one........i know of three people who have been looking for a version 5/6 wrc limited sti ra.Although not the 2 door type r limited they are fairly rare to come by........in good nick anyway.

 

I think the P1 is an amazing car, my old boss had one and she knew how to drive it.

If your after a classic that has some appreciation go for the P1 (be prepared to spend ££££££££ for a half decent example). If your after an all round performance package you can't go wrong with a late model Type-R. Kitted with the DCCD and a quality engine you will have a seriously brutal machine on your hands.

 

I don't know if I've got the wrong end of the stick but if you have got ABS you'll have a great lump of metal with pipes allover the place on the driver's side between the airfilter and the headlight.It's easier to check than stomping on your brakes

 

It also depends on the relationship you want with the car.

I've been having the same dilemma recently (but with a newer blob eye STI chucked into the equation as well) as I want to get away from messing about with cars and just have something I can jump in and drive.

For me the P1 is the better looking of the two, and the extras that come with the Type R over the P1 dont really excite me in the long term, except maybe the better brakes - I just wouldn't mess about with DCCD, rear wiper doesnt bother me etc etc.

Major downfall with the Type R for me is having to run high RON fuel, or use octane booster, or having to have the thing mapped - I just can't be bothered with all that hassle and I want to get away from modded cars that need mapping (like my Pug). Strangely though, the P1 insurance is a fair bit more for me than the Type R chiwh doesn't help.

I then start to compare paying £12k for a 7 year old P1 or an extra £1-2k for a 3 year old blob eye STI and the blob eye begins to look like th ebetter buy then.

 

A P1 has a rear wiper.

 

My V4 Type R has a longer 5th gear so it wasn't strictly associated with the V-Ltds

 

I think there are a number of ways you can look at this one......I may be slightly biased due to owning a P1 but the facts are as follows:

P1:
1) Better looks
2) Better suited for UK roads and road driving - on a track though type R is better / faster
3) ABS and a lot of P1's have the big prodrive brake upgrade
4) Holds value better and likely to appreciate a s a classic
5) Subaru dealer friendly

Type R:
1) Quicker steering rack - prodrive opted away from this as it made the car too nervous on UK roads
2) Firmer suspension more suited to track use
3) DCCD - Again offers more versatility on track
4) Intercooler water spray - Not really of any use particularly in the UK (Besides you want a FMIC really so this will get binned anyway)
5) Shorter ratio gearbox making 0-60 slightly quiker (if you decide to tune to any significant level this will be too close ratio'd and was one of the things that put me off)

Ultimtely it comes down to what the car will be used for and your preference on looks and individuality. Can't put it fairer than that.......

 

just phoned a tuning company who maps impreza's, and he said, if i want bigger power, buy an evo 7 onwards. 400bhp for less than £2000!
im gonna stick with the scooby tho as i cant get rid of the sound they make.
but, buying a newer sti might also be a possibilite.
i want a user friendly (the wife drives it to work) reeeeealy fast exciting car that handles well and puts a smile on my face!
P1 discounted as i'd go for the type R over it,

TYPE R or NEW STI?????

 

Or if you like the p1 front end do what i done and put it on a type r

Rob

 

so has my v5 type r (i think lol),,,so was this an option?

stu

 

I had the v5 type R MY99 S reg none v/LTD that never had the longer 5th gear,it was Uncomfortable on long journeys but f#k is was quick!!!and always left a smile on my face.

 

I wouldn't touch a P1 that hasn't been mapped - far too many out there that have gone pop.

 

You deleted the point I raised, that P1's came with sh!te brakes. I never said type r brakes were better either, I've never owned one so wouldn't know. But standard P1 brakes are not good and I stand by that.

Calm down, P1's are good cars. There's no need to get touchy.

 

I am biased but the P1 holds its value No prob getting spares or servicing No prob on finding fuel. Not as quick ultimately but you have to be a nutter driving on the roads for it to make a difference

 

No doubt.

However, don't underestimate the attraction the type-r holds of "feeling" faster.

The drivetrain will probably, to most keen drivers, be worth it simply in terms of driver reward more than the actual speed difference.

 

I don't know about the Type R's but from my own experience owning an STi Type RA v6 they are a completely different ball game to a stock STi or WRX.

