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Advice on value and maintenance items for super low mile VR4

AZChris

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Tucson, AZ
Hi Everyone,

I have a 91 VR4 Limited with just under 4900 miles, yes under 4900 miles. It's a black
on Black with moon roof etc. This car has been living in an Arizona garage all of its
life. I have few questions...

1. Other than the oil and maybe trans fluid what time related items should I replace
prior to selling it? Dare I replace the timing belt or should I let the new owner
do it?

2. Id like to get an idea on the value, everything works no rips, tears or chips.
It's 99% of what it was when new. Whoever buys it will be the 2nd owner.

3. Best place to sell it to get top $? Bring a Trailer, Ebay, here or some combination?


I'll post some pictures after I get someone to detail it.



Thanks,

Chris
 

pot

Staff member
Joined
Oct 28, 2003
Messages
1,573
Location
Fayetteville, NC
This is the lowest mileage vr4 yet that I have heard of. I’m assuming (not to be a smar ass) that the odometer is original as is the rest of the vehicle. I did read that you said it is 99% of what it was new but I know it’ll come up nonetheless.

I’m also assuming you want to sell your galant but pictures speak louder than words obviously and that will help us help you. That said, with today’s improving economy and my suspicions that your galant is the lowest USDM galant vr4 across the states, I’d go ahead and list your vehicle for $30,000.00 and expect it to sit for about 8 months to a year. Modified versions have gone for as high as $18K -hell I paid $12,600 for mine on EBay in 2008 and that was with a declining economy.

As far as the timing belt, mileage wise your fine but obviously, at 25 years all the belts should be replaced. However, let the prospective buyer embark on that. Fewer and fewer Mitsubishi dealers exist as does private knowledgeable Mitsubishi shops, and for a purist they may prefer to have factory technician perform the labor.

Lastly, regarding forums to sell your vehicle, the options you listed seem realistic and reputable. I really look forward to seeing some pictures. Good luck.
 
Last edited:

AZChris

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Tucson, AZ
Good point. Yes the car is 100% original as is the cluster and odometer.
I was deducting 1% of the cars condition from new, not for missing parts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Thank you very much for your input!
 

pot

Staff member
Joined
Oct 28, 2003
Messages
1,573
Location
Fayetteville, NC
Also, there is a fellow galant member: boostedinaz or something very similar to that name that has experience with another high end galant and may be able to meet you personally and offer some quality candid advice. I believe he also resides in AZ. He has been assisting with “number 3” that sold for $18k.

Now let’s see those pictures!
 
Last edited:

jnava

Staff member
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
2,073
Location
Arlington, Tx
First off, Congrats. Second, Michael Rodarte is whom sold #3. Many of the recent cars that have sold at 10k+ were modified tastefully. We haven't had a low mileage pop up like yours. I
 

turbowop

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Messages
11,971
Location
Yakima, WA
I think a realistic number would be somewhere around $20k. I’d put it up on BAT and see what happens. I’d like to see what the discussion alone brings about on BAT.

Let’s see some pics...
 

11secDSM

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
6
Location
PA
BAT is definitely the place to sell it. I bought by LS2 e39 wagon on there and paid a ton...but had to have it just like all the other bidders. Seems like most cars bring more than market value.
 

gvr4ever

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
6,190
Location
central Indiana
How was the car stored? Climate controlled garage? When was the last time it ran? Really low miles can be a good thing, or a bad thing. It really depends on the condition. Do the rubber hoses look in new condition or do they look dry and cracked? Arizona weather can get really hot (obviously) and in this case, I really think, it depends. I've avoided really low mileage cars in the past. Did you change the oil once a year? Do you have maintenance records?

The timing belt question is a good one. They are due every 60K miles. I once bought a used Eagle Talon with 115K miles with the original timing belt. I made the owner deliver it to my house before paying for it. Seriously. I was like, I'm not paying for a car and having the timing belt break before I can change it. I would like to think your timing belt would be fine, but what does so many years do to a timing belt with AZ weather?

