[zane]

I'm looking for another car, and I'm pretty interested in a couple older VW's- a 92 GTI and a 91 Passat. Has anybody on here had any experience with older VW's? Jetta, gti, passat, ???

Good or bad experiences, please let me know. This would be my first VW.... Thanks.

-Zane

 

[gigapower]

Had a Fox drove the wheels off it, 224,000 miles.

 

[luken8r]

ive had several friends with MK2 jetta's. My buddy currently has a 91 GLI with the 16v engine and its a nice, quick car. Its getting on in years so little things like rotten gaskets, brake lines, hinges, etc are starting to fail, but its been a new england car so the salt takes it toll. overall for a car pushing 15 years its in really good shape. go fer it, vdubs are nice rides

 

[stinkyboy]

A little money and time and they can be sick: http://www.jwelty.com/jwelty3/hotvws.htm

 

[Handlebarsfsr]

they are good cars, pretty reliable, but repair parts, especially for the older ones, are astronomical (genuine vw parts anyway, even the knock offs are $$$).

 

[stinkyboy]

head gasket goes *blow*

Damn you! I think you were the one who told me that about my Toyota van, and that's what happened the first weekend along with the engine. I'm now having trouble giving that hunk away...

Anyway, I needed another project/headache, so a buddy's neighbor has a 92 GL Jetta, that is pretty clean and cheap and I committed to picking it up tomorrow...

Oh jeez...

Edit: Yup, it was you... http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122995&page=2&pp=15&highlight=toyota+van

 

[MikeD]

Can you say "electrical problems?" Yes, yes you can...

MD

 

[Changleen]

Can you say "electrical problems?" Yes, yes you can...

MD

Not as bad as early 90's French cars. They used to really suck.

 

[Handlebarsfsr]

shoulda gotten a honda civic. cheap to fix, run forever, and good resale.

 

[rooftest]

Can you say "electrical problems?" Yes, yes you can...

MD

This problem is still alive and well with VW's.

 

[rcoh]

All VW's Rule

Here is a 84 MKII Gti I worked on with my friend, I have a 77 Golf, & same friend just purchased a 75 swalow tail 2 door Golf. My Brother does up Kombis & other Air cooled VWs

Go with VW, you won't regret it.

 

[Shmoe]

I own a 92 Jetta with just the basic 8v motor. I would stay away. The motor itself is good, the interior is nice and the car handles well but the electrical problems are nuts. My car seems to have a mind of its own. Somtimes I cant start it until I lock the passengers door... Im selling mine as soon as I can, Just gonna buy a civic or somthing as it will have less problems and the MPG will go up by about 4-5 on the highway.

 

[James]

I had an '89 Jetta GLI with the 16v, great, great, great little car. I wanted to eventually supe it up a little, but didn't ever get around to it. Ended up giving it to a buddy, I think he is going to though.
I really, really, really want to get an older GTI, preferably with the 16v engine too, at some point. When I have the time to kinda do some work on it, have it as the 2nd car in the garage. I will, I think the Mk2 body style is my favorite of the cars.
I have a '96 GTI now, but the crappy 2.slow engine, not the VR6.
Sigh...
I didn't have any problems with my '89, and I got it with like 140,xxx miles on it.
My '96 had a couple of problems, but nothing super major...

 

[stevew]

I think the key to owning any car VW or otherwise is working on it yourself. Knowing of a good VW wrecking yard for parts/spares is a plus. 8V/16V engines can be had fairly cheap. Knowing people in your area who have VW's and can help guide you through working on it is always a bonus.

Passats are tempermental.

One of my favorite water cooled VW's.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

I just sold my Mk3 94' jetta with 110,000 miles and bought an 02' gli...anyway, love VW not much went wrong with my 4 cyl at all...just the general wear and tear, i have a bunch of freinds with the mk3 years and those are solid cars...i would bump it up a couple years and go with them...