engine and drivetrain OT: Whaddya think of this GTI?

[Guest Anonymous]

I’ve essentially decided to store the ’02 over the winter in my mom’s Pennsylvania garage and get something fairly inexpensive to drive (I won’t run the ’02 in the salt, and I’d like to have a more consistent car in the winter).

On a lark, I called up the fellow who bought my ’85 GTI from me three years ago (pic is from '99). 8v, CR 5-speed, black, gray interior. I drove it through college but sold it at around 150k to get a lower-mileage boring car before getting married. Mistake. I’ve missed the GTI ever since.

First the good news: He says the car is about as good cosmetically as when I sold it. Some very minor rust, but good paint and great interior. Mechanically, good engine with no leaks or ominous noises. New passenger axle, timing belt, drive belts, in-tank fuel pump and brakes all around on it, including two new rear calipers.

The bad news: It needs a clutch, and fourth gear is gone on the tranny. He suspects a bent shift fork but says the car’s still drivable as-is. And the parking brake doesn’t work, but that’s no big deal.

He said he’d want to get $750 for it. I’ve done neither a clutch nor a tranny swap before, especially on a front-drive car. For you VW/'02 guys, how big a job is it on an A2?

Sentimentality is saying buy it, but I also don’t want to get in over my head -- or drain my wallet. Any thoughts?

-Dave

Colorado '71

ex-'85 GTI

[Guest Anonymous]

You have to support the engine -usually done from above with a chain and 4x4 piece of wood. Then it's remove axleshafts need 12mm tirple square socket. unbolt tranny. Easier than an 02. If you haven't done it before it will take a couple of hours. Get a clutch kit, oil seals, clutch pushrod seal, clutch cable (retro fit manual adj. cable), and a used transmission. Might need a new rear motor (transmission) mount and shift linkage.

[Guest Anonymous]

i think the one you like has the round front lights right?

i never did a tranny swap, but from what i can remember from the three gti's my brother had it was pretty straight forward and right there under the hood.

if you end up getting it, i'll see if my brother has anything laying around that's still left that he'd part with. i doubt he has an extra tranny, but i'm SURE you can find a good used one cheap. maybe vw vortex?

good luck,

dave

[Guest Anonymous]

check out the catalog -clutch kit, instalation kit, manual cable.

Call for best service -talk to Mark or Dave they know these cars inside and out.

[Guest Anonymous]

URL: http://www.germanautoparts.com/

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

..be a nice winter car for you.

[Guest Anonymous]

...and what are my options? It's a close-ratio unit, but would any 8V 5-speed bolt up? I wouldn't mind a "regular" OD unit for highway use, and I'd expect it to be cheaper. I'm aware of an incompatibility with 16v input shafts, and I thought there was something about different flange sizes.

Thanks!

-Dave

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

URL: http://www.zeebuck.com/02bc/index.htm

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

has 270k miles without the slightest engine work. I know it's not the same as an '85, but the guts are damn reliable. My brother's car still looks new and has never been crashed.

[Guest Anonymous]

I owned several 83-85 GTI's and parts for the 8 valvers were cheap and easy to find in bone yards and the tranny swap isn't too bad. One Saturday afternoon is all you need....

heck, I'd love to own another GTI again.... in a few months I may be looking for something just like that myself!

[Guest Anonymous]

The CR used to go for real money but that was years ago. If

you're lucky you can find one in a yard for $50-100.

[Guest Anonymous]

Yards here (Lexington, KY) are very expensive due to the yuppies, and if I can't get one reasonably I may be interested in persuading you to ship. Plus I'd like to pick your brain off-board.

If I can find one for $50-$150, it could just persuade me to do it; that'd keep the overall cost near my $1000 target.

Thanks!

-Dave