FS: 2002 VR4 Type-S Galant

[colVR4]

Its time to part company with the car after over 3 years of fun :2thumbsup

After 4 months away I have a nice juicy operational bonus that needs using up so its time to buy myself something a bit nicer.

So, what am I selling?

Rare Official RALLIART import (1 of approx 250 - Kieran will correct me if I am wrong!)
INVECS-II tiptronic automatic gearbox
Enkei 17" alloys
VDO Dayton Satnav with TMS traffic alert sysem
Clarion stereo with 6 cd-changer
Recaro seats and RALLIART interior
Bespoke Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust with Twin Exit (Decat Pipe Available)
Greddy Profec-B Spec-II Boost Controller
Apexi S-AFC Fuel Computer
Mocal ATF Cooler with AMSOIL ATF
EVO VIII Brembo Brake Upgrade
Anti-Lock Brakes
Climate control
Driver and Passenger Air Bags
Alarm & Immobiliser
Full-time 4WD with AYC (electronic diff)
225 bhp atw (approx 320 bhp)
FMSH
cambelt service just carried out.
4 x new tyres just fitted (HANKOOK VENTUS V12 EVO K110)
94k Miles

It was first registered in the UK in Jan 2002.

For pictures see my gallery or the advert on www.Pistonheads.com :afro:

£4,995

12 Months Tax and MOT included

If you are interested just PM me and we can go from there.

Let the bidding wars begin :D

[colVR4]

For those people that can't be bothered to look up my picture in the gallery I have supplied a few teasers here.. /pan

[bradc]

Keep it and get an EVO X as well :D

[colVR4]

Not enough garage space Brad. I already have a 1971 MGB Roadster and a MGTF 160, so 4 cars would be pushing it.

[bradc]

Get rid of all silly old british cars then!

[colVR4]

Brad, we are getting rid of the MGTF as well soon after I sell mine. The wife wants something a bit more practical. She is thinking of getting an Astra SportHatch 1.9 CDTi 150 Sri. Anyone know if they are any good or not?

[bradc]

I heard Legnum's were practical :)

The current shape Astra's are very good cars indeed.

[Axeboy]

Astra is nice enough, but doesnt drive as well as a focus.

[colVR4]

but its a Ford! I just can't bring myself to buy one....

[Axeboy]

I hated fords till i got my focus... I had a astra for a month or so too and it was really poor to drive compared to the focus. Lots of equipment, but on the road it was pretty weak.

[colVR4]

At the end of the day, it is the wife's choice. She prefers the look of the Vauxhall and has already test driven one. We may go for a test drive in the focus as well just as a comparison as she isn't as badge 'snobbish' as me :P

[colVR4]

BUMP!

I have found a couple of cars locally that I am interested in. I went for a test drive in another Astra Sporthatch 1.9 CDTi 150 and I was impressed. Gave it a good long run and I was really suprised at the amount of 'ooomph' that it had.

Not the fastest car in the world from a standing start but the in-gear performance was really suprising. And to top it all it will do over 50mpg!! The car I test drove was bright red. I don't usually like red cars but it looked really good on the Astra (although I still think that the black looks better).

I must say that the Sporthatch looks are growing on me as well and the interior is really excellent quality. Not as good as the best in class but certainly no worse. I just need to do some more checking to see if there are any known issues with the cars.

The wife has said she also likes the new civic and the new Seat Leon as well, so we are going to test drive those this week as well.

So, the bottom line is that I am dropping the price of my car (only to club members) to £5,099. I am not going any lower than that as I have just spent over £1000 on it with service and new tyres. It has even just gone in to the body shop to have some paintwork touched up where a local chav decided to express their artist side with their keys down the side.

If anyone is interested give me a shout. You are unlikely to find a VR4 this new anyone else for the price!!

[scc]

Must resist! Must resist! I must resist! /wall

scc

[Axeboy]

I might be semi-blind here, but whats the mileage?

[colVR4]

The mileage is 94K but it doesn't drive like it! It is very tidy inside (or will be once I get my finger out and give it a good valet).

[Physician]

The mileage is 93K but it doesn't drive like it! It is very tidy inside (or will be once I get my finger out and give it a good valet).

Ahem! I think you may have to wait a long time to achieve anywhere near that price if it's done 93,000. It's a really nice example of the VR4 but at that price I think it would need to be around the 50,000 mile mark or lower.

But hold out because someone will eventually come along and pay the price. You also have the advantage of being 'flush' at the moment so you can easily wait from a financial point of view.

Good luck with finding a buyer sooner rather than later Col.

[colVR4]

Fair enough, I will hang on to it until the right buyer comes along. I think that the price I am asking is fair for the condition that it is in, the modifications that have been made and the recent money that has been spent on it...despite the mileage.

[Rambaud]

Having sold quite a few cars ( ~ 35 I should think), there was usually only one reason for a lack of sale - the price was too high - although there have been a couple of times when I have sold to only one enquirer.

