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

[Pullstarter]

just dont get a VL like every guy i know at tafe.

VL!!!

[DavoVR6]

This is so interesting because I had the exact same dilemma when choosing between a VR6 and MX5 a couple of years ago. I had driven a few VR6's and was put off by every one because of problems with them, the way they drove and generally the way they were treated, but I walked away smiling because of that engine note and the speed.
I ended up buying a 1.8ltr MX5 and was glad I did - I think everyone should experience driving one because they are a brilliant drive, so much rear wheel drive fun and can teach you so much. A standard VR6 is a pig to drive in comparison - heavy and not agile.
I ended up selling the MX5 because I found that there was not enough room to carry anything or anyone else. Also it's a bit like a motorbike, one hit from a moron in a 4WD or a truck, or even roll it and you're in serious trouble. In the 6 months I had it, I spent $32 replacing an o-ring. My only expense. I lost $500 on resale. I then bought a Seat Cupra which was fast and reliable, but kinda ugly and boring, lost a bundle - big big mistake. I missed the MX5 a lot so I bought another one, the same as I had, but in silver and with fewer kms. I had that one for 6 months too until I realised again why I sold the first one. No expenses. Sold it for slightly more than I bought it for. So much fun and such cheap motoring. I would get behind the wheel of another one any day.
I now have a VR6, thought I must have one as I had wanted one for so long. I can carry people and stuff. Sounds fantastic and still brings a smile to my face because of it. Quite a smart looking car for a 15yo shopping trolley too. Expensive to run and maintain though and lots of things have packed it in and still threaten to. Its up around the 200,000km mark. In the 12 months I have owned it, has cost me around $2000 to keep the thing running. Its just transport to me now. I'm running it into the ground - if anything happens to it such as a broken timing chain then that's it, too expensive to fix and out to pasture for spare parts.
If you want a reliable, really fun car thats cheap to run but don't have to do over 200km/h or carry anything or anyone buy an MX5. Otherwise, get the best possible deal you can on a VR6 and go in with an open mind and fat wallet. I also had 2 Aussie MK2 GTi's, fun to drive, good looking, relatively cheap to run but slow as a wet weak. I got burnt off at a set of lights by a Toyota Prado once. How embarrassing.

[gldgti]

I got burnt off at a set of lights by a Toyota Prado once. How embarrassing.

those damn 4l quad cam prado's are pretty quick off the mark....... but you still gotta smile since you know he's just blown a few raw $$$ out the tailpipe and you havnt

good discussion.... i think its fair to say that the vr6 has most of the expensive parts in the range of vw's of the age too - parts for 2l, 1.8 and diesel dubs of the era are cheap cheap cheap.

my workmate runs 2 late model v8 holdens atm, and has always had v8 holdens. he hates me because "every thing for your car is $50" (him to me) whereas he spends 1000's on parts for his holdens.

in the past 12months ive replaced on my mk3 CLi diesel:

control arms, rear beam, rear brakes, front brakes, rear shocks, strut mounts, all springs... and its cost me less than $1200.... thats not expensive by any measure!

[bahjah]

This is so interesting because I had the exact same dilemma when choosing between a VR6 and MX5 a couple of years ago. I had driven a few VR6's and was put off by every one because of problems with them, the way they drove and generally the way they were treated, but I walked away smiling because of that engine note and the speed.
I ended up buying a 1.8ltr MX5 and was glad I did - I think everyone should experience driving one because they are a brilliant drive, so much rear wheel drive fun and can teach you so much. A standard VR6 is a pig to drive in comparison - heavy and not agile.
I ended up selling the MX5 because I found that there was not enough room to carry anything or anyone else. Also it's a bit like a motorbike, one hit from a moron in a 4WD or a truck, or even roll it and you're in serious trouble. In the 6 months I had it, I spent $32 replacing an o-ring. My only expense. I lost $500 on resale. I then bought a Seat Cupra which was fast and reliable, but kinda ugly and boring, lost a bundle - big big mistake. I missed the MX5 a lot so I bought another one, the same as I had, but in silver and with fewer kms. I had that one for 6 months too until I realised again why I sold the first one. No expenses. Sold it for slightly more than I bought it for. So much fun and such cheap motoring. I would get behind the wheel of another one any day.
I now have a VR6, thought I must have one as I had wanted one for so long. I can carry people and stuff. Sounds fantastic and still brings a smile to my face because of it. Quite a smart looking car for a 15yo shopping trolley too. Expensive to run and maintain though and lots of things have packed it in and still threaten to. Its up around the 200,000km mark. In the 12 months I have owned it, has cost me around $2000 to keep the thing running. Its just transport to me now. I'm running it into the ground - if anything happens to it such as a broken timing chain then that's it, too expensive to fix and out to pasture for spare parts.
If you want a reliable, really fun car thats cheap to run but don't have to do over 200km/h or carry anything or anyone buy an MX5. Otherwise, get the best possible deal you can on a VR6 and go in with an open mind and fat wallet. I also had 2 Aussie MK2 GTi's, fun to drive, good looking, relatively cheap to run but slow as a wet weak. I got burnt off at a set of lights by a Toyota Prado once. How embarrassing.

This post is especially relevant to me. The mx-5 is the biggest contender for my next car after the vr6. Considering they both cost the same, it seems like financially an mx-5 would be a much better choice. Not to mention it's a great car in almost every respect. But i do love the understated character and charm of the vr6. There's a nice 1.8l 1st gen with leather near me thats pretty tempting. Decisions.....

[MattyT]

Alot has already been said that I would say, but my own dub has been remarkably trouble free!!

[Mrk_Mickey]

Alot has already been said that I would say, but my own dub has been remarkably trouble free!!

Rub it in why don't you heheh.

[Bug_racer]

Put it this way my VR has to be one of the highest modified Golfs in Australia if not one of the highest in the mk3 total something in the vasinty of 30k+

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

[Bug_racer]

And to answer the question :
It could be a yes and a no , I had mine for almost 130k km and didnt really change that much on it before I pulled it off the road , but once you go 200k km + then you will need to outlay some serious money . To be honest , stick with a mk3 2l , Seat Cupra or gti as a first car . Slightly cheaper on fuel , insurance and maintenance .

[jayjay]

if you want cheap sleeper car and dont mind the odd looks of a seat, get an ibiza gti 2.0 8v. quickish, fun and practical, and dirt cheap.

vr6's are good fun, but they're a lot more complex = expensive IF something goes wrong.

i've also driven a modified mx5 and can comfortably say it's one of the nicest cars i've driven. except trying to fit more than a mate and a case of beer in the car is a bit of a mission.

ultimately, i'd say go the vr6 because there simply isn't anything like it (bar r32). parts for either of these are quite cheap as long as you know where to shop. if you hit up the dealers/larger parts shops, the vr6 will be bucket loads more expensive to run.

[bahjah]

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


VTEC, yo?