Re: Good Model Years<?>(was Ridiculously HIGH maint costs!)

[dogmatic <dharma@cocoloco.com>]

Brubaker, John wrote:

> rubaker, John wrote:
> >
> > ...85 through 87 (possibly even later) are notorious for quality
> > control problems
>
> This statement really got my attention!  I'm patiently shopping for
> the
> "right" 16V Scirocco and I've been lurking here to pick up any tips.
> The car I'm looking for will be a daily driver and "toy" so basically
> I'm looking for a car with all the options(thinking Wolfsburg,
> leather,
> power windows, etc.) and the "85 thru 87" comment above hits right in
> the heart of the model years I've been considering.
>
> First thing I should mention, this is largely from my own personal
> experience.  I have had two 85's and my good friend has an 87.  I have
>
> also heard from a few other VW souls who have had the same QC
> problems; and I hope I don't get killed for this but I believe I am
> correct that the mentioned years VW's did not get very good reviews
> from Consumer Report Magazine (if you believe what they have to say).
>  But...like I said, this relates to minor annoying things, not
> anything major (at least not in my experience).  The mechanicals of
> these cars have been pretty much faultless (other than wheel bearings
> which is explained by my style of driving).

I hear that man, but I love the way it handles.  The carpet on the
passenger side is ripoped out by previous owner, interior lining on the
door panels is gone (you know that grey carpet) and the door handles are
going, but what I do know is that I have fun working on it, and it will
be nicer by next spring.

> Now I'm curious as to which model years I should consider and if
> there
> are any to stay away from.  Are these "quality control" problems
> something that can be fixed(BTDT) or are any "fatal"?
>
> For someone who likes to work on these cars, they are very easy and
> cheaply fixed (as long as you have a nice local junkyard and this list
>
> to help you).  Here's an example from my latest 85 GTI.  When I
> purchased the car it was missing the drivers side visor (known for
> falling off - $3), the rearview mirror was in the backseat ($1 for
> glue), both door handles were either broken or didn't work very well
> ($13 for new handles and an hour to remove entire latch
> mechanism-clean-grease-reinstall), replace mounting plate for the
> sunroof crank (was torn up-$1) and a few other minor odds and ends.
>  Most people don't want to deal with this type of crap and probably
> wouldn't have purchased the car believing that if these aesthetic
> items were bungled, most likely the rest of the car is.  I on the
> other hand see it as a rough gem.  I now have a nice GTI that women
> don't think twice about before getting in (which is much more than I
> can say for my Scirocco which looks like it's going to fall apart...ON
>
> THE OUTSIDE).

Yeah man, I have an 88 GTI and the inside needs only a little (like the
clips that hold the interior lining in.  Then it will be a nice car
aesthetically, and the girls, as soon as I say I have a scirocco, they
come a flocking, well not really, but it is nice when you are hanging
with a girl, and she asks what kind of car you drive, you say a MKII
Scirocco, and she purrs "I just love Sciroccos", and that was  only last
weekend  ;)  (porno music now please)

--
dharma

85 scirocco 8v (Gracias for the help on it guys)
88 Golf GTI (pushed to 1 month away by lack of a raise)

http://www.cocoloco.com/david/rocco.htm


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