Deter me

I want this. Talk me out of it.

Hmm, well gas powered vws never run right, and need a clutch when you get them because the valve covers leak and fill the clutch with oil. If the transmission has been abused reverse is likely barely working, and the syncros are probably pretty bad. Unless you buy an expensive rebuilt distributor you need to carry an extra because since its sideways on the 16v it gets filled with oil when it leaks and causes all kinds of problems (wouldnt surprise me if thats whats wrong with that one). Lol idk what else, it looks like fun but I think it could get annoying too.

Well, after buying a great many cars and learning this the hard way (more than once, I'm obstinate), I have a rule that I don't buy any car that I can't drive home under it's own power.

This certainly doesn't meet that criteria.

Buying broken cars and fixing them is how I manage to have cool cars when I have them.

I offered the guy a trade for my Jeep, which has also been a pain in my ass for a while. While it runs and drives, I wouldn't say that it would get home under its own power, unless you don't mind that the clutch doesn't disengage.

The most significant thing is "possible ecu problem" which, if my Vdub speak translation is correct means "impossible to track down electrical issues into which I've already invested time and treasure worth more than the car, and I still don't know what's going on." If this isn't enough to deter you, clearly nothing will. Good luck!

nothing a nice set of side draft carbs couldn't fix

the scirocco's are basically mk1's... with a shapelier body. If it's really all there and solid and you're up for a project the price is right.

Downside is, they're not worth a whole lot more in great running condition.

I had a car very similar to the above and it was a blast.

Electrical issues plague mk1's yes, but they're typically more limited to fuse box rot from windshield joint rust. A 16V needs very little to make go. And/or as noted just bolt on a set of side drafts and tune to that.

Add in that VW parts are plentiful and cheap, and you can easily get that car running cheap even if it needs an engine.. or a trans.. etc. via local forums and VW parts hoarders. I probably have 2 trans worth of spares in my garage, along with a 16V tucked in a corner.

Great, now you have me thinking DCOEs and a megajolt.

And that's because I love DCOEs.

Its a VW, with the added complexity of water cooling and fuel injection.

Not at 900. Maybe for 500, but make sure you have a place to park it for a while.

It'll park in the same place my Jeep is parked now. I value my Jeep at what it will bring on the scales to be honest.

Are distributors for these like what I'm used to with old Hondas, in that rebuilt ones suck? Are they rebuildable?

It's an old car. It will have issues. Nothing that can't be overcome. And a CIS car can have special issues. Still nothing that can't be overcome. Sorry, you won't find me talking you out of it...

Looks cool.

I'd bet if you spent 2-3hours cleaning the fuse terminals and chassis grounds you can get the electrical problems knocked down a bit. What happens is if a ground gets crudded up when you operate an electrical device it will find the path of least resistence which might be an adjacent circuit/light/etc.

benzbaronDaryn wrote: Looks cool. I'd bet if you spent 2-3hours cleaning the fuse terminals and chassis grounds you can get the electrical problems knocked down a bit. What happens is if a ground gets crudded up when you operate an electrical device it will find the path of least resistence which might be an adjacent circuit/light/etc.

This, in spades... At the last Solo event I attended my 86 GTi crapped out 20 feet past the starting line. After playing with this, that and the other thing I found corrosion on the plug to what acts as a TPS...

What kind of Jeep? I want a Jeep....

There is absolutely no reason not to buy this for $500. I'd even say $900 is fair if there isn't a spot of rust on it anywhere.

If it was closer, I'd take this over my MkIII Golf in a second.

It's a rather worn 89 XJ. Needs a clutch and a set of freeze plugs. It might need a transmission. It also needs a bellhousing. It's not a ton in parts, it's not a ton of labor, but I want a much nicer one.

Ah, I was thinking CJ or Wrangler.

Your killing me on that jeep man.

Yeah, if I still have it in a month or so, I'm just going to fix the thing and drive the wheels off of it again.

Wow, tempting.

My sirine recently has been an 84 XJ6 that is in mint condition, but the owner can't get it started, asking $1100.

Man, they are good looking though.

Yeah, I'm always tempted by good looking cars. Style plays a role in my purchasing decisions, albeit a small one.

It is a rabbit in an uglier, heavier body. But it does have the best of all the bits that fit rabbits included. That sweet 16V motor, a close ratio trans, big front brakes and rear discs and the critical lower chassis brace. Those suckers even had a nice 2" stainless exhaust from the factory.

I say pick it up and swap all its goodies into the nicest german rabbit shell you can find.

I am no fan of the second gen scirocco styling but the car underneath that mullet inspired look is a good 'un. Faster than the same year Porsche 944's.