It is really great to hear about such a low mileage car. In reality, every rubber hose and belt will likely needs to be changed as with all the fluids. If the paint, leather, and carpet are in new condition, it will be a great time capsule and example.

The sad part, the Galant VR4 hasn't joined the list of collectible Japanese cars yet. I'd like to think it will some day, but the condition of Mitsubishi in America can't be helping. I think the other strike is, it has always been unknown to the mass public and it was never considered a true sports car. Video games are probably the only thing keeping it alive with non hardcore car guys. Even when I was younger and all my co-workers actually drove 1st and 2nd gen DSMs, I didn't even know what a Galant VR4 was until I was told about it. I only got a Galant VR4 (at the time) because Ins was WAY WAY cheaper on the unknown 4 door. I think American Family had it listed as a sport sedan. The word turbo wasn't in the computer system.

Good luck and I can't wait to see the pictures.

Value is a tricky one. I hope it sells at or above the original sticker price.

I'd maybe attempt auctions with a reserve you are happy with it. I've never bought a car on either, but I prefer BaT over ebay.
 
Last edited:

pot

Staff member
Joined
Oct 28, 2003
Messages
1,573
Location
Fayetteville, NC
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quoting jnava:</font><hr />
First off, Congrats. Second, Michael Rodarte is whom sold #3. Many of the recent cars that have sold at 10k+ were modified tastefully. We haven't had a low mileage pop up like yours. I

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I wasn’t referring to who sold no 3 Juan -reread my post. I was referring to who handled/ facilitated the sale and would potentially be in a position to help this future seller.
 

AZChris

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Tucson, AZ
Here in Tucson with an Average daily temperature of 71 degrees and
humidity of 38% any garage is climate controlled. All the rubber
looks new. The oil has been changed many, many, many times but
probably not 27 times.

It runs and drives now. What maintenance records should a car with
less than 4900 miles have? There may be a few car wash receipts in
the ash tray still and a windshield sticker showing the next oil
change is due at 7600 miles.

Other than a few tiny scrapes from parking curbs it should clean up
and look brand new once we get it detailed. The underside looks perfect
with all the factory assembly check marks still visible.

I'll post some pics once we get her all dolled up.

Thanks for all your input.

Chris
 

KGVR4

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 19, 2004
Messages
1,324
Location
Bellevue WA
So here is my .02 about this super rare vehicle you have. Based on the fact that you have the lowest Galant VR4 known to exist and the fact that it has only 4900 miles I would hope this car sells for somewhere in the $35,000 to $45,000 range. This is an example that will or should be bought by someone not looking to drive the car but actually store it in a collection. There are no others. The car is also STOCK, which in my opinion, has a different higher value than a modified Galant VR4. I think BAT is where I would list the car for top dollar and advertise it as much as possible. The car is one of a kind who knows maybe it will pay for such a rare vehicle. I personally would not take less than $40,000 for this car. And in the end if you end up sitting on it another 12/24 months, I would only see that as the price/value getting bigger.

Now let’s see some good photos of this thing so we can all stop drooling!
 

NateCrisman

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2008
Messages
2,054
Location
Blairstown, NJ
I want to see photos, and honestly, I want to see this car sell for a real dollar amount. Do you happen to have the original window sticker with the dealer price? IMHO if it even got the original MSRP on resale market (these were what $24,900?)
, for what everyone has said...is litereally the only STONE STOCK, nearly NEW condition example left in the country......that's at least a good sign there is at least one enthusiast left.

Good luck with sale. IMHO I would investigate maybe paying someone from RRE or one of the west coast DSM/EVO shops to come out to you and replace the timing belt and balance shaft belt with OEM new belts. It would be a damn shame to see the "best ones" left have to be disassembled when the 25 year old Tbelt fails while idling when prospective buyer is looking at it. I would also look into a new set of tires. As much as a realistic buyer "should" be putting this in a vault.....don't be surprised if someone buys it to drive.
 

gvr4ever

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
6,190
Location
central Indiana
Quoting AZChris:
Here in Tucson with an Average daily temperature of 71 degrees and
humidity of 38% any garage is climate controlled. All the rubber
looks new. The oil has been changed many, many, many times but
probably not 27 times.

