ben1413

iTrader: (5)

Hi there.

I'm thinking about getting one of these and was wondering if anyone had any advice/experience with them. If you've owned one then what was it like, problem areas to look out for, any weakness, etc.

Any information would be greatly received!! Cheers.

Ben

ben1413

iTrader: (5)

I've just done a search and this has been covered before. Outcome = they are crap, ignore me!!

Ben

Dracoro

Get the Corrado VR6. They're excellent.

AC-scoobie

Agreed, what a lovely car.

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

They aren't crap at all. A few tweaks to the suspension and they can handle very well. It depends what you expect from it. As a fast cruiser they are very good, as a nippy town car they aren't so good.

ben1413

iTrader: (5)

I'm just after a cheap run-about that has still got a bit of go when you want it but enough space so I can chuck all my tools in the back.

Ben

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

People will tell you that the golf gti 16 valve is every bit as good but don't listen to them. My wife has a VR6 and my sister has a mark 3 gti 16 valve and the 16 valve is gutless The VR6 on decent suspension is a massive improvement. If you get an earlier one changing the front brakes from 280mm ones to the late 288mm ones improve the braking loads. The 280mm ones are scarey!!!

The VR6 engine is a wonderful engine and they sound so nice, it's not like a normal V6 engine that is very lazy and doesn't like being revved. The VR6 actually comes on cam at about 4,000 rpm and pulls like a train My wifes engine is totally standard apart from an induction kit and they are recommended On a run you should see around 28-30mpg.

+Doc+

I test drove an early N reg Golf VR6, imo it was the most gutless car I had ever driven

Tobisausage

Echo comments, but I would like to add they tend to blow up around the 100k mark

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

The 2.9 engines are weaker due to the fact that they've been overbored but if they've had their cam chains changed (like any car with a belt) they are totally reliable. The weak link is the chain but as long as that's done it'll be fine.

gregjd

Back in the day I had a purple auto one with black leather (classy, eh ). At the time I thought it was great. It was my first company car (went downhill with a Ford Probe after this!) and was a great motorway cruiser. Bet it's hard to find an unthrashed one these days though.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Wasn't the Golf a 2.8 170ish bhp and the Corrado a 2.9 192bhp?

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Golf was 174bhp and the corrado 190bhp I think.

ben1413

iTrader: (5)

Cheers for all the info.

TBH I'm looking for one under £2k so I guess I'll have to keep my wits about me. All of them have probably done more than 100k. If they're looked after will the engine go on forever or are they only good for 100k?

Cheers

Ben

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

As long as the chain has been done. The interval for the chain is around 100k

kayeabl

Hi There,

I had a a grey 3 door VR6 a couple years back and i would describe it as a cruiser rather than a sports car. Mine had standard suspension to start and it felt like the whole car was being pulled around by the weight of the engine under heavy breaking. I then lowered and stiffened the suspension, changed the engine mountings and it was much much better. Performance wise, it wasn't really any faster than my Mk2 16v 2.0l conversion, and worse in the twisties.

However i bought mine on 101k and sold it at 115k and it was totally reliable. Go for the highline model though if you can find one, with the heated leather.

There should be no rust and check in the boot for signs of rear accident damage. As mentioned its also vital that the cam has been changed and that it should be smoke free.

cheers

Ash