Just took a 2002 VRX manual for a test drive (240K kms). Was stated in good condition until I got there then he mentioned the vibration in 2nd that two garages had looked at and said they had no idea. The vibration was worst in second but it was there to some degree in every gear when accelerating, it was just titanic in second, fine at cruise. So what would be possible causes? My thought was a failed engine mount but how could two garages miss that? Well have been reading threads on vibration and now suspect it could be a driveshaft. Car is lowered on 18s and read that lowered cars can stress driveshafts to fail point. There was quite a clunk when doing a right hand turn so that bears out. Wondering though why it would be specifically at its worst in second?

This car has red leather seats, central console and door inserts as you can see in the photos. Bit overdone and not harmonious. Was that standard? The seller said it was but rare and that most were blue. He only wanted $2500 with 4 months rego but the vibe was pretty off putting along with some smaller issues.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u637/Rivermanred/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100546AM_zpsd0601d9c.png (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/Rivermanred/media/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100546AM_zpsd0601d9c.png.html)

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u637/Rivermanred/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100803AM_zpsebf7acea.png (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/Rivermanred/media/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100803AM_zpsebf7acea.png.html)

Could be a failed driveshaft. Could also be a gearbox bearing or the similar.

The red leather you have is certainly rare, I have never seen it before.

The console is aftermarket re-sprayed by the looks of it. As is the gear boot.

+1 Seats look to be a aftermarket re-trim job as dose the console. Sounds like drive shafts, engine mounts maybe but that would be hard to miss, have you looked at the mounts? but at the end of the day it's $2500, your being overly concerned about small things. It's cheap, double your budget if your worried about issues.

Edit: is that a sunroof I see? Looks like a lot of car for the money.

2500 for something like that seems almost too good to be true. if it needs major work done on it, it might still be worth grabbing (assuming it's not expensive work). interior is a bit out there. would certainly get it checked over if you consider buying it just to see what kind of work needs doing.

A failing drive shaft would give you vibration dependent on torque being put out, not which gear you are in. I suspect failing gearbox bearings. Or diff.

Seeing the seller has no idea on how to do interior mods tastefully, he probably has no idea mechanically either. As for "good condition", no it's not. Give it a miss, unless you really want the car and don't mind some troubleshooting and a potentially big repair bill.

My motto is, if it doesn't drive normally on a test drive, walk away. Problems + Cost + km on it = no sale.

RE: seat colour. Couldn't live with that myself!!

sorry that interior looks :censored: . Its certainly not factory nor is the centre piece on the dash.. I think this person is definitely a little :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: to be honest. As for the vibration, you will probably find that the three mechanics it went to gave him a huge quote and the cheapest thing to do was to get rid of the car. As mentioned probably best that you simply :eeek: :eeek: from it as fast as you can

You see, this is why I avoid straying too far from the factory look. Resale. What might look good to you could destroy your resale value.

I look at this car and think the two major expenses will be the 2nd gear issue and correcting that interior. That interior, the gearbox and 240,000km's? I'd offer him $1500.

You see, this is why I avoid straying too far from the factory look. Resale. What might look good to you could destroy your resale value.


Spot on!

I couldn't agree more, the interior is horrible with that red. Someone went to a lot of trouble with it as it's well done but yuk! Yes it has a sunroof and it works well. In fact everything worked, motor was strong, box shifted well, and only failing paint is one spot on spoiler plus it had good Pioneer sound. Couldn't see any dings apart from front right side spoiler mount where it's had an impact and come loose. Headlights plastic fogged. Spongy brakes, steering felt a little wandery. Seller is obviously creative with the truth. Asked him when the oil was done and after some hesitation said six months but it was half way to carbon black. He said he'd had it two years so I'm guessing two years. I was just checking it out to see if it was a great buy and I do like the sunroof and the leather seats (but not the colour :) It was tempting but a car like this might be ok in a city where there are plenty of wreckers, but out here in the sticks it just falls into the too hard basket, no matter how tempting it looks for the good points like the sunroof and model etc.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u637/Rivermanred/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100744AM_zps54e6df19.png (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/Rivermanred/media/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100744AM_zps54e6df19.png.html)

needs new wheels and cleaning the dam headlights lol

Still, for 2k I don't think it's a bad buy at all. The cheapest VR-X on carsales is 4k.

This might just need a bit of a service and she's right to go. Just have the timing belt, pulleys & pump replaced professionally, do everything else yourself. $600 for the pro work, leaves like 1.5k for parts which is plenty. For that money you could buy a full set of suspension ($900 for Kobinsons), driveshafts ($200 for both) and some bearings/hub/bushes.
If worst comes to worst - 6G74's are cheap as chips these days and you can either rebuild the gearbox for 2k or put a manual in with brand new clutch & flywheel for the same money.

If this was in Vic, I'd almost consider buying it. Just would get that engine compression tested first!

It had a lot of potential for somebody, just not me at this time and place. Looks like it has gone anyway.

I couldn't agree more, the interior is horrible with that red. Someone went to a lot of trouble with it as it's well done but yuk! Yes it has a sunroof and it works well. In fact everything worked, motor was strong, box shifted well, and only failing paint is one spot on spoiler plus it had good Pioneer sound. Couldn't see any dings apart from front right side spoiler mount where it's had an impact and come loose. Headlights plastic fogged. Spongy brakes, steering felt a little wandery. Seller is obviously creative with the truth. Asked him when the oil was done and after some hesitation said six months but it was half way to carbon black. He said he'd had it two years so I'm guessing two years. I was just checking it out to see if it was a great buy and I do like the sunroof and the leather seats (but not the colour :) It was tempting but a car like this might be ok in a city where there are plenty of wreckers, but out here in the sticks it just falls into the too hard basket, no matter how tempting it looks for the good points like the sunroof and model etc.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u637/Rivermanred/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100744AM_zps54e6df19.png (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/Rivermanred/media/ScreenShot2013-05-28at100744AM_zps54e6df19.png.html)



Unless the sunroof is actually a factory sunroof I would,t be excited about one ever again. I had a ASC sunroof in my sports and had nothing but trouble, It did never leak water but was a pain in the arse with wind noise through it and then in the end it would often not shut from the wide open position unless I pulled it shut. Just be careful the main reason alot of people sell cars is to pass there problem onto others to save them $$$, I would hate for you to get caught out with it that's all

This one appeared to be a stocker Tania. No noise and switches had a very integrated look. Can imagine they could be very troublesome if they started developing problems. Thanks for thoughts. Looks like it's gone and I can't say I feel remorseful not buying it even for 2k if he'd taken that. Couldn't not go and take a look at that price, but don't need any more problems at this stage when I am looking at leaving town start of next year.