1998 VR-4: 10 Years of Mods, Repairs, and Maintainence

[ncloudv7]

Thanks for posting. It made me feel like I bought something I shouldn't have though...

[R/T93]

2 grand for window parts? Lol.

Seriously dude you could of figured half that stuff out on your own and saved 20 grand.....

Good documentation though.

[75blackray]

Yeah, money was my main driver for turning my own wrenches. I decided to rebuild my trans the first year I had the car, right after paying $5k+ to have a shop install a new shortblock. Before that I had never pulled a single intercooler hose... Never seen a shop since ((except dyno and tires)

[thuanvinhny]

I agree with the op. The car is expensive to maintain, because it is old, and parts are rotten here and there.

I have replaced many of my car parts, but I always buy reconditioned parts, and have it done by regular shops, and not the dealer.

It is running like a champ now though

[TwIzTeD_3kGt]

Originally Posted by R/T93

2 grand for window parts? Lol.

Seriously dude you could of figured half that stuff out on your own and saved 20 grand.....

Good documentation though.

^ This. Some of those expenditures are insane. You got ripped off, multiple times.

Could be worse I guess, you could have caught the mod bug. I have more into my VR4 over a 6 year period than your 10 years of total costs, and I do all my own work. Most of it is "want" rather than "need" though.

Edit: Oh and good thread, thanks for sharing!

[Djmba]

Originally Posted by westcott

now you know why most of us turn our own wrenches.

1) you can not trust most mechanic shops to tell the truth or do the job properly.

2) the costs associated with shops do reflect their overhead, warranty, etc. But there is nothing like the satisfaction of doing the work yourself. Plus, you sleep better at night.

3) very few shops understand the intricacies of these vehicles, the importance of following torque specifications, proper maintenance, and using quality parts.

4) most mechanics will do more harm then good, either from negligence, or down right abuse and corner cutting.

So true.

[DuTTch]

My 1993 MKII RHD GTO TT is in a shop in the Netherlands, and I am hurting lol

[thomasson5]

Great post. After turning wrenches for many years, now retired, I find these cars interesting. Raced BB Chevy Nova's, Chevelle's and at one point a 510 CI Opal GT. So now I proceed to the other end of the spectrum. From "cubic" HP to "pressure" HP, this is fun! Although I always do my own work, I have helped out a few local folks with parts and advice. Many ripoffs from repair facilities, at least from what I have seen, is from ignorance. Tech's not familiar with these cars trying to perform repairs and causing more damage than fixes, or just throwing parts at the problem. This forum has been a great help as many people have "invented" fixes that surpass the endurance of new parts. I especially like the window regulator mod. (riveting the metal piece to support the broken plastic) I have modded at least 6 of them without a single failure...so far! Just finished installing seat skins from exotikleather. My first time at upholstery work, but I think they turned out as well as I have seen done, IMO. Thinking of posting my process, as I photo'ed the process including adding foam to the bolsters.
At any rate, thanks to all that have come before me and to welcome all those fortunate enough to find this platform in the future.
Happy Holidays to all!

[boon93]

Thanks for the post. Makes me glad I do my own work! (not that I could even come close to affording to have it done for me)

[camaro0281]

i wouldnt consider maintenance expensive... but for people considering owning a 3s, ill gaurantee they gonna have to learn there car... if not they will only rip them selves off.. dont know how many times i seen something simple wrong and the owner thinking the car is junk... long story short selling the car for cheap... dont know who would want to take advantage of a good deal...