Dollyman 10 Posted January 20, 2012 Been lurking for a while and thought it was time I stepped out from the shadows! Am hoping to pick up a Corrado to share daily duties with my 1980 Dolomite 1850. Used to have a 1983 Scirocco back in the day and absolutely loved it. Always wanted a Corrado though but could never afford one. Times change however and now I figure I can :cheers: Ideally I think I'd prefer a valver largely on economy grounds (although if I'm dead honest a VR would be tempting) as if I want a sports car blast, I've got one of these [ATTACH=CONFIG]51135[/ATTACH] Really impressed with the help and knowledge on the forum so far and hope to be able to share my Rado experiences with you all Cheers Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul 0 Posted January 20, 2012 Hello and welcome mate! I'd say go for a vr6 if your budget allows as fuel costs are the same and maintenance costs are only slightly higher. At the same time I'd also say buy whatever is best in your budget... If you want to spend 1500 buy a good valver IMO, 2.5k+ get a vr... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
emu 0 Posted January 20, 2012 WOW, your car is amazing, to be honest, its first time I saw something like that. 16V corrado, hmmm, had one and I will never do it again. VR6 is great but use a lot of petrol. Look for G60 or swap 1.8T which can be picked up under 3k. VR6 all the way if you no bother about petrol, engine sound is amazing and I will never regret having one but as a daily, no chance unless you can afford few hundred quid petrol bill every month. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul 0 Posted January 20, 2012 I don't agree with Emu at all there. My first valver used to average 30mpg as did my vr (on a run the vr was better then he valver) and my most recent valver was actually worse then the vr; couldn't average more then 25mpg and technically it had the most looked after engine of the three. It's all a bit hit and miss really. Either way good luck finding the right car! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
emu 0 Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) My vr6 usually do 13 MPG but I'm driving around small town only. Max what I got was 38 MPG driving from london to aberdeen, so 600 miles trip. I had 2.7T audi which did same figures what vr6 so v6 engines like petrol, specially if you use them on short distance. Now I'm using Golf MK4 TDI as a daily and investing all saved money on petrol in VR6 as a Weekend/Fun car I was using 1.8 20VT Corrado driving same distance as I'm doing now on VR6 and I could do 50% ore miles having same power but......... no enough nice sound from the bonnet. Edited January 20, 2012 by emu Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul 0 Posted January 20, 2012 Woah fella your VR is drinking far too much, even with lots of stop start driving (london style) it shouldn't be that bad. My CLK which weighs alot more then a rado, has an auto box and a 4.3 v8 and that does 17-18 around town and i don't tend to hang about... My VR would happily do 23-25 mpg around town with mixed right foot action. Agree with you on 1.8T's; they sound crap, don't even make a nice dumping sound which is part of the fun with a turbo imo lol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome to the forum :) Based on my experiences over the years my 16v did prove to be more frugal than the VR6 but not by a significant amount! I'd just say set yourself a budget and buy the best example of whichever model comes up in budget :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tentonhammer 10 Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) A 2ltr valver is a thirsty beast, but then so is the VR from what I've heard and would imagine ( I don't own a VR). Your driving style is def a major factor though here. Insurance will also a deciding factor. The VR6 was a few hundred quid more than my valver to insure. Ten Ton Edited January 20, 2012 by tentonhammer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fla 9 Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome to the forum. I live in Northwood, so not too far from you. Whereabouts in Harrow are you based? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dollyman 10 Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Hasan, Wealdstone way. I know Northwood (Hills) quite well, I ran a badminton club at the Potter Street school for years. Good to have someone in the vicinity. Cheers Jeff Welcome to the forum. I live in Northwood, so not too far from you. Whereabouts in Harrow are you based? ---------- Post added at 10:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 AM ---------- Welcome to the forum :) I'd just say set yourself a budget and buy the best example of whichever model comes up in budget :) Yep, I think that's my plan! Cheers Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Portent 0 Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome to the forum. I used to live in Pinner so not far from you at all (now in Surrey though). I love the GT6. