VW VR6 Opinions

jhynesrockmtn · 10-07-2008, 12:35 PM

My 16 yo son is thinking VR6 VW to replace the Forerunner he can't afford to put gas in. Any big red flags? Many of these have been modded quite a bit which is probably where he'll take it eventually.

Laneco · 10-07-2008, 12:46 PM

Our oldest son bought a used early VR6. It will pretty much eat my 81 911 alive in a straight away. Assorted odd little electrical problems with it. Nothing major, it starts and runs quite well. But I would definately check them out carefully. Quite a bit of the trim on the interior is in much rougher condition that I would expect given the mileage and year of the car. Seems to have aged somewhat prematurely.

Seems a good car, but one I would definately check out with great care before purchase. Make sure the 16 year old can get affordable insurance on it.

angela

imaircooled · 10-07-2008, 01:02 PM

I agree with Angela. Funny little electrical issues arise but not anything too bad. My wife's Jetta is fun to drive and has some miles on it. We found her car with 24,000 miles and it was in really good shape. It now has around 172,000 with only a couple small issues.

Don't let Jim see this thread.

Chris

carambola · carambola's Garage

chiming in with an '01 JETTA GLX.

great car. the one problem that i was having was with the coilpacks. i did the 5.99 JB weld fix about two years ago, maybe it was three, anyways i haven't had a single problem since.
nice pep, comfortable cruiser and i get 30 mpg with a slightly heavy foot.
i'd buy one again

gtc · gtc's Garage

What year?
A buddy of mine had a '04 GTI VR6 (bought it new) for about two years. It had at least two serious problems. First, the variable cam mechanism went bad at about 5,000 miles. Second, one of the halfshafts FELL OFF one time.
The mileage was pretty poor for a hatch, and the drive-by-wire throttle was really laggy and annoying.
I can give you plenty of other gripes too, but the bottom line is that the 1.8T or equivalent is a much better choice, IMHO, especially if he intends to modify it.

jhynesrockmtn · 10-07-2008, 01:53 PM

I'm thinking pre 2000 given his budget. May also look at late 80's GTI 16V.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

The 80s GTI would be a better choice IMHO. cheaper insurance and tons more fun factor. I would avoid the VR6 if i went with a newer one and shoot for the 1.8t. course off the line the TDI is quicker(in the bugs anyways) than the gas burner.

gtc · gtc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I'm thinking pre 2000 given his budget. May also look at late 80's GTI 16V.

Yeah, a MkI or MkII GTI would be sweet... or maybe a Scirocco too.

Dave L · 10-07-2008, 03:52 PM

I had a 2000 GTI, worst car I have ever owned. This was when VW only gave a 24 month warranty of their cars and I kept the car 3 months after the warranty expired. When I turned it in it required about $2000 in work, the alarm would randomly go off, the door locks would lock or unlock on a whim and the rear wiper sprayed washer fluid all over the car. Window regulators went bad dropping the window into the door, numerous CELs, numerous MAF sensors went bad, coil packs. Having owned 2 944s, 3 BMW e30s, 2 Mazdas and now my Saab92x I can say that the VW spent more time in the garage than all the other cars combined.

The Vr6 isnt exactly fuel efficient either and requires premium fuel.

Zef · Zef's Garage

The VR 6 engine is not recommended by Consumer Report.

rammstein · 10-07-2008, 04:40 PM

For fuel efficiency, I think you could do better.

If he is into V-dubs, I always thought the gen 1 rabbits were awesome.

I am going to be getting something for myself in a similar price bracket soon (guessing around $5k) and as much as I dig the older v-dubs, johnny sensible in my head keeps whispering Japanese stuff.

