Purchasing a Legnum VR4

[alexward]

Hi there.

I'm about to sell my poxy MG ZT190 V6 as its let me down again, at Dover on 23rd Dec, about to leave the UK on a ferry to go and see family in France for Xmas for ten days. AAARRRGGGG!!!
Anyway, been looking at these Legnum VR4 thingys. I've known of them for years. I know they're quick, but how quick??
I've read lots of info on here about them, but just would like to hear some up to date info really.
Obviously i'm after something really reliable, as I do a lot of driving in France and want a load lugging fast estate car. How reliable are they?
My budget is around 3 grand. not a lot I know. There seems to be a few around for that money. Are they gonna be awful?
What are the most common problems with them??
Thanks all.
Alex

[ANTHONY]

if you look after them they can be very reliable....they are Japanese after all.
i'v been running mine as a daily drive for the past 2 and bit years so far the only things that have gone wrong was the battery and a front wheel bearing which aint bad for 13 year old car

[elnevio]

Reliability is great, if maintained, quite simply!

If you do have any problems, failed parts, etc., then this club is a fantastic place to get them, as well as the advice to sort out the problem. For example, a few weeks ago, I broke my rear diff (oops! ), but within 48 hours of it breaking, I'd got another one for a decent price, and with a bit of help from a few club friends, it was pretty much back up together!

Not that the diff is a reliability problem - mine had been subject to more power, quite a few launches, some track sessions, a few laps of the Nurburgring. I pootled to France in the summer also with it and the family! No probs.

Whereabouts are you? There may be a nearby member happy to show you around their's?

[Beastlee]

It's all been said above but to address your comment about intended usage I think it would be wise to point out that the fuel economy is between 15-20MPG on average, however others have managed to get higher than that.
If you compare this to something like an RS4 though the car will be over a third cheaper but similar running costs as I see it. Oh and the insurance will be a lot less too.

[alexward]

Thanks for the reply guys. I'm not too fussed about mpg.used to be right in to my jap cars, but my wife of three years has always pretty much hated them. But after the MG letting us down a few times and a few people saying to go japanese for reliability, its got her thinking.
I showed her a Legnum VR4 tonight and she liked it, so i'm thinking aye up, i could be back to fast jap cars again!!
Sorry about the lack of info on my avatar. I'll change it now.
I'm in Sandy, Bedfordshire. There's a nice fresh Legnum VR4 import in Herts which is near by. Here's the link - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1394155.htm What do ya reckon chaps?? I like subtle. Think this one doesn't scream "look i'm really fast"!
Like I said, not too fussed about mpg. My current car, MG ZT V6 190 gets about 28mpg on the motorway, around town about 18-20mpg. About 300 miles to a full tank (65 litres).

[Nutter_John]

well if you need someone to have a look at the car with ya give me a shout

[alexward]

well if you need someone to have a look at the car with ya give me a shout

Thanks so much mate. What do ya reckon to the one in my link from Pistonheads? Its not too far, and I like the subtlety of it i.e colour and wheels etc.

[Nutter_John]

It's seems ok from the Pics , it is a pre-facelift so will be a 97/98 car so on a R or S plate .

Do you know where abouts in Herts it is , also he seems to have it up for 25 days which could give you some push for a better price .

[ANTHONY]

MG ZT V6 190 gets about 28mpg on the motorway, around town about 18-20mpg. About 300 miles to a full tank (65 litres).

sounds like a legnum ......oh and forgot to say

[elnevio]

And the clock is easy-peasy to fix!

[chrisvr4]

I owned an mg zt 190+ and will say it was a lot better on fuel than my vr4 lol

From notts to my mums in wales which was 186 miles i got there on half a tank of fuel.

Around notts i was getting 28 - 32 mpg and i do sometimes have a heavy foot ! on the motorway doing a steady 70 - 80 mph i was averaging 35 -37 mpg

Oh and welcome to the club alexward.

sounds like a legnum ......oh and forgot to say

[aboo]

Hi & welcome to CVR4.

Good luck with search.

[Turbo_Steve]

If you're only in Sandy, you're welcome to come out for a spin in mine on the weekend? Give you a feel for it.

[HPRULZ]

Hi & welcome, silvers a good choice.

Kev

[Louis]

Hi & welcome.
You won't go wrong with any advice from Nutter-John, or Turbo_Steve, both are very knowledge able and know these cars (and others) inside out, the silver manual looks good, and would be worth haggling a bit.

[Turbo_Steve]

Hey, thanks Louis!

I'd be the first to say that from a mechanical perspective, NJ's knowledge leaves mine standing in the dust, though!

[Atik]

But NJ now drives an Evo so his opinions dont count anymore

[alexward]

Thanks for all the input guys. You seem a very helpful bunch. Looking forward to spending more time on here when I get my Legnum.
It is up for sale for 25 days on Fleabay, so hopefully it will be there when my ZT has sold.
I like the silver because of its subtlety. My missus hates lairy Jap cars, so the more Q car it looks, the more she'll like it. Its half her car too!

I don't know where it is in Herts but if you would come with me to have a look at it Nutter_ John, it would be greatly appreciated. I'll come and pick you up and shout you lunch and beer!! Maybe with all your knowledge, between us, we can haggle the vendor down!!! lol.
After purchasing, i'll be saving for goodies for it. That'll please her indoors. Haha.
I'll keep you guys posted on the selling of the ZT, as soon as its gone, i'll be purchasing my VR4 and paying up and becoming a full member on here.

[Wobble]

Thanks for all the input guys. You seem a very helpful bunch. Looking forward to spending more time on here when I get my Legnum.
It is up for sale for 25 days on Fleabay, so hopefully it will be there when my ZT has sold.
I like the silver because of its subtlety. My missus hates lairy Jap cars, so the more Q car it looks, the more she'll like it. Its half her car too!

I don't know where it is in Herts but if you would come with me to have a look at it Nutter_ John, it would be greatly appreciated. I'll come and pick you up and shout you lunch and beer!! Maybe with all your knowledge, between us, we can haggle the vendor down!!! lol.
After purchasing, i'll be saving for goodies for it. That'll please her indoors. Haha.
I'll keep you guys posted on the selling of the ZT, as soon as its gone, i'll be purchasing my VR4 and paying up and becoming a full member on here.

cambridge . i test drove this 4 months ago . snow tyres , never a grade 4 (condition is more grade 3)couple of dings needs respray on bumper and mirrors, fuel cuts ,and drove like a pig. needs full service too. expect at least another 1.5k in bills to get this running looking ok. had to threaten to walk away as he refused to give me a test drive ,finally talked him round and wished id never bothered. he knew nothing about this car .
sorry to say this but i waisted 4 hours getting to and looking over this car.

price dropped by £800 since i looked though

[alexward]

cambridge . i test drove this 4 months ago . snow tyres , never a grade 4 (condition is more grade 3)couple of dings needs respray on bumper and mirrors, fuel cuts ,and drove like a pig. needs full service too. expect at least another 1.5k in bills to get this running looking ok. had to threaten to walk away as he refused to give me a test drive ,finally talked him round and wished id never bothered. he knew nothing about this car .
sorry to say this but i waisted 4 hours getting to and looking over this car.

price dropped by £800 since i looked though

Its a dog then?