Nothing really expensive had gone bad on my ride, just a normal regular service, brake pads changing, I changed the rims and rotors just for vanity, the engine bay had never been touched by anyone, just regular oil change, I changed the oil pump, water pump and radiator, on the next side, its expensive to repair, over here in Venezuela, but I really enjoyed the car, so I don't care for paying for repair my best of all ride.
Being the best is one thing, but standing there and continuing shining above all others, is the testament of a true champion.
The larger Legend and the smaller Integra was the two best cars molded out by Honda/Acura. The new Project was to create a car that was better than the Integra and at the same time under the level of luxury that the Legend had.
The Vigor was the split between the I4 cylinder Integra and the V6 Legend, with the all new in line 5 cylinder engine. This was a great development from the Japanese manufacturer (ACURA) intented to achive great power (176 HP) from it's 2.5 Liters, without the weight of a V6 or the vibration of a I4 with the same displacement.
The engine lenght required that it reside lenghtwise in the chasis (like the V6 in the 1991 Legend). The engine straddled the front axle line, actually situated well back for a front driver, with an extension shaft coming off the forward side of the transmission, along the engine to the differential. The right halfshaft actually ran through a tube in the crankcase directly below the center cylinder. The engine was inclined 35 degrees to the right side to allow a low, but a relatively larger hood line because of the length of the engine.
The heart of the vigor is the fully aluminum 2.5 liters, 20 Valves, Inline 5 cylinders engine. With it distinctive intake manifold, was thoroughly updated with four valves per cylinder operated by a single belt driven overhead camshaft and rocker arms. Programed Fuel Injection and a dual stage induction system insured a broad torque spread, peaking at 3900 rpm with a 176 horse-power maxing out at 6300 rpm and staying strong up to 7100 rpm when the fuel cuts off.
Transmissions included a five speed manual or four speed automatic. The result was a car that was quicker from 0 to 100 Km/H (0 to 60 Mp/H) than the Lexus ES250, Audi 80 Quattro, even the Nissan Maxima and many others, the Vigor was the best and it was second to none in his category.
Bumps, dips, decreasing radius turns, all these things can upset a car's balance, not to mention the car's driver, that's is not a problem to the Vigor because of the Formula One Inspired Double Wishbone Suspension, this gives you a solid, but a comfortable ride.
The interior of the vigor I too much better that many others car mades (of the similar years) like BMW, MB, Lexus, and Nissan. The only fault that everyone hate on the vigor is he back row legroom space, but its simple, to modify the seat, and make a mora small seat, but more legroom.
The 8 speakers bose system, a great moonroof, total leather interior, real wood panels, and many other great things that makes this car a unique example of Honda/acura engineering.
The Vigor was the split between the V4 cylinder Integra.
The Integra used an inline 4 -- no car sold has a V4.
Also, an inline 4 is smoother than an inline 5.
What's more 176 horsepower is not great -- especially in a car that weighs in at more than 3200 pounds.
While we are at it, the engine does not sit particularly far back.
Generally -- disregard everything this guy posted and you will be on the right track. This was a car that rides on the previous generation Accord chassis -- made a bit longer. Meant to situate between the Integra and the Legend.
Actually this is a response to the last reponse..
An Inline 4 is NOT smoother than an inline 5.
And also to let the guy who responded up top know.. hp doesn't mean anything.. its also very important to consider torque.. 170 lbs/ft torque.. that is impressive even in todays standards..
Take a look at the newest civic.. they advertise its top of the line model at 200hp, but it has a crappy low end torque (which they hide when advertising)
Just like how many heavy trucks with low hp, but high torque accelerate fast (up to a certain speed), the vigor has a pretty balanced performance... can beat any silly civic hands down...
And since the vigor is 3150 lbs to be precise, it makes it highway star... without having to resort to lowered suspension.
Yes, torque is the name of the game, which is why a lot of auto reviewers are recommending the Golf GTI over the Civic Si (reliability issues aside).
The irony is the Honda Fit has 109 hp and 105 pound/feet of torque, so why can't the Civic Si have a similar ratio?
To the one who posted this, I appretiate your knowledge and study of the car. Some just have to be disturbers.
Hi to all out there, I'm the one who posted this review, was a mistake while I was writing it when I wrote v4 instead of I4, that is because I was on a rush to finish this long review of my car, sorry to all. And its true, the vigor is the ideal ride for a daily game, it balances HP and torque, nothing like this you could find in today modernistic compact cars, the VIGOR is just a great ride, and to those who just follows datasheets and internet info they are wrong, an I5 is softer than an I4 in real life, it have better response and lower noise at high speeds.
Being UNIQUE doesn't make it the best, and indeed the vigor is not the best, but look around, anyone can go to a dealer and get an H3, an Escalade or even a Murcielago. But hey, take your money and go for one of the very few VIGORs remaining on earth right now and see which one will sell you their precious old fashioned.
P.S. I´ve got a next vigor, LS trim, 1993, 135.252kms. on it, its in poor conditions, but I'm working on it, so be waiting for a next review and a post on cardomain.com.
BYE.
I have had the Acura Vigor GS 1993 since 1997. I purchased it used. 2009 I still drive my Acura vigor. Loved it then, love it now. Could not have asked for a better car. In all my years, repairs were minimal, compared to a lot of others. I want the world to know this car is outstanding and I will never rid of my Acura Vigor. Not today, not tomorrow. If I have to put money into it, I will. That is how much I appreciate this car.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site