1983 Rabbit, gas advice, service, sell

[rene sinjin]

Hello, glad this place exists. I love older vw's, but always pay for repairs. I don't know if I should keep or sell my '83 gas rabbit. I've put too much money in her to just give up but...

I use my car for work -- several stops, with slow, hilly driving. I'm burning oil and coolant (only noticed the coolant this winter, the oil last summer) and my options seem to be: pay for a head gasket which might fix the problem, or reveal new ones; rebuild (pay for); sell.

Anyone interested in advice, doing affordable work or buying her, I'm all ears. Structurally sound (rocker panels temp. patched, need metal repair) with lots of replaced stuff. A great restoration project. Drives great otherwise - still. Does need steering column bearing. If interested, I'll figure how to put pics up.

For some reason I love driving old vw's. Maybe it's time to give
it up? Thanks.

[oasis]

My opinion would be based on how much you have invested in the car and how much else it needs.

If it is solid with no rust issues, recent brakes, etc., why not get the engine rebuilt? Knowing what you have is still worth something as compared to buying someone else's used car.

On the other hand, if it is going to need brakes, exhaust and tires as well while being "challenged" in other areas, that total expense might be a nicer car waiting for a new owner.

There are three cars (at least) I wish I had sucked it up and just kept. Assuming the "too much money in her" translates to meaning a rebuild is the last major expense you will have for a good while, I'd say an '83 is probably a great keeper.
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI