2000 Subaru Impreza P1 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Boy racers trying it on at traffic lights, bikers and BMW M3s slowing me down on the twisty bits.

Slight difficulty selecting reverse - or maybe this a deliberate design feature? ;)

The ultimate Impreza for the road - has all the advantages of the standard Impreza Turbo, but with much quicker (911 level) straight line performance. 4wd combined with Prodrive tweaked handling helps the car corner faster than a 550 Maranello (according to Evo magazine).

Practical too - seats 5 and has a good sized boot.

The car is friendly on the limit, unlike a 911 or Modena, and copes with anything the worst roads can throw at it - ruts in the road, camber, streaming rain, standing water... all are soaked up even if you are travelling at ridiculous speeds.

Easy to slide too if that's your thing. Now just watch out for that driving license....

After 11,000 miles the car is still as impressive as ever. Highlights include staying glued to the tail of a Yamaha sports bike through twisty sweeping B road corners in Wales at speeds of up to 120mph (although he left me for dead on the straights), and getting airborne at an indicated 140 mph on the very bumpy B660 in Lincolnshire.

The car has been very reliable, no problems there, even though it has been driven very hard and taken up to the redline on countless occasions.

I haven't had any "moments" in it, the car has very friendly on-limit handling and you know well in advance if it is running out of grip. Unlike most powerful cars, you can still push the P1 hard even in the pouring rain and on the dodgiest roads. No matter how hard I've driven it (I'd consider myself an average enthusiast driver), the car has always felt like it had more in reserve. Very skilled drivers would get a lot out of this car, but equally it is easy to drive for the novice too.

No car is perfect, but my criticisms aren't major: the standard Pirelli P Zero tyres aren't that grippy - they've recently been replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 215/40/17s which stick to the road like glue and have noticeably improved the car's grip and traction from already high levels.

I've found the front is quite vulnerable to stone chips - I would recommend getting it coated with Armourfend.

The standard brakes aren't adequate for this car IMO - I would recommend the Prodrive uprated brakes (available as a dealer option) or AP brakes which provide superb stopping power.

All in all, a fantastic car. If you want one, I reckon Subaru will cut prices soon because some are still unsold after 1 year. Don't pay more than £27k for a mint low-mileage example, and £28k for a new one. Remember to get the brake upgrade!

Got my P1 with WR upgrades about two months ago and I am still dumbfounded by its performance. Surely nothing is faster or handles better than a P1. Cross country (across Oxfordshire) nothing can stay with it including several hot 600cc sports bikes. Get near a twisty B road and you can leave them for dead.

The 18" 225/35s provide an unbelievable amount of grip (they need to), and help the ride. 330m Prodrive brake upgrade means you never get any fading. Finally the bigger P1 Prodrive exhaust, improves high-end in gear times by seconds (for example 80-120mph is 4th only takes 8.0 seconds!).

Every time I drive the car I get a huge grin. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Paul from Oxfordshire...

Paul, you are a very lucky man.

You have no clue as to how envious I am, unfortunately I live in America, land of the free and home to low end versions of truly great cars if we can even get them. I own a 2.5 RS would die to drive a P1. (however I did get to see one on our latest trip to England, lovely place)

If only I could convince the insurance company my driving style wouldn't change, if they insured me on a P1!

Had P1 Now for 2 months, its better than the rb5 WR and EVO 6 GSR I had previously, listen to that engine note!!!

I have had my p1 for eight months now. this car is still incredible to drive and a pleasure to own.

Still causing schoolkids to bump into lamposts every morning. I love it!!!

I fitted an Impreza 2.5RS 99 model black 'leather' cover over the front of my P1 to protect it from stone chips. About 1" of the front spoiler is still left exposed at the bottom and holes need to be cut in the material to allow for the headlight washers; but that is as close a match as I could find to fit a P1 - and it works (as well as attracting lots of attention).

The cover part number is M0010FS140, obtainable from Subaru dealers in the US.

Currently own a UK 2000 turbo. I test drove the P1 the other day and it's simply amazing. I'll be part exchanging my Subaru and buying it if all goes well.

Got a quote of £1700. I'm 25. Not too bad for a group 20 car.

I own a p1 and a ferrari 348. The p1 prevails.

Hi people.

My 47 year old mum!! has just gone out and brought a p1 after going to look for a new car, first off she was looking at a fiat barchetta because it was pink!! then a gleaming blue car caught her eye 20 minutes later I get a phone call saying she had brought a car, but was unsure wheather it was any good! she arrived home to watch my jaw drop to the floor as realized it was the p1!!! can't wait 2 prize the keys from her and take it for a spin.

I drove one the other day, and they are quick, but if you think they are as quick as a WELL-ridden sports bike (on anything other than very twisty roads) then I'm afraid I have to say this isn't the case.