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simon vr6 10 Posted January 20, 2012 I definitely disagree with emu. I use my vr6 as a daily runner and i am averaging around 25mpg, and thats with me having a heavy foot on the accelerator! The only costs you really need to bare in mind is the insurance and some of the maintenance bills can be pretty hefty. And as for my 16v its just as good on the mpg and very low maintenance if looked after properly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dollyman 10 Posted January 20, 2012 No clear winner then it seems :scratch: re VR6, don't particularly want too many maintenance probs - got enough of those with the Triumphs (to be fair though they're not too bad) and not likely to be clocking up huge mileage so may not be a deal breaker. Any real mileage will be long motorway trips so mpg may not be too much of an issue either! Cheers Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJS 0 Posted January 20, 2012 I think its more important to find one (VR or Valve) that has clearly been looked after. Attention to detail from the previous owner, receipts that match up with the owners details given when you talk to them and personally I'd advise to only buy from someone on here that has clearly loved their car. It doesn't guarantee anything of course but it would be a massive step towards finding the right one. History of posts on here will show you if the owner has looked after their motor. Jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lauraJ 0 Posted January 21, 2012 Welcome to the forum, good luck in finding the right car for you. I've had both a valver and now have a VR (which is up for sale?!) I wouldn't say that the valver is significantly more frugal than a VR to be a deal breaker, just find a good one within your budget :) I personally wouldn't have another valver after having this VR. The VR is just something else. Anyway welcome to the forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted January 21, 2012 Re: fuel consumption, it really seems to be pot luck. I've had a G60 and 2x 2.016v that were very good on fuel. They would all get 40mpg+ on longer runs. All my VR6s have been similar- usually 26-30mpg on a 20 min run, up to mid thirties on longer runs. I've had a 2.016v which was very similar to this, and my 1.816v was marginally better. The 8v is by far the best for consistent fuel consumption, and is actually quite nice to drive. I wouldn't exactly describe it as 'quick' though :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dollyman 10 Posted January 22, 2012 Cheers Cazza, Interesting, thanks. Am I right in thinking the G60 is basically a 1.8 with supercharger? If so, at what point does the supercharger cut in? Thanks Jeff Re: fuel consumption, it really seems to be pot luck. I've had a G60 and 2x 2.016v that were very good on fuel. They would all get 40mpg+ on longer runs. All my VR6s have been similar- usually 26-30mpg on a 20 min run, up to mid thirties on longer runs. I've had a 2.016v which was very similar to this, and my 1.816v was marginally better. The 8v is by far the best for consistent fuel consumption, and is actually quite nice to drive. I wouldn't exactly describe it as 'quick' though :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lion 0 Posted January 22, 2012 Welcome bro, just in neasden if you need anything Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dollyman 10 Posted January 25, 2012 Well, I am teetering on the precipice of purchase - a sub £1500 valver but looks to be in good nick and well maintained. Mind you I'll have to go Edinburgh to pick it up but hey, what's life without a few adventures? Just need to consider the other half's reaction. :blackeye: I expect. Cheers Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
<neil> 10 Posted January 25, 2012 Well, I am teetering on the precipice of purchase - a sub £1500 valver but looks to be in good nick and well maintained. Mind you I'll have to go Edinburgh to pick it up but hey, what's life without a few adventures? Just need to consider the other half's reaction. :blackeye: I expect. Cheers Jeff Hmm really?? How about I have that one and you have my 'project' valver? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dollyman 10 Posted January 27, 2012 [quote=;770031]Hmm really?? How about I have that one and you have my 'project' valver? Neil, I've given your very kind offer some considerationbut will probably stick with my purchase thanks, as I'm off this eve on the overnight coach to collect my new Rado. Yay!! Then for a 7 hour A1/M1 blast home on Sat - that'll test it's comfort levels Cheers Jeff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
<neil> 10 Posted January 27, 2012 Haha, a good decision! Enjoy the trip - let us know how you get on! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dollyman 10 Posted January 28, 2012 Mission accomplished and the Rado is now helping to clutter up the drive. There must be a limit to our neighbours patience - but one of the Dolomites will hopefully be off to a garage tomorrow. Well chuffed with the new acquisition, I must say! Front wheels need balancing I think and ISV needs sorting but otherwise :dance: Not only that but the other half seems quite impressed too. (Just need to explain to her why it's so much better than a Golf!!) Cheers Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites