MotorWeek | Retro Review: Japanese Spec Impreza 22B

Yeah, this really happened.

[@82coxy]

This gen Impreza is by far the best looking, far better than the current gen IMO.

[@AWDfreak]

It may be the "best looking" to a huge majority, however, it also had the floppiest chassis of all Imprezas. The Subaru engineers reportedly said the first generation Impreza chassis was comparable to a watermelon, a chassis that barely held its strength.

[@82coxy]

AWDfreak The chassis seemed to do well in the 90's in the WRC.

[@82coxy]

Richard Joash Tan Was their really any need for that? I said it was my opinion, I didn't say it was fact.

[@AWDfreak]

Leeroy Jones That's because the roll cage and other chassis reinforcement for race use helped it since the chassis was so light.

[@DrewLSsix]

+Leeroy Jones and he agreed with you, what was your point?

[@manfromnantucket9544]

Proof that modding culture existed before F&F

[@Cosigner22]

Of course it did... How do you think the movie came about in the first place?

[@negativeindustrial]

I was there, it was great. F&F did make parts cheaper, more plentiful and easier to obtain.

[@josesigala7520]

I mean people have did hot-rods during the prohibition era

[@negativeindustrial]

José Sigala Tuning culture typically refers to the Japanese cars whereas hot rods are typically American

[@josesigala7520]

@@negativeindustrial modifying i guess

[@kamikaze4704]

what kind of maniac puts a 50 shot in an outback this dude is a legend 😂

[@joshgrami]

See, +Subaru, THIS is what you should be bringing to America. Enough of the CVT nonsense.

[@Y10Q]

yeah, but now they sell 500k cars per year. So I think they nailed it. In the late 90s they were a dying company, when most of their cars were manual shift, 5 speed. Nobody drives those in USA. CVT is the future.

[@superextremelaser]

Y10Q if CVT is really the future then the future looks bleak and depressing. also, subaru does sell alot of cars, which is cool, but the majority of their cars are super boring. their sports car (brz) is too slow and their actual sports car (wrx/sti) is still based off of a small 4 door sedan. at least give us a 2 door like this 22b, this thing is frickin rad

[@catsspat]

Y10Q Indeed. I really have to wonder if all these CVT haters have actually owned one, let alone driven one. I didn't have a single Subaru until 2013, but now I only have Subarus (BRZ MT + Impreza Hatch CVT w/EyeSight), and plan to get another Subaru soon. I too prefer manual and would love it if they'd offer EyeSight with MT for those long highway trips, but the CVT is just fine. If anything, it's way better than the standard 5-speed auto on 8th gen Civic that I got rid of. Impreza's CVT is smoother, quieter, and *always* in the right gear going uphill, no matter the grade/speed. No, 4-speed is so outdated. 5-speed is not good enough. Want 7-speed, 8-speed autos. Well, CVT is infinite-speed auto. But, nooo! Don't want that! Yeah, whatever.

[@snakerb]

@catsspat as a WRX owner and someone who's driven a CVT cross country (SC to WA), I can honestly say I'd much rather drive a manual over a CVT. Heck, I'd take an auto over a CVT. But what works for some doesn't work for all, and sadly it seems like manual drive is going the way of the Dodo. Most people I talk to would much rather a car they didn't have to shift so that they can do everything else behind the wheel besides drive.

[@catsspat]

snakerb As I said, I too prefer the manual, but I'd really like EyeSight to go with it. It's the right-foot that gets annoying, not the left-foot nor the hand. I just learned that Ford offers adaptive cruise on their Mustang with manual transmission. I'm actually tempted... slightly. Mazda's MRCC is designed to work on manuals, too, but they don't offer it on manuals here. Maybe they'll offer it on the new Miata. I prefer EyeSight over all those radar nonsense, though. My ideal car is something like Levorg 2.0T with MT and EyeSight. Of course, it doesn't exist.

[@RRtradestar]

I used to watch motor week with my dad when I was a kid and I watch as many reviews on KZbin as I can and it's great! it's awesome to see mr. Davis still kicking and it's REALLY really nice to see that the channel is run by kind and competent people

[@ElRayDelRio]

R.i.p

[@XenomorphLV426]

This car and the Z32 TT made me a car enthusiast as a young teen. God bless them.

