| Author |
Message |
crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:38 am Post subject: Problems w/Buying Low Mile '80s VWs |
 |
|
I was just wondering if anyone has any 1st hand experience w/ buying a low milage 80's VWs, what are the biggest problems, beyond stuff like new fuel lines, brake lines ect. ?
I looked at a sweet Dasher (  Yea,I know, a Dasher ) its a Diesel, and my Daughter needs a new car, and wants a Diesel, this car has 42K on it, looks really nice, I looked at it yesterday at John's C.C..
It would be a cool ride for her, but starting w/ the $3900 price & any $$ after that, would it be better to buy a newer Jetta/Golf Diesel- like a late '90s??
_________________
Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI 
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Ann Mezger
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2003
Posts: 933
Location: Delaware
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Other than normal wear & tear, you really can't go wrong with the older 80's VW's. The diesels will run forever if they're cared for & get exceptional milage. To find one with under 100,000 miles on it is like striking gold. The gas engines of the '80's are also very reliable - only real thing you need to be concerned with is the automatic trannys. As long as she'd be happy with the Dasher (not really a "cool" body style for a young girl unless she's into surfing & needs the extra space) I'd say snatch it right away.
As for the later models - the deisel engines are still reliable, however the misc. BS electrical starts to become a real nickel & dime pain in the ass. I'm referring to the power windows, stereo, power locks, etc. Other than that, unless you get the turbo deisel be prepared for it to do 0-60 mph in a month. That's the price you pay for 40-50mpg. Hope that helps.
_________________
www.vintageperformance.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iamdonquixote
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2003
Posts: 2041
Location: M*ssholia
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Tom,
check boston craigslist for 80's-90's VW's. Occasionally, you find a steal on a low mileage gasser. Diesels always command $$$
rob |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hazetguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10773
Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
$3900? for a DASHER? 
i hope you get a lot of change back.
the "problem" i would see with that car would be sourcing any dasher specific parts that may be made of unobtanium.
get a golf or jetta. talk to clay and mary, they seem to find good things. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
4Doora
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2006
Posts: 1153
Location: Hudson, NH
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:25 am Post subject: Re: Problems w/Buying Low Mile '80s VWs |
|
|
| crukab wrote: |
| would it be better to buy a newer Jetta/Golf Diesel- like a late '90s?? |
HELL NO
A friend of mine had a late 90s jetta
is was the biggest piece of crap i've ever seen
not one of the door handles worked properly, it was an electrical nightmare (all power windows were screwed up)
the transmission quit and it's still sitting in her driveway
basically anything in the car that you wouldn't expect to break, broke
but yeah, diesel vws have a good reputation
_________________
'69 Bug,'71 Bus,'61 Bug ,'56 Bug, '66 Panel |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oorwullie
Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2003
Posts: 2365
Location: fribourg,switzerland
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ann Mezger wrote: |
| As long as she'd be happy with the Dasher (not really a "cool" body style for a young girl unless she's into surfing & needs the extra space) |
i think it's cool, looks like scirocco stationwagon.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
WM971252
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2004
Posts: 1781
Location: Franklin CT
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Crukab, Dashers use a bunch of Dasher only diesel things too (mounts for one). For that I think you should find a A2 Jetta or Golf. Remember they use the great VW gear in the spedo so.... My good Jetta had 74,000 on it when the guys I bought it from got it, then drove up from Texas... If it is that new figure you willl have to rebuild the injector pump once new fuel touches the seals.
Try the "dark side" Vortex or Fredstdi.com. A3 while faster and nicer have a bunch of issues that go with them. I only seem to killl a A2 when they roll or rot away. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ubercrap
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 01, 2004
Posts: 1060
Location: Ridley Park, PA
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Problems w/Buying Low Mile '80s VWs |
|
|
| 4Doora wrote: |
| crukab wrote: |
| would it be better to buy a newer Jetta/Golf Diesel- like a late '90s?? |
HELL NO
A friend of mine had a late 90s jetta
is was the biggest piece of crap i've ever seen
not one of the door handles worked properly, it was an electrical nightmare (all power windows were screwed up)
the transmission quit and it's still sitting in her driveway
basically anything in the car that you wouldn't expect to break, broke
but yeah, diesel vws have a good reputation |
Probably a MKIII automatic, right? Those autos are indeed pure junk. My fiance had the auto crap out on her at just over 100k mi. on a '97 Jetta. Maybe if it would be OK if it had been serviced, but hardly anyone does it. They are theoretically "liftime" sealed units. MKII and older automatics seem to be fair. She now has a '97 GTI 2.0 5 speed with high miles- great car. Door handles are even weaker on 70's, 80's VW's than 90's VW's. They are weak junk. No big deal, just buy new ones, they are easy to install and cheap. Then be gentle, especially in cold weather. Not really a reason to damn the whole car. The electrical wiring itself often doesn't have anything to do with the windows not working, its usually a mechanical problem. There are so many in the junkyards with dead autos, finding replacement regulator/motor units is easy. 5 speed 2.0 liter MKIII cars are fine- last many 100's of thousands of miles no problems with the drivetrain, etc...just have to be prepared to fix the known issues. '80s VW's I have or had are very similar. They have cheap trim, clusters, accessories, etc... but are nearly indestructible in the drivetrain department. I have an '86 Quantum gasoline 5cyl./5spd. that I got for $200, terribly neglected with 200-300K miles on it and it is still going after a tune-up and some TLC. Next step is to get it to pass emissions... OK, to sum it up- All WCVW's have similar issues, cheap trim, clusters, accessories, and yes, often electrical. Drivetrains, especially manual equipped, are extremely durable when maintained. A Dasher might be somewhat harder to find parts for than others.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Sage
Samba Member
Joined: December 10, 2005
Posts: 2470
Location: Traverse City
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I had a 82 Jetta. That thing was a tank, the engine was a rock, and it got 32 mpg at 212,000. If I recall, the most expensive thing I replaced were the axles in the front, and they weren't that much. I did break a few door handles in the winter (-15 in Steamboat Springs)
How it died: Electronics. Windows, Heater, Headlights, then it was dead.
