VR6 alternatives

cory_pearson, Jan 30, 1:21am
I have been thinking of getting a fun little upgrade and was looking into a Golf VR6 for a bit of a fun cruiser.But I was wondering what else might be worth considering.Any suggestions!
vtecnet, Jan 30, 2:29am
Get an E36 325i manual coupé, I've got a VR6, they can be quite problematic now, as they are rather old, the handling isn't that great either . well over priced in manual transmission form and if you break the gearbox its near impossible to find a replacement.
Thankfully the BMW parts are way easier to find, so I'm sticking to those cars now.
thejazzpianoma, Jan 30, 2:38am
Just had another thought in the price range. Fiat Coupe!
Stilo engine but without the sillyspeed. PLUS you can get the already potent 5 Cylinder with a Turbo.
mugenb20b, Jan 30, 11:56am
A manual Alfa Romeo 155, 156 or 166. Peugeot 306 turbo diesel.
fiatracer, Jan 30, 12:37pm
US Car & Driver magazine pitched the VR6 directly against the BMW 318ti [Compact]. While the Golf "won" overall [mainly due to practicality] they raved about the BMW's handling and performance - it was a manual.
trouser, Jan 30, 1:12pm
A 318! Really. I wouldn't mention that and performance in the same sentance.
fiatracer, Jan 30, 2:16pm
how about a 140bhp RWD hot hatch with proven chassis! would that be worth considering!
vtecintegra, Jan 30, 2:39pm
Do you remember what model they were talking about (the E36 alike or the newer one)!

I honestly can't see how they could judge the E36-alike good in any way - its quite a step down from the sedan/coupe
fiatracer, Jan 30, 2:49pm
the E36 318ti. I'll look for the article. I know the coupes well, having owned a 328 M Sport, manual. Have also driven a manual ti, and quite liked it. Ideally of course we would have had RHD six cylinder ti's
phillip.weston, Jan 30, 4:46pm
speaking of VR6s it prompted me to check where my old one is as I've seen it around driving in Hamilton again, but only to find it's been de-reg :(

https://www.carjam.co.nz/report/!ref=C7564620

it was such a fun car, especially for the money paid for it! 5spd manual with leather interior, SA spec so no air bags and different head rests.
foxdonut, Jan 31, 12:00am
God no.

Chris Bangles darkest hour is not a Golf VR6 contender.

I'm thinking Audi S2 coupe,
foxdonut, Jan 31, 12:02am
What was the BMW with the bored M42 - 1900cc!

Still a slug, but some might think of it as a "fast" car.

Just get an MR2 Turbo.
morrisman1, Jan 31, 12:06am
Peugeot 306 GTi-6 would be my pick. Golfs feel bloated to me.

In the Jap market perhaps a n15 pulsar VZR or SSS and of course the Honda civic type R
trouser, Jan 31, 1:28am
With a 9.9 0-100. He wanted fun. A mundano will do that.

The golf, whilst not being rwd, did 0-100 in 7.6 or 7.1 in the case of the 140kw one.
fiatracer, Jan 31, 3:50pm
I never claimed it's fast, but the OP didn't mention fast. Can a 318ti manual M sport be "fun"! Yes, I'd argue it can.Much like some other fun cars that weren't that fast - Lotus cortina, Mini Cooper, Fiat 850 Sport, Fiat X1/9, Mazda MX5, MGB, A-H Sprite, early RX7.
esprit, Jan 31, 7:05pm
Second vote for the GTi6. Quicker and nimbler than the Golf. Reliable too. so much fun to drive quickly too :)
morrisman1, Jan 31, 7:14pm
just dont neglect that cambelt, they are known for snapping when not changed on time.
cory_pearson, Feb 3, 2:34pm
Thanks for the input guys.Got some really good ideas to look into.I hadn't really considered a Fiat before, and there seem to be quite a good range of BMW's too.Looking into it, I hadn't realised that there are a few of the BMW motor that run camchains, though I will be wary of the transmissions and the electrics.Thanks again!
audi_s_ate, Dec 8, 6:45am
Fully agree with the above comment. I also had a manual VR6 - worst car I have ever owned. Expect a lot of little annoying things to go wrong. Handling and performance are pretty poor, but the sound of that V6 is magic.
Im sticking to my jap hot hatch - more fun (its as quick and handles much better) and everything works.