Impointe Ruiner Guide – Ruining Imports Since the 80s!

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Tommy Verrcity

Tommy is a penman for Grand Theft Fans, and a GTA maniac. His addiction to the series kicked in when he played GTA San Andreas for the first time. He fell in love with the game, the graphics, the characters, and the story. It became a haven, an escape from reality, and an adventure for the soul.

Latest posts by Tommy Verrcity (see all)

• Impointe Ruiner Guide – Ruining Imports Since the 80s! - August 18, 2023
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Imponte is a symbol of automotive excellence in the GTA universe, blending classic fashions with contemporary allure. Its precisely curated lineup draws inspiration primarily from General Motors’ legacy, especially Pontiac, and tells a narrative that resonates with players who appreciate detailed craftsmanship. 

Imponte goes beyond being just a car brand; it represents a source of excitement, embodying the perfect fusion of speed and style within the Grand Theft Auto universe. At the front of its lineup reside some of the most exceptional muscle cars featured in the game.

Among these, the Ruiner commands special attention. This iconic vehicle, known for its legendary status, presents itself as a treasure considering the remarkable offerings it brings to the table.

Overview of the Imponte Ruiner

• Manufacturer: Imponte.
• Class: Muscle.
• Price: $ 10,000/ can be stolen.
• Acquisition: Southern San Andreas Super Autos.
• Resale Value: $ 6,000/ $ 92,000 (fully upgraded)/ $ 1,000 (stolen).

*The pre-modified version at Los Santos Customs can be sold for $ 9,675.

The Imponte Ruiner is a two-door muscle car introduced in GTA IV and featured in subsequent entries, including The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony, GTA V, and its Online counterpart.

Acquisition

GTA IV

There are two ways to acquire the Ruiner in GTA IV. 

• During the chase part of the “Ivan The Not So Terrible” mission, Ivan will ditch a unique variant of the Ruiner. After you finish the mission, you will find the car where he left it. It will be damaged but drivable. However, You must get into the Ruiner during the chase. It will be considered player-driven and prevent it from despawning. 
• You can steal an Imponte Ruiner at any given time and sell it for $ 1,900 after you complete Stevie’s requests. 

GTA V/ GTA Online

Previously, the only way to obtain the Ruiner was by stealing it from the streets. However, after the “After Hours” update in 2018, Rockstar made the Ruiner available for purchase at Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $10,000.

The vehicle was removed from the marketplace in June 2023 as part of the San Andreas Mercenaries update. Nonetheless, it can still be found spawning regularly in traffic, allowing it to be stolen (check locations below).

In its default state, the Ruiner can be sold for $6,000. A fully upgraded one can fetch up to $90,000. If sold as a stolen vehicle, its value drops to $1,000. A heavily modified Ruiner can be found in the Los Santos Customs parking lot and is valued at $9,675.

Performance

• Top Speed: 118.75 mph.
• Weight: 2866 lbs/ 1300 kg.
• Transmission: 5 gears.
• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive.
• Acceleration: 0-60 in 5.8 secs.

GTA IV

In the previous version, the Ruiner was powered by a single-cam 7.4L V8 engine and a five-speed transmission. It is rear-wheel drive and weighs 3748 lbs (1700 kg), which causes the back wheels to spin a lot when you step on the gas. The handling is precise and responsive, and the acceleration and braking are impressive. 

However, it is loose around corners and suffers from extreme oversteer, requiring a skilled driver to control it. It has a maximum speed of 93 mph, making it a versatile vehicle for getaways and races. The Ruiner’s biggest issue is its low ground clearance, which can cause it to crash into high curbs.

GTA V/ Online 

The Imponte Ruiner maintains its previous model’s powerful V8 engine, 5-speed gearbox, and rear-wheel drive drivetrain. However, this latest version stands out from its predecessor with superior handling and impressive acceleration.

It is an ideal option for racing and is widely considered one of the most capable drifter cars in the game, with an impressive speed of 118.75 mph. Overall, the Imponte Ruiner is a top-performing vehicle that offers both speed and precision on the road.

