vr6 common problems/what to look out for

[Shteifen]

yes ive searched, if stuff is on here about this i cant find much of it.

i've been offered the chance to buy a vr6 before it officially goes on sale and i think im gonna do it.

details:
-1997 vr6 mk3

-black

-163,xxx km

-full service history ( qould be buying from 4th owner...or would it be 3rd, i cant remember)

-just had coolant sensor/switches housing (the one with three sensors) changed

-audi A3 wheels (nice and shiny, with 205/40(?) R16 tyres, of which two are new and the rears are pretty good too)

-i think it MAY have been lowered a tiny bit...or did these come a little lower than the GLs?

-has a pod filter (mounted correctly cos the guy who owns it is a cop)( it sounds like an absolute beast)

-just ran out of rego as it was in our workshop (vw dealer) getting the coolant housing thing fixed, new rear brake pads, new thermostat, new thermo switch

- has colour coded bumpers that i havent seen before, they look real nice

Problems:
-The seats are fairly worn

-may have problem with glove box latch though i did try it from a weird angle so maybe thats my fault.

-dent in bonnet, not too noticable unless you look with the light reflecting off it, because the isnt any paint damage on it at all, just bent a little almost.

-front strut mounts are squeeking, rear bumpstops worn, lower control arm bushings worn, and may need new wipers.

-timing chain a bit noisy

i think thats all there was about it...

i work at a VW dealership so fixing most of that stuff will be cheap as i wont have to pay for labour.

i havent had a chance to properly look at the log books to see if the ABS pump has had problems or the heater core has been replaced or anything yet but the guy and other owners have kept every receipt for everything so ill check when i see it on Friday again.

it has a full sound system with 2 amps, a sub, 6X9s and speakers in the fron and a real good Pioneer headunit but thatll raise the price so im gonna see if i can just keep the head unit cos its a really good Pioneer one with 3 rca outlets, proper iPod cord, full colour screen, bluetooth etc. been looking at that one for a few weeks actually, its about 550 bucks at JB HIFI, but he brought it for 1000 a year ago.

PRICE:
He wants 8000 as is.
im gonna see if i mgiht be able to get it for around 8000 with maybe 6 months rego and the head unit.

this will be my first VR, i currently own a 95 GL.

is there anything else i need to be thinking about or asking about?
does 8000 sound reasonable for this or is it too much or a good price or what?

wow that was longer than i had planned.
thanks alot if you've read all the way to here though! thumbs up to you!
-Steve

[Pullstarter]

I think without rego and those few problems you should be looking more around the 7k mark. With 12 months rego 8k would be fair enough I think.

[evorobin]

You can use those problems to your advantage obviously. Personally I'd offer 5 and go from there. No way I'd pay more than six!

[Jon_Vr6]

This wouldnt be the Vr6 sitting at burwin VW (Burwood hwy service centre) would it?
Aparantly the guy selling it has purchased a new vehicle?

[h100vw]

You can use those problems to your advantage obviously. Personally I'd offer 5 and go from there. No way I'd pay more than six!

Tightwad!


Robin is correct though.

Best policy, if the car would be worth 8K in mint condition. Deduct the full cost of any repairs from that price and see how low that goes.

Don't be knocking off the labour cos you can do it yourself or putting down the prices of the parts at trade. That's your benefit not theirs.


Gavin

[mk3pete]

thats pushin the limits dont ya think 7-8 sounds more like the market value

[Jon_Vr6]

thats pushin the limits dont ya think 7-8 sounds more like the market value

People ask way more than that on carsales/ebay/trading post

[MattyT]

Hmmm.

I wouldn't be paying 8k as is. 7.5k with 12 months rego would be more like it.

[Golf Loon]

Yeah, I`d want an immac low ks one for $8k.

I`d pay 5 or 6 for an average one, less for one that needed lots of work.

If you reckon its worth it, get it, but heater core and abs will cost you.

[evorobin]

Sounds like money has been spent so ABS/Heater core should be fine but remember when bargaining if you meet in the middle start at an advantageuous point like 5K and buy at 6.5 if the paint is mint and I MEAN mint.

Most stuff can be fixed but a full re-spray costs 3K+ you can really hammer sellers when the whole car needs a lick