I agree - my friend is 45 and married with two very small children, and his wife does a lot of school runs so the P1 is probably more suited to his lifestyle, or maybe he should ditch the wife and kids?

 

A good friend of mine put his name down for one of the 16 UK 22Bs last year but failed to get the car. International Motors promised his first refusal on the new P1, which he has just taken delivery of and reckons to be a better driver's car than the 22B. His P1 makes my 1994 WRX look like a toy!

 

I'll probably get shot for saying this but, 'out of the box', the P1 probably will be better on british A and B roads. My standard UK 22 is definitely nervous on bumpy roads. I probably got from point to point more quickly in my old MY99 with PPP than in the 22. However, spend a bit on suspension and the 22B will be better. More torque, lower down, gives it the edge.
On the other hand the extra cost of the 22B along the extended off road time in the event of a crash also tend to have a restrictive influence on how much I push it.
But it looks so much better IMO, and is so much more exclusive (ok I'm a snob!), that I had no qualms about abandoning my P1 order and buying the 22 when it became available. If I'm paying alot more for a UK type R over an STI or slightly used but prodrived MY99 then the car had to be really special - and without doubt the 22 is the daddy!(Hell, it only cost me £6k more than a P1 anyway) :-)
Chuck

 

Hey Chuckster,
I want a go in your 22B When are you visiting sunny Bournemouth again?
Rich.

 

Chuckster,

I agree 22B is a great evil looking machine - local one in Midlands has reg P9 WRC, and stops traffic where ever it goes.

My friend Rob's P1 has already been recalled due to paint flexing on the rear spoiler.

 

Have to agree with Chuck. £1k spent on suspension gives the 22B a real makeover in terms of British A - B driving. As pretty as the P1 may be, it aint no 22B!! If by 'Drivers Car' your friend means its a more comfortable long distance companion, then he's correct, but drivers car to me means one that delivers bucket loads of aural and sensory feedback and delivers a substantial thrill (I think the phrase is 'addictive'). I would suggest your pal takes a drive in a 22, he'd be in for an REAL eye opener. Sharp as a scalpel., but not for everyone.

 

Hehehe, I too am married with 2 small children - my boy thanks me all the time for choosing the 22 - what better car to be dropped off at school in?
Clarkson video - I only want it if it doesn't slate the 22 too badly .
Fond memories of VBH's assesment of the 22B - it was her idea of a perfect car, after testing it against Evo5 and Skyline.
Regards,
Chuckles

 

Chuckster,
sleep easy because Clarkson loved mi 22 to bits. As did all the film crew. All day during filming people practically queued up to drive it while the Evo 6 and other cars sat parked on the airfield. Pity Steve Phillips from Warrender didn't use fifth gear in the sprint at the end though. Still thrashed the Evo 6. Growwwwwwl.