Jim 1 Posted July 28, 2011 bang on I disagree. Both you and Kev take the maintenance of your cars to a very high level. This is not a criticism - it's a compliment. But what I'm saying is that you both go WELL beyond the level of "normal" or even "keen" maintenance to keep on top of your cars and keep them in good running order and good condition.. There are lots of us out there who simply don't want to commit that amount of time or effort to keeping one of these on the road. And that's not because we don't care or are being deliberately neglectful.. some of us just have different priorities. In those kinds of situations, I agree with Gareth when he says that Corrado's are just getting to that age where for most people a Corrado isn't necessarily the best for a daily driver especially if you want to do it justice and keep it in good shape but you don't necessarily have the time to work on it, have your own garage, etc etc... That said I've used Corrado's for dailys now for... well, quite a few years and without wanting to massively tempt fate (crosses fingers, touches wood, etc) I've never been let down apart from once and that was my own fault. Even on the car I have now, which was picked over with a fine tooth comb by Kev and Neil who replaced absolutely loads of classic trouble spots, I've still had to have the car into the garage on a number of occasions to fix a number of issues.. I think for me, using the car every day becomes disheartening because you simply can't effect a repair and know that it might well be the last time you ever have to do that. You have to continue running it into the ground, you have to risk taking it to the supermarket, you have to use it for lugging crap around it and a little bit of you dies inside every time you scratch it - or some inconsiderate oaf damages it for you. I like the car too much to keep doing that.. hence why I will be getting a daily sorted as soon as is financially viable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
24V Renshaw 0 Posted July 28, 2011 "or labelling them as unreliable because of owner neglect". Totally Agree Kev and this is the key thing I think. A Corrado itself if well looked after and maintained is actually a very solid and incredibly reliable car in my experience. As I have said before in this thread, the "maintenance" side of things is not even a concern to me, its simply the step back into an older car and I guess the loss of "luxuries" you get with that and whether I could live with that day to day. I suppose if I am honest with myself I will end up fitting things like climate control as its a days work.., but its the cumulation of all the little things that will not be there that I think might bug me.... Mind you I want to track this one too, so maybe I should live with the compromise :) jay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OSV 0 Posted July 28, 2011 bang on Great sentiment but you do have a company car and a family bus besides (both diesel) so your Corrado isn't subjected to the rigours of daily duties. I do accept that it gets used and is kept outdoors but you take great care and pride in its upkeep. Its not simply the maintenance regime its the price and availibilty of parts that hurts. Granted the costs are minimal compared to depriciation on a new car but they will need constant tlc as a daily which is hard work if you want to keep the car in great order. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aide 0 Posted July 28, 2011 ultimately only you know your own circumstances. everyone else opinion is based on their own perspective's of partner/ no partner, kids/ no kids, time/ no time, cash/ potless, spannering ability/ incapable.... etc etc. its a popular thread, but you already know what you want to do - go buy it lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) Fair point Jim but I wouldn't necessarily say we (well, I can't speak for C5 OEM) do things on a completely different plane to every one else. I mean, take yourself for example. Every single weird noise or misfire you notice, you're on here immediately seeking advice, which is commendable and shows you care about the car. What is that if it's not fasitious care and maintenance? OK so you may not be able to afford to replace coilpacks and engines on a whim, but that's not what I was getting at with my post. I think you are confusing the sheer financial investment in modifying my car with general maintenance mate. I'm not suggesting we should all be replacing pistons every 2 years, but just carry out the basic, high level jobs to keep it running smoothly and not ignoring stone chips etc, which turn into holes if left untreated long enough. You don't need a bottomless bank account to do that. The kind of thing I'm getting at is people complaining of rubbish brakes when the pads are almost on the metal, and blown engines because the oil wasn't checked etc etc. That is neglect. Not being able to afford to replace parts isn't neglect mate. I've used mine every day since Feb 2003 in all states of tune and condition, which is something I simply would not do if I didn't have faith in the car. And Jay, I think you should take the plunge! A new project from you, even if at a more basic level than your 24V would be very welcomed :D Edited July 28, 2011 by Kevin Bacon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted July 28, 2011 Cheers Kev - understand what you're getting at :) And Jay - get one bought ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbo149 0 Posted July 28, 2011 Do it! I've just got back into a VR6 Corrado after selling my old one a few years back (& totally regretting it!). Admittedly, I have a nice modern daily too, so the rado is really just a weekend car (for now). Yes it does feel like an 'old' car in comparison to my new Civic, but there really is no car quite like a VR6 Corrado (& I've had a lot to compare it with!) - intoxicating I think is the only way to describe it. It's like returning to the arms of an old lover (is that a bit OTT?) Cheers, Robbo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
24V Renshaw 0 Posted July 28, 2011 Well you sold it to me ;) Jay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon green 4 Posted July 28, 2011 Mine's been a daily for eleven years, still look forward to the drive to and fro work . Comeback Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fla 9 Posted July 28, 2011 why not buy back your 24v and take it to the next level? assuming Vick wants to sell of course! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bristolbaron 10 Posted July 28, 2011 I will end up fitting things like climate control as its a days work.. A DAYS WORK!?? Can i come up when you do it? Would love to have the know how to do it myself.