[@happy_camper]

Good taste

[@jbouchard4877]

RIP Colin McRae

[@DANNYN224]

350 hp for a car that is just a flat 4 and turbo impressive

[@destructoidx99]

ever heard of a fq400 evo

[@iamzuesthisisthetruth8864]

@@destructoidx99 yeah 5-6 years Later!!!

[@zubuxstein]

@@iamzuesthisisthetruth8864 😤

[@juanc5149]

Anything is possible if you throw enough head gaskets at it!

[@anhiirr]

@@juanc5149 akin to the "how much boost can stock internals" crowd....cut to "i now need forged rod/pistons OH and new block" crowd.....a good % wind up v8 owners for this very reason....As if it matters....these same "end users" are now the personality type that pay for a crackle tune and back pressure into their manifolds/turbos. Go figure

[@ibanezgera]

First gen Imprezas are the Best, the newer models, 07 and up, are too bloated. The 22B is legendary, and it's easily any Subaru enthusiast's dream.

[@TheGeorge333]

While the latest iteration of the STI is far superior in terms of performance and state of the art automotive technology, it lacks in my opinion the charisma and historical significance of the 22B. If only we had gotten such a model here in the states when it was sold as new. It's a shame that we Americans don't often get the limited edition models of cars that the Europeans get. I'm eager to get my hands on a vintage Audi RS2 once 25 years have passed since it debuted in 1994.

[@roddydykes7053]

Geogieporgie if you have the chance to move to Canada, you can get them 10 years sooner. I’ve had a twin turbo ‘01 Legacy GT-B E-Tune for 3 years and am trading it for a ‘04 Z33 Fairlady Z this spring, both JDM and imported while still in awesome shape.

[@VaughnJogVlog]

More horsepower than the contemporary GT-R, but all these years later they simply offer the same 300hp engine for 17 years. If Subaru kept pace they’d have a 700 hp wagon available.

[@jakejohns9832]

Love the old 22B. Can destroy even modern sports cars.

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

Modern cars are so heavy 😂

[@idontlikecops1]

I was there!! Fall of 99. Man this brought memories. I came with my older brother in his svx

[@canto_v12]

22B, Subaru's exotic. I wish I had the opportunity to watch this show in the 90s as a kid. Didn't know you guys had such great access to forbidden fruit!

[@paulvicks1336]

I know right!? Surprised to see a jdm legend on here

[@ElRayDelRio]

I used to watch these shows all weekend long with my pops in the man cave!

[@mobucks555]

I owned my '99 RS Coupe for over 15 years. God I loved that car. Even without a turbo it was the best car I've ever driven.

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

I watch this vid about once a month to get my 22b fix. I had a 1998 Impreza 2.5 RS. I loved that car. The 22b is at the top of my dream car list.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

The first impreza's were the best of them all before the bug eyed version came out...and then it went downhill! The originals are classics! Love that burble sound and cat kneeling look with the handling,grip and performance to match! 👌😀👍➡✔🆒

[@johnsullivan937]

good god a 22b for 47 grand. if only that was the case nowadays lol

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

John Sullivan yeah, even a beat up one is around 45k.

[@davidpassant5626]

I was just quoted 1.4 million Hong Kong dollars for a almost unused 1 of 3 22b prototype. Lol.

[@jdmr1c3ing]

That's not cheap when you consider inflation.

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

I wonder if anyone at motor week knew at the time how lucky they were to get to drive this 22B? They're so hard to find and if you do, expect to pay around 50k for a decent one.

[@roddydykes7053]

ZildjianGuy Man I saw one with 2000kms on it and showroom condition go for $180,000 on a Japanese auction recently

[@steve8803]

@2020 Subaru WRX 6spd Manual keep any "enthusiast" car in a garage for 20 years and you'll see value retained.

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

Man, I'd love to own a 22b. I had a '98 RS. I loved that car!

[@SA-zoom1]

22b is one of the best cars performance cars ever made. Dream car now

[@rootsmanuva82]

This is the E30 M3 of the Subaru world.

[@nanotechpowerware]

Who would have known that years later Subaru's would be the go to car for vapers wearing flat brim hats.

