1991 VR4 questions

[turbochris]

Don't forget about the output shaft,corroded brake/streering lines,17year old intercoolers....and,and,and.Seriosly,these cars are not a wise choise if you live on a budget.As a daily driver,unless you do a complete rebuilt,they are pretty much useless if you ask me.

[nawz8r]

It's been sitting in the sun for sure. A good cleaner wax and a buffing machine can really shine the paint up. It basically takes off oxidation and a layer of paint with it which will show on the pad, then wax the H out of it with a good wax. Be careful not to buff one spot too long, or could "burn" it. If you were to get the car - something to try before repainting.

It's prob due for wheel and carrier bearings with that mileage - $900 in parts. But maybe they've been replaced? Good luck

[HLxDrummer]

Whats up with the different wheel in the back? I doubt it would mess up the VCU since the rear end would make up for the difference but probably isn't good for it.

[O_ROD]

Looks like a fun project, but I'd only buy it if that's your intentions. It's not the up front price that's important with a VR4, it's the aftermath of owning it and getting it up to snuff!

P.S. That's not an HKS Super Dragger ehxaust

P.S.S. If you keep TT's stockish and keep up with the maintenance, they ARE reliable.

[damoose212001]

Originally Posted by turbochris

Don't forget about the output shaft,corroded brake/streering lines,17year old intercoolers....and,and,and.Seriosly,these cars are not a wise choise if you live on a budget.As a daily driver,unless you do a complete rebuilt,they are pretty much useless if you ask me.

Exactly, the problems go on and on. And we only gave you a couple of the more common problems. Look at small things too, such as any bent rims, condition of tires, alignment, the list just goes on and on. I'm currently not a VR4 owner myself, but I do assure you when I do own one, it will be the right one. I also made sure to wait until I graduated school, and got a decent job so I know I'll be able to afford anything this car throws at me. Honestly, it's probably not what you want to hear, but I'd buy a SL in your shoes, and think about it, you're still the kid in school with a sweet looking over 200 horsepower car. If you don't want to go that route, just keep waiting, there will be decent deals around, maybe for about 5 grand you can get a steal on a nice 1st gen. I'm actually looking at one for 6,500 out in Jersey that has 59,000 miles, believe me, patience is key, I let my Talon teach me the hard way bud, don't let it happen to you.

[Sin'sVr4]

Where to begin...I bought mine with the guy telling me that it had a fresh rebuilt engine and tranny 30K miles ago. Well, I started out by replacing the interior. $650...The suspension was redone as all parts still have tags and stickers on them including the drive shaft. Next, was little things like oil cooler feed and return lines...$130. Heard a knock, took it in and the 5th gear bearings and spring destroyed all my gears...so bought new gears and syncros...$1500, replaced next the cam seals and all gaskets....$200 (labor too)...Then bought new turbos..$1100...then once all that was together there was another knock...this time from the bottom end. Rod bearings were worn to the brass...Not spun..more $$$!! New oem forged crank $730, new clevite bearings..$85, plus when I pulled the rods and pistons, rings were bad and cylinders had piston slap...bored out .030 over and bought new IPS Ross pistons...$640...new water pump...$120, new oil pump $160, new rear moutor mount, new valve stem seals, egr block off plate.................It never ends!!!! Plus Im doing the 98 conversion....OMFG!!!! PLus labor!!!! add that up plus $3000 in labor plus $6400 for the car, plus $800 for the system!!! plus about another $2000 for guages, a-pillar pod, datalogger and cables, Greddy profec b spec II EBC, 560 injectors, 255 walbro, $800 borla, $300 safcII, plus gt-pro FMIC...$2500............IM GONNA BE SICK...All in 5 months


ALMS FOR THE POOR!!!!

MIke

PS If I could do it all over, .........I would cause she's gonna be mean and beautiful!!

[Lord Warlock]

Join the ranks of those who feel we've been taken advantage of by our cars. Not that we gave up on them, but the fact that they keep sucking anything green or shiny from our pockets.

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by O_ROD

Looks like a fun project, but I'd only buy it if that's your intentions. It's not the up front price that's important with a VR4, it's the aftermath of owning it and getting it up to snuff!

P.S. That's not an HKS Super Dragger ehxaust

P.S.S. If you keep TT's stockish and keep up with the maintenance, they ARE reliable.

I'd agree. Only take it on as a project as it will make a crappy DD until you get it fixed.

[Gushers248]

Originally Posted by O_ROD

Looks like a fun project, but I'd only buy it if that's your intentions. It's not the up front price that's important with a VR4, it's the aftermath of owning it and getting it up to snuff!

P.S. That's not an HKS Super Dragger ehxaust

P.S.S. If you keep TT's stockish and keep up with the maintenance, they ARE reliable.

Project was the basic plan, just drive it for a few months this summer and rebuild most of it over the next year and drive it in the summer again.

He said HKS dragger, maybe there were two models? I'm not sure

Originally Posted by HLxDrummer

Whats up with the different wheel in the back? I doubt it would mess up the VCU since the rear end would make up for the difference but probably isn't good for it.

The wheels in the back on both sides were his stock rx7 wheels. he parked the car and since he built his rx7 from the ground up he had extra rims because he got a flat and didn't want to run a donut (same size diameter tire) and then he parked it because he got the rx7 up and running.

Originally Posted by Polygon

I'd agree. Only take it on as a project as it will make a crappy DD until you get it fixed.

I've got a truck as a daily that I'd keep along with that car. More of a fun summer/weekend car

[Lord Warlock]

You'll notice we're being kind and understanding, while warning you off as best we can, the cars are definitely fun to drive when in good shape, and look different enough that they still stand out on the street, the biggest concern is not to overinvest in the project, its real easy to get upside down considering most 1st gens are only worth 5-8k. I threw 20k into mine in about a 2 year period, knowing it wouldn't return it. At one point you'll just decide that's enough. It is a very good thing to have a different daily driver, so you can live through the down periods better.