Guys, need serious opinions: Is the vr6 a money pit?

[bahjah]

I've wanted a vr6 for as long as i can remember, and in my research seem to come across a lot of people who've had problems with their vr6's.

Am i stupid to be looking at buying one of these cars? Note that I'm 17 years old and earn sh*t all from my part time job.
Please be honest (no bias :p) because i dont want to be in debt at 17!!
I'll probs look at a 1st gen mx-5 or peugeot 306 gti6, maybe a mk2 golf gti if I decide against the vr6.

Such a nice car though!!! Just can't afford the risk

[Mischa]

their weakness is in the timing chain and timing chain guides. when they go, you'll need an engine re-build. a couple of us just did one forum member's timing chain and clutch (he's also 17y/o), whilst its do-able at home, its not for the faint hearted and its not something you should do as your first project. if the car has been serviced properly and the timing chain has been replaced, theres no reason why it should be a money pit as far as i know.

but there'll be plenty of vr6 owners chiming in

[Pullstarter]

To be honest mate any car around this age will have some problems and it really is just dumb luck whether you get a good un or a lemon no matter what brand/model. Having said this you must remember that VW parts are a bit more expensive than most, some parts especially. If you want to go the least risk route the MX5 would be your best bet. Mazda parts aren't that dear either. On the other hand you get a gem of a Dub and have sod all problems with it, just remember, look after the car and it will look after you no matter what it is. When you go out looking make sure you take someone who is mechanically savvy with you to check the car out. I would stay well away from Peugeot unless you got plenty of dollars, parts are very expensive (dare I say it dearer than VW ) and can be hard to find for older models, finding mechanics willing to work on them that charge less than 3 billion dollars an hour can be hard to find also. I've probably confused you more than I've helped now LOL. I guess what I'm trying to say is know what you're getting into and have the car thoroughly checked before you buy and take note of any problems, no matter how small they seem and adjust the price accordingly. If the seller won't come to the party just walk away.....

[mk3pete]

go and grab yourself a vr my friend even if it does cost you a gold mine its still worth it to drive one

[bahjah]

their weakness is in the timing chain and timing chain guides. when they go, you'll need an engine re-build. a couple of us just did one forum member's timing chain and clutch (he's also 17y/o), whilst its do-able at home, its not for the faint hearted and its not something you should do as your first project. if the car has been serviced properly and the timing chain has been replaced, theres no reason why it should be a money pit as far as i know.

but there'll be plenty of vr6 owners chiming in

Engine rebuild?!!!?!

*runs away*

lol i've found a few examples i'm interested in, one in particular (90,000km, full log books, '97 manual) for $10k caught my eye. I've made a little 'inspection checklist' but will probs get it into a workshop before any amount of cash changes hands. Keep the advice coming!! I need it!!

[peedman]

At this age yes things can break but if it has been looked i say go for it. Parts arent that expensive if u know where to get them from and there are plenty of websites and guides if u need to do a particular thing. Just get it properly inspected first and be prepared to wait for a perfect one!

[Mrk_Mickey]

I'll try not to sound biased here, so I'll start by saying the VR I bought is far from perfect. I've done my timing chains, a new clutch (which was due) and a window regulator. My heater core is gone, as are most mk3's, but I like the cold so I don't care whatsoever .

I'm the 'forum member' that Mischa part-helped with the timing chain replacement; let me tell you know it's a long-winded job - not too difficult, just requires focus.

At the end of the day no matter what happens to my car I still love it because of things like the WAY IT GOES , the sound and the feeling I get owning/driving it . I'm 17, which presented a risk when buying, but I don't think they're impossible to own at our age. I know four other VR owners under the age of 19, so it can't be that bad!

