Corrado VR6 as a daily driver?

[NdPlume]

What do people reckon to the idea of running a Corrado VR6 as a daily driver? I've started cycling to work most days and my commute is only 6 miles anyway so fuel costs aren't the issue they once were and I'm looking for something a bit more interesting than my Focus but still vaguely sensible. Aside from occasional trips to work when I can't be arsed to take the bike it'll mostly be long distance motorway and A-road use.

I wonder if someone could answer a few questions:

• What can be expected to go wrong over a couple of year's of ownership on an average mileage averagely well looked after VR6?
• Can someone give me an idea of servicing costs?
• What are the service intervals and is a basic oil and filter service quite accesible/easy to do at home? (I'd leave bigger jobs to someone who knows what they're doing though!)
• Do the seats fold?
• How comfortable are they for long journeys? Did any come with leather and/or AC?

I'm all ears if there's anything else that you think I should know?

Many thanks,

NdP

[NdPlume]

That's some ownership! Thanks for bringing the blog to my attention it's very useful.

Any other thoughts on the ownership experience? You've obviously taken exceptionally good care of yours, but how much risk is involved in buying a typical example these days?

[NdPlume]

Timing chain noted! Are there any other expensive jobs that are likely to crop up? Also, do they remain reasonably taut, or would I need to look for evidence of recent dampers, bushes etc?

Do you really think they come to the same sort of cost as Porsche ownership?

[NdPlume]

Cycled past a very smart 16 valve Corrado on my way into work this morning and it got me thinking. What are the 16v 4 cylinders like in comparison to the VR6? Any changes in the handling (good or bad) and any differences in maintenance or running costs (petrol excluded)?

[NdPlume]

_Batty_ said:

you can get some stunningly cheap VR's at the moment and unless you're broke (like me) i'd get a VR for the sound alone.

I suspected that might be the case. Purchase price isn't much of an issue as long as I get (most of) it back when I come to move on. Likewise MPG isn't hugely critical as I don't intend to do that many miles and many of them would be on the motorway (obviously more is nice, but it's not a big deal).

So are the 16v and the VR6 basically the same chassis/body with a different engine dropped in? One of the other cars I've been looking at is the Alfa GTV, and there the 6 cylinder has significantly different rear suspension, different bushes etc. which cause people to suggest it handles better even despite the extra weight in the nose. I take it there's nothing that fundamental about the Corrado? Likewise, nothing that's more (or less) likely to go wrong or more costly to fix?

[NdPlume]

JonRB said:

NdPlume said:

So are the 16v and the VR6 basically the same chassis/body with a different engine dropped in?

No. The suspension on the VR6 is significantly different and incompatible between the two models, much to the upset of a friend with a valver who I offered my old and tired VR6 suspension to as it won't fit her valver and can't be made to either.
Also, the valvers have 4-stud hubs and the VR6 5-stud which highlights how different they are.

So is there a big difference in the handling between the two (assuming both are in a respectable condition)? Is the Corrado the legend or is it the Corrado VR6 specifically?

[NdPlume]

Still no closer to actually buying anything, but the Corrado came up in conversation this morning. I mentioned the idea to my boss - who's driven virtually every production car from the last two decades - and his eyes lit up. It seems he's a big fan (despite never actually owning one). High praise from a man who used to get casually lent Ferraris and Astons for the weekend.

[NdPlume]

This Sunday might not be great for me, but if I can I might head over.

Just taken a browse on Autotrader and I was surprised to see two of the VR6s listed on there claim to have air con - both for sensible money too. Maybe it's not that rare as an addition?