KiwiTT's Galant Story - 4 Galants in all
I was a late starter, regarding driving. Getting my licence at 25/26.
1978 Galant GSL
(bought 1988 - 10 years old)
(sold 1994 - 6 years ownership)
I started looking for our first car. I really liked the look of the 1980's Toyota Corolla T-18 Coupe. Couldn't really find a decent one. A colleague of mine showed me a bright orange 1978 Galant GSL. Wasn't sure about the colour, but it was nice to drive. Rear-wheel drive and automatic. We then bought this car for $7,000 in 1988.
It was so clean, and sharp for an old car, no scratches on the paintwork, but the tyres were mismatched. I changed the original 165s for 185/70 tyres. These were wider then the originals and made the car feel much better. I even detailed the Dunlop lettering in white paint as the "goodrich" tyres to give it a more racy look. We had this car still, when we got married in 1990 and then transferred to Wellington for a promotion. Still loved the car and drove it up and down to Auckland to see family 3-4 times a year, stopping in Taupo for a break. (The Motels there had in-room mineral spas, great to relax the the tired bones). Did this for at least 4 years. In that time I had replaced the shocks (Made minimal difference in the handling).
It was not really that fast. Up hill it could only manage 80kph (50mph) foot flat to the floor getting out of Wellington. However it could cruise quite nicely at 100kph, but would really be working hard at 120kph.
We still had this car, when we returned to Auckland. I got a job that required 120km per day commute, so I knew it would not last, oil use etc. Sold it to a collegue at my new job, who didn't need to drive so far and it was their first car for $3,000 in 1994.
I decided I wanted a Turbo Fuel injected 4WD car. Looked at a Subaru Leone Sedan with the above. Boy could it move. However, in pre-inspection it had oil leaks. They attempted to repair this, but a second check it was still there. Decided, too much trouble and looked around a bit more
Postscript: I saw my old Orange Galant broken down along the road I used to commute. : (
De-registered: 1997 - 230,000km
1987 Galant Sigma 2-litre Super Saloon
(Bought 1994 - 7 years old)
(Sold 1996 - 2.5 years ownership)
I started looking around for a replacement. Saw a Subaru Leone with 4WD and Turbo. However, it was leaking oil badly. Twice to the AA for checks and twice it leaked. So passed on that one.
Saw this car at my local dealership. This car looked like a "Blue shark" and was very sharp looking. Bought it for $10,000. It already had 140,000km on the clock, but is was newer and well serviced it should last the long commute, I thought.
It did handle well and could really cruise at 1800-2000 rpm gave 100 to 110kph, which made it really economical. (my next car required 2800-3000rpm for the same speed)
I improved the breathing of this carburated motor, by removing the plastic air intact extension that was connected to the left front fender and pointing the air tube forwards. This made the cold air go straight in to the air filter box. May have increased the hp by 10%. It really went fast.
It was however not so good in the corners. I fixed this in 2 ways. The original 185/70 with 195/60 and Gas Shocks (Monroe GTs). This allowed me to go round some sweeping corners at 160kph. (However, at that speed, I still got overtaken by a Holden V8 1-tonne ute and a collegues 1990 VR-4)
I had a real bit of luck on this one. The transmission died, so got it replaced and paid for it on VISA and never got the bill
I noticed rust forming around on the rear windscreen and looking at a $2,000 repair job for that and other bits. On a $3,000 car, I didn't think It was worthwhile.
Got another job in 1996 less commuting. Time to sell the "Blue Shark".
De-registered: 2001 - 318,000km
Traded it in for $3,000 on a ....
1990 Galant 2.0 DOHC GTi-16v
(Bought 1996 - 6 years old)
(Sold 2003 - 7 years ownership)
I was going past our local dealer for 4 weeks and this car was standing out bright and silver at the front of the lot. There were newer 7G galants, but this 6G model really stood out. I eventually decided I had to have it. It was fully optioned, with Climate Air-conditioning, power mirrors, power locking, etc. etc. (it even had a lighted vanity mirror for the passenger and 4 interior spot lights)
Bought this for $13,000. Wow what a fast car. However, it was not as solid as the old blue shark; It felt taller, higher and less sure footed in the corners. I fixed this with 195/60 to 205/55 tyres and new Gas-shocks (Bilstein). What a transformation. I really loved it after that. It could really handle well. I continued to maintain this well, with a new computer under warranty.