It runs and drives now. What maintenance records should a car with
less than 4900 miles have? There may be a few car wash receipts in
the ash tray still and a windshield sticker showing the next oil
change is due at 7600 miles.

Other than a few tiny scrapes from parking curbs it should clean up
and look brand new once we get it detailed. The underside looks perfect
with all the factory assembly check marks still visible.

I'll post some pics once we get her all dolled up.

Thanks for all your input.

Chris



Maintenance points usually have miles or years, whatever comes first. I'll admit it's been awhile since I've looked at my owners manual.

Is the coolant original? Has the brake fluid ever been changed? Original tires?

I don't think these things will really hurt the sale, but you might want to be upfront about it. The buyer needs to know what the car needs.
 

jnava

Staff member
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
2,073
Location
Arlington, Tx
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quoting pot:</font><hr />
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quoting jnava:</font><hr />
First off, Congrats. Second, Michael Rodarte is whom sold #3. Many of the recent cars that have sold at 10k+ were modified tastefully. We haven't had a low mileage pop up like yours. I

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I wasn’t referring to who sold no 3 Juan -reread my post. I was referring to who handled/ facilitated the sale and would potentially be in a position to help this future seller.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Michael Rodarte is the correct answer. He wasn't the owner but was whom sold the car for the lady who truly owned #3.

edit: unless I'm completely misunderstanding the who thing....I may just be nuts




Yeah...Boostedinaz is Michael <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
 
Last edited:

iceman69510

Turn Right Racing
Staff member
Joined
Mar 5, 2001
Messages
10,964
Location
Michigan
Agreed, because not only is it old, but if it is original and manufactured before 92, it is the belt part number that was subject to the recall because of failures.
 

VR4ownzU

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
3,104
Location
Orlando, FL
I just had an Impreza RS listed on BAT. click

The winning bidder has been a freaking nightmare to deal with and I haven't even met the guy yet. Easily the worst buyer I've ever had selling over 25 cars privately in my life. Just keep in mind that some of these car enthusiast can be a little nuts and pretty damn demanding. If it ends up on there I hope you don't have to deal with the same BS.
 
Last edited:

AZChris

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Tucson, AZ
Agreed, I think being bone stock just adds to the value. Where do you think would be a
good place to advertise this car at?

I'll see about taking some photos of the Galant tomorrow.

Thanks,

Chris



</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quoting KGVR4:</font><hr />
So here is my .02 about this super rare vehicle you have. Based on the fact that you have the lowest Galant VR4 known to exist and the fact that it has only 4900 miles I would hope this car sells for somewhere in the $35,000 to $45,000 range. This is an example that will or should be bought by someone not looking to drive the car but actually store it in a collection. There are no others. The car is also STOCK, which in my opinion, has a different higher value than a modified Galant VR4. I think BAT is where I would list the car for top dollar and advertise it as much as possible. The car is one of a kind who knows maybe it will pay for such a rare vehicle. I personally would not take less than $40,000 for this car. And in the end if you end up sitting on it another 12/24 months, I would only see that as the price/value getting bigger.

Now let’s see some good photos of this thing so we can all stop drooling!

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
 

thomcasey

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 24, 2014
Messages
907
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Timing belts should be changed every 60k miles or 8 years. If yours is original, I personally would NOT ever start the car again until; the belt(s) and tensioner/pulleys are replaced, both primary and balance shaft. One snap of the belt and this baby loses tons of value. You can still keep the original parts to go with the car, but a buyer will want to hear it run and drive it.

It would be real bad for something of such minor significance to the value to break and cause a loss of thousands of dollars in value and sale price.
 
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