I realize that this is a great car, and it satisfies my need to have something unique, sporty and fun. But just because you put $30k into an 88 jetta, that doesn't mean the car is worth $30k. If someone put that kinda money in a Scout (and I've been doing THAT for 12 years) its still worth $10-15k tops. You simply DONT get the money out of a car that you put into it. Everyone of us knows that ~ We've either lost our @$$ selling parts afterward or benefited from buying someone elses parts when they did. Chris, did you get the money from your 16v when it was totaled?
The way I look at this car is he's built a solid base.
Indeed. And I've always liked those Jettas. For some reason, his front end looks weird, and I'm not talking about the lights ~ I'm talking about the bumper.
You know your getting old when you say:
I'm personally tired of building things from scratch.
That said, I agree. I just don't have the drive to build something from scratch like I used to. As seen with my Jetta, its taken forever. And its kinda pissing me off.
Okay, so I called him and talked. Here's what I've gleaned about the car.
How long have you had the car? 1991 The car was bought for his mom. Then his brother had it. Then he got it.
Tell me about the modification: Complete strip down, every bolt, every clip was removed and the bodywork was done. They used a corrado tunnel to make room for exhaust AND driveshaft. He bolted the rear syncro suspension to the car and then took the rolling chassis ~ otherwise totally stripped to TSC in SanFran who installed everything from the motor and chassis to the interior.
Where did you get the Syncro parts and how many miles: Syncro came from 1991-92 Passat Wagon that had a VR6 conversion. The motor is out of a 93 passat. To adapt the motor to the trans, the bellhousing and exhaust manifold/downpipe was imported from a german vw syncro. The trans is a standard Corrado G60. The conversion was started in 2003ish and since done has less than <1000 miles on it.
Mileage on parts on the conversion: Most parts on conversion were used, but good condition, everything is factory VW. Trans unknown mileage, Engine had 90k-ish.
What did you replace when conversion:Clutch was new, passenger front CV is new. Since the shop did the work, many unknown parts would have been used.
Why did you stop driving it: Wasn’t quite finished. Lots of things left to do and has no time or money to finish. Already has over $30k into car.
Known problems:Steering column rubber grommet at firewall was never installed. Likewise there are several holes in firewall that need plugged. Old harness holes, AC holes, many holes. They weren't filled with now fills the interior with engine noise, heat and air movement.
The Corrado steering collum cover was never installed. Lower dash cover that covers wires from ECU, center console, and such, never installed, wires hang down.
Similarly the corrado Headlight switch works intermittently
. Sometimes the headlights simply don't turn on. If you turn them off/on/off/on/off/on ~ they'll start working ~ but be very dim.
Rear seat is imply placed in the right spot. Not held in. The rear back support was cut out at the time of conversion and was never replaced, this means that the rear seat has no support behind it. No seatbelts either (in back). The front seatbelts are at the wrong height, makes it uncomfortable.
No front swaybar, and with the weight of the motor, there's alot of body roll and it doesn't handle very well.
How long has it been sitting Not registered since 2008. Driven intermittently to the corner store.
Fuel consumption: Highway 23mpg. Hasn't driven on the street enough to know what city mileage is. The biggest concern is the trans is a G60 trans with a low-geared final drive. Will turn about 4000-4500rpm at 80 mph. He has R&P from VR6 trans for better cruise.
What possible problems do you think it'd have driving it long distance: final drive too low. Gremlins from not being driven/age.
What problems do you foresee using it as a daily driver? Comfort things. Car is black, lets air in from engine bay, and has no A/C in Arizona. Holes in firewall give unwanted air movement and engine noise. The fuel gauge inoperative. The light switch intermittent. Headlights dim. Its been sitting so long, and not driven much since conversion so there may be serious Gremlins.
Radio: No radio, just a placeholder that can be pulled out.
Your age: 39. Unemployed, married, two children one 2yrs, one 3 weeks.
Engine modifications? Tuning done? Chip: Engine is completely stock other than exhaust.
If you were to keep the car, What would you change? (trans) Gearing, dash, seatbelts and rear seat
At that point, he started having family come over for a family dinner ~ or something like that. I let him go. I asked if he could start driving it as a daily driver to help figure out some gremlins that he may have forgotten. He said that he was uncomfortable driving it long distance simply because he hasn't driven it for quite some time. He did drive it from SF to Phoenix, but that was many years ago and the car has sat since that time.
Guys, I want this car, I really do. I'm trying to figure out why I should buy it, but I have to say that getting a loan to pay for it will be next-to-impossible due to the age. Which leaves me to less conventional financing (aka Credit Cards or a personal loan which carry a higher interest) rate.
My worry is that there is obviously there's going to be some serious 'tweeks' that need to be done to make this a reliable daily driver, and for $8k, I was hoping for a little more things worked out. So where can I turn for help with these many but relatively minor tweeks. One guy I won't use ever again. The other, who'd I'd like to use, doesn't have the time. That leaves professional shops. I'm sure any shop would love to work on this car, but at shop rate? There's a loan on its own.
Needless to say, I've posted a new thread stating that I'm keeping my eyes open for a new daily driver. I HAVE NOT ruled this car out, but without the needed support, I simply can't imagine buying ANOTHER vehicle that'll simply sit in front of my house ~ no matter how much the wheels and grill are worth.
EDIT: The wifey poo-poo'd getting a different car. I guess its this one...or...wel
l, a 15-passenger van. No, I'm not kidding.
