right im in the market for a subaru, i fancy one of the above but dont really know the difference between the two,so can some one help me with this?

also what bad points to look out for when buying
i will have about £11000 to spend so if not a p1 or rb5 which impreza?

thanks in advance
st3v3

 

The main noticable difference's is the P1 is Blue and has two doors, the RB5 is Grey and has 4 doors. The P1 has a bit more grunt than the RB5 and will be out of your price range at £11,000, unless it's a dog. That's around about the right price for a decent RB5 though.

simb

 

what would say £750 get me in tuning (bhp wise) do you think?

 

possibly remap and exhaust??

 

If you're looking for bhp per pound would you not be better of considering an import - P1 was just a sanitised STi v5. For 11k you could probably pick up a good STi v5 type R with sensible mods.

 

P1 uk sti V5????
RB5 turbo 2000 with some bits on??????

 

basically yeah!!!!

 

I would take a P1 for a test drive. Handling is far superior to the RB5 IMHO (and I'm an RB5 owner and could be biased).

Stefan

 

Don't forget your insurance! difference between that as well. Have you had any quotes yet? might be a bit more than your RS!

Ps great web site. Not sure about showing the reg of your car though.

All the best

Sherlock

 

heh,

i sold my rs last year but cant update my website*bugger*

 

Lots of fairly unhelpful suggestions so far

The P1 was one of the last of the classic shape cars and is the only* 2 door Impreza ever officially sold in the UK. Based on the Japanese-spec STI V, it has the STI 276bhp engine, unique suspension and comes in sonic blue only. 1000 were made, they come highly regarded and prices reflect this.

The RB5 was a special edition that came out in '99 and was based on the UK spec Impreza Turbo 2000 of the time. It shares the 215bhp engine and suspension with the standard UK car, but adds driving lights, 17" wheels, a solid rear bulkhead (so no folding rear seats) and a dark grey paint job. Many were ordered as the RB5 WR, which adds a bigger rear spoiler and the 240bhp Prodrive Performance Pack upgrade. Although this model is highly regarded also, there's very little to distinguish it from any other UK-spec car of the time that's been modified in the same way. Prices are somewhat higher than the car really warrants, IMHO.

For £11k you can get the pick of the classic shape cars (with the exception of the P1, which was silly money new and which remains expensive, if not unjustifiably so, today). If you don't mind the lack of warranty and the need to get it serviced at independent specialists, an STI (IV, V, or even VI) is within reach and offers all the P1's benefits for less money and with the option of 4 or 5 doors. If you prefer something a little more comfortable and less, well, banzai, a low mileage MY99 or MY00 would be a good bet. You could even look at a bugeye WRX if you value comfort over ultimate performance.

*(ok, ok - except the 22B, anorak!)

 

thanks AndyC and everyone else,
cheers
st3v3