Showing off to a friend, I hit 160kph over the "Newmarket Viaduct" and went off the off-ramp at 140kph and let the 4 wheel discs slow it down. What stopping power.
I went to see "Star Wars: Episode 1" with work collegues and returned to where I parked the car. It was gone, stolen. DAMN !!!!! Called the cops, and reported it stolen. I had to drive a insurance "loner", 2000 Hyundai Accent in the interim (What a dog, a 10 year newer car and it felt like junk.) They eventually found my car, it had been (ab)used in a robbery. They had ruined the gearbox. This was repaired under insurance.
I got another 3 years out of it, before I got the VR-4.
Postscript 1: (2004) I sold this car to my Father-in-law, who has recently cruised at 145kph and was getting strange looks from other car drivers. He's over 70. Well done. I'm glad it went to a good home.
Postscript 2: (2007) This car was involved in accident and was deemed a write-off. A sad day indeed. My father in-law passed away, so making it a really tough year.
De-registered: 2007 - 172,000 km
1996 Galant VR-4 Type S
(Bought 2003 - 7 Years old)
(Nearly 8 years ownership so far)
I saw this model ages ago and thought, what a technical marvel. 4WD, Twin-Turbo, Ralliart-tuned, AYC from the EVO series, etc. etc. At $65,000, I thought this was well out of my reach, At least I can dream.
Had an opportunity to test drive a 8G VR-4 in April. It was Black, 17" Gold alloys, sunroof, etc. etc. It felt really fast, but at the sametime safe. I had it overnight. It was on special for $22,000. With warranty and alarms it was going to cost $25,000. However, for one thing or another things happened and we didn't go through with it.
As other Galant VR-4s were also selling for $25,000 and thinking I can't buy one at that price, started looking at other cars. Considered a "Nissan 200SX", "Ford Probe" and then settled on a FTO. I decided to research this car and found out that MiVec version is the one to have. My local dealer said he had found one for $15,000 and I was really considering it . My wife said to me. "if you get this car are you going to really happy or are you going to say in 2-3 years that I want will want a more executive-looking car."
I decided to look again on the web when I spotted the VR-4 on the web for $16,995. What a bargain, no more looking at a FTO. Get the Dealers website up saw it there for $18,995. Hmmm $2,000 off, suppose I better see it in the flesh. Wow, at the lot the sticker price was $15,995 another $1,000 cheaper. Is there something wrong with it I ask. No says the dealer, he's got new stock arriving soon so needed some space, so put a few cars on special. What a bargain I thought, better get serious on negotiation. CASH buyer and all that. Ended up getting it for $14,995 + cost of warranty and car alarm.
What a brilliant car. Was concerned about fuel economy, but my brother said, think of the power and you will understand the fuel usage. He was right and I never thought of that aspect again.
I drove it once at 140kph passing a BMW 3 series,Lexus IS200 and a new Falcon around a sweeping uphill curve. And it did not stop accelerating. It felt locked on to the road. Not like my original 1978 Galant GSL (reaching only 80kph uphill - Flatout). The Galant has come a long way and the 8G VR-4 is the epitome of the Marque and Model.
Found the "Club VR4" website and thought wow this is a great site, with lots of similar thinking people, not the usual boy racer crowd, more mature . Started posting questions and reading others, learnt lots and keeping learning lots.
Decided I needed a Full "D" service as I was not sure about the history after reading other posts about service. This cost me $2,000, but it was well worth it for the peace of mind it gave.
I plan to keep this car for 10 years or more. I finally got my I (Twin)Turbo - Fuel Injected - 4WD Car, I originally desired. I now have my Dream Car.
Postscript 1: (2007) Damn I smashed it with $7,500 worth of damage. Thankfully I had insurance. Did flirt with the idea of replacing it with a Lancer VR-X. The new Lancer looks good, but it is not a VR-4
Postscript 2: (2008) Upgraded the JVC stereo and the Alloys to 18". (will probably use the old 17" for trackdays later )
Postscript 3: (2009) Maintenance costs are starting to rise, and next year will be bad
We work to live, and to live is to drive a BMW 330i at speed.
https://www.facebook.com/BMW330iMSport/
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Originally Posted by Revo
