Should I buy a VR6?

[Incredibilios 0]

I've currently got a Focus RS, but due to severe lack of funds I need to sell it to release some of the money in it, and then get a cheaper (but still quick!) mobile, and basically I've narrowed it down to a 95/96 Supra TT or similar age Corrado VR6. Got a couple of questions for you nice people though......

 

Firstly, most of the VR6's I've seen advertised have done well over 100k. I know these motors are capable of big miles, but this does worry me a bit, especially as I'm coming from a practically new car with 15k on the clock.

How much can they really do before they die or need rebuilding? I do about 12k a year and plan on keeping the car for a few years, and I don't really wanna be spending bucks keeping the motor going.

 

I know it's probably not an issue for most Rado owners, but whats the fuel economy like? I'd say about 60% of my driving is on the m1 and the rest in london :roll: and I've seen some people claiming up to 35mpg - is that really likely? Oh yeah, haven't they got a computer that tells you what mpg you're doing too?

 

How quick do you reckon it'll feel compared to the RS? I like the turbo but hate fact that when it's off boost the car is ridiculously slow, so I'm quite up for the idea of a torquey 6 cylinder, especially on the motorway.

 

Ummmm, had some more, but I'm boring myself now, so thanks if you got this far! Any opinions/advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Nick

[mrbeige 0]

Drive one and you'll want one.....

 

Buy one and you'll never look back ... 8)

[dinkus 10]

Firstly, welcome aboard Nick :)

 

The life of a VR engine is extremely dependant on how it's been treated, but there are quite a few people on here with trouble-free VRs that have done way in excess of 100k miles. The key thing to look for is regular oil changes. It means the engine has always had fresh fluids and usually implies the car has been looked after as well.

 

After that, the timing chains are really the only weak point in the VR. They will need doing at some stage, but again this depends on the car. Andi the site admin has well over 150k on his VR and it's still on the original chains and tensioner, but similarly there are VRs that need the tensioner replacing at 90k. If it sounds like there's a marble rattling in a can in the engine bay then walk away.

 

The chains aren't a cheap or easy job to do as the gearbox has to be dropped. All-in you're looking at £700+ to change the chains, tensioner and might as well do the clutch while you've got the gearbox off.

 

It sounds all doom and gloom, but other than that the VRs tend to be pretty reliable and they've got oodles of torque even from low down in the revs. I'm not sure what the figures are for the RS but the VR Cs will do 0-60 in a around 6.5 secs and have loads of go even at motorway speeds.

 

Fuel economy is not something you want to think about too much if you've got a VR. I was regularly getting low 20's mpg around town, but it does go up to 35+ on motorway jaunts.

 

It's also worth taking a look at The Corrado buying guide and checklist to see what to look out for when you actually go see the car.

 

Don't worry tho, you won't be disappointed with a Corrado and the noise will put a smile on your face :D Just don't expect a 10yr old car to be as reliable as a new RS (even if it is a Ford ;) )

 

Edit: and oh yeah, they have a trip computer telling you MPG, misc temps, avg speed etc.

[Incredibilios 0]

Thanks for the info dinkus, much appreciated.........think I'll go after a car that's had the timing chains done if I do go for a VR!

 

Don't even get me started on ford's and reliability - been back to the dealer so many times I've lost count....mainly due to the incompetence of ford themselves having to correct their own mistakes. God only knows what their staff recruitment policy is :x

 

Funny thing is, I had a 1997 saxo VTR for 4 years before this & it was the most reliable motor I've ever had - absolutely nothing went wrong, started first time every time. Should never have sold it..........I thought a VR6 would be supremely reliable, much like that. Is this not the case? If I do get one I'll be driving on average 50 miles pretty much every day, so I need it to work more often than not!

[dr_mat 0]

Corrados aren't that unreliable. It's just that they're getting on in years now, so things inevitably wear out. Try running a 10 year old Paxo VTR and see how many bits no longer work and how often you have to replace suspension components..

The only drawback with something like the VR is it's a complex engine so if you start having engine issues it's going to cost big time to put it all right.

