mikeDaBike

Seen hardly any of these about - good scooby alternative?

4wd, Twin turbo, 280bhp but do they handle?

Nick VR4

Very rare cars thats why

I have the estate version (Legnum)year 2000
Had it about 15 months and still makes me grin from ear to ear
Handling is pretty good too
Has all the mod conns 4WD AYC

AJbaseBloke

IMHO, take a look at the Legacy B4 or GT-B. They have sold a few more than the Galant/Legnum in Japan (which have been dumped in VR4 form, and the Legnum axed all together). There's got to be a reason, IMHO, and yes, it does have something to do with the handling.

But if you are after a UK car, the Mitsu is the way to go as the Legacy turbos have not been imported "officially" into the UK for a while now (although the next one is likely to show up).

Flame suit on, and let the Mitsubishi owners free...<note: there is nothing particularly wrong with the Mitsu, IMHO, it is just that they were outclassed>

Each to his own, and if you love the VR4, good for you. I hold nothing against the car, just responding to the query...

Cheers

mikeDaBike

Just curious really as I've seen so few about - nice looking car and good to have something a bit unusual. Legacy possible but not sure on the looks personally.....

Ali-T

Actually, Evo tested the two back to back a while ago and the VR4 won hands down, especially on handling. They said the Legacy felt far too soft to be enjoyable and that the VR4 was just a big Evo VI with more comfort.

jaysback

if anyone is interested i am selling my VR4 estate.
98'r' 38000 miles, silver, tiptronic box, black/red recaro trim, full aero kit, fujitsubo exhuast, de-cat, HKS induction kit, climate control, privacy pack.
and yes! its a big evo

H7

I had a twin-turbo Legacy, now got a VR-4. VR-4 is more civilized, and quieter. The Legacy is ultimately quicker ("ultimately" meaning > 100mph!) because the sequential turbo setup brings in a high-pressure turbo at around that speed in 5th. The VR-4 has two low-pressure turbos operating in parallel (one per bank) and, whether it's because the base engine is a 2.5 V6 rather than a 2.0 flat-4 or the turbo/s mapped to come in earlier, there's no perception of turbo lag with the VR-4, whereas it's quite noticeable with the Legacy.

Comfort-wise, I couldn't fault either, although my passengers tell me they prefer the VR-4. Mine has the Recaro sports interior and it's certainly very comfortable and well up to the car's capabilities for holding you in place. I don't think there's much to choose between them regarding handling - they're both heavy lumps so won't keep up with an Impreza or an Evo on the twisties! - but the AYC on the VR-4 makes the Mitsubishi feel much safer on the limit. I did manage to get the Legacy totally sideways on track days, never managed that with the VR-4.

My main reason for changing was IM's attitude to servicing the Legacy. They don't allow Subaru dealers to touch them (although I did have a friendly dealer looking after mine), whilst their directors are happily running twin-turbo Legacies themselves! This meant that, when I needed some in-depth technical assistance, I had to talk directly to Japan because of the limited knowledge over here. My VR-4 was bought from, and is serviced by a different, Mitsubishi dealer who know what they're doing and have the full backup of Mitsubishi in the event of any problem. For this reason, I can't see me going back to a Subaru unless IM change their attitude (anyone see these pigs fly past ?? , is this snow the first sign of hell freezing over ?? ).

Both good cars, both very easy to live with on a daily basis (I do around 30-35k miles a year), the VR-4 is a bit thirstier (around 18-21mpg rather than the 20-24mpg I got with the Legacy) but the servicing ease of the VR-4 decided it for me.

Brian

H7

Jason,

What's your thoughts on the Fujitsubo exhaust on your Legnum? Did you fit it and so know the difference between the original and now? How noisy is the car with the full decat?

Thanks,
Brian

jaysback

hi h7
had the exhuast fitted from when i brought the car and its not that much louder than the standard. nice deep burble at idle and it does'nt drone when at constant speed on the motorway
had the cat pipe made up and fitted localy and it only realy made a difference to the performance, maybee a tiny louder.
but a nice sound
you thinking about getting a system 4 yours then?

H7

Hi Jason,

Not looking immediately, but I guess the exhaust will need replacing at some time, so it would be good to know what the options are. I'd be interested to know what performance improvement the decat gave you, though.

Cheers,
Brian

The Zohan

For what it is worth i prefer the looks of the VR4

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

hello H7 again, guess what, i might want to sell the VR4 again, v tempted by a 03 WRX or a bugeye, everytime i go out in the VR4 i wonder why i want to sell it but having had a scooby before i just want another, it'll be hard the let this one go tho, who knows i might change my mind yet again

just for the thread, the VR4 drives great, handles surpisingly well and the toys are good as well, AYC and traction are good to mess about with, the tiptronic is v good (most cars are having them now) and the VR4 doesnt break, touch wood!!

H7 : have they changed the service interval on the VR4 and EVO now

Nick VR4

servicing is every 4500 miles or 6 months what ever is first
That is the only downside of VR4 if you do a shed load of miles :-(

jaysback

hi brian
I had a local company make my cat pipe up and fit it. car feels smoother and pulls more through the rev range. i notice it but the wife cant feel the difference :/
worth th £60 it cost me for the pipe
have fun

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

just out of interest you vr4 lot, my insurance is up soon and if ive not got a scoob by then will be getting a few quotes, wh oare you insured with and whats the damage. Elephant.co.uk this time think its about £1000 give or take a few.

jaysback

my best tip for insurance would be TESCOS.
we pay £900. full N/C. no points. etc
hope this helps you out

McMiata Man

Guess what I just got

http://ssr.phpwebhosting.com/other/vr4/vr4.htm

Got it last Monday, and have to say I'm in love, lol. We wanted a big family car, with a big boot, but still be sporty. Oh, and it had to look great

What do you think, did I make the right choice?


[Edited by McMiata Man - 2/10/2003 12:51:26 AM]

jaysback

looks very nice indeed
does it have any nice bits on it , or do you have plans?

and if anyone is interested mine is for sale?
PM me or see cars for sale section

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

Looks well, register to The Galant Center

http://www.clubtgc.org/forum/index.php

US site but has international/Euro Forums to which a few here are registered

Enjoy

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

another
http://www.lancerregister.com/mlr-main.html

McMiata Man

Nothing has been done to it apart from the wheels (AFAIK)

Thanks for the links, another flipping forum to join, lol.

Dave.

H7

No-one's told me the servicing periods have changed - mine's still in the dealers every 8 weeks or so for a service at 4.5k intervals - still, that also means it gets washed every 8 weeks too!

Lee: you're mad! But then again, we all are .... Any turbo'd Scoob or Mitsubishi is good fun in its own way, it's just a case of picking something you can live with day to day. I really like my VR-4 - it'll take something pretty special by Subaru to bring me back into the fold (but that's just today's feeling!)

[Edited by H7 - 2/3/2003 8:29:19 PM]

H7

Check out The Policy Shop here. They cover my VR-4 for £534 fully-comp (£569 incl break-down cover) . No-one else came close to that quote.

Brian

[Edited by H7 - 2/9/2003 9:51:21 PM]