1999 Mitsubishi Legnum VR4 review from Australia and New Zealand

So far, just the cam belt.

Also had to replace the in-tire handbrake system, as it just didn't work at all. I think the previous owner had worked it too hard or something.

I have wanted a VR4 for many, many years, and I'm certainly not disappointed with it.

The ride comfort could be better, but the fact is this car is set up for going around corners at speed, so ride comfort wasn't going to happen with this car. But at least it does go around corners with so much grip it pulls your eyes out. The AYC 4wd system in the VR4 is mind boggling; I have no fear going around corners in the wet or dry cos the car just takes care of it all, it's so advanced.

I'm able to put my foot right down on the gas on a corner, and there's no drama at all. The car will go sideways on the extreme wet conditions, but you have to do it on purpose, and even then it's easy to take back into control.

The VR4 beats any other car like it; it has twin turbo's, but there isn't even a hint of turbo lag, and the gear box in the 1999+ VR4's is much stronger and it make better use of the power than the older VR4's. Mitsubishi say the gear box in the 1999+ VR4's is made to keep up with the manuals. I think it does as well.

Stock intake and bov make great sounds, and the car certainly goes like nothing I have ever been in; instant power through the rev range and the chassis etc handle's the power well.

I have a tow bar on it also, and can tow my 18.5 foot boat like it's not even there.

This car easily will go to its limit speed of 180 before you know it, it never lets up when your foot is down to the floor.

The brakes are good, and being a wagon there is more than enough space.

I love the styling of it, only other wagons like a Legacy GTB can come even close.

The sun roof in the car is great; it's about a metre by a metre, you can stand up in the back seats and be out of the sun roof.

Steering is perfect; takes a little while to get use to it being a little heavy, but appreciate it when going around corners so well, unlike a Legacy which is far too light. The VR4 stays flat and doesn't make any trouble with corners.

Air con is a great system.

The back seats fold down flat (I can fit my kayak in the car easily).

The only real thing that I don't like about the car is the gear ratios. They are fine until wanting it to go into 5th gear. Being an automatic, I don't have any control over it until it decides its time (even tiptronic doesn't let me) it won't go into 5th until 58km's (4th gear is at 38km's). And seeing as the speed limits around my area are 50kms, it's rather annoying. I'm not sure why this is; I have tried resetting the gear box and re-teaching it, but it's still the same as before.

Apart from that I love jumping into the VR4 in the morning for the drive to work, and look forward to it when I wake up. I try to get away on road trips as much as possible; it's just so much fun to be in.