OK folks…let it be known, I have automotive ADD.
I have driven and autocrossed a few SHO Tauri, a slew of GTI’s and Jettas. These are almost always daily drivers. I often come back to the GTI/Jetta bloodline and have a love for the sound of the VR6 (as a buddy says, a VR opened up, sounds like 6 unicorns gang-banging a mermaid).
My current driver is a ’96 VR6 Gti. Basic tweaks (Neuspeed 28 and 25mm Sways, Neuspeed springs, GR-2 Struts and shocks, Chip, ECS pulleys, stressbars, exhaust, intake and chip…) A very well balanced driver. Also fairly rare as it’s a White VR6 MKIII with the black leather interior. The car came here to Maine from California in ’09 and has never seen winter. It is 100% sorted and I have a HUGE stack of documents on the car. It lived at New Dimensions before the folded. The Prev owner even had oil changes done there…everything from the suspension to exhaust to tune ups were done there (still has ND Plugwires!).
I’ve recently had a few offers on the GTi and my ADD is kicking in….are you guys my automotive Adderall?
OK…should the GTi go the way of, well pretty much the other 35 cars in my life, I have a few choices.
These are cars I know and am familiar with. I have driven both and they are on “the list” of cars I would like to have owned before I die. Granted, I’m 36 as of next week, so I have time.
Car 1.
1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R
Owned by Anthony of A&C Imports in NH (Nissan Specialty shop/Z Specialist). His personal car. (The following is paraphrased from the Ad) Essentially OE condition. Black with gray Leather interior. 140hp SR20DE engine, 5 spd, ice cold air, cruise, sunroof, cd player. This vehicle has been owned and maintained by a Nissan Specialty shop owner and has always received the best of everything. New Borbet 15" wheels and Kuhmo tires, GR-2 struts, recent paint, NO RUST, new headliner, new lower radiator support, new gas tank, new A/C compressor, condenser, and receiver dryer, converted to R134a. Many more parts too numerous to list. NO 5th gear pop-out.
I drove the car the other day and was very impressed. Solid. Every SE-R I’ve seen previously has been a heep of garbage. New England isn’t kind to these cars and neither are 17 year old kids who feel The Fast and the Furious is a religious tome. He’s asking $3895. Like I said, every SE-R I’ve seen previously has been a $2000 dung heep. I don’t know if this is worth $3800 on the open market, but it looks, goes, stops and turns like a more expensive ride.
Car 2.
2000 Fort SVT Contour.
Since they were introduced I wanted one. After having my SHO shamed by one at the track I’ve REALLY wanted one.
2000 SVT Contour with 69,000 miles. Motor has 15,000. The original fell victim to the typical Duratec oil starvation issue. It was pulled and replaced with a 3.0 port matched the SVT manifolds etc.
details…
custom exhaust
short throw shifter
lighten flywheel
new svt oem clutch
fsvt rims
mirko
BAT suspension
BAT intake with mirko adaptor and filter
red magnacore 9mm wires
bosch plat 2's
Everything works on the car. Drives great and is FAST. Could use a tune for the 3L but throws no codes and pulls hard.
I could get the car for $4000.
I don’t autocross a ton anymore (3-4 times a season?) So do I keep the GTI? Go with one of these wee beasties? Buy a Fox Body mustang and just go fast?
Here are some pics of the three....