 

But then, that's only going to get worse with newer cars. Wait till your Crocus RS gets to 10 years old. How many sensors and engine actuators are there to go wrong? And isn't the under-bonnet wiring completely lacking in the "looking well made" department too??

[Supercharged 2]

Crocus RS

 

 

:lol:

[dr_mat 0]

As for the torque vs turbo comparison, you may find that the standard VR doesn't feel much more responsive, maybe not as responsive as you imagine. At least, below 3500rpm it might be a little disappointing.

Sure, it's a 2.9, so even off-cam it's producing 130-140lbft, which your 2.0 won't come near without turbo assist at low revs, but when it comes on-cam the throttle response will take your head off your shoulders...

[Bojmobile 0]

Is the New Pope a 78yr old German?

oh yes I think he is!

Get one!

[dr_mat 0]

If nothing else, our making you desire a VR6 Corrado makes the price of all our cars go up, so hell yeah, tell all your mates to get one aswell!

[samm_cvr6 0]

I think a Focus RS will be slightly quicker but the VR is more deceptivley quick, ultimatley, it is a very nice car, it is undoubtedly a quick car but I am very used to mine now and I find myself craving a bit more power. As was mentioned it is quite lazy at low revs. But a Supra TT is a whole different kettle of fish, it costs loads more for starters.

[2cc 0]

no brainer mate

try one

and as MaccyDs says "I'm lovin' it"

[dan 0]

I drove my mates RS Focus & I have to say It felt & handled almost identical to my VR6 (on koni coilovers, set at soft). It was like... I didn't have to even try to get used to the Focus.

 

One big difference between the cars was the speed you change gear (for high performance). The VR6 stays in each gear much, much longer than the Focus, but I'd say on the road they would be evenly matched

 

Must say... RS Focus...Respect, great car to drive

[Bojmobile 0]

Obviously - especially if it feels like a VR! :wink:

[JoeNose 0]

Also drove one of these (briefly), the Focus RS is exceptionally good, and doubtless faster on a track (superior chassis, multi-link rear suspension, the Quaife LSD, not to mention more power) but you might be pleasantly surprised as to how close a good VR6 could get. Either way, I think it would be just as much fun to drive, and that's what really counts.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

He he, I had a little tussle with an RS Crocus on the M5 a few weeks ago and it couldn't out accelerate me. I had to slow down and let him past at 130mph as I got a firm prod in the leg from the girlfriend.

 

Mind you, it was shricked up then, so similar power to the crocus.....

[GB_SEAN 0]

Dr_Mat love the terminology for these other cars... resembling Flowers and stuffing balls.... made me laugh !!!

[craigowl 0]

Ford Crocus? - It may be a flower but it ain't as pretty as the C.

[dr_mat 0]

It certainly Croaks.

 

And since when was the Corrado "pretty"? Muscular. Purposeful. Subtle. All those things, but pretty? No way..

[craigowl 0]

dr_mat said:

And since when was the Corrado "pretty"? Muscular. Purposeful. Subtle. All those things, but pretty? No way..

 

I know what you mean, but I'm sure I have seen the C described as "a pretty little coupe". :shock:

[GIXXERUK 0]

pretty expensive to run :-)

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Yeah, 'pretty' is usually associated with queers, so the Corrado doesn't belong in that, err, camp.... TT's are 'pretty' :D

[samm_cvr6 0]

I think the modern focus and fiesta are pretty good actually, they have certainly come on leaps and bounds when you think it wasn't so long ago they were still knocking out escorts. And for all the hype the clio 182 has had, the fiesta ST has been doing the nurburgring 0.1 sec slower!

[dinkus 10]

Not so sure about the Fester, but I do like the outgoing Focus shape. The new Focus looks pretty damned awful tho if you ask me. It's like a watered down version of the original. Ho hum.

[samm_cvr6 0]

yea, not sure about the new bonnet on the focus but tests I have read are saying it is better than the golf and a3!

[dinkus 10]

Yeah but I wouldn't buy any of them... :lol: