Looking into buying a VR4, have some questions

[eckoman_pdx]

I am looking into buying a 2nd car sometime before the end of the year hopefuly. One of the cars I am looking into buying is a VR4. I have always liked the 3000GT VR4 since they first came out when I much younger, I am now 25 years old.

Anyways, I have a few questions to ask. Are there any particuler trouble spots I should look at when buying a VR4? Anything that typically goes out, or any areas that need particular attention? I have noticed a few ads saying "rebuilt transmission" over the years, is this a commen problem?

Any information on VR4's, potential trouble spots to look for, things that need constant attention etc...would be helpful. I'd like to know as much as I can before I buy so I can hopefully minimize the suprises later on down the road.

Also, is there any particular milegae where you want to start shying away from these cars? I know different cars tend to have different life spans, mileage wise. I know upkeep plays a lot into it too, but is a well cared for VR4 with 100K-120K miles fine, or is that pretty high? What is the max mileage you would recommned looking at on a well cared for VR4.

Also, I know that a Dodge Steath R/T Turbo is basically a re-badged 3000GT VR4 in many repsects. Is it pretty much the same, reliable in the same areas and with the same problem areas? Or are there different things to look for. Is is pretty much the same, or is it better to Stay away from the R/T Turbo and look more into the VR4's.

Sorry to bother you with all these questions, but I'd like to know as much information as I can while looking, before I buy...and I know that some of the people in this forum are pretty knowlegdable. Hopefully, this will lead to more enjoyment from the car down the road.

Thank you for your time and input, it is appericated

[Raz_Kaz]

The Stealth TT AWD have the same engine and are built in the same factory where the 3000gt VR4's were built. As with all cars, dependnig on how well they were maintained, you might have a gem or a lemon.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by eckoman_pdx

I am looking into buying a 2nd car sometime before the end of the year hopefuly. One of the cars I am looking into buying is a VR4. I have always liked the 3000GT VR4 since they first came out when I much younger, I am now 25 years old.

Anyways, I have a few questions to ask. Are there any particuler trouble spots I should look at when buying a VR4? Anything that typically goes out, or any areas that need particular attention? I have noticed a few ads saying "rebuilt transmission" over the years, is this a commen problem?

The VR4 a hit or miss transmission problem with the syncros (the second more often then not). Of the two VR4s I've owned, one had the problem, the other didn't. As always, have a mechanic look over the car before you buy and take it for a spin. You can tell if there is a tranny issue if the shifting grinds or is really notchy.

Any information on VR4's, potential trouble spots to look for, things that need constant attention etc...would be helpful. I'd like to know as much as I can before I buy so I can hopefully minimize the suprises later on down the road.

Keep up with regular maintenence on the car and it'll be as good as any on the road. One thing not enough people do is let the turbos cool down before shutting off the engine. That can be done by just sitting in your car for up to 30 seconds and letting the car idle when you reach your destination or buy a turbo timer to do it for you.

Also, is there any particular milegae where you want to start shying away from these cars? I know different cars tend to have different life spans, mileage wise. I know upkeep plays a lot into it too, but is a well cared for VR4 with 100K-120K miles fine, or is that pretty high? What is the max mileage you would recommned looking at on a well cared for VR4.

In reality any high milage car is more likely to have more issues then a low milage one. If the car is over 100K, find out when the 60K service was done (since it'll be due again soon). That service involved replacing the timing belt wich is the single most expensive thing to have done for that service.

Also, I know that a Dodge Steath R/T Turbo is basically a re-badged 3000GT VR4 in many repsects. Is it pretty much the same, reliable in the same areas and with the same problem areas? Or are there different things to look for. Is is pretty much the same, or is it better to Stay away from the R/T Turbo and look more into the VR4's.

I'm more of a fan of the 3000GT styling then our Stealth breathern, but they're close enough in features to be the same. In general, the Stealth will be a little less expensive to purchase year to year then the VR4, but its not a whole lot and you'll want to be happy with the look of your purchase - choose wisely

Sorry to bother you with all these questions, but I'd like to know as much information as I can while looking, before I buy...and I know that some of the people in this forum are pretty knowlegdable. Hopefully, this will lead to more enjoyment from the car down the road.

Thank you for your time and input, it is appericated

No problem at all. Hope you hang around and post some pics after you make your purchase

[Hotshot8792]

the good thing about the vr-4s and their transmission, if something goes wrong with the transmission as a result of the transfer case, you will get it fixed for free as mitsubishi has a recall on the transfer case.

[eckoman_pdx]

Thanks for the replays I completely forgot about the need to let turbos cool down, so thank you for reminding me. A good mechanic looking over the car would be able to spot a potential problem with the turbo that miht have resulted from an owner who didn't car to let the turbo cool down before turning it off, correct?

Also, is this transfer case recall seperate from the possible syncro problem that was mentioned? I am assuming that if it has a rebuilt transmission due to one of these problems, is it best to stay away from the car or are they usually fixed when it is rebuilt?

Again, thanks for al the input and help. Whenever t is I purchse one, I will make sure to post pics, though it might not be until towards the end of the year That gives me more time to learn about the cars and look into them, versus making a rush purchase. Hopefully this will result in a happy purchase

Of course, if anyone has any more information, help, or advice to add, please feel free to post

[Igovert500]

I don't believe the transfer case recall will cover synchros, but you can get replacement synchros at kormex.com Many dealerships/bad mechanics will tell you that you need a new tranny...this is not the case. Worn synchros can be replaced for a few hundred.

[5 Point 7]

Originally Posted by Hotshot8792

the good thing about the vr-4s and their transmission, if something goes wrong with the transmission as a result of the transfer case, you will get it fixed for free as mitsubishi has a recall on the transfer case.

I've heard of this...does Dodge offer the same service for the same issue?

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

I don't believe the transfer case recall will cover synchros, but you can get replacement synchros at kormex.com Many dealerships/bad mechanics will tell you that you need a new tranny...this is not the case. Worn synchros can be replaced for a few hundred.

I am guessing that it is best to try and find an honest mechanic that knows 3000GT's to do the pre-purchase inspection (versus trying to have a dealership, which are generally on the dishonest side, do it).

On a side note, someone told me a few days ago that the 4wd mechanism on 3000GT VR4's and Stealth R/T Turbos tends to be a problem and go out, and is very expensive to fix. I didn't catch whether they claimed this was just the case, or whether they go out on cars that were "abused or driven hard." They just claimed they like to go out, and then it costs a lot to fix. Then they said "stay away from the 3000GT VR4 and get the SL, a Lancer or an Ecilpse." They claimed it may seem fine when you buy it, but then just goes out. This didn't sound correct to me, so I just politly smiled, nodded and went on my way. I am not trying to get the other two, I am looking into VR4's. Is this the true, or am I correct and was this guy just full of it?

[Igovert500]

The synchros are a trouble spot...it is a hit or miss just as Yogs said, but the AWD mechanism...if there is such a thing has no problems unless the previous owner dumps his clutch at 5k+ rpms every time he launches, the drivetrain is solid. The synchros and transfer case(which is under warranty) are the only problematic parts in the tranny and drivetrain.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

The synchros are a trouble spot...it is a hit or miss just as Yogs said, but the AWD mechanism...if there is such a thing has no problems unless the previous owner dumps his clutch at 5k+ rpms every time he launches, the drivetrain is solid. The synchros and transfer case(which is under warranty) are the only problematic parts in the tranny and drivetrain.

Alright, thanks. I figured it that was the case, since you all never mentioned it before (and I doubted you'd leave something so big out).

If anyone has any other hints/tips/things they'd like to say or add, feel free.