VR-4 as a daily-driver. Bad idea?

So I have been looking for a good daily driver to trade my DSM in on and I found a 1997 VR-4 with 41k miles. I was wondering if these are as troublesome as people make them out to be or not. I would be putting quite a few miles on the car, but it would never go to the track, or be launched excessively hard. I have heard they are a bitch and a half to maintain so do you guys think it would be a bad idea to buy one of these as a DD? Or should I go with something less troublesome? I've wanted a VR4 for quite some time now, but I have never really been able to find one without 100K+ miles where I live. Anyways, any constructive input welcome. Thanks in advance!

Wow, how much is that going for, that's almost exactly what I got my 96 at, and it cost me 22k. Very nice find. Mine is my daily driver, and i'd say keep a back up beater just in case. Hopefully you are comfortable working on your own cars, if not, you will learn to be when you buy this one :grinyes: Also keep some money around for emergencies. All in all, for being 11 years old, I'm shocked at how few things have needed replacing on the car. But some do break, and do need repairs, etc. And it generally isn't easy or cheap. Reliability really depends alot on how the previous owner treated the car.

I love the car, adn when it's running, it's my DD, and it's a ton of fun. I say go for it. Check out our FAQ to, lots of good info for a new potential owner.

Wow, how much is that going for, that's almost exactly what I got my 96 at, and it cost me 22k. Very nice find. Mine is my daily driver, and i'd say keep a back up beater just in case. Hopefully you are comfortable working on your own cars, if not, you will learn to be when you buy this one :grinyes: Also keep some money around for emergencies. All in all, for being 11 years old, I'm shocked at how few things have needed replacing on the car. But some do break, and do need repairs, etc. And it generally isn't easy or cheap. Reliability really depends alot on how the previous owner treated the car.

I love the car, adn when it's running, it's my DD, and it's a ton of fun. I say go for it. Check out our FAQ to, lots of good info for a new potential owner.


Yeah I do do most of the work on my own cars when I can, however after looking under the hood of a VR4 at a carshow, it looks like any work on this car will be a PITA. And yeah this one is about 21k(before negotiation). And I will have 2 more cars should I need something else to drive, but I was really hoping for something that I won't need to worry about whenever I take a long roadtrip... My other option for a DD is a 350Z, but I like the back seat of the 3kGT(even though it is barely usable), and I like the fact its AWD.

Reliable, useable backseat, AWD, Subaru Impreza WRX STI maybe??

Reliable, useable backseat, AWD, Subaru Impreza WRX STI maybe??

Yeah, I considered that, but that is closer to the 30k range used. If I was going to buy one of those I'd probably get one new, however the new ones are one of the ugliest cars ever made IMO. That thing they call a front end is atrocious(sp?). Plus the 3kGTs are incredibly sexy, I think so anyways. I'd go for an N/A FWD one, but I'd rather have something faster, and it doesn't seem like those have much potential with N/A mods (I could be wrong).

When I first saw the 06 Impreza I didn't like the front either and I dogged on my friend for liking it so much.

But then I saw it in real life, and looking at it in Pearl White and Gold rims, it looked freaking klean. I think it looks 10X better in real life than in pictures.

I use to own a 92 Stealth R/T Twin Turbo, and that car couldn't pass up a shop. I lost $8K in the process of 3 months on it (With the sale of it, and the parts I invested into it).

In all honesty i'd say avoid it unless you've got the money to maintain it. I've heard that if they are maintained well that they last a long time, but if, and when, they do break down, it costs serious bucks to fix them. Parts are not cheap for those cars, especially the transmission (A little over $3K for a new one).

When I first saw the 06 Impreza I didn't like the front either and I dogged on my friend for liking it so much.

But then I saw it in real life, and looking at it in Pearl White and Gold rims, it looked freaking klean. I think it looks 10X better in real life than in pictures.

A lot of people say that, that is looks much better in real life.

IMO it still looks like a pig nose:icon16:. But it does look alright, I don't mind the looks...maybe i like pigs?:tongue:

did they change the front end of the STI in 06? my bros old roommate had an 05 and i thought it looked awesome.

http://articles.motortoday.com/news/STI06/STI06-1.jpg

I think it's the 2nd best looking impreza...but they are all pretty ugly.

Even though, it's got a pig nose hahaha

Yea I think the 06 looks much better in person too. I think you just get so used to one look and then when they change it everyone is up in arms. Think about the Bug eyed WRX (sorry I dont know the correct name) everyone thought those were ugly too at first.

the bug-eyes are STILL ugly hahaha

As long as the car has been maintained it should be just as reliable as any other car out there. Granted they are more expensive than most cars to work on, so keep that in mind.

in my opinion the 06 impreza's esp in silver is the best looking ones ever.

but a VR4, not too much of a fan off. if your not gonna launch it too hard, then your kinda not using the AWD to its full advantage hence making it kinda useless to get the car.

i guess owning this car is like a crap shoot. some people get lucky and its relatively trouble free when some others like 2001Z28LS1 have to constantly fix it.

I'd still like to see pics of the Camaro.

The 06 impreza's esp in silver is the best looking ones ever.


I'd still like to see pics of the Camaro.


Tru dat.

Damn, I just read up about the 60k mile service..... That almost seems like more time and money than it's worth. Especially since I drive a lot and it would probably have 60k miles in less than a year.

I'd still like to see pics of the Camaro.


Seriously, this shit is getting old. If you want to make a thread talking about how much of a liar I am, go ahead, I could care less. But please don't bring this crap into an actual serious, information-seeking thread. Every damn thread I make gets locked because some people insist on being douche bags and starting some huge argument. So don't believe me that I own a Camaro, don't believe me that I might buy a VR-4, hell, don't believe me that I even exist. Just don't be an idiot and ruin every single thread I make by turning it into a giant flame-fest, because I don't have the patience or the time for that shit. Honestly, I came here for information and opinions about VR-4's, not for people (admins of the site no less) to come and talk about the Camaro that I may or may not own. So please take your faggotry somewhere else so my serious informative thread doesn't get locked. Thanks.

:lol:

So hostile.

:lol:

So hostile.


I'm not being hostile at all, but this crap gets annoying. I'm just waiting for about 5 more people to show up and completely ruin the thread, forcing an admin to lock it because of all the excessive arguing that is going on. And you know I'm right. Just look at every thread I have made in the last few months and you will notice that you (or another admin) locked it because of all the bickering that was going on. It's pointless and unfair for the posters who are just trying to post an honest thread without people taking a crap all over it with their hatred toward a person.

you can get the 60k parts for $350, and if you can change a timing belt, or feel confident enough to follow step by step pictures, you can do it yourself. It is only that expensive if you take it to a dealership to have done.

you can get the 60k parts for $350, and if you can change a timing belt, or feel confident enough to follow step by step pictures, you can do it yourself. It is only that expensive if you take it to a dealership to have done.

So it's really not as big of a scare as a lot of people make it out to be? I'm not TOO worried about the labor since I could round up a bunch of my gearheaded friends and get them to help, but the parts for these cars seem pretty top-dollar.

On a side note, I heard the engine and drivelines are very robust, what are the limititations of the factory rotating assembly and driveline?

Well, the motors make good power, but I've heard/read nightmares about the transmissions not being the strongest things in the world.

Well, the motors make good power, but I've heard/read nightmares about the transmissions not being the strongest things in the world.

dont the synchros go out really easy? thats what ive heard, but u can just double clutch if that happens....

dont the synchros go out really easy? thats what ive heard, but u can just double clutch if that happens....


No comment.

No comment.
:dunno:

I'm thinking about getting a Ferrari Modena. A good daily driver?

Meh, I hate 3/s's.

The transfer case is really a weak point for the AWD 3/s's and yes, the synchros do have a habit of kicking the bucket. There's also frequent problems with active aero and active exhaust, etc...

Red, you can laugh all you want, but I really do double clutch daily driving, because they synchros are a weak point in this car, and I want mine to stay in good shape and not start grinding like so many others.

