TheSamba.com :: View topic - Whats it worth? 1986.5 Scirocco. More information 1/17

Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:17 am

Im thinking about buying this 1986.5 Scirocco 16V, 5-spd, all original one owner car with 136k miles from a friend of mine. It was used as 'company car' the first part of its life thats why the high mileage.

Seems like the asking prices for Sciroccos are all over the board.

I just want to know if Im in the ball park and taking into consideration the work that needs to be done.

Its a one owner, 1986.5 red, 5-spd, 16V, 136k miles in good shape. It has the original paint that looks okay, two small areas of surface rust on the passenger side the size of a dime on the door, no dings or major problems with the body. The only rust I noticed was the back bumper was a little rotted. Its been in a somewhat heated garage for the last 15 years. The inside looks brand new except for the drivers bolster needs recovered. Due to it being a company car the only person that ever rode in it was the driver. The underneath looks great, decent tires and exhaust and no leaks. The motor was rebuilt under warranty with 50k miles due to a faulty timing belt. It does run, but not great. Im sure it will need a tune up, some hoses replaced and lots of fresh fuel.

He wants $2000 for it. What do you guys think?
Whats the timeframe for a timing belt change?

Thanks

Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:07 am

One-owner, 16V, garaged 3/4ths of its life, 2K sounds pretty good. I'd go for it! Heck it probably doesn't have the "rotted out backup light lens" syndrome yet. After 15 years parked, yeah it'd be some work to flush all the old gas and oil out of the system, I'd probably do a timing belt right away - and you might have some gummy fuel distributor and/or injector issues at first, and possibly sticking hydraulic lifters. But, that's a fairly desirable car and I think the effort would be worth it.
-Andy

Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:50 am

I thought Id give this a bump since I have added some new info.

Thanks

Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:03 pm

Still sounds decent to me.

Timing belt change - every 60K. Or, in this case, I'd do it ASAP after it sitting all those years unless it was brand new when it was parked. You sould do the tensioner roller as well. That's one thing you never want to skimp on with a 16V. If you lose a timing belt..... well, the previous owner did and that rebuild was them pulling off the cylinder head and replace some bent valves. That's what happens when the belt goes. Not fun.

Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:48 pm

Thanks glutamoto, whats the ballpark cost for a timing belt change? $200-300?

Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:43 am

About twice that on a 16v at a shop. And the "don't skimp" advice on a 16v is also good advice. They can be maddening engines if you let them.

136k miles is less than 7k miles per year, so it is not high mileage. Maintenance should be done on a timing basis, not a mileage basis if it used that irregularly.

As for the selling price, it is too hard to tell without seeing it. If you are going to pay $2,000 for it, do it for interior and/or exterior but not for the engine. The engine may be fine but don't expect a grace period in its maintenance. The more you do upfront, the more you really know about its history.

Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:53 pm

Hello
Price sounds fair , 16V's (and some of the parts) are getting harder to find , I have had mine for 12years and plan on keeping it .
Don't wait on the belt , it is your best insurance plan .