Advice on an MK1 Rabbit Diesel Please

[VWIan]

Just saw a 78' diesel a couple days for $1100 off Craigslist. The body was great, engine seemed to run almost perfect, tranny was swapped to a 5 speed and seemed out of alignment, car contained no stereo, not much worked in the dash, good tires all around, will need some major wiring and major brake work.
Glow plugs are using some micky moused switch to heat them, and there was a little toggle switch the guy said operation the "engine fan"....
Is this worth $1000? It would probably require another thousand to make it road worthy. I like the diesel's for the ~45mpg

Or should I stay away from it and opt for a newer Golf of some sort for a little bit more money? I've seen some 1999-2001 Golf's for around $3500 on Craigslist.

How reliable are those older rabbits(77'-82') vs the newer ones(1999-2001)?

It would probably see less than 10,000 miles a year

Thanks,

Ian

[CatBox]

I dont know anything about the diesels other than get used to the slow lane.

As far as the body goes I had a '78 rabbit and loved it.  All the speed goodies are available for them and I am sure that most will go directly onto the diesel powered body.

Open the hood and look into the engine bay at the crumple zones where the bumpers attach, are they distorted?
If they are this is a sign of an accident sometime along the way.

Check the rear cargo area for the same signs of damage.  Split joining seams are a good one to look for here too....

The good news is that if the diesel kicks the bucket it is fairly straight forward to swap the gas motors into the and still have good mileage...plus the ABA swap makes them a real fun ride.

 

Let us know which way you go.

[corradojeff]

If its going to be a daily... Hold out and get the mk4. You won't regret it

[jbjetta]

Depends on what your budget is. If you can do that work you will save yourself cash. Parts should be reasonable if you buy them at Discount Import Parts.

With gas prices where they are I would say jump on it. Try to talk them down as much as possible is nice. Both of my diesel rabbits averaged 50+ mpg when driven reasonably . I regularly cruised them at 80-85 mph down the freeway though. No slow lane for me 

I miss mine and wished I had another now.

Bio diesel and wvo (waste vegetable oil)  are always fun to mess around with. I know a guy who filters fry oil through brown paper sacks and runs it straight to his motor. It is ran through two filters though. In winter he adds a little diesel to it to keep it from jellying up on him. He gets the fry oil for free. Make sure you are getting fry oil and not shortening because that wont work.

[VWIan]

I didn't look too hard at any damage near the bumpers or cargo area. I was scared off at the loose wires all over the place. The hatch didn't shut right, if that's a sign.

I'm thinking towards the MK4 at the moment. I mean, it's an extra $2-3 grand out of my pocket, but in the long run I'm thinking it would be a better choice. Not quite the 50mpg, but 31mpg is acceptable.

I'm not too much into experimenting on fuel. Diesel isn't too costly considering the mileage you'll get.

My budget is only $4000 (I'm 16)... Most cost for me is the insurance part. I just want something that won't require too much work, is fun to drive, has reasonable gas mileage, and fits the budget.

[jbjetta]

I believe the mk3 and mk4 turbo diesels are rated around 45mpg.

The wiring is mk1's tend to be a problem usually around the fuse panel. Water can leak it around the window and onto the fuse panel causing havoc. Most things can be fixed by simply cleaning up connections and terminals. But you are not very mechanically inclined then I would probably steer clear of something like that.

A lot of people don't understand how the wiring works in Vw's and tend to "Jimmy Rig" stuff to their liking or comfort. Most of those wiring issues could be put back to factor if the didn't remove too much of the original stuff.

I have not browsed cl lately but it seems most cars mk3 (sort of rare) and newer with the turbo diesels don't go for much less then $4000. Those cars are highly desired most people are reluctant to let go of them.

[jbjetta]

Just a quick look in Portland CL reveals only one within your budget.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/2384188751.html

It sounds like it is an automatic transmission. Not nearly as fun to drive as a manual.  But getting a good used one might cost a pretty penny.

[corradojeff]

a 2.o, 1.8t or even vr6 will get decent millage if you keep your foot out of it. my jetta with its little 1.8t did an average of 36 mpg on the highway at 70-80 going down to klamath falls a couple weeks ago.. not bad for a car that runs the quarter in 14.4 

like it was said, i have never had a car more then 10 years old that didnt have a severe case of PO (previous owner) and that can be real frustrating at times, also parts arnt as easy to come by as they once were for those cars.

I love um dont get me wrong but if your looking for a good, reliable daily driver.. id look at the mk4. plus the have come along way in comfort and ride quality

[CatBox]

 

Listen to him as he loves the cheerleader cars....

 

[VWIan]

Yes I did see that TDI with tranny issues. And yes also, I can't stand driving automatics and would never buy one.

I saw this on Craigslist a few days ago. Don't have the money now, but it seems like a decent deal http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/2382502612.html

I believe I can probably get somewhere near 35mpg if I hypermile it, go on freeways no higher than 2,500rpm.

The other thought is a 92-95' Civic, which seem to be some of the most affordable reliable cars. Some getting near 50mpg stock with still 95 horsepower. Easy to swap an engine in one and have a 12 second quarter mile car.

I'm thinking it's a better idea to do the "shopping around" when I don't have enough to buy much. That way I don't get sucked into something.

[coolblue57bug]

And yes also, I can't stand driving automatics and would never buy one.

Never say never. Once you have been driving a few years (like say 30) you will love automatic trans cars (it may not even take that long.)

[RotorMan]

Never say never. Once you have been driving a few years (like say 30) you will love automatic trans cars (it may not even take that long.)

I am 25 almost 26 and the last 2 vehicles I have had have been autos..laaaame, cannot stand it..if you like driving manuals Ian then stick to finding one, cause I thought I was ok with an auto when I picked up my last rig..I was proved that I am not ready to be that lazy..sorry to the guys that like autos..to each their own is what I say 

[VWIan]

Well I drive my mom's car once in awhile and it's just too boring for me. I'd be worried about falling asleep!

I might wait another year or so to start seriously looking, only 16.5 now and I ride my bike everywhere, which is much cheaper than driving ($140 a month insurance)

One of my school teachers offered me his 99' Civic with low miles and him being the original owner for $3,000. I looked them up and it looks like they had issues with catalytic converters.

I love the look of Golf's much more than any Rice Burner, but I haven't heard nearly as much good as I've heard bad with them. Yes it's fun to get under the hood once in awhile, but not once a month or when funds are low. 

[CatBox]

What kind of car does your mom have?

Mine had a brand new at the time '91 Mustang red/white convertible with the 5.0, it was a auto and loads of fun to drive....

To bad dad sold it for cheap to some kid as I thought he would keep it and work on it for himself.  He had offered to give it to me, but I declined as he WAS doing stuff to it.

 

[VWIan]

A 2004 Chevy Malibu. Nothing fancy.

Mustang 5.0's are super fast, not sure about an auto Mustang though. Kind of like driving an automatic sports car, shifting and hitting your redline is where the fun is!