If the 'phone melts off its stand, the price is too low; if no-one rings, it is too high; if around 6 ring, the price is usually about right.

A item is only "worth" what someone else is prepared to pay at that time - applies to property also, although the UK market seems to be in denial.

[ҢдщҚ]

Very true ! But cars are to live with and houses to live in. If people did this instead of trying to swing a few ££ all the time out of everything. We maybe would not be in this position(economy). I have my wanga set asside for a vr-4, and your right only i knows what i am prepared to pay.

[colVR4]

I am of the opinion that there are 2 types of car: those that you buy with your head; and those that you buy with your heart. I didn't buy the VR4 because it was economical and had loads of luggage space (although it does) and can seat 5 adults (which it can).

I bought it because of its power, its looks, its rarety (I have seen more Gallardo's, 911 Turbos and even Ascari's on the road that VR4s... but I do live between Silverstone, Bruntingthorpe, Bedford Testing Ground and Santa Pod :) )

I am having major problems with deciding what to replace it with that is going to have the same rarity value and still be soooo good.

And another thing... why does you car never run so well, with such good fuel economy and power JUST as you are selling it..... don't want to part with it now, especially now that it has been washed and waxed and valeted inside :(

EDIT: By the way, I have just paid for 12 months tax on the car and I am getting it MOT'd shortly so there will be 12 months MOT as well.

[bradc]

so why are you selling it again? How is an evo x an improvement?

[colVR4]

I have had the car for 3 years (which is the longest I have owned any car) and I am looking for a change. I was looking at the EVO X but there are already so many on the roads!!

I want something that has a bit of rarity about it, that stands out from the crowd and isn't just another 'Euro-box'. I have been looking at the Alfa Romeo 159 (either the 3.2 V6 Q4 or the 2.4 JTDM) and they are a stunning looking car. I know that its not meant to be as involving a drive, but there will be aftermarket parts that can solve that. Best of all is that I have seen hardly any on the roads (cue the jokes about them being Alfa's so they are all in a garage getting fixed somewhere).

I am with Clarkson on this one though, you are not a true petrol head until you have owned an Alfa. I never have so this is my chance to get a newish one that should be a lot more reliable that the old ones with a better build quality.

Other than the Alfa I haven't seen anything to take my fancy... although the Evo X is still tempting and hasn't been written off completely from my list :P

[Kieran]

Col... Perhaps a little pricey at the moment, but if rarity is what you want, then what about.........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-estate-gta-semi-automatic_W0QQitemZ290259671330QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item290259671330

[bradc]

Ahh now those are cool. Get the 6 speed manual version though, it's much better

[colVR4]

Certainly rare.. but not my cup of tea. I am not looking for an estate car just yet. I am not a fan of any of the other Evo/Lancers either, just the Evo X.

Another car that I have been considering because of its rarity (relative) is the Vauxhall Monaro. It is a bit of a beast though!! Haven't seen too many of those on the roads.

[bradc]

A great car, but they feel very big, heavy and clumsy. The 4 speed auto is dreaful and the 6 speed manual is heavy and slow

[pitslayer]

and look like an astra crashed into a mid 90s firebird. I would keep the vr4

[bradc]

I drove a manual EVO X at a mitsi dealer here just before, I was quite disappointed. I will put my thoughts up soon.

[colVR4]

The list of replacement cars get ever shorter!! At this rate I will be keeping the VR4. I have realised that the biggest reason that I need to replace the VR4 is the amount of miles that I do each day in a commute. I have put 60000 miles on the car in 3 yrs and I don't want to keep doing that in the VR4 (I am spending about £450 a month in fuel).

I have considered keeping the VR4 and getting a runaround to do the daily commute but like I said, we already have 3 cars and the wife won't allow me to have another one. We are getting rid of the wife's MGTF160 and swapping it for something more practical so that my wife can use it for her commute and I am not getting rid of the MGB, which is my weekend toy that I have had for 8 yrs...so the VR4 is the one that has to go.

Just need to decide what to replace it with that I can still have a bit of fun but I don't mind piling on the mileage and more economical so that I am not spending all my beer money on fuel. I am not going to be able to convince my wife that the EVO X is more economical, so it is either a big engine (or big power) diesel or a lean burning V6. Hence why I have been looking at the Astra 1.9 CDTi, Seat LEON FR TDI, Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDM, Golf TDI, Octavia TD VRS, BMW 320D, BMW 330D and BMW 335D.

The Astra looks the best bet because they are cheap as chips to buy (and therefore won't lose the most amount of money when I come to sell it with a high mileage), suprisingly well made and has good quality finish and still have the grin factor. They are easily modified to give over 200bhp with a bolt on tuning box without compromising economy significantly. However, I am open to suggestions!!

[colVR4]

Jeeezus...I have just checked out the mpg for the Monaro..thats worse than the VR4!!!

