Found a VR4

[swift_r32]

I found a 92 VR-4 that i can get for about 2 grand. it has engine trouble: "smokes and runs rough" it will ned some work, im just not sure what. before i go check it out can someone with the know how tell me what the good and bad points here are? it only has about 100000mi on it and looks in pretty good condition. What could the possible problems be? about how much do you think im lookin at spendin $ ? Should i Get it? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Swift.

[Igovert500]

Well repairs can run expensive. At that mileage, I am guessing your valve guides are worn and it's leaking oil which is producing the smoking. It is a somewhat common problem when you get that high in our cars. That will run you near a grand to get repaired. I'd look for 93+, they have 4bolt mains, and better internals and transfer cases, at least I'd look for one in better condition. Just my .02

[swift_r32]

could it be either a rod or a bearing? the only reason i consider it is cuz it has low mileage and is very cheap, but thats not good when it comes to buying a car. can you explain to me the 4 bolt mains and transfer cases of the 93+ cars please? I doubt i could find one of those for this price.

[Igovert500]

Sorry, yeah, the 2-bolt main refers to the engine block, essentially they made it stronger, along with the pistons, some internals, and crankshaft. The transfer case is part of the manual transmissions. On the vr4s, they had a recall, and it is a notoriously problematic part. But anyway, during 92 they strengthened and redesigned alot of parts on the car that the 91s had. That is basically what I was talking about and why I recommend 92+, however, if you don't plan on modifying it too much for more power, the 91 would be fine for you.

The choice is really up to you, but just from reading "the engine smokes and runs rough" it is hard to diagnose the problem. I gave the most common diagnosis, but it could be plenty of things. With the mileage and smoke, I would assume valve guides.
I don't know how much you know about cars, perhaps you could do the repair work on your own and save money. Also I don't know how much he is trying to sell it for. But I wouldn't call 100k low mileage. I got a 96 vr4 with 42k on it. I don't mean to say that the car wont last past 100k, but if its smoking and needs engine work, then it might not be in the best condition. It took me awhile to find mine, I mean like 2 years...so you might be better off to keep looking. If in doubt, take it to a mechanic you trust and ask him to check it out. Just my .02

[swift_r32]

Thanks for all the help, but after all the research i have done i am more than likeley not gonna get a 3000gt at all. there have been many many recalls, and i have found cases that have cost 6000 to repair... there are problems with the tranny, transfer casing(which screws up everything), the brakes and much much more. this is a car i love but a huge gamble. i really want a project car for the summer, but this could end up costing a lot, and im going to college next yr and i couldnt pay more than 3000 to get this thing and fix it.. thanks, dave

[swift_r32]

yes like you said in your post the recall is huge and no 1 was compensated... have you had many problems with your 3kgt? thanks again for all the help... Dave

[vr4lover]

but still at 2 grand it is a good deal without an engine. i just bought a 92 vr4 and i paid 8,500. thats what they book at around here. so you could buy it fix it and still make money. i dunno just my 2cents

[youngvr4]

look around you can find our vr4 engines for 2 grand. actually i might be able to get the site for you

www.streetimports.com

[swift_r32]

I will probablly still buy it. its a good project for the summer, although i would like to drive it all summer. Is it possible to make it 2wd and then in the RI winters turn on the 4wd??? also can someone assist me in making a list of all the parts i should change(related to the problems or not), would it be better to just buy a motor??? before i buy i want to make a huge list of all that has statistically gone wrong with the car, and all the parts i should replace. I also must make sure the 60k treatment was done. any ideas, lists, pondering... whatev. post, or Im or email dspir15@aol

[Igovert500]

2 things: First off, when a part is recalled, the part and labor should be done for free...so I don't know who told you they didn't get it done for free.

2)As far as common problems, I have never heard of brake problems being a big deal on our cars...ever
The most common problems are valve guides wearing out around 100k, synchros in the tranny getting worn out, transfer case leaking, and active aero electrical malfunctions. The active aero is cheap to fix, the other 3 could all be fixed for under a grand if you know how to do any work or shop around wisely for parts. Any idiot who spent 6k to replace his tranny or whatever was not doing his homework. As I said, if you have no knowledge of cars and take it to incompetant mechanics or dealerships they will charge exhorbatant prices to take advantage of you. For instance on synchros going bad, rather then buying replacement synchros for 1-200 a piece they will say you need a new tranny for 3k. That is why I said if you don't have the knowledge of rebuilding I wouldn't get a car with noticeable problems already. If you want a project car then a vr4 is a great car to get. It's expensive though, maintainence, insurance, gas, aftermarket parts...so on and so on. If you're broke I'd go with something else.
Also, don't count this car out as seriously unreliable...I could find horror stories of hondas, bmws, audis, toyotas...anything. It all comes down to how the owner took care of the car. If he beat on it, it will be could be a POS, if he took care of it, it is an awesome car. But the 3000gt is an average car when it comes down to reliability. Not poor, not amazing. The question is was the maintainence poor, or amazing?
Lastly I'd look at a list of what needs to be done at the 60k tuneup, go through and check the conditions of all those things. At 100k, you may wish to replace the timing belt and water pump. The whole 60k tuneup will cost you a grand at a dealership and maybe 4-500 if you do all the work yourself. As far as AWD switching back and forth between 2wd and 4wd, I sincerely doubt that it's possible without plenty of money, time, and fabrication skills.