Vw Mk1 Rabbit Vert 38K Miles Bad Auto Trans. What Would You Pay?

[eurotrash]

I don't know VW Mk1's at all.  Maybe some of you do...

 

 

This car has been family owned since 1990.  Always garaged.  Owner is the close friend of a close 2002 friend.

 

Drivable with popping cv joints, bad trans noise.  Maybe converter, maybe bad trans.

Bad speedo cable or VDO box/speedo.  

Amazingly clean, so far.  More pics of the top, engine, and undercarriage are coming later.

 

He's asking $2000, with a note of flexibility in his voice.. And my wife wants to know, if she buys it, will it be worth (me) putting the time and (her) $ into it.   Or are these just troublesome vehicles.

 

Discuss.

 

TIA

 

 

 

[73touring]

Should be as reliable as a swiss watch with the execption of the autobox. Sounds very cheap to me. Make sure the shell is as good as you think. Personally. Id drop a gti engine and5 speed box in it either mk2 or 3 or if your mad enough a tdi motor.

Oh and for the love of god euro bumpers!

[colorobo2002]

I say go for it. I've had MKII and an MKIII right now. All have been very reliable cars.

 

Body looks solid. They are pretty easy to work on. Still show up in the junkyards too.

[Conway]

^ what they said.  Definetly do a rust check.  I've had many MKII & MKIII's, all were rock solid and easy to work on.  I know most people on there are idiots, but vwvortex.com has lot's of good info, and you can usually find the parts your looking for.

 

http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisplay.php?11-Golf-I-amp-Jetta-I

 

 

If it's rust free and you can get him down another $500, it'd be a total steal.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Conway

[eurotrash]

Well, he has the trans out and axles purchased.  Needs a converter. 

Looks like he will maybe do the TBD price + cost of new parts , and he will then cover labor up to now, and to get it on the road..

 

Easy decision, if my VW eurovan VR6 motor didn't just die.   This one is gonna hurt.