My criteria that I have decided is as follows:

0-60 = less than 8.5 secs
Economy = greater than 30mpg for petrol and 45mpg for diesel
Age = less than 3 years old
Mileage = less than 30,000 miles
Price = less than £13,000

Why is it that you can't put criteria like this in to a car page so that you can narrow down your options?

[Kieran]

What about a Mondeo ST TDCi - Okay, it's a weasel, but the one I had on hire for a couple of days was a nice drive and it wasn't short on grunt either.

[ritch_w]

modern diesels can be very quick out the box and even quicker with a tuning box (or better with a proper remap)

however, with modern diesels I'm becoming more convinced that for long term ownership (and out of manufacturers warranty to pick up the bills) it only takes a common fault such as a diesel pump, injectors or a turbo to fail and your ownership costs will be more than a petrol car.

have you considered LPG? a gas guzzler on LPG will be cheaper to run than a diesel.

[Roberto]

have you considered LPG? a gas guzzler on LPG will be cheaper to run than a diesel.

An Outlander might fit the bill nicely/pan

[bradc]

What about the turbo V6 Vectra?

[Nick Mann]

Some ideas from me:

S-Type Jag with 2.7 TD engine. The 4.2 petrol will be too thirsty I guess.
IS220 d
350Z (Consumption may be borderline!)
Legacy, there is a diseasel version available now I think? Also a 3.0 petrol and a silly import version.
I also think there is a silly version of the Passat now too?

I have chosen all of the above for reasons you posted, plus rarity. I think they all just about meet your criteria.

[colVR4]

I have had a look at the Vectra...I would rather wait for its replacement, the Vectra doesn't get very good reviews at all, whereas the new Mondeo seems to get rated a lot higher.

I am not a Jag person, the new XF is nice but it just doesn't float my boat, looks too much like a Mondeo or Hyundai Coupe from the front. It just doesn't look exceptional enough to me to be a Jag.

I do like the Lexus IS200d but I wouldn't choose one of them over a BMW 320d or 330d. If I could get a 330d or 335d for a reasonable price I would get for that any day of the week, the 335d has enough torque to tow a house!!! and it still gets over 40mpg!!

[Nick Mann]

I didn't list the BMW simply because they are a tad common! 3 years ago, the 3 series was the best selling rep mobile, IIRC. And after you said:


I want something that has a bit of rarity about it, that stands out from the crowd and isn't just another 'Euro-box'.

I thought it would be well out of the running.

[ritch_w]

An Outlander might fit the bill nicely/pan

was thinking of something slightly better like these:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-89-171-211-240/advert.action?R=200831315575840&distance=174&postcode=KA21+6DT&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=10000&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-89-171-211-240/advert.action?R=200833316687278&distance=238&postcode=KA21+6DT&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=10000&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

or some V8 goodness??

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-89-171-211-240/advert.action?R=200835317529023&distance=184&postcode=KA21+6DT&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=10000&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

luxo barge coupe??
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-89-171-211-240/advert.action?R=200832315961502&distance=69&postcode=KA21+6DT&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=10000&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

[colVR4]

hmmm...some interesting options there. I hadn't even considered LPG as a route to go.

The LPG 350Z looks interesting as does the Merc. Not interested in a Chelsea Tractor though!

[colVR4]

I agree that the 320d is very common, but the 335d is much less so

[bradc]

But from the outside 1% of people will notice it is a 335d, rather than any other 3 series

[colVR4]

Just had a look at some pictures as comparison and you are right. The problem is that the options list is the same for all models of the 3-series, so you can have a 320d that looks exactly the same as a 335d :(

[Physician]

Just had a look at some pictures as comparison and you are right. The problem is that the options list is the same for all models of the 3-series, so you can have a 320d that looks exactly the same as a 335d :(

De-badge a 335...... good stealth car. :scholar:

[colVR4]

It would make an awesome stealth car. I have had run-ins with them with the VR4 and I couldn't make a dent on them once they get going. Quite a bit slower from a standing start but then they are off like a rocket.

[CARMEL120]

great car i have a 330ci sport individual23676

[raph]

the Astra 1.9 cdti (the 120 and 150 hp cdti engines in general) have bbeen showing up alot for waranty repairs..

egt sensors,particulat filters,intake manifold butterfly,ebv valves, CIMs, the list goes on and on and on..

i know,i get to fix the bloody things

go for the 2.0l turbo petrol versions, i think theres a new fuel efficent 1.6l turbo out there as well.

[colVR4]

BUMP

I have dropped the price to £4995. I am starting to pile on the miles again now that I am back at work so I want to sell it before I put too many on. Any interested parties are welcome to PM me.

Ta

[colVR4]

Price dropped to £4,599. I am buying a Black Vauxhall Astra 3-door Sporthatch 1.9 CDTi [150ps] Sri with exterior pack and I need to get rid of the VR-4 before the wife gets too annoyed at having 3 cars in the driveway.

Anyone interested, give me a shout. You can email me on colin_hewson@hotmail.com or call me on 01933 389734