[Mrk_Mickey]

Oh yeah...and if things break, GAP is your bestest friend

[DubSteve]

Put it this way my VR has to be one of the highest modified Golfs in Australia if not one of the highest in the mk3 total something in the vasinty of 30k+

However that being said its all an experience and also a learning curve and simple things like instead of doing cams and chip which does **** all do a SC this path I shall take in the near future

[decksla]

depending on what your "addiction" is like to cars, they are all money pits, period.

the VR is my first euro car and will be the cheapest. ive had my share of fast jap cars which resulted in many engine rebuilds, turbo upgrades, ecu tunes, all of which cost me many thousands and thousands of dollars.

be sensible with whatever car you buy and it wont cost you the earth. make sure its a well looked after example, service is regulalrly and itll give you many kms of happiness.

all cars have problems, even new fairly new ones. and the choice of car is up to you. i would rather buy a car that i enjoy driving, than spend the same amount of money in a car that i would only consider "transport".

ive never regretted any of the cars i've bought, and the money i spend on them i chose never to think about. But theyve all given me years of fun, have made me some great friends, and have taught me alot about cars.

buy what you want. take everyones opinion with a grain of salt. take all the cars you want for a drive, do your research (insurance, livability, purpose, etc), talk to the ownser, and make your decision.

as i said a very well looked after VR could mean less headaches and hassles than a flogged pug, mx, or any other car.

[The_Hawk]

I'm sure that any car of this age will have a list of things that commnly break. Off the top of my head for the VR6 it goes something like this:

Timing Chain
Various water pipes/joints
ABS
Heatercore
AC
Window regulators
Roof lining

Of all those things you don't need to fix most of them straight away (or at all), in some cases you can do it yourself.


As for $10k for a VR6, I'd be asking how many of the above things are working and if any of been replaced recently, if they haven't they many very well be close to it needing it. You maywant to consider buying a cheaper vehicle with known issues and spend the money fixing it up at least that way you con be confident they won't be breaking any time soon. I bought the cheaper model and have had AC, Heater Core, window regs, head lining and various pipes replaced in mine, but I still think I'm in front.

Should you buy one of these on a budget? Well the same goes for any car, unless you buy a $500 '75 Carolla and leave it where it breaks down, your going to need to fix things when they break.

edit: Was just having a look whats around at the moment, seems it's a good time to sell VR6's, for a while there prices were much lower...

[Golf Loon]

Yes its a money pit.
It was a bank managers car when new and is hard to maintain on a student budget, plus thirsty.
Get yourself a nice 2L which will never break
Peugeot are shocking in Oz. Run.

[tassie_euro_mk1]

money pit?

good question...lol.

Mine certainly has been. From spending money on aftermarket parts to relacement parts. im a 22 year old uni student so it has been a little tough.

Im currently replacing the timing chain as the guide broke, resulting in bent exhaust valves.

I have owned the car for one year and so far i have replaced:
-air flow sensor
-fuel pump
-auxilarly water punp
-control arm bushes
-engine mount
-samco hose kit, cos the hoses were going
-coolant crack pipe

Parts im currently replacing while the car is getting fixed
-timing chain kit, head bolts, gasgets, valves etc
-thermostat housing kit
-heater core
-drivers side window regulator

so....yea lol. can be expensive.

but like what you and many others said, its and awesome car to drive. heaps of fun and the sound is addictive.

just make sure you pick wisely. has service history etc... in the end its ur decision and VR6's are so so much fun.

[bahjah]

Thanks for the input everyone. It's especially good to hear from owners, particularly the younger guys. I guess I was hoping for a 'verdict' or something, but that was a bit foolish - each car has its merits and downfalls, and in the end it's a trade off between the two, not simply 'This car is better than the other, don't buy it'. In the end my (irrational?) love for all things VW will probably win over any rational thoughts, but hopefully with this advice I can make better informed decisions about the car I buy. Thanks again!

[Golf Houso]

Good thread, I'd honestly push it for a MKIV GTI, you can get reasonable 99-00' models for around 13k and less now. They'd certainly be cheaper to do the basics than a VR6, plus they're considerably younger. A much more technologically advanced, potentially fast and more comfortable car, I'd say better than a VR6 bar the exhaust note