Thinking of getting a VR4...

Hey guys, I've loved VR4's since I was a kid, and it's always been my "dream car" (yeah I know there are better cars out there, but I love the look of the VR4 and it's AWD goodness :smokin:).

Now that I'm 21 and I have not had an accident or parking ticket, and also since I'm about to get my degree and actually earn an income where I'll have extra money to spend, I'm considering getting a better car than just my grand am, as modding a grand am wont really get me anywhere near as much as this car will :lol: Anyone in the Lafayette area in Indiana with a VR4? I'd love to check one out before seriously considering one:boink:

Hey guys, I've loved VR4's since I was a kid, and it's always been my "dream car" (yeah I know there are better cars out there, but I love the look of the VR4 and it's AWD goodness :smokin:).

Now that I'm 21 and I have not had an accident or parking ticket, and also since I'm about to get my degree and actually earn an income where I'll have extra money to spend, I'm considering getting a better car than just my grand am, as modding a grand am wont really get me anywhere near as much as this car will :lol: Anyone in the Lafayette area in Indiana with a VR4? I'd love to check one out before seriously considering one:boink:


Woah! Stop right there buddy, don't bring that blasphemy in here! :wink:

It was my dream car too, and i'm completely satisfied in owning one. Hope you feel the same if/when you get yours!

Woah! Stop right there buddy, don't bring that blasphemy in here! :wink:

It was my dream car too, and i'm completely satisfied in owning one. Hope you feel the same if/when you get yours!
I figured I shouldn't have put that in there ;)

My biggest concern is since they are out of production, parts will cost a f***ton to replace and maintain. I'm just worried about affording everything with being in college. My parents are helping me out until I finish my degree (a year from now), but I don't want to run into any several thousand dollar repairs (I will keep my Grand Am just in case this happens).

I really love these cars... I'm thinking I might buy one and find a way to pay for it regardless :) If I can't afford it I'll just work a street corner haha :rofl:

Any idea how its reliability compares with a GA? I don't gun it at every stoplight, but I don't drive like a granny either :p

Oh, and how much would an engine rebuild cost for a VR4? I found a guy in town that does a wonderful job and would charge me about 700-1000 for my GA... I was just wondering how much more involved it would be for an engine like this :p

Do they sell VR4 body kits for stealths?

It's not so much a body kit as finding a wrecked 3000GT with the body panels you need. I believe they mix and match perfectly (except for the sail panels).

First project is getting the money to afford a 3000GT/stealth :) Going to work two jobs this summer, and hopefully that will pay off. I could sell my GA and have enough money but then I'd be stuck with a car that may or may not be as reliable... and no second car for when mods are taking place.

Thanks for the help so far guys, you're a bunch more helpful/friendlier than most other forums I frequent.

In my experience, vr4's aren't especially unreliable. They are just really hard to work on and expensive to fix when they do break, with special regard to the transmission on these issues. If you're a good mechanic there's lots of good step-by-step resources at places like stealth316.com for the DIYer but it's still not going to be as easy as working on your Grand Am. Plus there's gas issues, I get ~18mpg on premium and by mid summer I fully expect to be paying well over $60 for a tank of gas.

Those are just the cons though. I recommend the vr4 to anyone who knows what they are getting themselves into. No other car drives like a vr4, looks like a vr4 or sounds like a vr4.

what year/gen are you looking for? That will play a very large roll in how much you should spend.

Keeping your grand am as a daily driver is a very good idea. like he said, its not that VR-4s arent reliable...but, if your getting a gen 1 (91-93, the ones with the pop-up lights like mine and planet keeper) for example, your talking about a 15 year old car. Maintenence will most likely be required as soon as you get it home. Its always nice to have the liberty to take your time and do things right when doing any work. The only things to watch for that can really break the bank on these cars is the more obvious stuff. Bad turbos, tranny problems, main bearings...all stuff that should be apperent when you test drive.

youre doing it the smart way though, asking all your questions and doing research beforehand. It always kills me when a new person's first thread is "Just bought a VR-4...Wont Start! :mad:"

stick around, ask all your questions, and READ THE FAQ SECTION COMPLETELY! nothing but good info in there. Trust me, its well worth the 30 minutes.

welcome to AF :cheers: