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Looked at an 81S today - need lots of input (long)



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Wusup, everyone?

I went and looked at a Cosmos Silver 81S today and need lots of =
opinions. Below will be the owner's description to me when I asked for =
more details. After seeing it, the description is quite accurate and he =
seems like an honest guy. He said he'd let it go for $800. But the fact =
it's been hit makes me a tad uneasy. I also took a bunch (23) of =
pictures:

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt

I've also been trying to get in touch with a guy who has a '78 champagne =
edition (he's the only owner and it has lots of suspension goodies, 15" =
BBS (older ones) and a Neuspeed big brake kit). The '78 doesn't run and =
needs a front wheel bearing and has "rust issues" (the extent of which I =
haven't seen yet). To this point, the guy's been a complete flake. I =
think I could get this one for under $500 (probably much less).

So - the question is:  do I hold out for the Champagne (which is more =
rare and has more goodies), get this 81S which is a decent platform and =
runs pretty well, or hold out for a sterling example?  My true vote is =
get the 78 and if it's not salvageable, pillage it for parts and hold =
out for a better S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get the wife =
to allow that scenario!  :)

 But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't come around =
that often and when they do, they're $$$...

The ultimate goal is a complete restoration/near-show-quality 200 hp JH =
turbo which must be an original special edition...

Thanks in advance everyone!   Jeff
_________
  The two front tires are Firestone, while the rear wheels are =
different.  It's dark so I can't totally make out what brand they are.  =
All four tires look like they have at least 4000 miles on them, but I'm =
by no means a tire specialist.

  The mileage just broke 195,100.  The miles on the engine are probably =
less than half since much of the engine was rebuilt about 1995 or 96.

  I've personally replaced the heater/vent fan switch, rear brake shoes, =
brake-light sensor, the starter, all the plugs and wires, distributor =
cap and the battery during the time I've owned the car.  I also have a =
set of front brakes that don't need to go in yet since the old ones seem =
fine.

  There were no aftermarket mods added to this this car that I can tell. =
 There's no wing or spoiler, etc.

  The body is in great condition.  The backside was in an accident =
before I before I bought the car, but I've seen no problem with the =
structural integrity of the vehicle.  Everything seems aligned, there's =
just a little bit of damage on the driver's side of the bumper.
  The engine runs really well.  I got a smog check about a year ago and =
it passed with no problems.  The car was owned by a mechanic in the =
mid-90's and he apparently rebuilt a majority of the engine.  I've taken =
care of the car with oil changes every 3000, have done regular tune-ups =
on it (twice I've done the plugs, plug-wires, distributor cap, rotor), =
and I've been pretty gentle with the engine, always letting the car warm =
up for at least 30 seconds before driving away, never jumping =
immediately on the freeway.  I always use Unleaded Plus fuel, because =
the mechanic who rebuilt it recommended it.
  The interior is really good shape and is clean.  I've kept the inside =
armoralled, while nice seat covers and a dashmat have reduced sun =
damage.  Since it's the limited S model, it has a nice jet-black dash.  =
It also has a hertz gear shifter.
  The owner before me, about four years ago, installed a really nice =
sound system.  It has a pioneer single CD player with two infinity =
speakers and a woofer in the trunk.  The sound is excellent.

  The E-brake shaft was bent by a mechanic who pulled it too hard (I =
guess the guy had never heard of using blocks at the wheels).  I =
disconnected the E-brake and have yet to repair it.
  There's a crack across the windsheild.  It already existed when I =
bought the car, but it has grown about an inch and half every winter.  =
It's below eye level.
  The heater vent fan stopped working a few months ago.  The switch was =
having problems (only the 2 and 3 levels worked).  The fan stopped =
working altogether.  So I replaced the switch and the fuse, but the fan =
is still not operational.  It may be the motor or resistors.
  The driver's exterior door handle came loose (the contraption on the =
inside came loose), but the inside one still works.  I have yet to =
repair this.
  The air-conditioning unit was removed sometime in the car's history. =20
  One of the sun-visor hooks broke, but both look like they need =
replacing.
  There's a spot of rust damage on the passenger side door handle.
  It tends to leak water into the car in heavy rains, like the one we =
had a month ago.
  The dash lights flicker a little bit when the car is idling after a =
really long drive.

