Looking to buy a VR4

[MadamVectra]

hi there
congrats on a top site
iam going to look at a VR4 next week
a 97 P estate 62000 miles P756 PVR
does anyone here know of this car?
any advice on what to look for on a VR4 would be great


many thanks

[Petrolhead]

Hi there, welcome.

I'm relatively new to the VR4 scene myself, only had the car for four months.

The only thing I regret not doing, was checking the underneath of the car for oil leaks. It turned out that my car had a leaking gearbox, which cost me around £400 to get sorted INSERT INTO post VALUES (mates prices); all for a £10 oil seal. So, start the car, drive it forwards and stop, then get out the car and look at where the car was sitting to see if there's and puddles.

Not a common problem I don't think, but certainly worth a wee look.

If it's an Auto/tiptronic gearbox, the gear changing should be silky smooth. I've let friends drive my car and they are amazed at how smooth the change is

That's all I can really say for now, except......it's a thirsty beast, and must run on Optimax or at LEAST Super unleaded.

Dave.

[Pescha]

Hi, I too are a new owner of a VR4 legnum.

If it is auto please travel at least 20 miles in it to warm the transmission up. I didn't and it had a faulty damper in mine.

Also make sure you have a mechanical warranty too, this will save you lots of pounds or dollars.

Other than that go for it, they are an AWESOME car!!!

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Cheers,
Pescha!

[MadamVectra]

cheers guys
always loved the shape of the galant and the estate is huge
drove a 2.5 sport a few months back and loved it
so i have decided to buy the daddy of all galants the VR4
just hope the one iam gonna see is a good one.


always had vauxhalls INSERT INTO post VALUES (makes sence when you work in a vauxhall dealer! cheeper parts and service,s)
currently have 2 vectra,s a 2.5 V6 INSERT INTO post VALUES (moddified) and a 2.2
need an estate car now as me and hubby play paintball tournaments and we have to carry alot of kit and the poor vectra hatchbackINSERT INTO post VALUES ( 2.5 V6) can,t take it all.

[Bulldog]

I think this is the car I looked @.... in Cardiff right ?

Although its advertised as a Galant, it's actually an import & has Legnum badging.
Didn't really look too hard at it after that cos i knew insurance would be sky-high on an import for me INSERT INTO post VALUES (been a naughty boy). But at first appearance it looks in vgc.

Its advertised in my local Auto-trader & doesn't say that it has FSH whereas other vehicles from the same dealer state FSH in most ads so please be aware of that....

[MadamVectra]

hi bulldog
yes the car is in cardiff at prestige motors
they have told me that it is a import with part service history but is in japanese!
the last owner was a copper
iam hoping to see the car later in the week

cheers

[Brind]

Hi MadamVectra.

Needless to say these are great cars, extremely rare and fast.
But If I were you the first thing to do would be to inquire about getting a Mitsubishi warranty!
Mitsubishi do cover imports but will probably do a thorough check of the car first to ensure the car has had a cambelt change and all the oils etc have been done.

I bought mine and when it was delivered the engine had a very loud tappet noise, it was sorted under warranty but apparently they flushed the engine several times and it stopped, and never came back, they may have to flush the engine loads of times and bare in mind each batch of oil costs about £50 that can soon mount up.

After driving back from the Japfest show last week I noticed my AYC light was on, took it to the dealer and they put the car on test and told me the pump is dying.. £2,000 replacement! will be sorted under warranty thank christ.

Most people have mentioned the gearbox oil seal, mine hasn't had this problem yet, but they have to take the engine out and gearbox just to refit a £10 seal.

Build quality is excellent though!
Must run on Optimax or Super at LEAST.
Insurance on an import is hardly different to an official, mine is official and I'm paying the same amount as some of those who have imports.
Adrian Flux are your best bet as they KNOW what this car is and there is no problem with modifications etc.

BUY ONE! don't choose a common car like an Impreza, BMW or an EVO! buy one of these and be exclusive..

[MadamVectra]

many many thanks for the advice
silly question! can i get a mitsubishi warrenty for a VR4 bought from a general dealer???
the VR4 iam looking at gives a RAC warrenty.

i have got 1 quote for insurnace £900 from direct line
iam 30 with full no claims INSERT INTO post VALUES (made a non fault claim last year)
this is only £250 more than my V6 vectra which has been modified.

there just isn,t any other high performance car out there i would buy .....well maybe a TVR cerebra!!
scoobys,BMW are just too common got quite a few EVO,s in my area but no VR4,s
even my vectra,s are differant from the rest....hate to be the same as everyone else too boring LoL

[jaysback]

good luck with your purchase
be aware that the pre 98 model is 20bhp downd on later models.
a later ecu will solve this small problem tho.
hope to see u at one of the shows when u get it

[Brind]

I'm sure Mitsubishi will approve a warranty on it, assuming it is in good enough condition.
Best to ask them.

Direct Line and Tescos both require a Tracker of any type fitted.
Adrian Flux dosen't, and will charge you much less even with modifications, £611.
I use them and Spirit979 is looking to change to them in the near future.

[landy]

on the subject of insurance, it's well worth trying Osboune & Son INSERT INTO post VALUES (haven't got the phone no at the mo, but it will be in banzai or jap performance magazines).

£680 for me, 32 yrs, full no claims

[Roadrunner]

I'm with The Policy Shop. Highly recommended for ease, speed and efficiency of policy set up. Less than £600

[Pescha]

Well I pay for my insurance which is full insurance INSERT INTO post VALUES (theft, fire or accident) NZ $21.95 per fortnight which is 7.82 per fortnight in pounds. But I'm over 25, no claims and I'm a lady driver INSERT INTO post VALUES (if that means anything lol)

Cheers,
Pescha!

[Roadrunner]

MadamVectra,

One for sale here

[MadamVectra]

cheers to everyone for all the advice

really hope i can say iam a VR4 owner by the end of the week

[Petrolhead]

I'm actually insured with Admiral :eek: and they know it's a VR-4 AND an Import.

Under 700 pounds fully comp, protected.

Dave.

[Sid]

Hello there,

Another new kid on the block here!! I am also considering buying a VR4 INSERT INTO post VALUES (probably the saloon version). I currently have an FTO GPX and fancy a change. Does anyone know what the mpg figures are for the VR4 and does it have to be serviced every 4,500 miles?onder:

[haydar]

Originally posted by Sid
Hello there,

Another new kid on the block here!! I am also considering buying a VR4 INSERT INTO post VALUES (probably the saloon version). I currently have an FTO GPX and fancy a change. Does anyone know what the mpg figures are for the VR4 and does it have to be serviced every 4,500 miles?onder:

Realistically the best mpg you'll get in city driving is about 17-18mpg. On a town run you should see this rise to 20-22mpg. Motorways driving INSERT INTO post VALUES (depending on speed) is around 25mpg.

The car does need to be serviced every 4k miles, but if you are handy with a screw-driver you can change the oil and oil filter yourself. I'm not sure about the other fluids INSERT INTO post VALUES (gearbox, diff, AYC). The spark plugs are supposed to be good for 50k miles, which is just as well since it is a major job getting at them.

[BraindG]

Originally posted by haydar
The spark plugs are supposed to be good for 50k miles, which is just as well since it is a major job getting at them.

I had a look lastnight, took off the cover, scratched my head, then bum, and put cover back on..:eek:

[Sid]

Cheers for that, as I expected and not too disimilar to the FTO INSERT INTO post VALUES (6K service and rear 3 spark plugs a sod to get at!!). I get married in 4 weeks so i think I'll start looking seriously in about 6-8 weeks time. Hopefully fuel prices will drop by then!!!!

Sid