The transfer case is the only real problem. It cannot handle alot of stress, so high rpm dumps, especially in higher hp cars can kill it pretty quickly.
The motor is strong though. Dynamic Racing just put out a car running over 700WHP on a stock bottom end, so no worries there.

Red, you can laugh all you want, but I really do double clutch daily driving, because they synchros are a weak point in this car, and I want mine to stay in good shape and not start grinding like so many others.

The transfer case is the only real problem. It cannot handle alot of stress, so high rpm dumps, especially in higher hp cars can kill it pretty quickly.
The motor is strong though. Dynamic Racing just put out a car running over 700WHP on a stock bottom end, so no worries there.

i didnt think i said something stupid... thankyou igovert

It prolly wont be worth it, get yourself a nice cruiser like a lincoln :iceslolan

^mercury marauder, comfort, style, and 4v dohc v8...

plus everyone will think ur a cop and move over

A Vr-4 as a DD wouldn't be too bad. My mom has a 3kgt SL and it is great. The thing handles pretty good and the rides not too bad..great on highway. The visiblity is good and it sounds wonderful. The back seat isnt too bad..well not much worst the your camaro.

Reliability isnt bad if you take care off it and get the service done at 60k. It will cost alittle more to fix and buy parts for but its worth it. Pretty large following so you can find parts for it easy. The greatest thing is the way people look at it. Girls love it. But you know it looks great thats why you want it.

It also has awd so its a little safer in the snow+rain and great traction of the line. pretty quick low 13's. Decent mpg, looks great. It's rare don't see that many off them.

If you decide not to get the 3kgt the 350z isn't a bad choice either but you can get a g35 with awd and close to 300hp also. Either ones great.

But if you just want to be practical get a new honda or toyota want be to much fun to drive; but is reliable and economical....but you wouldn't want to do that now would you?

^The VR4 doesn't exactly get good gas mileage; 3800+lbs (about 4000 with a driver) + AWD + 320BHP doesn't = good gas mileage. The SL on the other hand I could see, but I think young said he was getting like 17 on the highway

ahhh so redneck changed his name to the stig? wow i would've never guessed.

And the AWD is cancelled out by the torque, 18" rims, and low-pro tires :biggrin: Great in the snow, I think not. While it doesn't get stuck, it doesn't like to stop either. With some smaller rims and snow tires I'm sure it'd be fine, but I never bothered.

If you decide not to get the 3kgt the 350z isn't a bad choice either but you can get a g35 with awd and close to 300hp also. Either ones great.
yeah, a g35x would be a nice alternative. even comes as a sedan if you want a backseat. im not sure how much performance you would be giving up for that though.

The G35x only comes in Auto.

17 MPG highway with a stock VR4? They are rated at 24 and I've never heard of a car getting that much under the EPA rating on the highway. I could see that in town due to poor driving habbits, but on the highway things are usually much more consistent.

Well maybe if you actually do within 40 of the speed limit and use cruise control.... When I had my oil cooler bypassed due to a leak, and was doing the speed limit via cruise control, yes, I was getting over 25mpg on the highway, but with my typical highway driving, around 100 in 6th, it doesn't fair quite as good.

Seriously, this shit is getting old. If you want to make a thread talking about how much of a liar I am, go ahead, I could care less.

Why so fucking defensive man?

We have all owned cars that were new to us at one time or another. First thing we usually think is "how do I show this to my buddies?". Hell, I did the same thing with my Diamante that's a simple family car.

Maybe you can say that you don't think of us as buddies, but then why are you talking to us like we should care about your cars then?

Do they not have cameras where you live? NOBODY you know has a camera-phone?

It's just getting a little tough to follow along with ANYTHING you say, when we have never even seen a pic of your old Mustang, much less all these fucking cars you claim now.

And please, PLEASE, don't do that defensive shit with me. It will just serve to get me to call you out even more.

Well maybe if you actually do within 40 of the speed limit and use cruise control.... When I had my oil cooler bypassed due to a leak, and was doing the speed limit via cruise control, yes, I was getting over 25mpg on the highway, but with my typical highway driving, around 100 in 6th, it doesn't fair quite as good.