  This is all I can think of I see wrong with the car.  The car has =
treated me extremely well and I have treated it really well in return.  =
It's a fun, zippy and surprisingly fast ride that I'm gonna miss.  =
People often mistake my car for a pinto-like vehicle and try to pass me, =
but my car still has a lot of power left and if I drop back into 4th, I =
can usually pass them up again.  The car still has life and I want =
someone who is going to appreciate it to take it over.  I know I would =
run it into the ground with my commute to school, so I'm selling it.  =
$1200 obo as is.

  I think someone who knows a little bit about old wet-VW's would have a =
very easy time with this car and have fun driving it.  I'm mainly =
looking to sell it to someone who will take care of it and fix it up or =
at least keep it running, which is the main reason I am selling it (so I =
don't drive it into the ground with my 20 minute commute to school.)

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt
  Wish me luck...




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<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
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<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Wusup, everyone?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I went and looked at a Cosmos Silver =
81S today and=20
need lots of opinions. Below will be the owner's description to me =
when&nbsp;I=20
asked for more details. After seeing it, the description is quite =
accurate and=20
he seems like an honest guy. He said he'd let it go for $800. But the =
fact it's=20
been hit makes me a tad uneasy.&nbsp;I also took a bunch (23) of=20
pictures:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><A=20
href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&amp;.view=3D=
t">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&amp;.view=3Dt</=
A></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I've also&nbsp;been trying to get in touch with a guy who has a '78 =