_________________
Feel My Pain l Sage Ad World |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
my65vert
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2003
Posts: 6186
Location: Middleburg, Florida
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Jetta's suck. They are what I call "disposable" cars. Use them for a bit and throw them away when they break.
_________________
OGJHC
Kombisutra;
I'm starting to get little wafts of bus stink coming from the north. Something about the unique scent of drivers seat padding when it's glued together with mouse piss and shit that really gets me going... and I'm smelling it! Oh yeah! Time to start loading up the equipment. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bvolks
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2004
Posts: 845
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| my65vert wrote: |
| Jetta's suck. They are what I call "disposable" cars. Use them for a bit and throw them away when they break. |
Any of them I've had have been pretty tough. I bought my 85 Jetta Diesel 11 years ago with 363,000 kms on it and still drive it daily. It has 740,000 on it now and has only left me stranded once because of a frozen fuel line. It makes the 1000 km trip from here to Halifax and back regularly. The only think I don't like is the lack of power out on the highway (mine is non-turbo). My cousin just got rid of his 2001 TDI though because of too many electrical problems and plastic parts breaking in the wintertime.
_________________
1985 Diesel Jetta Coupe (temporarily retired at
756,000 km)
1971 Doublecab project
1995 Golf CL
1974 Beetle
1978 Westfalia |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
4Doora
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2006
Posts: 1153
Location: Hudson, NH
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bvolks wrote: |
| my65vert wrote: |
| Jetta's suck. They are what I call "disposable" cars. Use them for a bit and throw them away when they break. |
Any of them I've had have been pretty tough. I bought my 85 Jetta Diesel 11 years ago with 363,000 kms on it and still drive it daily. It has 740,000 on it now and has only left me stranded once because of a frozen fuel line. It makes the 1000 km trip from here to Halifax and back regularly. The only think I don't like is the lack of power out on the highway (mine is non-turbo). My cousin just got rid of his 2001 TDI though because of too many electrical problems and plastic parts breaking in the wintertime. |
Most "pre-fahrvergnugen" VWs are great
anything after is junk IMHO
_________________
'69 Bug,'71 Bus,'61 Bug ,'56 Bug, '66 Panel |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
<flame suit on>
I've noticed the same kind of thing hunting for a Subaru for winter use -- the 80s and early 90s ones are pretty much bulletproof, the later ones have headgasket and electronical woes. You could say that about any car, though.
The conventional wisdom is that a newer car (with its brand-new parts) will be more reliable and give fewer problems than a used car with its worn out parts and questionable service history. But I guess we know better, don't we!
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TeamSpatula
Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004
Posts: 5212
Location: WNC
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
I bought my 81 diesel Rabbit with 104k on it, and from what I've heard/read/learned, that's nothing...I love it so far, and rabbit diesel parts are pretty easy & cheap to come by...
I highly recommend www.vwdieselparts.com for parts, and they have a great forum for only VW diesels...with some really smart folks there...
_________________
<---Air Cooled Search & Rescue Team - STICKERS & T-shirts for sale!
I NEED A CAMPER!!!! (1971 is ideal but will consider other years)
http://www.TeamSpatula.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
David Househead
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2005
Posts: 253
Location: Calgary Canada
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
I would stick to 85 - 92 (mk2) Golf's & jetta's.
German made. VIN starts WVW. if not do NOT buy it.
parts are easy to come by, they are fairly simple to fix, and they are pretty solid cars if you find a good rust free one
for around $2000 you should find a decent gas model, a bit more for diesel, and I have seen a few TDI converted mk2's going in the $4 - 5000 range.
www.vwvortex.com is thesamba for watercooled's
_________________
(o\ ! /o) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
| hazetguy wrote: |
the "problem" i would see with that car would be sourcing any dasher specific parts that may be made of unobtanium. |
Best quote of this topic ! And from what I know, the most to the point. Dasher parts are not as easy to come buy as Rabbit/Golf/Jetta Diesels.
My daughter is 20 now (knows every thing ) and she would like another wagon, after 2 Fox wagons, she likes the space, just a little smaller than a Bus.
I've been watching Craigslist up here, I guess I need to poach in Ct./Mass. waters for more selection.
That Dasher should be in museum, its so clean !
_________________
Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Typ311Dave
Samba Member
Joined: June 16, 2006
Posts: 1253
Location: San Diego, CA "6-Volt"
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Why narrow your search for an early 80's VW? If you want to stay in the early 80's and want a wagon, I don't think anything beats the 82 Toyota Corolla wagon. Extremely reliable, economical, easy to work on, and inexpensive parts. Just something to consider....
_________________
'62 golfblau Typ 311 Limousine
'89 Vanagon GL Bluestar
"The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." - Gen George S. Patton |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick73Super
Samba Member
Joined: June 30, 2004
Posts: 1792
Location: Ocala FL 34481
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Tom,
I saw that Dasher and was tempted, I had a Quantum TDI, very reliable, great MPG. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Typ311Dave wrote: |
Why narrow your search for an early 80's VW? If you want to stay in the early 80's and want a wagon, I don't think anything beats the 82 Toyota Corolla wagon. Extremely reliable, economical, easy to work on, and inexpensive parts. Just something to consider....
|
The only problem w/ that is those cars are long gone from the North East roads, I'd like her to spend the coin & get a Jetta tdi wagon........
_________________
Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
obus 
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11065
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