[@RWDtech]

Vaping is better than smoking.

[@Fritz___]

@@RWDtech Just like saying cancer is better than Ebola🤦‍♂️

[@Cosigner22]

Lesbians... You forgot lesbians.

[@garethdrabble8580]

Wtf is with the continuous vaping joke??? I have a 99 sti have for years loved subaru my whole life and i dont smoke or vape or have a flat brim hat. I really dont get it its kinda anoying

[@daytonasayswhat9333]

Don’t forget the lezzers.

[@jerryb2332]

In 2005 my shop in Daytona Beach reassembled and modded the only known 22B in the country. It was #89/400. There was a Florida based company at the time called Evolution Imports that were selling all the Skylines and other highly desirable cars we never got in the country. They contracted us to reassemble all the cars they sold. There was a loophole at the time. We could disassemble the cars completely in the Bahamas once sold and load all the parts into two shipping containers. Then we sent them to my shop to be put together and add whatever else the customers wanted. At that point they were considered “Kit cars”. We called the Dot to inspect every car and they were then able to be registered in Florida for the car they were. Also insured as the actual car. I owned a Dynojet at the time also and did all the tuning on the customer cars. I still have the 22B’s turbo manifold that’s Stamped #89/400. To this day that was one of my absolute favorite cars. It was just an awesome car. My wife had a US spec STi that was modded and just wasn’t even close. The 22B was amazing. The owner left it with me for a few months and it was all it was hyped to be. The track times they got in this video were just so far off the mark. I’d say stock was in the mid 4s 0-60. With mild modding and tuning it was in the hight to mid 3s.

[@parkerxgps8101]

Um, SOA has always had thiers in NJ or elsewhere in the family. Probably where the example in this video came from. Could be a private owner. There were a few people who snuck them in. Lets just say, the DOT has been known to make exceptions. Did you see a white turbo Pulsar go through your reassembly job? Or was that not your operation? I knew the guy who got that Pulsar if it was.

[@jerryb2332]

@@parkerxgps8101 There were quite a few. They were super popular. Almost all of ours still had the umbrellas too lol. Frank from Evolution Imports had a fairly built one we did that was white also. The Pulsar was definitely one of the most popular cars we built. They were much cheaper than an S14 or most anything else. I took a few of my customers to Orlando speed world with theirs and nearly every time we went, the announcer would say they were some sort of right hand drive GTI. It cracked me up every time. Where did your buddy get his? Evolution Imports used to actually sell the cars to the customers. I was the one who had to take them apart in the Bahamas and then have them shipped in two separate containers to my shop in Daytona to be assembled. Very few stayed stock. Since they were completely disassembled most people wanted all possible maintenance done while the power train was out. It made it much cheaper. They would then typically had me a dream build list and a budget and we’d work from there. We also had the last Spirit R. Unfortunately the numbered seats were stolen in the port of Miami when it was being shipped back to us. Otherwise it was a perfect example of the last RX-7 and just a stunner. What was the history of your friends?

[@parkerxgps8101]

@@jerryb2332 hearing the Pulsar was that popular restores some of my faith in humanity. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one. Those little boxes are fun. I think the guy I know got his towards the end of the open window but, didn't know you ran that many in, That's a lot of cars in that short window. Bravo.

[@jerryb2332]

@@parkerxgps8101 we were assembling around 3 cars a week for a while there. It wasn’t my shop that got the loophole shut down. That was all Evolution imports fault and some greedy copy cats trying to do the same. Evolution really was robbing Paul to pay Peter type of thing. Once I had custody of the car the customer was in good shape and at ease. I’d give out my personal cell number to some of those customers and they could always drive to the shop or fly out and we’d make a weekend of it. That way they could come out and see their cars before the work had even started and I could point out general problem areas of the cars that were easier to address before they were assembled. I myself am always on a look out for a Mini Godzilla. We had an Evo 5 come through that we did a very serious build on that was a truly awesome car also. I’m not great at using social media and KZbin. I’m not sure if you can private message me or not. If you could I’ll direct you to my Facebook page. There’s still quite a few of those cars in various states of build in my photos. Including the 22B. I had a daily R32 GT-R that had a little done here and there lol. We also had more of a showcase time attack R33 GT-R that back then in 2005-2006 was making 1300hp. There’s pictures of that on my page also. I’m right with you though man. The pulsar should have gotten way more love here than it did. I built and raced VW back then in the SCCA. I thought while similar in looks the pulsar was just a much cooler car. You just couldn’t race them with the strict SCCA rules.