champagne edition (he's the only owner and it has lots of suspension =
goodies,=20
15" BBS (older ones) and a Neuspeed big brake kit). The '78 doesn't run =
and=20
needs a front wheel bearing and has "rust issues" (the extent of which I =
haven't=20
seen yet). To this point, the guy's been a complete flake. I think I =
could get=20
this one for under $500 (probably much less).</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>So - the question is:&nbsp; do I hold out for the Champagne (which =
is more=20
rare and has more goodies), get this 81S which is a decent platform and =
runs=20
pretty well, or hold out for a sterling example?&nbsp; My true vote is =
get the=20
78 and if it's&nbsp;not salvageable, pillage it for parts and hold out =
for a=20
better S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get the wife to allow =
that=20
scenario!&nbsp; :)</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't come =
around=20
that often and when they do, they're $$$...</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>The ultimate goal is a complete restoration/near-show-quality 200 =
hp JH=20
turbo which must be an original&nbsp;special edition...</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks in advance everyone!&nbsp;&nbsp; Jeff</DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>_________</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The two front tires are Firestone, =
while the rear=20
  wheels are different.&nbsp; It's dark so I can't totally make out what =
brand=20
  they are.&nbsp; All four tires look like they have at least 4000 miles =
on=20
  them, but I'm by no means a tire specialist.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The mileage just broke 195,100.&nbsp; =
The miles=20
  on the engine are probably less than half since much of =
the&nbsp;engine was=20
  rebuilt about 1995 or 96.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I've personally replaced&nbsp;the =
heater/vent fan=20
  switch, rear brake shoes, brake-light sensor,&nbsp;the starter, all =
the plugs=20
  and wires,&nbsp;distributor cap&nbsp;and the battery during the time =
I've=20
  owned the car.&nbsp; I also have a set of front brakes that don't need =
to go=20
  in yet since the old ones seem fine.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There were no aftermarket mods added =
to this this=20
  car that I can tell.&nbsp; There's no wing or spoiler, =
etc.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The body is in great condition.&nbsp; =
The=20
  backside was in an accident before I before I bought the car, but I've =
seen no=20
  problem with the structural integrity of the vehicle.&nbsp; Everything =
seems=20
  aligned, there's just a little bit of damage on the driver's side of =
the=20
  bumper.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The engine runs really well.&nbsp; I =
got&nbsp;a=20
  smog check about a year ago and it passed with no problems.&nbsp; The =
car was=20
  owned by a mechanic in the mid-90's and he apparently rebuilt a =
majority of=20
  the engine.&nbsp; I've taken care of the car with oil changes every =
3000, have=20
  done regular tune-ups on it (twice I've done the plugs, plug-wires,=20
  distributor cap, rotor), and I've been pretty gentle with the engine, =
always=20
  letting the car warm up for at least 30 seconds before driving away, =
never=20
  jumping immediately on the freeway.&nbsp; I always use Unleaded Plus =
fuel,=20
  because the mechanic who rebuilt it recommended it.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The interior is really good shape and =
is=20
  clean.&nbsp; I've kept the inside armoralled, while nice seat covers =
and a=20
  dashmat have reduced sun damage.&nbsp; Since it's the limited S model, =
it=20
  has&nbsp;a nice jet-black dash.&nbsp; It also has a hertz gear=20
  shifter.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The owner before me, about four years =
ago,=20
  installed a really nice sound system.&nbsp; It has a pioneer single CD =
player=20
  with two infinity speakers and a woofer in the trunk.&nbsp; The sound =
is=20
  excellent.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The E-brake shaft was bent by a =
mechanic who=20
  pulled it too hard (I guess the guy had never heard of using blocks at =
the=20
  wheels).&nbsp; I disconnected the E-brake and have yet to repair=20
  it.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There's a crack across the =
windsheild.&nbsp; It=20
  already existed when I bought the car, but it has grown about an inch =
and=20
  half&nbsp;every winter.&nbsp; It's below eye level.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The heater vent fan stopped working a =
few months=20
  ago.&nbsp; The switch was having problems (only the&nbsp;2 and 3 =
levels=20
  worked).&nbsp;&nbsp;The fan stopped working altogether.&nbsp; So I =
replaced=20
  the switch and the&nbsp;fuse, but the fan is still not =
operational.&nbsp; It=20
  may be the motor or resistors.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The driver's&nbsp;exterior door =
handle came loose=20
  (the contraption on the&nbsp;inside came loose), but the inside one =
still=20
  works.&nbsp; I have yet to repair this.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The air-conditioning unit was removed =
sometime in=20
  the car's history.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>One of the sun-visor hooks broke, but =
both look=20
  like they need replacing.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There's a spot of rust damage on the =
passenger=20
  side door handle.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>It tends to leak water into the car =
in heavy=20
  rains, like the one we had a month ago.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The dash lights flicker a little bit =
when the car=20
  is idling after a really long drive.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>This is all I can think of I see =
wrong with the=20
  car.&nbsp; The car has treated me extremely well and I have treated it =
really=20
  well in return.&nbsp; It's a fun, zippy=20
  and&nbsp;surprisingly&nbsp;fast&nbsp;ride that I'm gonna miss.&nbsp; =
People=20
  often mistake my car for a pinto-like vehicle and try to pass me, but =
my car=20
  still has a lot of power left and if I drop back into 4th, I can =
usually pass=20
  them up again.&nbsp; The car still has life and I want someone who is =
going to=20
  appreciate it to take it over.&nbsp; I know&nbsp;I would&nbsp;run it =
into the=20
  ground with my commute to school, so I'm selling it.&nbsp; $1200 obo =
as=20
  is.</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I think someone who knows a little =
bit about old=20
  wet-VW's would have a very easy time with this car and have fun =
driving=20
  it.&nbsp; I'm mainly looking to sell it to someone who will take care =
of it=20
  and fix it up or at least keep it running, which is the main reason I =
am=20
  selling it (so I don't drive it into the ground with my 20 =
minute&nbsp;commute=20
  to school.)</FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV dir=3Dltr><A=20
href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&amp;.view=3D=
t">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&amp;.view=3Dt</=
A></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV>Wish me luck...</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
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