A&Q about 350Z
Q:
So the summer is over and I'm saving hard for my new car whilst there ain't much else to do. I'm torn between a Corrado VR6 and a Golf VR6. Just wanted to know peoples opinions. I have a mk3 GTi 8V at present so do fancy a change and something faster and better handling on the corners ! I'll have a budget of £4000. People have given me the impression that Corrados can be dogged by minor problems, though I know they are faster than Golfs.
Also what sort of mileage can the vr6 engine do ?
Cheers.
George.
A:
Horses for courses really. I've also been looking at both...and in the end decided on a MK1 GTi! :)
The Golf VR6 is a discreet good looking 4-star evo car. More practical than the Corrado of course, but such a sweet engine.
The Corrado is on the verge (if not already) of gaining classic status and in my opinion values will bottom out and start to drive. A genuine 5-star evo car. Also check out Richard Hammond's Top Gear review on YouTube - may convince you to go the 'rado route!
In my opinion it is a nice dilemma to have!
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Nice one!
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Was easy enough. Youtube, Corrado, hammond and up it popped!
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Why is the corrado VR quicker? it looks porkier than the MK3 VR?
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Its a heavy beast indeed, but a better chassis, more power than the 2.8 obd1 engine (190bhp compared to 174bhp) its a 2.9 with different inlet manifold and throttle body too.
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Do later MK3 VR's have 190 horses?
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Put simply , the Corrado's have a 2.9 litre 190bhp engine capable of 0-60 in 6.7 seconds (manual) whereas the Golf has a 2.8 174bhp engine capable of 0-60 in 7.4 seconds. Golf has slightly higher mpg and 2 insurance groups lower but the look of the car and suspension setup is a bit more tame (from what I've heard about the suspension, you can judge the looks yourself) Personally I'd go with the Corrado.
Edit: Beaten to it by Deako. Damn my slow fat fingers
A:
Hi, just watched the Hammond Corrado video. Cheers ! A mate told me about it once when watchin a top gear repeat but it slipped my mind. The Corrado is the more attractive option if I can get a good one for £4000. What are they like reliability wise?
A:
You should get a fairly decent one for 4K but be prepared to spend at least a grand or so on maintenance in your first year of ownership. Cars in this price range will invariably need something but buy on condition and service history first, age second. They are very reliable if properly looked after but have a look on the Corrado forum for more info
This could be a good one and it's priced competitively
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i spent £4000 on a VR6 corrado at the end of august, is a very nice one imo, i reckon it would of got more than £4k had the bloke advertised it for sale (i approached him about buying)
i considered the golf, but thought they a bit too common and lots of bad examples around, also the corrado seems that bit more grown up and i didn't want a hot hatch.
i have had problems with it since i got it, but nothing major.
mine is on 130,000 and still feels like a new car when driving, still smooth, quiet as it should be etc :lol:
is a guy on corrado forum, thats done 230,000-240,000 and still going fine.
as long as the engine is cared for it shouldn't fail
^^^ that green one posted above is a great example that i've seen already, i'd certainly look for a standard one over than a modified one.
don't get put off by timing chains etc etc, its not essentail that they replaced at 100,000
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Its not just the buying of it, you will need to ask if you can afford to run it the way it deserves/demands. They are not just cars you can buy and not worry about, coz usually if things go wrong they are usually expensive. Small probs that pop up can easily turn into major problems if not delt with straight away.
I've been lucky with mine and had no big bills (not counting when I crashed it!!!) to pay out for, touch wood, and mine is pushing out over 190bhp and same sort of figure in torque. Don't know since i put the schrick on
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Are you talking about vr6's in general? Cos I've always looked after my Golfs, serviced every 6K and fixed everything regardless of cost but obviously I don't want a Corrado if its an open cheque book affair. My dream ride is a mk2 16v but I figured that'd cost me more in the long run as a daily driver due to the age. What do people reckon ?
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Don't think a mk2 would cost more in the long run than a VR. Personally i'd go Corrado
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If you're going to get a VR6 then get a Corrado, the Golf will still be just a Golf even if it's a VR6.
I'll throw my opinion out here and say that Corrado's can be expensive to run because of repairs and replacement parts needed because they are sometimes owned by people who can't afford to look after them properly or spend money on big wheels it doesn't need and stick on tat than servicing and replacing worn/broken parts.
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I'd pick the rado. Great sound, and performance and nice styling. Still holding their value very well, and some lower milage models to be had for the higher budget
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any cars will cost a fortune in repairs if its not treated right, my corrado has covered 130,000 and not had anything major go wrong, just the heater matrix, and recentely some pipes have been found to be old and perished.
i think if you get the golf, then have the chance to drive the corrado you'll be disappointed.
Comments like (from that ebay ad)
"Car has been regularly serviced by vw specialists"
yet
"The engine was re built when i brought the car in july 2001 at 71k miles because of a damaged piston"
^^^makes me wonder????
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another point which hasnt been raised is a corrado is based on a mk2 golf and even with the vr6 lump in is still considerably lighter than a mk3 golf talking about a few hundred pounds!!!! Also being based on a MK2 parts are easy to get hold of an if need be a lot of engine trans components can be substituted with mk3 golf/vento/ passat VR bits
mk3 is a bit more practical since it has 5 seats and a bigger boot, but as others have said it can still be mistaken for " just a golf " where as the corrado stands out and is guaranteed classic car status so will hold its value v well even with a large millage.
On a diff note..... WHY NOT GO MK2 VR6 conversion ;-)
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another point which hasnt been raised is a corrado is based on a mk2 golf and even with the vr6 lump in is still considerably lighter than a mk3 golf talking about a few hundred pounds!!!!
a vr6 corrado is not lighter than a vr6 golf.
A:
Thanks for all your input. EVO magazine states Corrado VR6 is 1237kg and Golf VR6 is 1220kg. The difference is only 17kg! I'm sure there's more weight difference between some of us than those cars ! lol
I change my mind daily over what car to get n I reckon I'll never be satisfied. All my mates have gone JAP and they get much more power for less $. I've been fighting it cos I love my Dubs so much but when your best mates cars are an EvoVI Tommy Mak, an Evo VIII FQ-340, an Integra Type R and a Supra Twin Turbo I might as well use public transport.
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final thought. I looked at several corrado's, and really found it hard to get hold of a well serviced one to my budget(i'm very picky) and ended up choosing a 95 golf with 96k, owned by a doctor from new, for 1200 quid. I knew the corrado was quicker, and wanted a bit more up front just in case... de-cat, straight through, filter and a re map got me the 190ps for less than 600 quid. I like the mistaken identity of the golf, especially when you get a VTS or corsa thinking they can take you. Most satisfying.
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look at them both, drive them both. if you prefer the mk3 you need your head looking at.
only buy the mk3 if you need a 5 door or live in arough area where a smart looking car would attract unwanted attention.
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Say it how it is Phat. Mk3 is better put together but other than that and practicality I can't see there is a choice.