[@parkerxgps8101]

@@jerryb2332 Ya Evolution sounds like the name I remember. Sure put Motorex to shame. ;) Cool to hear and bravo but, I don't facebook. Still worth having and remembering that moment in American car guy history. Back when imports may as well have been the devil. Even though we shipped so many jobs overseas. If you remember the Pulsar guy working for Cobb (Accessport), that was the guy I knew. I remember hearing about you being in contact with the buyers. Truly a service to the hobby in the country. 07

[@PANTYEATR1]

the 2.5RS coupe and the 2002 WRX are the best looking imo

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Great comparison of two great cars. Glad you all got to test a 22B. (:

[@Acc0rd79]

OH Hell Yah!!! The 22b. I love these old school vids!!!

[@Akuma240]

Man, this thing is still a beauty.

[@ChrisLitton]

Love this channel, could watch all day.

[@TEDdotcom]

Oh my! I love the 22B! Great video MotorWeek! 👍👍

[@chrisdooley6468]

I miss my 98 RS :(

[@Ash-928]

the classic Imprezas are gorgeous

[@Christosan88]

I loved that they showed a window into the late 90s Subaru modders.

[@rabidsminions2079]

Way more appealing than most "Euro" cars from that era.

[@fernandochaves9665]

Legendary cars.. I remember back in the day most rally-maniacs were Subaru fans, when even many of them had never driven or even been in a Subaru.

[@terranceparker8990]

Good find 👍 love em all there like time capsules.

[@deadkemper]

I love this program , I spend evenings trawling through cars we never saw in the UK

[@snowrocket]

+deadkemper Funny, that's what many of us do here in the USA with Top Gear and Fifth gear. We look at all the cars we don't get here in America. The truth be told, we should be overall glad that we didn't get each other's worst cars.

[@deadkemper]

hahaha true that !

[@dchrish]

Rally racing was amazing back then.

[@bwzffgh7]

It makes me miss my '00 2.5 RS. I loved that generation Impreza.

[@JDM417]

Just picked up a 2.5 RS coupe for $2K. Stripping it and off to get the proper body work it will go soon. Can't wait to work on it. 😁

[@YusufSheth]

glorious! would love to see more of this car in some real rally racing.

[@TwinTrident]

That guy with the Pep Boys Wagon cracks me up😂 but seriously I like this episode.

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

22B's are a legend. I had no idea these things were so expensive from the factory. holy crap, That's Supra money.

[@smfernando]

Love these retro reviews!!!

[@MAHABO]

One of my dream cars! :3

[@jonathandougherty3677]

I remember seeing this episode on TV 20 years ago and this made the GC8 my first automotive love. I’ve still never owned one though, kinda don’t want to, never meet your heros kinda thing. Maybe the next gen STI.

[@SearchEast2069]

LMAO look at Kevin Thomas' Imprezza! The heat shield for the cold air intake is a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil on it! hahaha and those racing stripes! I love it. And nitrous omg. Too bad the damn thing probably rusted to hell within a few years like all Subarus of that era.

[@snowrocket]

+Antwon Jenkins How DARE you say "rusted to hell in a few years"! I say it takes a Subaru at least ten years before you can say it's "rusted to hell"! TEN is more than "a FEW"! But admittedly, Subarus DO rust like hell. I would know, I'm on '90s Subaru number five here in northeast Ohio. I had to go the Virginia to get one without noteworthy rust.

[@myxalplyx]

@05:31 Nope! I still have that same subaru. The turbo was upgraded years ago from a Minnam to a Ludespeed ball bearing unit and I've had a top mounted intercooler on it for ages. It's been sitting in my garage for about 4yrs though gathering dust. I may as well start it up to get the fluids moving. :-)

[@stg2lgcy00]

How does this not have over 1M views??

[@kirbyswarp]

LOOL The Outback wagon's stripes and wheels!