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon green 4 Posted July 28, 2011 A DAYS WORK!?? Can i come up when you do it? Would love to have the know how to do it myself.. I am sure people will pay for this conversion, me for one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dannyboy 0 Posted July 28, 2011 Totally agree. The Corrado is not a crumbly old MK1 Golf, Beetle or an Escort, it's a mid 90s German tank, the era in which german build quality peaked imo. Modern build quality isn't half as good. It's just 'perceived' to be better because of the 4" of padding you get in Audis & BMWs these days but the actual core unibody construction and general attention to detail, fit and finish is poor compared to predecessors. I've seen shoddy loom quality in current BMWs and I've been under MK5 R32s that are starting to corrode already. The Corrado's apparent longevity is something VW should be proud of, but they choose to snub it for what ever reason. You won't see a car like that from VW again, so we should be making the most of them instead locking them up for summer only, or labelling them as unreliable because of owner neglect. 100% correct.Especially locking them away for summer use.Most problems happen to cars that have been sitting too long unused.I had to maintan fleet of 35 warriors and before that 23 CR2's.The ones with the most problems were the ones that didnt get used as much.The ones that got used all the time apart from normal wear and tear never broke down apart from driver/operator error. I used to get into daily fiat punto,drive to work or to the shops.open the door,key in the igintion,start,finish driving,lock door and walk off without looking back.Its boring and lifeless machince that gets you from A to B.Made in a factory with 100's of thousands more so your not worried about finding another one if it blows up or gets written off.thats more of a inconvience. Corrado,get in the car,wait for fuel pump to prime,startup,wait for ABS to go out.you listen to see how your baby is running today? drive off feeling that little vibration that you felt yesterday thinking I need to sort that or find out what it is?You dont rev above 3000 rpm til oil is 80 degrees.you see people driving past looking at your car or looking at it at traffic lights.get to where you want to go(most times).gently pull handbrake just til you feel brakes lock on to stop stretching the cable. get out,lock the car walk away but look back nearly everytime.Why?Because you know you have a car thats not only getting rare but was handbuilt with quality,was expensive in its time and is the most fun youll have with a car without buying something ten or more times the price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkFoster 0 Posted July 28, 2011 Very nicely worded Dannyboy....and I think I go through each and every action you describe every time I take the Rado out! Doesn't mean I don't want to beat the hell out of it every now and then but who doesn't?!?! Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul 0 Posted July 28, 2011 why not buy back your 24v and take it to the next level? assuming Vick wants to sell of course! Im sure Jay's already got Dibs on it but I highly doubt Vick will ever sell it after the amount he's invested in it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted July 29, 2011 Im sure Jay's already got Dibs on it but I highly doubt Vick will ever sell it after the amount he's invested in it... I can't believe he invested more into it, in either time or money, than Jay did though..? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul 0 Posted July 29, 2011 I can't believe he invested more into it, in either time or money, than Jay did though..? I don't know about time as i don't know how long it took Jay originally but Vicks had the car out for the 2009 show season, missed 2010 and it will be back out this year at Edition38... From what I understand its been off the road having various bits done. Money wise Vick's spent more, I'm sure Jay will agree. The cost of the paint/bodywork alone scares me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
too hot 0 Posted July 29, 2011 Its not if/should I buy another,it`s when -------you know it !!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
24V Renshaw 0 Posted July 29, 2011 Well as I expecting, driving Andys lovely VR this evening has cemented my intentions. Even the missus is happy for me to get another one again. I was actually surprised how good it felt to be back in a C. As Andy will happily admit, his car has things he wants to do but it's a lovely drive and proved to me I don't have Rose tinted specs on when it comes to the Corrado. Thanks fella. I am in no hurry so will try and take my time to find exactly what I want and continue to improve the MK4 before I finally sell it. Jay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ANDREW 30 0 Posted July 30, 2011 Tell me more about the golf, i've been thinking about selling my VR for a while now! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy665 0 Posted August 1, 2011 I would not see a problem with a Corrado as a daily. Couple of years without a Corrado now but can draw some comparison with one of the other cars in the household. 1998 E36 328i, 124k on the clock and its used as a daily by the OH. Feels more solid than my 6 month old Mondeo If you buy the right car then there should be no issue Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue95 0 Posted August 1, 2011 My 2p worth.... I have yet to find another car that is as cheap to run, as fun to work on, looks as good and is as reliable....even when modded :) Have been happily using mine for 3 years, in that time it was used for 6months plus a daily and never let me down once, even in hornedous snow or summer when other newer cars just could not hack it. Costs wise insurance is peanuts under a classic policy and will leave you to play arround with your NCB on another car. The other car i run now is a B7 RS4 and to be honest I enjoy driving both cars equally as much. As for running costs the corrado wins hands down! lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted August 1, 2011 100% correct.Especially locking them away for summer use.Most problems happen to cars that have been sitting too long unused.I had to maintan fleet of 35 warriors and before that 23 CR2's.The ones with the most problems were the ones that didnt get used as much.The ones that got used all the time apart from normal wear and tear never broke down apart from driver/operator error. Indeed. Garages which aren't temperature and humidity controlled are possibly the worst place to store a car! Long term garaged cars just don't see any heat, fresh air or movement. Things start to seize up, tyres get stiff and rigid, corrosion sets in and the interior gets stale. I do chuckle to myself when people proudly boast of buying a 1 owner car, garaged all it's life and only done 5,000 miles. It will be in a worse state structurally than a car that's used every day and done 105,000 miles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony_ack 0 Posted August 1, 2011 Indeed. Garages which aren't temperature and humidity controlled are possibly the worst place to store a car! Long term garaged cars just don't see any heat, fresh air or movement. Things start to seize up, tyres get stiff and rigid, corrosion sets in and the interior gets stale. I do chuckle to myself when people proudly boast of buying a 1 owner car, garaged all it's life and only done 5,000 miles. It will be in a worse state structurally than a car that's used every day and done 105,000 miles. Spot on - I went to see a MK2 Golf a couple of years ago with 30000 miles on the clock, one careful owner, garaged, and it was rotten underneath. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
