2004 Subaru Impreza WR1 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

This car represents everything that a sports car should be in its catagory (0-60 4.2 seconds, 0-100 10.9 seconds).

It is an astonishing machine with super car perfromance that delivers smiles every time you press the loud pedal.

Before buying this car I test drove the Mitsi evo FQR 330, and it is not a scratch on the Subaru. Although quicker than the Subaru and an equally awesome car it just doesn't have the feel that the WR1 has. It also looks a country mile better too with that baby blue paint and flared arches sat over 18" 7 spoke alloys.

For practicality the WR1 delivers. 4 doors and a big boot is great espcially for my 2 little ones and wifes shopping.

Around town it drives superbly and is supisingly good on fuel, but as soon as you put your foot down your internal organs end up on the back seat and the road gets swallowed up.

For a factory standard car the sound it makes is awesome. A deep burble from the 3" prodrive backbox compliments the turbo whislte, especially after 3000rmp.

The only bad thing about this car is the insurance. I'm 29 with full no claims and no points and I am paying 1200 a year fully comp with adrian flux... but its worth it!!!

Top gear tested one of these with an evo and the evo beat it. all the wr1 did was understeer on every corner. the evo was about 3-4 seconds quicker on the test track.

Like I said I test drove the evo and it is quicker than the Subaru as stated above. However in my opinion I felt that the Subaru was a better car for practicality. The evo is an absolutely awesome car no doubt about it. But for me it was a little to wild for an everyday car. If I could afford it I would buy the evo for a track car and keep the Subaru for the family car. Maybe one day eh?...

Oh to be in a position to make that choice! I have driven both, so I know just how hard it would be.

I thought the Evo handled better and had far better weighted steering, but as soon as you hear and feel that Subaru flat four, it seems to make everything else irrelevant. I bet you hardly use the stereo!

Nice car mate - enjoy it, and don't get it nicked!!

I have just purchased a WR1, this was after test driving and Evo 8, I agree the decision was hard, but the WR1 is more practical and easier on the wallet. I can't wait to get it on a track and test the (DCCD). Have you tried it in the recent snow, you can feel the brakes doing their job.

This car has awesome power turn heads and chills me out.

P.S my insurance costs me £212 per month.

Buy the evo cheapskates. It's twice the car the understeering wr1 will ever be.

Evo cheapskates? come off it mate. Every one knows the Subaru and Evo are arch rivals, but calling a Subaru a cheapskate just shows the lack of intelligence you have. The argument of which car is better will always be around. It just boils down to personal preference. Every one knows the Evo is quicker than the Subaru around a track, but its not all about figures! One things for certain, The looks and the build quality of a Subaru takes first place over the Evo anyday!!!

Nice provocative comment, the thing is you don't notice the under steer in every day use. However you do notice the power, the excellent drive, and

the heads turning to see a far better looking car. I often wonder how many people would be affected by the different drive between the two cars rather than basing their info on what a professional comes up with on a no limits track day.

Based on its usage for me it's got to be SUBARU any day of the week.

Thanks for the comment (above). Its good to see other people who appreciate the Subaru, and realise its qualitys and looks rather than the way it handles on a track

At the end of the day its whether the car makes you feel good. It's all to do with a combination of things horses for courses. I wonder if this guy has written a review on his evo or does he even own one, one last thing I can also quote a line of top gear, "this car is the most uncool car ever" wonder what car this is reference to (hint not a WR1).

The wr1 is a fantastic motor car... my 4th impreza turbo... last one being the p1,,,,...i have never driven an evo and do not intend to... as they are just not

practical for everyday use.. (many experts have said this)...unlike the subaru which for me is perfect for all occasions?...

Also... subaru... has that magical name now in rallying...

Regarding insurance for a performance car/grey import. I realise there are a lot of variables, but have you considered a Trader's insurance policy? In my case it was to insure only two cars, well three if you count the Discovery, but I could have up to six cars at a time for around Stg.1650/year. So Skyline GT-R or NSX, Lexus no problem. This didn't cover really high performance cars, say ones that would exceed 200mph or taking to Europe.

Just to make you eat your hearts out; here in Japan when I gave my Turbo Impreza to my 20-year-old nephew, he got it insured from around Stg.600, third-party and everyone said he'd been ripped off. Here they insure the car rather than the driver. Could happen in the UK if there was the political will and the insurance companies didn't kick back to the government. Sorry to get political.

I have recently purchased a wr1 after trading in the old "Blobeye" and have been more than impressed with it apart from the normal squealing brakes!

I fully agree with a previous comment regarding performance figures between scoob and evo after all how relevant is this off the track and making a trip to tescos?

The only cloud for me on the scoob horizon is that older ones are now within "Chav" range and indeed I have seen more and more recently, i accept that it we know they are not wr1s or Stis, but many people do not.

My next car therefore could be an evo this may sound arrogant, but after all if you did not want to be different you would not buy either and have a mondeo!!

Evo or WRX - great cars both (whatever variant). However, for me the Scoob's the better road car and the one to own. Top Gear and Clarkson say the same thing, even though the Evo was faster around their test track.

The real killer for me though, is Evo service intervals. 4.5K vs 10K miles in the Scoob. Cost too. Evo magazine recently paid over £1300 for an 18K service and pad change on their long term test Evo. That's the 4th service too, whilst the Scoob's not reached its second...

A 10K service on our 05 STI UK PPP is also £21.00 LESS than the annual/12.5K service on my Wife's Ford SportKa...

Cheers.

Just got a WR1 after trading a P1. The P1 was a fantastic car and across country better than the WR1 but the WR1 feels more refined and better for the kids. The EVO is just too darned ugly and poorly built, but no doubt about it quicker. If they made it with a decent body shape it could be a really big seller. I tried one out, but it felt like a Caterham.

I just gotta agree with the scoobs a better all rounder.. Evos r cool, but in everyday use the scoobs gotta win hands down,, scoobys for everyday use, evo for a track car,, but that's just pipe dreams lol,, i couldnt afford to run both.. Enjoy both the scoob and evos,, both are fantastic cars.. Happy drivin to the owners of the beasts of the east!!