VR6: what to buy?

[G3BOD 0]

(Mods - sorry if this is the wrong forum for this, please move if needed)

 

Evening Gents (and ladies if there are any!),

 

I'm probably going to get a biased opinion when i ask 'should i buy a Corrado VR6...?'

 

I hope to have sold my 99/T Vectra SRi 140 by the end of the month (Jan '06)and I seem to have convinced myself the Corrado VR6 is the way forward. I think the Corrado is a intelligent drivers' car, a VW badge reflects class and the VR6 is a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing

 

As i'm new to Corrado ownership, i'd really appreciate any buying advice - what to look for?

- what to pay?

- what's worth paying extra for?

- what are typical problems?

- are high milers ok?

- how important is a VAG service history?

- what's so special about the Storm?

 

I'd also be interested to hear of any unmolested low mileage late-model VR6s in the South Central area. Please post details here or direct us to another site as I would like the opinion of any c-nut as the whether it's a good buy.

 

Would £5k - £6k get me a decent one? I have the cash saved so i don't necessarily have to wait until the Vectra's sold.

 

Cheers guys, I appreciate any advice.

[VR6 0]

Moving to General.

[gradeAfailure 0]

There is a buying guide on the site which contains most, if not all, of the important things to look out for. You couldn't have chosen a better time to buy though, as prices are as low as I've ever seen them! £5-6K will get you an absolute minter, but be prepared to travel! HE-MAN on this forum is a trader based around Manchester and seems to be getting good clean late-model examples at the mo, so might be an idea to look for his threads in the For Sale section...

 

Welcome to the forum, and good luck!

[DEL VR6 0]

Yes you should buy one! (yes im biased) But they are simply great cars.

 

My advice is to first take your time and look at as many as you can. Sometimes they are overpriced, and other times there are some real bargains out there.

 

In my opinion, it doesnt have to have a VAG service history, but as long as its got a proper service history is important. Remember past MOT's are always good to quantify how genuine the mileage is. It may be better to find a car with specialist service history than VAG as specialists often do a better job than VW Stealers.

 

I think you can get a corker for that budget. There are plenty about, just a case of being patient really.

 

And you are already doing the right thing, that is asking on this forum about anything you are unsure of.

[dinkus 10]

Welcome aboard :)

 

The General Corrado Info section of the Knowledge Base is a good starting point to answer your questions, the Corrado Buying Guide and Checklist, particularly.

 

On a VR - high milers are fine, but you'd ideally want the timing chains and tensioners replaced on 100k plus examples. It's a £700ish job to do, but once done should be good for at least another 100k miles.

 

VAG service history isn't all that important. Ideally, I'd want it to have been done by a VW specialist rather than the main dealer, but as long as it's been serviced regularly then you shouldn't have any more problems than usual.

 

Tidy VRs seem to currently be going for £3,500+ so £5k will easily see you a minter.

 

The only options on the Corrado were...

 

Leather seats

Recaro seats (electric adjustment) in either cloth or leather

Headlight washers

AC

No sun roof (you had to ask to not have one)

 

It's also worth looking to see what kind of major work other than the timing chains have been done. After 10+yrs, the suspension is likely to be in need of replacment if it's still the original stuff, as will bushes (rear axle ones primarily, but top mounts too). The rear brake callipers are also prone to ceasing, so make sure they're working ok and you don't have to pull the handbrake up to your armpit for it to work :lol:

 

You'll know you've made the right choice as soon as you drive a sorted one and hear that lovely VR warble tho :D:D

 

Good luck!

[GIXXERUK 0]

you can always ask a local forum member to go with you to look at a car or if its some distance away you can ask if someone can look at it for you before you bother travelling ,must of the guys on here are very friendly and are more than willing to help out

 

good luck

[blackcat 0]

You have definately made the right decision to buy a VR6 (yes I'm baised too)

 

As people have already said, check out the buying guide on here for what to look out for etc.

 

5-6K will get you a excellent car, or spend a little less and then spend some money doing it up, depends on your preference really.

 

5-6k would probably get you a Storm if you want one. Storms have been discussed to death on here so a quick search will probably throw up all you need to know!

 

Oh and yes there are a few females on here (it's been a while since someone called me a lady though! :wink: )

[G3BOD 0]

Thanks guys, appreciated.

 

I'm going to read the buyers guide now.

 

The £5k mark looks more likely, but as you said should still be good for that, I'd rather spend more now than later! I've noticed that prices fluctuate and i would ideally (maybe too ideal) want around 60,000miles.

 

I look forward to joining the elite clan of Corrado owners.

 

Weird question; do Corrado owners 'wave' to each other? I used to have a 1990 Mini Cooper (fun!) and all real Mini owners wave/flash each other... it's kinda nice!

[dub envy 0]

Weird question; do Corrado owners 'wave' to each other? I used to have a 1990 Mini Cooper (fun!) and all real Mini owners wave/flash each other... it's kinda nice!

 

90% of the time they do, then you get the miserable bastards.

 

£5k should get you a nice c.

[Walesy 0]

Going from a Vectra (( SRI or not )) to a VR6 Raddo will certainly be a step in the right direction, i'd love to see the look on your face when you first take it around some decent bends :D .