Yeah I read youngvr4s post and he said he got 19MPG on the highway, but I'm assuming that wasn't stock. At what speed does 6th gear become usable? In my Camaro I can't use 6th during most highway driving unless I travel a bit faster than the speed limit.

Huh? I used 6th gear at anything above 45mph in my old LS1.

Huh? I used 6th gear at anything above 45mph in my old LS1.

yeah dont they get decent enough torque around 1k rpm?

Yeah I read youngvr4s post and he said he got 19MPG on the highway, but I'm assuming that wasn't stock. At what speed does 6th gear become usable? In my Camaro I can't use 6th during most highway driving unless I travel a bit faster than the speed limit.

If you're really dead set on getting good mileage out of that VR4 make sure it's all well up to shape with the goods (ie spark plugs, wires, o2 sensors, timing belt, etc...) and when you drive, shift at or before 2K rpms. Ohh and never let that turbo spool, gut the trunk (every little peice or weight counts) and maybe some lighter rims, and with all of that you could probly get decent mileage out of it.

is that 97 VR-4 the one that looks like a shark? if so, that's a great buy.

***edit***

awww snap. i thought you were referring to the galant VR-4. the 3000GT VR-4's okay...but i'd get an STi for that price, all because it's lighter and has a better backseat.

Huh? I used 6th gear at anything above 45mph in my old LS1.

Are you implying, that:
A. He doesn't know how utilize his LS1's gearing to save on gas, or:
B. He doesn't know, because he really doesn't have one?
:eek:

Don't you just love how he ignores my calling out post too? He must not have been around here that long to know better. He keeps this shit up, I'll have to change his signature to add "^ all bullshit" to his list of cars.

Hmm, you would think that with his car and all the performance upgrades, that cruising around in 6th gear at around 40-45mph would be a walk in the park.

I know it was for mine, and it was, minus the catback and lid, stock.

Well in my vr4, i can't touch 6th gear that early. I'd say around 60, but you have to be careful going in such low speeds in 6th gear and trying to spool the turbos. It's not good for the engine to be under such high load at those low speeds and rpms. So I generally don't shift into 6th until around 75/80, and even then, if I'm gonna go for a run, I downshift.

Huh? I used 6th gear at anything above 45mph in my old LS1.

If it's flat enough I can use 6th around 45, however the highway I travel most often (one going to my girlfriends house) is far from perfectly flat, so using 6th requires downshifting or it will start to lugg going up the little hills.

Are you implying, that:
A. He doesn't know how utilize his LS1's gearing to save on gas, or:
B. He doesn't know, because he really doesn't have one?
:eek:

Don't you just love how he ignores my calling out post too? He must not have been around here that long to know better. He keeps this shit up, I'll have to change his signature to add "^ all bullshit" to his list of cars.

What the fuck is your problem? Honestly why must you start shit? I ignored your "calling me out" posts because this thread was created for the purpose of acquiring knoweledge about VR-4s. I'd rather not argue about pointless shit on the internet, personally. However apparently you have nothing better to do, or are simply not mature enough to let things go. Honestly, get a life. If it offends you that much, I will change my signature myself. I've never met an admin that harasses members so much for no reason. Apparently the only requirement to be a moderator for this site is the overwhelming ability to be a complete dickhead to people for absolutely no reason, and to be able to hi-jack a poster's thread for the sole purpose of bashing him. So, in conclusion, I apologize for having both the intelligence and maturity, to not argue with people over the internet.

What the fuck is your problem? Honestly why must you start shit? I ignored your "calling me out" posts because this thread was created for the purpose of acquiring knoweledge about VR-4s. I'd rather not argue about pointless shit on the internet, personally. However apparently you have nothing better to do, or are simply not mature enough to let things go. Honestly, get a life. If it offends you that much, I will change my signature myself. I've never met an admin that harasses members so much for no reason. Apparently the only requirement to be a moderator for this site is the overwhelming ability to be a complete dickhead to people for absolutely no reason, and to be able to hi-jack a poster's thread for the sole purpose of bashing him. So, in conclusion, I apologize for having both the intelligence and maturity, to not argue with people over the internet.