[@rapgameoprahwinfrey]

kirbyswarp Legend says that the racing stripes added 50 hp.

[@kirbyswarp]

rap game bob barker I think it's more like 70 if you get the stripes and a cold air intake

[@alanmoncus2331]

The first time I got into an early WRX the momo steering wheel is what struck me the most, I've driven lots of cars, but a mid 2000's STI is one of the fastest and most impressive ones for real lmao :D

[@parkerxgps8101]

RIP Richard Burns. Many lost but not forgotten Impreza brothers.

[@eldom20]

Bunta's Impreza

[@rightfight100]

+eldom72 Close but his was a WRX STI Coupe Type R I believe.

[@eldom20]

True, he drives a WRX STI Coupe Type R Version V (GC8)

[@Impreza-bj5jh]

Same generation but I don't think it's a 22b

[@hermanman8235]

BYE BYE ....86

[@802Garage]

I'm kind of in love with this... XD

[@woohunter1]

I have a '16 wrx but would love a low mileage, very well looked after bugeye!

[@PrinceDavid]

SO MUCH DROOLING! Love it, SUbaru

[@ReeseMacalma]

"Impressive machines" indeed. I see what you did there :D

[@chrisdooley6468]

I still miss my 98 RS coupé. I always longed for a 22b

[@MicahPotts]

I sure do miss my BRP 2.5RS Coupe w/Black leather interior, red stitching and 5MT.

[@emirajdinovic36]

Just beautiful love it

[@Clickbaiters]

Subaru's a far from being perfect or super reliable but I love it getting in my Fozzy everyday. Subaru marketing has nailed it with the advertising slogan: Love. it's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

By far the best looking Subaru wrx ever!😍🥰👍

[@bwxmoto]

You can be sure this vid gets a ton of views! Hey did you ever find those old Honda Prelude reviews? I saw one.. but I thought you had more.

[@Motorweek]

I got an 85 ready to rock

[@bwxmoto]

***** Cool! I had an '85 2.0si. Great little FWD car. I think I remember you saying that you only had the 1.8L carbureted version in a video? The si was 2.0L fuel injected. Any old review of any prelude (all that you have) would be cool though!

[@Motorweek]

BWX I have a brief update of an '85 Si... it's a small cameo in a bigger updates for 1985 test. I'll get around to it eventually. But the straight '85 I can get up quick

[@JaYzWrExX]

OMG im in love..... but that 1/4 mile seems quite off, was expecting that number to be at least 13.0 or faster

[@AWDfreak]

If you bothered to pay attention, multiple factors caused the times to seem "slow", including the slipping clutch, drivers getting used to the clutch, and drivers getting used to the right hand drive interior layout.

[@JaYzWrExX]

So what's the excuse for the 2.5xs?

[@Turshin]

JaYzWrExX lol I think he's speechless

[@AWDfreak]

JaYzWrExX The 2.5XS appears to be a naturally-aspirated engine re-engineered with forced induction. Unfortunately, the non-turbo EJ engines aren't exactly known to hold together well with forced induction applied. So taking into consideration the base car was not designed for all the add-ons, it's no surprise that the 2.5XS is also "slow". Despite such statements, both of the vehicles (22B, 2.5XS) were actually quite quick for their time.

[@whoohaaXL]

AWDfreak Oh yeah, plagued by head gasket issues...

[@SpencerTaylorOnline]

***** Thank you for sharing these amazing reviews! I have a totally custom 2008 Subaru STi - custom engine, turbo, suspension, etc. I race SCCA and Time Trial with NASA. I had an amazing day last year driving my STi on Summit Point Main totally alone - no brake markers, no flaggers, no one. I was a guest of a team that was testing a special project race car. It was one of my favorite days on a track - period.

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

i brought a 2001 gt forester 2.0 litre engine 4 cam turbo - did brakes steering and suspension + bigger turbo with 3 inch stainless exhaust . wow great fun slow or fast and sticks like sh-- !

[@VEEZER1]

You did the steering eh?

[@thetreblerebel]

No luxury, no fancy gizmos, the STi is the turbo engine, and AWD, with racing seats and brake. They took this car, and raced them. Legendary car that Subaru hasn't made since then.. this car was the next step after the Eclipse and Supra..

