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

[Mischa]

VTEC is all good...but there's no replacement for displacement.

except a turbocharger, NA cars are just blowing power out their backside

[Mrk_Mickey]

except a turbocharger, NA cars are just blowing power out their backside

....Recirculation nut

VTEC YO? Ban that kid!! hahaha.

[DubSteve]

U wish it was , if Courtney reads this she will so kick your ass


BTW , the motor on mine will cost probably what yours will be worth in total

Lol bring on the Auto
I have more plans in the pipe line

[Shteifen]

Gah, I'll just get an integra...


VTEC, yo?

EPIC FAIL



-Steve

[Golf Houso]

Still faster than my MK3, lol ... just

[bahjah]

Still faster than my MK3, lol ... just

Yeah, the Integras cop it hard... all the "VTEC YO" -ing aside, they have a sweet chassis, great gearbox and a bulletproof engine. Not to mention the practicality of a 2 door hatchback with 130(something?) kilowatts.


and fuel efficiency...


and cheap parts...


mmmm tempting!

[Golf Loon]

Honda parts are not very cheap and there is a lot of variation across models.

Also they blow lots of smoke when they are ageing.

[schoona]

Yeah their is a 'teg running (just) around here. Soundsl ike it has a severe case of emphysema (sp??). to make it worse it is bright orange, twin cannons and tasteless 19 inch chromies...


but the vr mate. I have. I also have a 1985 MB 190E which has cost a bomb to keep going. sure im struggling...but its all fun...youll get out of the whole soon enough and be able to have worry free motoring.

you don't see many vr's around. they are understated, subtle and absolutely go. you get good equipment and having a solid, well built german engineered hatch is going to be safer than your 2 door drop top.

[sydVR6]

I once replaced a Golf VR6 with an Integra VTi-R - Big mistake.

I test drove it on open roads where it seemed great, but day to day the torque deficit came into the picture.

They might have 125kw on paper, but its all developed above 5500rpm.
They seriously lack low down urge (torque) and as a result are pretty ordinary to drive at anywhere but the rev limit.

Another big disability of the Integra is the bad visibilty caused by that raked rear hatch and high spoiler. This comes to play in traffic.
With the Integra, you can't see whats coming behind you and the power takes an eternity to kick in (The same things that plague some WRX wagon drivers).
Conversely, the VR6 is a serious little hole plugger because you have easy rear vision and the torque pickup responds immediately to your right foot, when you need it. The Integra is great on paper, but out on the street, almost any Euro hatch could take an axe to it.

Do you seriously want to rev to 5500rpm every time you want some urge?

On a happier note, I just bought my second '94 VR6 while looking around for a second car and scanning for condition and reasonable price.
I feel more comfortable forking over the (reduced) cash for cars which may have a few mechanical faults, as long as the body and interior are immaculate. You can fix mechanical and electrical problems with a little cash and TLC, but a neglected body and interior are a major PITA.

You'll also notice from my sig that yes, I own a Peugeot. Pugs are great if you maintain them properly and know where to look for parts. If you go through the dealer network then yes, you'll get stung. A lot of mechanics have an aversion to French cars, so doing some of your own work or finding a mechanic who understands would be the best idea. Having said that, Peugeot know how to build a chassis (or at least they did, before the 307/207 era began : )
The XU10J4R and RS is a fabulous, torquey 4 cylinder engine.

That said, the VW scene is so much better for aftermarket parts supply, modification and tuning. Even shopping for minor cosmetic accessories is so much easier and cheaper than for a Pug - there are several eBay sellers and local parts importers who specialise in VW OEM and aftermarket parts who do a roaring trade. You can go from mild to wild with the only limitation being time and money.

In terms of VR6 maintenance:

My previous '94 had a HiTech stainless catback, Eibach springs, Sachs Boge shocks, Audi TT 16" wheels and KN insert. It was loud, hard on rough surfaces and rude, but it was black, immaculate and each drive was a fun experience.

In terms of parts, I replaced:

Coil pack
Fuel pump
HT leads
Foglight aperture blanks - they have a bad habit of falling out

Not a lot else went wrong on that car.

Now, the car I have just bought has ABS issues and one bad rear window regulator, but the overall condition of the body, interior and engine made the investment worth it. ABS wheel sensors can be replaced, ABS modules can be re-conditioned and nobody will be opening the rear window anyway : )

As with any performance car, It's important to make sure the correct fluids and coolants have been used. The wrong coolant will play havoc, as will the wrong brake fluid, etc. A solid service history is worth gold.

Oh, and in terms of acceleration the VR6 will eat a stock MX5 for breakfast : )

[rayray086]

Great post - your sentiments about your VR6 is pretty much spot on with modified Mk3 ownership! Mine is slow, a tad rusty and hard as **** but damn do I love driving it.

It's always funny hearing people say the figures but you're exactly right with where the power comes in. It's also funny reading ads for VTEC-equipped Integras and Civics where the previous owner claims not to have revved it over such and such RPMs.

[DavoVR6]

In response to SYDVR6's comments:

"Oh, and in terms of acceleration the VR6 will eat a stock MX5 for breakfast : )"

- You would be very surprised with a 1.8ltr MX5. It will stay close to a VR6 under acceleration. Up to around 60km/h off the line an MX5 will tromp a VR6, anything past that the VR6 will overtake. However, in the wet or around a track I'd back an MX5.

P.S: I thought my '99 WRX standard wing was fantastic, I could see behind me quite easily and it blocked truck, 4WD and high aiming car headlights from my rear vision mirror.

[sydVR6]

In response to SYDVR6's comments:

"Oh, and in terms of acceleration the VR6 will eat a stock MX5 for breakfast : )"

- You would be very surprised with a 1.8ltr MX5. It will stay close to a VR6 under acceleration. Up to around 60km/h off the line an MX5 will tromp a VR6, anything past that the VR6 will overtake. However, in the wet or around a track I'd back an MX5.

P.S: I thought my '99 WRX standard wing was fantastic, I could see behind me quite easily and it blocked truck, 4WD and high aiming car headlights from my rear vision mirror.

The MX5's in my diet would disagree : )

Seriously though, I like the MX5 and was partly kidding on that front.
Around a tight circuit or in the wet, they would be a more sure footed drive.

In my sights on a long stretch of open highway and its meal time!

As for WRX rear visibility - I was referring to 2000+ wagons, and the torque hole below 3500rpm. Sorry for the lack of specificity there ; )

I've looked at the MX5 and considered them from time to time but I like my cars with a tin top and insurance always seems to be dearer for convertibles.

Then there is the slightly girly image...

[V®6]

I think mine must be a money pit or I just bought a dud. Just the current list of things that need to be fixed:

New rear springs and shocks
New rear bump stops
ABS Control Module replaced
New rear tyres
Has a coolant leak coming from the front of the engine
Cruise control doesn't work
Rear wiper spray not working

[Golf Houso]

I think mine must be a money pit or I just bought a dud. Just the current list of things that need to be fixed:

New rear springs and shocks
New rear bump stops
ABS Control Module replaced
New rear tyres
Has a coolant leak coming from the front of the engine
Cruise control doesn't work
Rear wiper spray not working

didn't you pay around 5k for it though? Thats not an swful lot for such a nice car...

[V®6]

didn't you pay around 5k for it though? Thats not an swful lot for such a nice car...

No i paid $8900 for mine. I wish I had paid $5000 then I'd have some justification for so many things being wrong with it.