Locations

GTA IV

The Imponte Ruiner often spawns while driving a Stallion in Northwood, East Holland, West Holland, and Chinatown, Algonquin. It can also appear in: 

• Alderney.
• Fortside, Bohan. 
• Broker.
• Cerveza Heights. 

GTA V/ Online

Unfortunately, the most recent update removed the Ruiner from the website, making it no longer available for purchase. The good news is you can still find it on the streets, particularly in:

• Rockford Hills 
• Davis
• Little Seoul
• Strawberry

You might even stumble upon one in Sandy Shores. If you are having trouble finding it, try driving a Phoenix or a beater Emperor as this may trigger its appearance.

Design

GTA IV

The Ruiner draws inspiration from the iconic muscle cars of the 1980s, specifically, the Camaro IROC Z and Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am models produced between 1982 and 1992.

This modern take on the classic Buffalo from GTA San Andreas boasts a slanted front end with a low bumper for a powerful, intimidating look. While the pop-up headlights are purely aesthetic, the main housing is beneath the square hatches. It is just as impressive.

In profile, the Ruiner mirrors the sleek design of its real-life counterpart with an elongated hood and short trunk. The frameless doors, the flared wheel arches, and the sporty side skirts add to the car’s aggressive stance.

Although not flashy, the Ruiner offers three different T-top roof options: Glass panels, Standard body-colored panels, or no panels at all.

The rear of the car is nearly identical to the Camaro/Firebird/Trans Am, featuring L-shaped indicators, large main brake lights, and inner reverse lights. Plus, the unique five-spoke rims and dual exhaust pipes add an extra touch of style.

GTA V/ Online

Despite its seemingly familiar exterior, the Imponte Ruiner from the latest game installment has undergone subtle updates to ensure that it meets the current standards of the game’s design.

Moreover, the interior of the Ruiner has been modeled after other popular muscle cars, such as the Dominator, to provide players with a realistic and immersive driving experience. They even share the same exhaust note!

Variants

• The Ruiner3 is a battered rendition of the Ruiner 2000, exclusively featured in the “Breakdown Recovery” mission as a prop. Regrettably, it is unattainable for players.
• The Ruiner 2000 is an upgraded version of the standard Ruiner, boasting enhanced features such as special jumping abilities, machine guns, missiles, and a parachute. At a cost of $3,750,000 ($2,812,500 trade price), this vehicle is not only faster than its predecessor but also offers more advanced capabilities.

Modifications

Despite its age, the Ruiner has a decent array of customization options available. However, it’s worth noting that some of these choices may actually take away from the car’s appearance rather than enhance it.

Armor

Brakes

Bumpers

Engine

Exhausts

Hoods

Explosives

Lights

Livery

Plates

Spoilers

Suspension

Transmission

Turbo

Windows

Loss/Theft Prevention

Recommended Mods

Maximizing the armor of your car is essential for optimal protection and avoiding costly repairs from Mors Mutual Insurance. For peak performance, we recommend upgrading your car’s transmission, EMS, Turbo, and suspension to the highest level possible.

When it comes to the exterior, we suggest keeping the stock front bumper to avoid an uneven look without the accompanying side skirts and rear bumper. While the big bore exhaust is a great addition, we prefer the quad pipes set up and left the stock one on. 

For a more aggressive look, we added a Ram Air hood and a mid-level spoiler on the rear. While twin and dual stripes liveries would complement this car, we opted for a sleek black and gold paint scheme.

Finally, we recommend Aero Stars rims from Street category, Turbine, or Fresh Mesh from Lowrider category for the Ruiner to achieve the perfect balance of performance and style.

FAQs

Impointe Ruiner Guide: To Conclude…

In conclusion, the Imponte Ruiner stands as one of the quintessential OG cars featured in GTA since its inception. Its exceptional design makes it perfect for racing, high-speed chases, drifting, and joy rides with friends.

The added benefit of this classic sports car is that it delivers top-notch performance and best of all, it’s free! (Granted, you can successfully steal one).

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