Hey BB...

[marvellous]

We're in the process of selling both of our cars and downsizing so we can save for a house.  With that in mind, I've been tossing around the idea of buying a car that would still be fun to drive.  2 cars that I've been looking at are an older GTI or a BMW 2002 (max of $3K - $4K).  BB, this is where you come in -> I've found a nice looking GTI on Craiglist: http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/884683629.html  What do you think?  Then once my car is sold, we'll be selling her Passat and getting something for her...

Oh and anyone interested in purchasing a 2002 Honda Accord SE Coupe?    KBB is $9k... will create it's own thread soon...

Muchos thank you and hope everyone is out riding like they stole it!!
m

[oregunduc]

You could not pay me to drive a older GTI on a daily basis, I had one the damn thing would not run for 2 seconds without breaking down it was an electrical nightmare.  It was fun while it was running but when it didn't (which was quite often) it made me want to pitch it off of a cliff    I know I may have gotten  the bad seed but everyone I have known with an older VW has had some very annoying issues that have come with them.

But that is just my humble opinion.

[duc_fan]

Hmm, my '86 GTI (MkII) hasn't given me any electrical trouble.  Actually, most of my friends with MkIIs haven't had electrical problems.  They're so bloody simple...

The MkIII (1993-1998) is a little more problematic.  The early MkIVs I won't touch with a ten-foot pole.   MkVs I don't know anything about, other than the fact I don't like heavy newer cars with all the electrical "doing the thinking for you" electronic garbage.

As for that MkI Rabbit GTI on Craigslist... you better grab it quick, 'cause I'm tempted to go get it myself. 

In all seriousness, if it's clean and straight, then it'd be a worthy consideration.  Things to look for:

--Rust under the battery, around the door latch posts, around the windshield wiper pivots.
--Rusted out floorpans under the passenger compartment (this is a concern with all older VWs, Porsches, BMWs)
--Check the seat tilt-forward hinge mechanism for rust or breakage.
--Seat bolsters tend to get worn out if it has the sport seats
--Check seat bolster cloth/vinyl for wear, tears
--Does it have a sunroof, and is it factory?  If not factory, does it leak?
--Condition of the exhaust: is it rotting out? Is the cat still good?
--Does it pass DEQ?  I know you don't have to pass it out there in Bend, but it's still a sign of general engine health

112k miles is nothing to be afraid of in an older GTI.  If it's had regular oil changes and coolant flushes, it's good for another 50k-60k before you'll want to have the transmission looked at (the "self-machining" differentials tend to grenade around 170k).

Seriously... if I didn't have a project MkII and a trackbike, I'd go look at this one for myself.

If you come over to this side of the mtns to take a look at it, and you want someone who's been around older VeeDubs, you're welcome to PM me and we can try to schedule a time to see it when I can tag along.

One concern: while these aren't unreliable, it is a nearly 25 year old car, and as such will need the appropriate care and feeding.  It's not a car you can just turn on/off and forget about.  Kinda like a Ducati in that way.  If you want something a little easier to maintain (read: better as a daily driver), I'd recommend a MkIII Golf with the 2.0L 4-cyl 5-spd, and get one with manual windows/doorlocks/etc (fewer electrical options to go south).  Buy the FK High Sport kit (suspension) for it, and you have a fun little car that gets 30 mpg, and it's daily-driver reliable.  My brother has a '95 that's served him very well for the past couple years.

[marvellous]

Muchos thank you my friend!!  First things first, need to sell my Honda.  I will definately keep you in mind if/when we head over for said vehicle purchase...   I'm a researcher, did the same thing prior to buying Cara, and your info helps A LOT!!! 

m

[bnbmike]

I raced (autocross) and drove daily the same 84 GTI.  Awesome car.  Age, yes.  But an interesting photo, the beetle in the garage tells me this car was taken care of.

It has some goodies on it worth saving, Neuspeed is the best!

Also look for stress cracks around the strut towers and front clip, cracked paint it a good tip off.

Like BB, if I didn't have.....I would BUY IT NOW!!!

[duc_fan]

I forgot about the stress cracks around the strut towers... open hood, look at the tops of the strut towers, and look for a big circular crack that wraps around the top of the strut tower.  I think my '86 GTI's chassis is suffering from this... not sure what the solution is yet, but I'm pretty sure it won't be easy or cheap.  Best option is probably to replace the strut tower tops with a camber plate setup.  But I digress...