Look here, you weak-minded piece of shit.

YOU have the power to shut-me-the-hell-up. All you have to do is produce a fucking picture of your damned LS1, with "BOOYAH!!" in huge fucking letters across your post, ya know? I know the cheapest digital cameras cost 20 FUCKING DOLLARS. C'mon, I know I have irrtated you enough to have you want to lay the smackdown on my candy-ass. Right?

Or maybe YOU are the candy-ass, with your only response being to sit there and whine about people's maturities who would actually (oMgZ!!!) call you out, when you started this by (oMgZ!!!) bitching about a simple request for picture of ONE of your cars. Now, you even changed your own sig like a bitch.

You might as well stay out of here, and quit talking about cars. For all we know, you are giving us some made up advice that will end up killing us someday. Basically, until you produce pics of what you've been bragging about all this time, you were blowing nothing but hot air. Hell, even rice(er) proudly displays pictures of his (admittedly) riced out Corolla.

How can we ever respect anything you say, when you are even below an admitted ricer's level?

So quit your whining and bitching, and man up. It's not about having, or not having a car either. It's about you proving that you haven't been talking out of your ass all this time.

this reminds me of carrrnuttt and AceSnyper, except we know ace had a car....

Look here, you weak-minded piece of shit.

YOU have the power to shut-me-the-hell-up. All you have to do is produce a fucking picture of your damned LS1, with "BOOYAH!!" in huge fucking letters across your post, ya know? I know the cheapest digital cameras cost 20 FUCKING DOLLARS. C'mon, I know I have irrtated you enough to have you want to lay the smackdown on my candy-ass. Right?

Or maybe YOU are the candy-ass, with your only response being to sit there and whine about people's maturities who would actually (oMgZ!!!) call you out, when you started this by (oMgZ!!!) bitching about a simple request for picture of ONE of your cars. Now, you even changed your own sig like a bitch.

You might as well stay out of here, and quit talking about cars. For all we know, you are giving us some made up advice that will end up killing us someday. Basically, until you produce pics of what you've been bragging about all this time, you were blowing nothing but hot air. Hell, even rice(er) proudly displays pictures of his (admittedly) riced out Corolla.

How can we ever respect anything you say, when you are even below an admitted ricer's level?

So quit your whining and bitching, and man up. It's not about having, or not having a car either. It's about you proving that you haven't been talking out of your ass all this time.

Look man, I'm not here for anything other than info about VR-4's. I'd not even going to attempt to be a bigger prick than you because I care to uphold the code of conduct. You know, that thing you are supposed to be enforcing, and not violating flagrantly yourself by bashing and harassing members and hi-jacking threads? I am in complete awe as to how you are a moderator for this site because with the way you have been acting during this single thread, but like I said previously, it isn't my job to understand everything. So if you don't want to believe me about anything I say, then don't. Just look away and find some other person to harass on the internet. But try to scrounge together every shread of maturity you have and show some respect by not butchering an otherwise perfectly decent thread. I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to accomplish by harassing me. If you want me to admit that I don't know/own anything, I will, for the sake of making a post without people like you butchering my thread. If you just want to harass me for the sake of being an asshole, then send me a PM so other people aren't charged with the responsibility of understanding how a person could possibly as big of a dick as you.

Look man, I'm not here for anything other than info about VR-4's. I'd not even going to attempt to be a bigger prick than you because I care to uphold the code of conduct. You know, that thing you are supposed to be enforcing, and not violating flagrantly yourself by bashing and harassing members and hi-jacking threads? I am in complete awe as to how you are a moderator for this site because with the way you have been acting during this single thread, but like I said previously, it isn't my job to understand everything. So if you don't want to believe me about anything I say, then don't. Just look away and find some other person to harass on the internet. But try to scrounge together every shread of maturity you have and show some respect by not butchering an otherwise perfectly decent thread. I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to accomplish by harassing me. If you want me to admit that I don't know/own anything, I will, for the sake of making a post without people like you butchering my thread. If you just want to harass me for the sake of being an asshole, then send me a PM so other people aren't charged with the responsibility of understanding how a person could possibly as big of a dick as you.

you know i probably really shouldnt do this... but i have to say that i agree with you


probably shoulda stayed outa this...