 

As others have said, for £5k you should get yourself a very good example.

 

Enjoy.

[Stormin Dave 0]

Definitely go for the VR6 and although it’s nice to have the Storm I wouldn’t necessarily hold out for one, but I would try and get a decent set of heated leathers for that extra bit of luxury.

 

Good luck with the search. :)

[NottsCounty 0]

Gotta agree with Walesy above - I have driven both vehicles and the Rado knocks the s*it out of a Vectra (not wishing to turn this into Vauxhall bashing sesh - or shall we?)

 

No, seriously. Wait til you chuck it into that first corner - you'll see that you made the right choice - and with a £5k budget you'll get an absolute minter!!

 

Waiting for that first post after you've driven it!!

[lukeage 0]

G3BOD, don't leave it to long - prices are at there lowest at moment but will ( or rather should / hopefully :) ) start to rise as the weather gets better and spring comes along!

[G3BOD 0]

What do you think the odds of finding a low-miler with AC and Leather? Am I living in a dream world?

[Walesy 0]

Low milers are around if you're prepared to wait for the right one.

 

A/C is pretty rare ... so finding a low miler that has A/C could take a looooooong time.

 

 

Might be worth having A/C (( or climate controll )) fitted to a low miler.

 

 

Same with the leather, you can always fit a leather interior at a later date, or have your seats re trimmed in leather, whats most important is getting a decent car (( as in engine/drivetrain/bodywork )) The trimmings can be sorted after alot easier than finding a particular car.

[G3BOD 0]

Found on Autotrader: Is this reasonable?

 

 

 

1994 L Reg VOLKSWAGEN Corrado 2.9 VR6

Manual 5 speed, 120,000 miles, Metallic Grey, 3 Owners. . 16" light alloy wheels, airconditioning, Body Coloured Bumpers, central doorlocks with remote control, excellent all round, Front Fog Lights, full main agent service history, new mot and serv included, power steering, ABS, Computer, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Electric sunroof, Heated seats, Immobiliser. full beige leather £4,995.

 

Trader near Hemel, St Albans, Welwyn... http://www.countrycarsales.co.uk

 

Reg L910KXV - Does anyone know this car, was anyone the previous owner?

 

Mileage strikes me a little high, but if it's got full history and has had the important things done...

 

You're probably going to rebuke me for picking ones with AC... but once you've sat in a tailback on the M3 in the middle of summer you're converted for ever.... someone registered on here has informed me that AC was only ever a dealer fit accessories. Can anyone else confirm this?

 

I do respect people's opinions on here, so any thoughts welcomed.

[maureenr 0]

Hi G3BOD

 

If you're looking to buy I will be putting my VR6 on the market in the next 3 weeks or so. It's a 1995 with 89,000 miles. Automatic gearbox, air conditioning, beige leather interior with heated front seats, sunroof. I've had the car since new and have always had it professionally serviced and maintained whenever anything needs doing to it. Colour is Blackberry.

 

I haven't gone out with an ad yet because I'm waiting till I get my new car, I'm getting the new Golf GTI - delivery date currently scheduled to be 3rd Feb.

 

Maureen

[mr.ots 10]

G3BOD - I think you could find one with lower mileage for that kind of money.

 

Air conditioning was only ever fitted at the stealers and never from the factory. You could always open the sunroof when it's hot, just make sure it tilts and slides properly. :wink:

[gradeAfailure 0]

^^^^^^

what he said - the way prices are at the mo, £5k for 120k mileage is waaaaay too much, even if it does have aircon and beige leather... and the wheels look like the std 15" Speedlines, not 16"ers...

 

My VR cost £4.5k and it's on 130k-odd mileage - but it has over £3.5 of receipts from Stealth Racing in the last two years, and it came on BBS RS301 wheels which are worth over £1k on their own.

 

I personally would favour a higher mileage car that's had all the stuff like chains and tensioners, suspension, bushes, etc, already replaced than get a lower mileage one that's still to have that done...

[G3BOD 0]

All

 

Thanks for your advice.

 

maureenr,

 

Keep me posted on yours it sounds good; I would be v.interested, particularly as you are local. What kind of price were you thinking?

[maureenr 0]

OK, will do, when I've got a confirmed date for the new car. Price is difficult, they seem to vary so much. I'd be looking for offers around £5k-£5.5k I think.

[AND7 F 0]

I've just been to see the grey / beige leather / aircon VR6 and in addition to the dealer being a bit unfriendly and unhelpful the car has the following faults:

 

Mileage is 125000 not 120000 as advertised

Sunroof doesn't slide

4 or 5 bits of rust around arches / doors have been badly touched up

Hole in the drivers side door card leather

Full VWSH but not a single receipt to back it up - just stamps

 

I was going to try and get him down on the price but I think I'll just leave it..

 

I am also looking for a VR6 with leather and aircon if anyone has one but it has to be silver, grey or black

 

Cheers,

Andy

[akacheesy 0]

THis is why you want a 'rado

[timmaaah 0]

A nine year bump? Holy thread revival batman.