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



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i paid 900 for my 81S.   I thought that reasonable for the shape the car =
was
in- even having been priorly involved in an accident itself.  I had no ru=
st,
great original interior, and basically a good platform to begin my projec=
t.
My point is...if you seek a collectible Original example of the 81S to lo=
ve
and garage- then keep looking. If you seek a nice 81S to play with and tw=
eak
a bit and if this car your looking at is close to perfect...800 is a good
price....grab it .=0D
=0D
My opinion.=0D
=0D
MB =0D
=0D
=0D
=0D
=0D
-------Original Message-------=0D
 =0D
From: Jeff Toomasson=0D
Date: Sunday, January 19, 2003 2:52:30 PM=0D
To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org=0D
Subject: Looked at an 81S today - need lots of input (long)=0D
 =0D
Wusup, everyone?=0D
 =0D
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=
=2E
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:=0D
 =0D
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt=0D
 =0D
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" B=
BS
(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 coul=
d
get this one for under $500 (probably much less).=0D
 =0D
So - the question is:  do I hold out for the Champagne (which is more rar=
e
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 bett=
er
S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get the wife to allow that
scenario!  :)=0D
 =0D
 But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't come around tha=
t
often and when they do, they're $$$...=0D
 =0D
The ultimate goal is a complete restoration/near-show-quality 200 hp JH
turbo which must be an original special edition...=0D
 =0D
Thanks in advance everyone!   Jeff=0D
_________=0D
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 l=
ook
like they have at least 4000 miles on them, but I'm by no means a tire
specialist.=0D
 =0D
The mileage just broke 195,100.  The miles on the engine are probably les=
s
than half since much of the engine was rebuilt about 1995 or 96.=0D
 =0D
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.=0D
 =0D
There were no aftermarket mods added to this this car that I can tell.=20
There's no wing or spoiler, etc.=0D
 =0D
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 littl=
e
bit of damage on the driver's side of the bumper.=0D
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 t=
he
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 pre=
tty
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.=0D
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.=
=20
Since it's the limited S model, it has a nice jet-black dash.  It also ha=
s a
hertz gear shifter.=0D
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.=0D
 =0D
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.=0D
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 ey=
e
level.=0D
The heater vent fan stopped working a few months ago.  The switch was hav=
ing
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.=0D
The driver's exterior door handle came loose (the contraption on the insi=
de
came loose), but the inside one still works.  I have yet to repair this.=0D
The air-conditioning unit was removed sometime in the car's history.  =0D
One of the sun-visor hooks broke, but both look like they need replacing.=
=0D
There's a spot of rust damage on the passenger side door handle.=0D
It tends to leak water into the car in heavy rains, like the one we had a
month ago.=0D
The dash lights flicker a little bit when the car is idling after a reall=
y
long drive.=0D
 =0D
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 mista=
ke
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 appreci=
ate
it to take it over.  I know I would run it into the ground with my commut=
e
to school, so I'm selling it.  $1200 obo as is.=0D
 =0D
I think someone who knows a little bit about old wet-VW's would have a ve=
ry
easy time with this car and have fun driving it.  I'm mainly looking to s=
ell
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 in=
to
the ground with my 20 minute commute to school.)=0D
 =0D
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt=0D
Wish me luck...=0D
=0D
=0D
=0D
=0D
Do you Yahoo!?=0D
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now=0D
=20
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AMILY: Arial" width=3D"100%">
<DIV>i paid 900 for my 81S.&nbsp;&nbsp; I thought that reasonable for the=
 shape the car was in- even having been priorly involved in an accident i=
tself.&nbsp; I had no rust, great original interior, and basically a good=
 platform to begin my project. My point is...if you seek a collectible Or=
iginal example of the 81S to love and garage- then keep looking. If you s=
eek a nice 81S to play with and tweak a bit&nbsp;and if this car your loo=
king at is close to perfect...800 is a good price....grab it&nbsp;.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>My opinion.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>MB&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3DIncrediOriginalMessage><I>-------Original Message-------</I></D=
IV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=3Dreceivestrings>
<DIV dir=3Dltr style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>From:</B></I> <A href=3D"m=
ailto:jtoomasson@yahoo.com">Jeff Toomasson</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Date:</B></I> Sunday, Janu=
ary 19, 2003 2:52:30 PM</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>To:</B></I> <A href=3D"mai=
lto:scirocco-l@scirocco.org">scirocco-l@scirocco.org</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Subject:</B></I> Looked at=
