Re: Done with VW's, I've had it.

["M. Hansen" <hansen@ionsys.com>]

Okay, I don't do this very often but I'm jumping in here.  You must have
a bad example of a 16V with all of those problems.  However, with enough
deal-making and resourcefulness you can fix those problems for cheap and
make it reliable.  Your best bet is still the VW.  I know because in
addition to my MKII 8V, I also own a Datsun 240Z and an RX-7.  I also
work as a mechanic in an import performance shop.  The VW is my daily
driver and autox car.  It's cheap on gas,  is cheap & more importantly
easy to fix, parts are easy to find, has good dynamics for its age (I
can live with the engine vibrations), and there is not a hint of rust in
the frame or the floor of this car and I live in the salt belt.  It's an
all-weather, all-season get you where you want to go car that's lived 3
lifetimes of the average Honda.  I would hate to pay the bills we give
our BMW customers.  Think the VW is expensive to maintain?  The Bimmer
would bankrupt you.  There's a reason it was 30 grand new 10 years ago. 
As for the Z or the RX-7, too much rust, parts are harder to find,
people who know how to fix them are getting harder to find, rotaries are
a whole different animal, most of them are nearing the end of their
lifecycle before some restification is needed and they're both harder on
gas.  Good toys but they're not ideal daily drivers.  That's why mine
only come out on weekends.  Besides, any Mazda you pick, whether RX or
323 are real expensive to modify and being realistic, most of us will
modify sooner or later.  IME, the VW's have been the cheapest to
"improve".  And forget those pushrod dinosaurs unless you like trouble
and high insurance.
I say, don't give up the cause now.  Make a rallying cry to listmembers
to help ressurect your car and reap the benefits of VW ownership.  We're
all pullin' for ya.  If you're still not happy, sell the 16V and buy a
better example.  Then go buy one of the toys you listed and play with it
in your spare time.  Don't try to turn one of them into a driver, you'll
be way worse off than you are now. Scirocco is the perfect example of
practical sport.  Stay with us brother! There is hope!

Okay, I'm done.

Mike Hansen


Gary Huff wrote:
> 
> Scott Williams wrote:
> >
(snipped)
> > E30 BMW: -another great choice. The quality far surpasses VWs of the same era. Parts are easy to come by but you're still going to *pay*. A decent entry-level Bimmer is also going to cost you at least double or triple of a good A1 chassis VW.
> 
> Of course. It says BMW on it, triple the price you would expect to pay
> for parts and or services, especially if it's one of those really neat
> e30's with an M badge, or an AWD 32* IX. But, would paying more up front
> for better handling and what not make up for the time I'm spending under
> the hood and the hassle I go through trying to get what I want out of my
> scirocco? I don't know, that's to yet be determined :) Either way I
> can't think of anyone stupid enough to insure me driving an e30 M3 or a
> 32*IX. I sure wouldn't insure me driving one.
> 
> > Nissan 280ZX: I hope you like chassis restorations and fixing lots of vacume leaks (turbo models). I love the simplicity of the 240s and 260s but the 280s are the same archaic design plus lots of complicated add ons. They're an end of life edition that will drive you up the wall if it isn't a pristine example to begin with.
> 
> Again, throttle induced oversteer with a little grace and decent gas
> mileage compared to a camaro. I've stopped thinking of mustangs, because
> I don't like the idea of driving a car that was based on the same
> chassis as the ford granada....... The 280zx's are wicked cars, and can
> be made to do some very neat things. problem is, find one that doesn't
> have basketball sized rot holes in it! I'd never opt for a 3rd gen TT
> 300zx either, I'd never get insured and never be able to afford
> upkeep/maintenance on one.
> 
> >
> > Mazda RX-7: Buy a Turbo in fine condition and you'll have a good time. It'll guzzle gas like a mofo but... at least it is better than guzzling gas in a non-Turbo (150hp) lead slead. I don't know about replacement prices but you'll pay a lot more to get into one of these than the VW.
> 
> I'd love a 2nd gen Turbo RX-7, but again finding one that hasn't been
> ragged out, rode hard and put away wet is next to impossible. People
> also know what they are, and will charge accordingly. This is probably
> not too viable of an option either, as finding one without baseball size
> holes of rust is pretty difficult. Maybe an older RX-3? *drool* Nothing
> like a well built wenkle you can wind to 15 grand. I wouldn't even
> consider owning a 3rd gen car, with the limited production numbers parts
> will be ridiculous when they get old enough to start breaking.
>

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