I agree with Mike's observation about the neat Beetle in the garage.  Forgot to mention that, but it was something I made a mental note of when looking at the Craigslist ad.  This owner is probably an enthusiast, and as such this car has probably been better cared for than your run-of-the-mill beater.  $3k is also a fairly high price for a MkI... I'd guess either it's junk and he/she is high, or they've got a nice example and they know it.  If it's as nice as it looks and they know it, there prolly won't be much (if any) bargaining room.

Other things I have remembered since last night: sensors.  Specifically: coolant temp sensor/sender, rad fan switch, O2 sensor (if so equipped), oil pressure sender, oil temp sensor (if so equipped).  I may be forgetting one or two.  Basically, there are a couple of sensors where the coolant hose connects to the head, and one or more down on the oil cooler, then the rad fan switch which is usually on the radiator itself (dunno about the MkI GTI specifically... different radiator than my MkII).  These need replaced based on age, not mileage.  The plastic inserts in them get old and brittle, and when they let go, it makes a mess.  They're not expensive, and they're pretty easy to replace too.  If they haven't been replaced in the last 5 years, I'd buy all of 'em, and take a Saturday to change them all out.  Shouldn't cost more than $50-$75 to buy the whole lot of 'em (those sensors/senders/switches are usually $10-$15 each).

You would also want to inspect coolant hoses.  The upper rad hose is easy enough to see and replace, so the more telling sign of the prior owner's care will be in the little hoses down near the water pump.  On the MkII, they're the ones going from the water pump to the oil cooler (which is an aluminum box above the oil filter).  Mike is probably a better source of knowledge on these, as I haven't owned a MkI.  However, they're similar enough that I could look under the hood of a MkI and point out the equivalent components.

If all this "MkI" "MkII" nomenclature is confusing...

U.S. nomenclature and timeline for the Golf (Jetta was similar, but may differ +/- 1 model year):
MkI is the Rabbit.  1970's-1984


MkII is the Golf.  1985-1992


MkIII: 1993-1998 (and early '99)


MkIV: 1999.5-2005


MkV: 2006-present

[marvellous]

BB, check your PM ...

[marvellous]

I should know today about the GTI.  If all goes well, then I might be up in PDX soon... 

Thank you for all the info! 
m

[ryandalling]

You really gonna sell that CB for $200?

[marvellous]

Sure... it's what we paid for it.  Don't have to sell it but if someone would make use of it and would enjoy it, works for us...  Only problem, we're in Bend...

Btw, no go on the GTI, at least not yet...   Everything happens for a reason...

[ryandalling]

Sure... it's what we paid for it.  Don't have to sell it but if someone would make use of it and would enjoy it, works for us...  Only problem, we're in Bend...

Send me the details.  We have a place in Black Butte. Will probably be there in November. Could make for a fun Winter project.

[marvellous]

Here I am threadjacking my own thread... LOL

Ok, it's a 1978 Honda CB400A (yes it's a Hondamatic).  Paid $200 for it, thought it would be a good project (and it would) but priorities are stepping in (wedding, house, kids, etc...).  Every little bit counts and stuff...   It's not currently running but the engine DOES turn over (it's a kicker).  My plan was to tear it down to the frame, repaint, rebuild and turn into a fun lil cafe for riding around town.  We haven't changed into our name yet.  I believe the last time it was titled was in WA state (have the plate). 

Here's some pics...

[duc_fan]

Sorry Marv, meant to call you yesterday... work's been busy.  I'll try to call when I leave work today.  Even if the MkI is a no-go... we can formulate a plan for other potential vehicles.

[ryandalling]

Hey BB -  In case you missed this in the other section of the board... here is that article we were talking about.

http://jalopnik.com/5065896/hand+made-lamborghini-built-in-basement-finally-sees-light-of-day

[marvellous]

BB: Another possibility -> http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/905062931.html

His email that he sent: A couple minor spots on the passenger front fender but its an easy fix since its just surface. The interior is near perfect, new headliner but the drivers seat has some wear as do many of the rabbits out there. It is a 5 speed manual trans. heres some pictures. Do you have anything to trade?

More Pics that he sent me:






What do ya think?