Look man, I'm not here for anything other than info about VR-4's. I'd not even going to attempt to be a bigger prick than you because I care to uphold the code of conduct. You know, that thing you are supposed to be enforcing, and not violating flagrantly yourself by bashing and harassing members and hi-jacking threads? I am in complete awe as to how you are a moderator for this site because with the way you have been acting during this single thread, but like I said previously, it isn't my job to understand everything. So if you don't want to believe me about anything I say, then don't. Just look away and find some other person to harass on the internet. But try to scrounge together every shread of maturity you have and show some respect by not butchering an otherwise perfectly decent thread. I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to accomplish by harassing me. If you want me to admit that I don't know/own anything, I will, for the sake of making a post without people like you butchering my thread. If you just want to harass me for the sake of being an asshole, then send me a PM so other people aren't charged with the responsibility of understanding how a person could possibly as big of a dick as you.

This is an automotive forum. We are here to enjoy cars, tell stories about cars. Ask about cars, etc.

The biggest no-no in this community, and many others like it, are people who bullshit. We live on trust. We don't know each other personally, most of us will never meet each other.

But, we also live through each other. I know the pain and expense of installing a turbo on a BMW M3, because I read about it in a car forum and even saw pictures. I know what it's like to beat an M3 with a GTO, because Musashi was kind enough to share that experience with us.

What kind of fucking community will this turn into, when every jackass with an internet connection and an imagination, can come in here and make up shit?

We might as well be posting a forum called Car Fiction Monthly. We even read car magazines because people in it talk about cars they have actually driven.

If I allow rampant bullshitting, I might as well not go in here, because I can probably imagine the race better than you. Get the point, genius?

So man up, post pics, or DO NOT TALK ABOUT ANY CAR YOU [pretend to(?)] OWN EVER AGAIN. You don't even have an excuse about your inability to post pics, besides getting irritated by being asked.

Ask away about other cars, fine. But ask from a position of believability and credibility. Not some cockamamie story about all this money you suddenly have, and now you can buy all these cars. Otherwise, you are just useless annoyance.

:banhim:

:banhim:

If anybody deserves a banning it's carrrrrnut for flaming, bashing, harassing, and hi-jacking.

If anybody deserves a banning it's carrrrrnut for flaming, bashing, harassing, and hi-jacking.

Are you saying you don't deserve it?

PROVE IT!

I'm giving YOU 5 days from today to produce pictures of your LS1. Same standards we gave to Musashi when he said he had a GTO:


One with you next to your car with a sign saying "fuck you AF".
One with you at McDonalds.
One with the sign on your engine bay.
And just to prove it is your car, or at least have enough ownership to drive it, one of the speedometer of the LS1 reading 25mph--a safe, neighborhood-friendly speed.You don't accomplish any of this by June 10th, 7pm, I will ban you for the same 5 days for being a non-contributing member, and ban you every two days afterwards until you produce said pics--or you own up to your lies, whichever comes first.

What? You think you're special? Just because you think you can whine and bitch enough, you will be left alone?

Are you saying you don't deserve it?

PROVE IT!

I'm giving YOU 5 days from today to produce pictures of your LS1. Same standards we gave to Musashi when he said he had a GTO:


One with you next to your car with a sign saying "fuck you AF".
One with you at McDonalds.
One with the sign on your engine bay.
And just to prove it is your car, or at least have enough ownership to drive it, one of the speedometer of the LS1 reading 25mph--a safe, neighborhood-friendly speed.You don't accomplish any of this by June 10th, 7pm, I will ban you for the same 5 days for being a non-contributing member, and ban you every two days afterwards until you produce said pics--or you own up to your lies, whichever comes first.

What? You think you're special? Just because you think you can whine and bitch enough, you will be left alone?

this is rediculous. but what do i know im just a normal member