Check out Proteges too.

equality72521 · 10-07-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave L

I had a 2000 GTI, worst car I have ever owned. This was when VW only gave a 24 month warranty of their cars and I kept the car 3 months after the warranty expired. When I turned it in it required about $2000 in work, the alarm would randomly go off, the door locks would lock or unlock on a whim and the rear wiper sprayed washer fluid all over the car. Window regulators went bad dropping the window into the door, numerous CELs, numerous MAF sensors went bad, coil packs. Having owned 2 944s, 3 BMW e30s, 2 Mazdas and now my Saab92x I can say that the VW spent more time in the garage than all the other cars combined.

The Vr6 isnt exactly fuel efficient either and requires premium fuel.

Yeah, what he said. I bought a 2000 GTi VR6 and if I didn't have the B2B warranty it would have cost me easily $3k to have them fix all the crap that broke on it. They had the car for nearly a month one time. AND THEY NEVER COULD GET THE DAMNED THING TO IDLE PROPERLY!!!!!!! And I'm a died hard VW lover, owned 8 of them both air and water.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave L

I had a 2000 GTI, worst car I have ever owned. This was when VW only gave a 24 month warranty of their cars and I kept the car 3 months after the warranty expired. When I turned it in it required about $2000 in work, the alarm would randomly go off, the door locks would lock or unlock on a whim and the rear wiper sprayed washer fluid all over the car. Window regulators went bad dropping the window into the door, numerous CELs, numerous MAF sensors went bad, coil packs. Having owned 2 944s, 3 BMW e30s, 2 Mazdas and now my Saab92x I can say that the VW spent more time in the garage than all the other cars combined.

The Vr6 isnt exactly fuel efficient either and requires premium fuel.

my 2000 Golf (not V6) was exactly the same. a constant problem from day 1. after replacing the head gasket, i ditched it and got $1,200 for it - only 4 years old

the interior DID age at a frightening pace...from the finish, to the glove box hinges braking, drink holder plastic bits braking....and on my friends and brothers car of the same year....exactly the same thing

now i have a 2008 rabbit and so far i love it.... fly by wire throttle is very strange though...but it grew on me and the car is very solid and quick and i love it

equality72521 · 10-07-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srandallf

my 2000 Golf (not V6) was exactly the same. a constant problem from day 1. after replacing the head gasket, i ditched it and got $1,200 for it - only 4 years old

the interior DID age at a frightening pace...from the finish, to the glove box hinges braking, drink holder plastic bits braking....and on my friends and brothers car of the same year....exactly the same thing

now i have a 2008 rabbit and so far i love it.... fly by wire throttle is very strange though...but it grew on me and the car is very solid and quick and i love it

2000 was drive by wire too.

notfarnow · 10-07-2008, 06:16 PM

What about a VR6 Corrado? They are from the last generation of decent quality VWs (IMO), and are more fun than ticklin' nanny.

equality72521 · 10-07-2008, 06:22 PM

By all accounts I've heard the MKIII VR6 was more reliable than the MKIV. It was certainly better than the G60.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by equality72521

2000 was drive by wire too.

well, if thats true, then the software or whatever runs it, is very different.

i have never driven a car with a throttle that behaves like the 2008 rabbit....its nothing at all like my old golf was

equality72521 · 10-07-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srandallf

well, if thats true, then the software or whatever runs it, is very different.

i have never driven a car with a throttle that behaves like the 2008 rabbit....its nothing at all like my old golf was

I'm sure it's different. The MKIV drive by wire was very laggy. You could mash it and it would take a second before it would start pulling.

jhynesrockmtn · 10-07-2008, 06:47 PM

Great info. I'd steer him Japanese as well. Heck, his sister who's in college has a 98 Camry just sitting at my exes house. It's actually my fathers old car. I should get it back! The problem is he works at Speedware Motorsports and he couldn't drive to work in something so lame..... I'm sure some of you are customers and all the guys there are into german stuff or muscle cars. VW and Audi are the game. He might go for an older BMW 3 series though. Maybe I will check out 944's as well.

equality72521 · 06:52 PM

You can't go wrong with an older 3 series BMW. The 1983-4 GTi was one of my personal favs. If I can find a cherry example of one I'll be on it like white on rice.