ClioSport.net
Register a free account today to become a member!
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more here.
Colin MacRaes Subaru
- Thread starter Crybert
- Start date
imprezaworks
ClioSport Club Member
Mk5 Golf GTI :)
Its what started me to love imprezas.
I think that's right, due to the bodywork. (It didn't share panels with the road car.)
EFA.
IIRC the only thing a 22B shares with the WRC Impreza is the overall appearance!
The 90's. THESE were the glory days for WRC.
I'm not sure if the '97 Impreza was Grp. A or WRC actually.
First year of WRC. Did you watch the video?
So, so cool. I will own an impreza one day.
First year of WRC. Did you watch the video?
So, so cool. I will own an impreza one day.
Not yet.
In my defence it took Mitsubishi another 3/4 years to do a full WRC car, which was an abomination.
Crybert
ClioSport Club Member
Cup 172
Why do I think that’s so charming about it. The misaligned panels and lights almost make it. Like the bodywork was an afterthought
R3k1355
ClioSport Club Member
In your defence they won 4 WRC titles on the trot with the car they did have while everyone else was already in full WRC cars.
JamesBryan
ClioSport Club Member
He could pilot a car.... a helicopter, not so much.
massiveCoRbyn
ClioSport Club Member
Several
The '97 car was the first Impreza World Rally Car (the WRC technical regulations only came into force from the 1997 season). Mechanically, it wasn't actually that different to the '96 Group A car in many respects. The engine and transmission were very similar apart from the turbo and the use of a front-mount intercooler I think. Suspension was wider obviously, but it was an evolution of the existing car, rather than a clean-sheet design.
I think the body panels are different to those used on the 22B too, but I can't remember how exactly. The 22B was just a tribute to the rally car, rather than a clone of it, hence the 2.2 engine etc. I know the rear wing is different. It's actually higher on the road car to aid rear visibility if I recall correctly.
I think the body panels are different to those used on the 22B too, but I can't remember how exactly. The 22B was just a tribute to the rally car, rather than a clone of it, hence the 2.2 engine etc. I know the rear wing is different. It's actually higher on the road car to aid rear visibility if I recall correctly.
R3k1355
ClioSport Club Member
Can't use that word around Impreza owners, they w**k themselves stupid over TMIC.
massiveCoRbyn
ClioSport Club Member
Several
They do have some benefits, but heat soak is their downfall.
Should also have mentioned that the WRC Impreza also saw the end of the true boxer soundtrack, as Prodrive could finally ditch the standard exhaust manifolds which the Group A regulations required them to retain. The '97-'00 Impreza is probably the best looking WRC car of all time. The lines and overall look of the car are basically perfect. That being said, I would probably take a late Group A Impreza instead. There's something about the four-door body, simple looks and boxer growl that's hard to beat.
I do enjoy Henry Catchpole's stuff. He's a proper car but and I quite enjoy his quiet style. A lot of writers haven't transferred that well into video, but he does a decent job. He gets to drive some nice cars too.
Wholeheartedly, this.
You had the choice of a Clio or a 22B and you took the Clio?
I was torn between buying a 22B and a liquid yellow V6 for my Fortieth birthday especially as i had the Number plate D2 WRC to compliment the Subaru but i ended up buying the Clio. No Regrets tho
my dad has T2 WRC..
.. on a nissan juke
Yep, don't regret it for a second either, went to fetch it with my Son on my 40th birthday, a friend took us to fetch it and me and my Son Came home in it, the Car was like brand new having only covered 7800 miles. It was on a 55 plate and we picked it up on 30th of december 2008. Its a day we will never forget.
Thats A nice plate, mines on retension now, Sold my Mk2 Focus RS about 2 months ago which the plate was on for about 4 years. It did suit the Car i have to say
it was a very cheap ebay purchase a number of years ago, wouldn’t mind it for one of mine
FN2 Type R +MK6 Golf
I remember when the 22B came out, it was meant to be the standard 280 bhp but most dyno'd at around 350bhp.
4Star classics has one for sale. http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/subaru-impreza-22b-for-sale/
4Star classics has one for sale. http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/subaru-impreza-22b-for-sale/
frayz
ClioSport Club Member
22B, probably the most overated Impreza of all time. Rather have a Spec C of any flavour over a 22B.
In answer to the previous questions the 22B used flared arches that emulated that of the WRC car, however they're vastly different both in width and arch line. The WRC arches offer far greater wheel travel clearance.
In answer to the previous questions the 22B used flared arches that emulated that of the WRC car, however they're vastly different both in width and arch line. The WRC arches offer far greater wheel travel clearance.
Funny enough bought mine cheap of e bay. Think it was around 2003. If my memory servs me right i bid £200 ish and i was the only bidder.
massiveCoRbyn
ClioSport Club Member
Several
Out of interest, why over-rated? It was based on a Type-R wasn't it, albeit with the bigger engine and wide arches.
I have heard that they aren't at their best on UK roads. It will always be the ultimate for me I must say. I almost don't care if it's not the best to drive, it's just the rarity and the arches. It's the only 2dr Impreza I'd actually want to own, they look guff without the wide arches.
frayz
ClioSport Club Member
They drive like any other standard Impreza which is as you say, a bit guff. Not that quick, torrential understeer, bags of grip like they all have but otherwise pretty willy handling, and nowhere near as special as it’s looks suggest.
It’s in the same bracket as an escort cossie to me.
Mega to look at, but that’s where the interest stops as they’re both s**t to drive.
They were all £25k for years and were marginal at that money, laughable at the prices they are now.
massiveCoRbyn
ClioSport Club Member
Several
Depends what you're used to I guess. In the world of most 90s cars, things like the Impreza and Cossie were leagues above what most people were driving. Long time ago now though.
The prices are mad for what the cars are objectively speaking, but how good a car is doesn't always mean a lot when it comes to the collector car market I guess. Rose-tinted specs and a big bank balance do funny things to people.
frayz
ClioSport Club Member
Certainly in the case of the Escort Cosworth. The Sierra drives so much better imo, the chassis didn’t work as well in the shortened Escort body.
That said, almost Impreza would run rings around most Cosworths on anything but the straight bits.
You’re right, though that the Cossie was a spaceship in a sea of normal road cars. The affordable mans car that would genuinely do 150mph. That said, the Impreza and EVO were in a different league again. The Japanese cars were so much better engineered, certainly in terms of chassis.
They were all the darlings of my generation and I’ve at least owned 2 of the 3 of them.
Few cars pull at the heartstrings like an RS Cosworth, and I don’t care what you drove these days. If you see a Cossie, I put money on it you’ll look at it and smile. 🙂
Have you driven a 22B?!
Here's mates completely stock 22B 'understeering' all over the place:
A special car, if you ask me. Worth only what people are willing to pay.
frayz
ClioSport Club Member
Yes thank you
Yes thank you
Strange then, for it to understeer.
70:30 rear:front fixed torque split iirc, I’ve only been in one and it felt completely planted.
