| 74Type1 |
Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:55 pm |
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Just kind of lurking here. I am restoring my 74 bug, almost done. my itch is to get an early 90's or late 80's cabriolet. Don't even know the slang, I think they're called cabby's?
Anyway, what is the feedback on these. Parts easy or hard to find. Easy or hard to work on? |
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| cub |
Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:24 am |
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| Get the newest car you can afford from a dry state. They are prone like every other Mk1 to rust but moreso if the top seals were not replaced. Look for rust around the windshield lower corners, behind each wheel on the fenders, strut towers and check the floors very carefully. Only get it if you really want it and not just for a "fling" Parts are not too terribly hard to find but there are a few things that either get expensive or are indeed hard to find. remember that this car shares alot with the Mk1 Golf (Rabbit), Scirocco, and Jetta. All 4-cylinder engines up to '99 will go in as well as transmissions without alot of hassle. They are great fun and pretty easy to work on.... |
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| GostaBerling |
Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:22 pm |
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| I have an 1987 cabriolet that I have owned for 4 years and i can say that it is the most enjoyable car that I have ever owned. It doesn't get the looks that my 1960 Cadillac got, but the looks I do get are from people who know what it is. The parts are still very easy to find, local parts stores can order most, the dealer is still a good place to get a lot, and everything else can be purchased through specialty shops. For vehicle specific info check out www.cabbyinfo.com. Great sight with tons of information. As far as engines go, all four cylnder engines will bolt in but not all will fit. The ABA engine has a head that is too tall and if you went with that then you would need a head off of an older car. Cis and CIS-E cars are easy to work on but can be a little temperamental, dignifant cars are supposed to be a little better, but it all depends on who you ask. My 87 has CIS-E and I have never had a problem out of the system. I may be looking to sell my car very soon, as I am thinking of getting a westy, so if you have any questions or want to take a look at it, just drop me a line. |
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| 82cabby |
Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:36 pm |
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I've had two cabby's and I can tell you they are great cars. My 82 is my summer daily driver.
I'm also in the middle of a 71 super resto and I have noticed a few...uhhh...procedural differences. For one thing, there are WAY more sheet metal panels available for bugs then for cabbys (cabbies?). If you get one in good shape this won't be a problem, but otherwise your going to end up doing some fabrication. This seems to be true of a lot interior parts as well like dash pads, cigarette lighters etc. I had a lot of trouble trying to find the correct seat covers for my 82 and finally ended up paying an unholstery guy to do the repair.
That said, I like them for lots of reasons. I find them very easy to work on, there is lots of documentation, most everything is laid out in a logical way ('cept electrical) and most if not all mechanical parts are still available. Cabbys are fun to drive too, with a few suspension tweeks I've got mine cornering like its on rails.
There are differences between model years, so do a bit of research and see what you like before you buy. As far as I know 1980 was the first model year in the US and it has the old Rabbit style dash. 81 - 85 are basicly the same with yearly tweeks then VW really started changing stuff. Check the history link on cabbyinfo.com
They are great cars man! I say go for it! :D |
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