[@aaronjones8341]

I love V8s but that Boxer rumble is orgasmic...

[@nknasi]

from certain angles that 22b looked like an r34 skyline. i'm sure the blue helped!

[@DeathMetalThrasher]

It's a mean machine! Legendary.

[@Wesley_C]

I like the JDM Impreza, fancy looking car.

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

Ok. You got me the crack that I craved Ben. More JDM spec please ;). Type-R it up! Also....Spec-V road test? I haven't found a 2007-2012 Spec-V test from Motorweek, did the show get to review that model?

[@Motorweek]

I'm almost sure we did. I'll check. For future reference, TV Guide.com has detailed listings of every episode, all the way back to season 1

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

***** Season 26, Episode 51. Listed as Sentra SE-R, but I'm hoping it was the Spec-V because there is a world of difference between the two.

[@Motorweek]

Brodey Dover I believe it was...a pretty blue one if I remeber. We def had a Spec V, that had to be it. I'll check it asap

[@bendavis9733]

Brodey Dover should have it up this week

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

Awesome!! Thank you!!

[@klax001]

1:46 I always wondered what the Stig was doing before Top Gear

[@AdamB12]

So incredibly rare, so beautiful. Sad they never made it for the NA market.

[@twisted5544]

Very well made wip.

[@JEMHull-gf9el]

hahah Love those old school bolt on 90's style stuffffs

[@Davestreak]

But Boxer NA high reving engines also work.. as seen with the 3.0 na currently on the nordschleife

[@tenofdiamonds6440]

Legend.

[@stonewalled9696]

I'll take that wagon!

[@RRtradestar]

lmao it's pretty badass with the stripes and that homemade heat shield!

[@RWDtech]

Minus the ugly black door ding prevention trim. Why does anyone put those on their cars? Just don't carelessly fling your door open for Christ's sake!

[@GeeEm1313]

The car America needs. The best gen of Impreza, IMO.

[@fifteenbyfive]

Out of the box and straight to the racetrack. Girlfriend: Scared Fun: Had Purchase price: Worth it

[@sti_clone3840]

The good old days of the car scene

[@kgthegreatone943]

Legend

[@rodo17201]

I love this car.

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

Looked seeing all those 2.5 RS subs.

[@Myrdoc]

This is awesome

[@joelchils]

One of the best cars ever made...

[@joemrda84]

Dream car!

[@KingOath]

I never knew the US got a low spec 2 door Impreza? We sure didn’t here in Aus, unless i’m wrong?

[@artistwithouttalent]

What year was this?

[@craig2web]

Sweet rides

[@weekenderfam7965]

fast forward to 2021, I still wish Subaru is going to redesign the WRX/STi based on this look. If you say rally inspired this one is definitely the model

[@Socsom]

what year was this?

[@VincentAnthonyE]

50 shot of Nos LOL, I wonder how long that lasted.

[@73dustpan]

So sad you can't even find these cars in good shape anymore, they've all been trashed.

[@nathanpetrohilos]

+steve rodriguez You have to find a shell and start from scratch sadly

[@tylerschwartz4327]

+Nathan Petrohilos my neighbor daily drives a 2.5 rs and i wanna buy it from him lmao

[@stephenn6657]

+Tyler Schwartz I seen a mint condition, blue 2.5rs outside home depot. i nearly had a heart attack. the owner mounted gold bbs wheels. Looked very similar to the 22b.

[@73dustpan]

Stephen N was this in San Antonio?

[@mohawk5010]

One of my co-workers owns one. Well, the American version. I stare at it every time I see it.

[@kingrandor3129]

Wow didn't no they came with 350 HP nice

[@thecloudster4520]

the first epic fast subaru was the svx

[@mcximus]

Love to have one

[@Defy_Convention]

New STI still has less power, sad really.

[@Joshua_N-A]

Subaru used to make coupes. It could've release another coupe if it wants to. All R&D data had been collected through more than 2 decades of rallying. Wonder what a new SVX would look like.

[@aaryeshg.6526]

Apart from Audi TT, nobody else is making an econobox based coupe afaik....

[@jackhammell1926]

Cool car