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Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:37 pm

I was just wondering who here also has an old Rabbit.

Tell your exciting stories!

My story is that my best friend in high school had a yellow one--a Rabbit C with a Nuke the Seals bumper sticker on it. We beat the living shit out of that car between 1984-1987. Lucky to be alive. I believe he got it with 100k on the clock and put another 120 on it before selling it for more than he paid.

I remember the shifter being "approximate", and the clutch felt like what it would be like to pushing your foot into a rubber bag full of lumpy poop.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:47 pm

I've had 3 Rabbit Trucks, all Gas rigs, -fantastic winter beaters.
I use mine a bunch on my property.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:48 pm

<<< :wink:

'81 Convertible. Rusty, loud, drafty, but 32mpg, and with the top down, it's a dream. Shifting is a guessing game, and the clutch is just like Major Woody describes. I love it, really. It's out of commission right now because of a faulty oil pressure sensor and broken radiator fan. I'm on the hunt for a diesel drivetrain for it, for maximum efficiency. 8)

Oh yeah, I've got some stories too.

When we got the car in January, the gas gauge didn't work, and neither did the odometer, so we just guessed when it needed gas. Worked great until one night my buddy and I were driving between Wausau and Chippewa Falls. He looks over to me, and yells over the exhaust noise "Do you think we'll have enough gas to make it?" Right as I said "yeah" it started sputtering. Pushed it about a mile, uphill, until a friendly passerby towed us to the nearest gas station. Normally, that isn't that special, except that it was about 3* out, and I forgot my gloves and hat in Wausau :shock:

I also replaced the starter in that parking lot^^ in about the same weather, laying in snow under the car. Nothing but fun...

Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:52 pm

That's a real plus, having one of the truck ones. I never could figger those out. I wondered if people who bought them new were developmentally disabled or, as we used to say back when I was younger, "retarded". You can't really say "retarded" anymore--at least not if you're referring to retarded people. I think it is okay to use the word to describe stupid people, as long as you're not in politics or anything.

Why not just get a regular mini-pickup?

Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:54 pm

Major Woody wrote: That's a real plus, having one of the truck ones. I never could figger those out. I wondered if people who bought them new were developmentally disabled or, as we used to say back when I was younger, "retarded". You can't really say "retarded" anymore--at least not if you're referring to retarded people. I think it is okay to use the word to describe stupid people, as long as you're not in politics or anything.

Why not just get a regular mini-pickup?

Front wheel drive is better in snow :wink:

Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:21 pm

I love Rabbits-I drove several between '94 and '99. I regret getting rid of them and all the parts. They are great, cheap transportation.
I rolled one once when I hit a patch of sand and went sideways into a curb. Boink! Right onto the roof!

Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:13 pm

Almost a Rabbit
My daily driver is a '85 Golf diesel bought it for $300
and replaced all the struts and tie rods and brakes and T/belt.
we pulled the rear seats out and now have a good mobile tool box
I think it is a worthy replacement for the VW bug
love the mileage we get

Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:15 pm

Long gone, but fun while it lasted.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:18 pm

This is my 2nd Rabbit, it is a 1983 Gti 1.8L 8v with 87,000 miles on it. I am the 3rd owner and the only person under the age of 40 to have it. No crazy story's I just drive this to work and take it to club gatherings.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:29 pm

66busman wrote:
Front wheel drive is better in snow :wink: Only if you don't know how to drive.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:39 pm

I picked up my rabbit back in October when my honda crapped out on me. I've been using it as my daily driver since then. Gotta agree, it is rattly and drafty, but i get a consistent 29 mpg and the sunroof is great on hot days.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:25 pm

notchback wrote: 66busman wrote:
Front wheel drive is better in snow :wink: Only if you don't know how to drive.
And better for what...getting up a driveway? It's certainly not better for stability or control.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:37 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVIjLopz6gg
sorry... I had too...

Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:10 pm

had a 78 that went through 3 kids first car ended up giving it away to sombody that still drives it. Have an 86 cabi that im still driving as my work bucket odometer quit working at 142000. 7 years ago still wont quit.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:13 pm

chickengeorge wrote: notchback wrote: 66busman wrote:
Front wheel drive is better in snow :wink: Only if you don't know how to drive.
And better for what...getting up a driveway? It's certainly not better for stability or control.

To each their own...

Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:29 pm

66busman wrote: chickengeorge wrote: notchback wrote: 66busman wrote:
Front wheel drive is better in snow :wink: Only if you don't know how to drive.
And better for what...getting up a driveway? It's certainly not better for stability or control.

To each their own...

That logic don't work on the Samba, thought you knew. I mean I don't care if you say front wheel drive is better for the snow, hell it could be, I don't drive in the snow enough to really know, but these guys like notch back, well they are right about pretty much every thing......Hope you understand, and have a good day.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:07 pm

Major Woody wrote: That's a real plus, having one of the truck ones. I never could figger those out. I wondered if people who bought them new were developmentally disabled or, as we used to say back when I was younger, "retarded". You can't really say "retarded" anymore--at least not if you're referring to retarded people. I think it is okay to use the word to describe stupid people, as long as you're not in politics or anything.

Why not just get a regular mini-pickup?

I had a Rabbit pickup. It was diesel too. What is retarded about 50 mpg. Hell, they don't even get that kind of mileage out of the modern Hybrids.
Wish I had it back now.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:16 pm

miss my '84 gti.

Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:06 am

We have two of them. Both Cabby's, one is an 85 and one is an 89. We drive the shit out of the 89, still lots of pull and with the strut-tower tie bars that thing is a corner monster. The 85 is in much better shape and we treat it nicely.

We are currently debating converting the 89 into a rally beast, just a little turbo action and that thing would be a flying lunch box. I love driving it, it is just so simple and perfect.

Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:19 am

Not mine, but used to belong to a friend of mine. I borrowed it to haul home the block for my Dodge. That little 4-speed diesel would run like a raped ape once it was shifted into third. I think he was getting 43mpg out of it.