My mate has a nice clean STi v6 and the two car's are worlds apart. The gearbox for one is nuts, close ratio all the way, it's frightening how quick the car is. I don't have the longer 5th gear for some odd reason so my car hits about 135 on the speed at 7000 rpm (not a problem for me as I don't do long journey's in the car).

The shell is a lot lighter on mine, I don't have any of the electronic luxuries found on the V-Limited, if you drive an STi and then jump into an Type RA you notice the weight difference when pushing it.

My car isn't highly tuned, just has a straight through Blitz Nur Spec R exhaust, K&N filter (changing this soon), NGK spark plugs and a HKS Dump-Valve (an anti-mod I think) - for me it's perfect right now and with the host of chassis goodies I am planning for the car, should make it loads of fun at any speed.

The RA's are pretty exclusive, even rare ar the Type R RA's/V-Limited but they have all the toys installed from factory so you can't go wrong. End of the day depends on what you want, if you want a car that is purely about performance from the factory then go for the Type R. If your after something that is a little more forgiving go for the P1.

The DCCD is not as bad as people think, you just need to go somewhere to play with it for a bit to learn how to use it. I have a simple formula for the DCCD:

1. Dry weather - diff-free (all the way back)
2. Damp or wet conditions - 2nd green light or 1st orange if you don't like the rear wheel drive feeling
3. Heavy rain/icey roads etc - 1st orange light

The above works for me, with the current conditions I use 2nd green a lot, the rear of the car breaks loose under power but not as wildly as it does on diff-free mode, the front wheels still get some power so your able to pull yourself straight provided you a bit gutsy with the power.

For parking/moving off I use diff-free (should always have it in diff-free when parking and parked up or you will wreck your diffs eventually).

I love the quickrack steering, crap for doing 3 point turns but great on the road, very precise.

Hope that helps,

Fz

 

People who think the DCCD is bad don't know how to use it.

Yes, you do have to learn it, but it helps to minimise some of the handling flaws that a four wheel drive car can have. I don't have an Impreza anymore, but I wouldn't even consider one without DCCD if I had another.

How you use the diff is pretty similar to how I did by the way, and definitely a good place to start for anyone unfamiliar with it.

 

How many P1`s have come out of the factory mapped by Bob?

 

What makes a P1 better looking? IMO it's probably from the front end due to front splitter.
Rear lights on P1 are not as nice as STi IMO.
Also a Ltd Type R will get you a nice little roof vent and a ver6 will get a front end close to that of a P1. Just add P1 splitter if you want..

Try 'em both if you can mate as this thread will go on.... and on..... and on.....

 

 

The point is most P1`s would have miles on them by now so any lack of care that would lead to engine failure would have probably been done, it seems the current stock of owners know what to do and what not to do. Just because a car hasnt had a map doesnt mean its a bad car, same goes for a car thats had a map, it still could have been knocking all its life up until that point.

 

A point well made
...I'd still have a Type R

 

I'm still undecided as to my next Impreza. Its going to be a toy so I'm sticking with a classic. If it was a daily, I would take a Prodrive Bug every time.

I've not driven a Type R or RA but have driven a couple of P1s. As the car is going to be a toy I want to put it on limited miles insurance or classic insurance. Classic insurance is for cars 10 years and over which pretty much rules out the P1.

So type R or RA V4 or 5. late dash, not fussed on rear spoiler (as I've got older I prefer the understated V4/UK rear spoiler) Must have the blue front seats and be Sonic Blue. Only thing I'm not sure is that although its a toy its still got to fit all 3 of us so I'm thinking that 4 doors is still going to be handy. I'm waiting on some more detailed pics of a V5 RA V Ltd on its way over at the moment.

Only thing with a 4 door is unless you know, its just another 4 door Impreza. Think my ultimate Impreza would be a V5/6 WRC V Ltd Type R.

Is there a big difference between the different 5th gears available? It will do one or two long journeys (Castle Combe, Silverstone from Wales) but its not a big issue.

Is there such a car as a WRC Type R?

 

I have had three Imprezas, and I didn't find the short gearing an inconvenience at any time.

Maybe if I had a super loud exhaust it would, or if you sit at 100mph+ all day, but that's only relative to another model, in itself it was never an issue.

If anything I found it handy, as I'd naturally drive at about 80 on the motorway, rather than 90, because it felt more natural, and avoided the attention of the BIB.