Corrado VR6 as a daily driver?
Discussion
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:
Many thanks,
NdP
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?
Many thanks,
NdP
I've been running my Corrado VR6 as a daily driver for 14 years (I've owned it since it was 6 months old) and it has never let me down.
Take a look at my profile for a fairly comprehensive breakdown of running costs.
Edit: Leather is available, but not all cars had it. It was standard on the run-out Storm model and a common option on others.
A/C was never a factory option but was an expensive dealer fit / aftermarket option.
The rear seats do fold but the squabs are fixed, so you don't get a very flat load area.
Take a look at my profile for a fairly comprehensive breakdown of running costs.
Edit: Leather is available, but not all cars had it. It was standard on the run-out Storm model and a common option on others.
A/C was never a factory option but was an expensive dealer fit / aftermarket option.
The rear seats do fold but the squabs are fixed, so you don't get a very flat load area.
Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 16th September 14:54
I wouldn't say they were any worse than any other car of their age. They are made of a mixture of standard VW parts and bespoke parts. The former are cheap as chips (being mainly Mk2 Golf and Passat parts) but the bespoke parts are quite expensive. Parts are generally good quality though - my car's original exhaust only just gave up last month after 14 years / 137k miles.
Some people have experienced unreliability issues, but mine has been very reliable. However, the issues are very well understood and there is a wealth of information and knowledge about the cars out there. There is also a thriving owners community at The Corrado Forum and there are also a few Corrado owners on PH too.
Some people have experienced unreliability issues, but mine has been very reliable. However, the issues are very well understood and there is a wealth of information and knowledge about the cars out there. There is also a thriving owners community at The Corrado Forum and there are also a few Corrado owners on PH too.
Did somebody say Corrado VR6?In answer to your 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 think that if you buy a Corrado VR6 you have to be prepared for big repair bills. It has robbed me of many holidays in the past four and a half years, but I guess that is a choice you make for something a bit out of the ordinary. I've regretted ownership when doing my monthly accounts but never when I have been behind the wheel. The best thing is to get a test drive. I probably spent over £2,000 in the first year of ownership of mine. It still makes me smile so I guess that says it all.
I probably would have got my dream 69 Mustang for my 40th had I not bought it though
Alot of us say its similer to running a porsche. LOL. I know my G60 was.
Most expensive bit on the VR is the timing chain replacement (make sure one you buy has had it done), more so being the labour bill. But if you good with a spanner and enjoy tinkering, can be easily done.
There isn't a haynes manual for the car, but you can get together mk2 golf/passet manuals and also get the 'Bentley' manual off a few CF'ers.
As said, like all cars, some are duffs, some are awesome examples. preventative maintanence is the key on the corrado!
Most expensive bit on the VR is the timing chain replacement (make sure one you buy has had it done), more so being the labour bill. But if you good with a spanner and enjoy tinkering, can be easily done.
There isn't a haynes manual for the car, but you can get together mk2 golf/passet manuals and also get the 'Bentley' manual off a few CF'ers.
As said, like all cars, some are duffs, some are awesome examples. preventative maintanence is the key on the corrado!
When doing the timing chain it's always best to do the clutch too as there is a lot of labour overlap.
That said, there is a lot of rubbish talked about the chains. You only need to do them round about the 100k mile mark if they are rattling. Some have gone to 120k before they have needed it. It's not a show stopper if it hasn't been done.
That said, there is a lot of rubbish talked about the chains. You only need to do them round about the 100k mile mark if they are rattling. Some have gone to 120k before they have needed it. It's not a show stopper if it hasn't been done.
Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 16th September 21:36
JonRB said:
When doing the timing chain it's always best to do the clutch too as there is a lot of labour overlap.
That said, there is a lot of rubbish talked about the chains. You only need to do them round about the 100k mile mark if they are rattling. Some have gone to 120k before they have needed it. It's not a show stopper if it hasn't been done.
When I sold mine it had about 112000 miles on it and there was little if any timing chain noise. That said, there is a lot of rubbish talked about the chains. You only need to do them round about the 100k mile mark if they are rattling. Some have gone to 120k before they have needed it. It's not a show stopper if it hasn't been done.
Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 16th September 21:36
When I bought it I took it to a VW main dealer and they suggested doing it as a matter of course as it had over 100K, presented me with a lovely quote for over £1000! HA HA HA I said and left rather sharpish!
There is no doubt that when the chains start to rattle then they need to be done, and it isn't a small job. But I wouldn't pass over an otherwise mint car just because it hadn't had the chains done. Use it as a lever to beat down the asking price, for sure, but don't walk away over it.
NdPlume said:
Also, do they remain reasonably taut, or would I need to look for evidence of recent dampers, bushes etc?
Well, I doubt any car of that age is going to be as-new in the suspension dept. But there are a range of proven after-market suspension options available depending on budget and requirements, or else you could fit OEM. Personally I think the Koni TA sports dampers and H&R springs combo is very hard to beat unless you want coilovers.OEM bushes are relatively inexpensive and Powerflex do poly bushes should you want them.
NdPlume said:
Do you really think they come to the same sort of cost as Porsche ownership?
I very much doubt it would be more. Edited by JonRB on Thursday 17th September 12:01
NdPlume said:
How comfortable are they for long journeys?
Very. Last weekend I covered 1300 miles driving to, from and around Wales. It's 5 hours each way for me and I did that in one hit in each direction and to me at least, it's a supremely comfortable car to drive.Oh and the A5 that snakes it's way through Snowdonia and Bangor is a real treat in a Corrado :-)
The only slight discomfort I get is from my throttle foot being static for so long on the motorways, but that is common to every car I've driven which doesn't have cruise control.
I've owned my VR6 nearly 7 years and have covered over 100,000 very enyoyable miles in it. And yep, it's a daily ;-)
Mine is VERY heavily modified to within an inch of it's life and if such a highly strung Corrado can manage to swallow 1000s of miles reliably, then you'll have no problems with a standard or mildly tweaked one.
As with any car, maintenance is key. Keep on top of that and it will look after you.
Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Monday 21st September 17:33
And even that is a slight understatement. 
NdPlume said:
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)?
i can help 
1.8 16v (KR) is the same engine as the golf GTi mk2. (136bhp)
the 2.0 16v is *not* the same engine as the Golf mk3 Gti. it only has 136bhp due to the cat.
on average you should achieve mid 30 mpg (similar to a well maintained VR actually) and up to 40 on a run.
they do cost buttons to run/maintain but aren't particular quick (0-60 in 9's compared to the VR's 0-60 in 7's)
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.
insurance is no different. nor is tax.
generally avoid G60's as the chargers need maintenance, and vary rarely receive it.
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