 an 81S today - need lots of input (long)</DIV></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<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 need lots of opinions. Below will be the owner's description t=
o me when&nbsp;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 g=
o for $800. But the fact it's been hit makes me a tad uneasy.&nbsp;I also=
 took a bunch (23) of pictures:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><A href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&am=
p;.view=3Dt">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 good=
ies, 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=
=2E I think I could get this one for under $500 (probably much less).</DI=
V>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>So - the question is:&nbsp; do I hold out for the Champagne (which i=
s more rare and has more goodies), get this 81S which is a decent platfor=
m and runs pretty well, or hold out for a sterling example?&nbsp; My true=
 vote is get the 78 and if it's&nbsp;not salvageable, pillage it for part=
s and hold out for a better S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get =
the wife to allow that scenario!&nbsp; :)</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't come =
around 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 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 wheels are different.&nbsp; It's dark so I can't totally make o=
ut what brand they are.&nbsp; All four tires look like they have at least=
 4000 miles on 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; Th=
e miles on the engine are probably less than half since much of the&nbsp;=
engine was 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 switch, rear brake shoes, brake-light sensor,&nbsp;the starter,=
 all the plugs and wires,&nbsp;distributor cap&nbsp;and the battery durin=
g the time I've owned the car.&nbsp; I also have a set of front brakes th=
at don't need to go 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 car that I can tell.&nbsp; There's no wing or spoiler, etc.</FO=
NT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The body is in great condition.&nbsp; Th=
e 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.&nbsp; Every=
thing seems aligned, there's just a little bit of damage on the driver's =
side of the bumper.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The engine runs really well.&nbsp; I got=
&nbsp;a smog check about a year ago and it passed with no problems.&nbsp;=
 The car was owned by a mechanic in the mid-90's and he apparently rebuil=
t a majority of the engine.&nbsp; I've taken care of the car with oil cha=
nges every 3000, have done regular tune-ups on it (twice I've done the pl=
ugs, plug-wires, distributor cap, rotor), and I've been pretty gentle wit=
h the engine, always letting the car warm up for at least 30 seconds befo=
re driving away, never jumping immediately on the freeway.&nbsp; I always=
 use Unleaded Plus fuel, because the mechanic who rebuilt it recommended =
it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The interior is really good shape and is=
 clean.&nbsp; I've kept the inside armoralled, while nice seat covers and=
 a dashmat have reduced sun damage.&nbsp; Since it's the limited S model,=
 it has&nbsp;a nice jet-black dash.&nbsp; It also has a hertz gear shifte=
r.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The owner before me, about four years ag=
o, installed a really nice sound system.&nbsp; It has a pioneer single CD=
 player with two infinity speakers and a woofer in the trunk.&nbsp; The s=
ound is 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 pulled it too hard (I guess the guy had never heard of using blocks =
at the wheels).&nbsp; I disconnected the E-brake and have yet to repair i=
t.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There's a crack across the windsheild.&n=
bsp; It already existed when I bought the car, but it has grown about an =
inch and 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 fe=
w months ago.&nbsp; The switch was having problems (only the&nbsp;2 and 3=
 levels worked).&nbsp;&nbsp;The fan stopped working altogether.&nbsp; So =
I replaced the switch and the&nbsp;fuse, but the fan is still not operati=
onal.&nbsp; It may be the motor or resistors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The driver's&nbsp;exterior door handle c=
ame loose (the contraption on the&nbsp;inside came loose), but the inside=
 one still works.&nbsp; I have yet to repair this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The air-conditioning unit was removed so=
metime in the car's history.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>One of the sun-visor hooks broke, but bo=
th look like they need replacing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There's a spot of rust damage on the pas=
senger side door handle.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>It tends to leak water into the car in h=
eavy rains, like the one we had a month ago.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The dash lights flicker a little bit whe=
n the car 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 w=
ith the car.&nbsp; The car has treated me extremely well and I have treat=
ed it really well in return.&nbsp; It's a fun, zippy and&nbsp;surprisingl=
y&nbsp;fast&nbsp;ride that I'm gonna miss.&nbsp; People often mistake my =
car for a pinto-like vehicle and try to pass me, but my car still has a l=
ot of power left and if I drop back into 4th, I can usually pass them up =
again.&nbsp; The car still has life and I want someone who is going to ap=
preciate it to take it over.&nbsp; I know&nbsp;I would&nbsp;run it into t=
he ground with my commute to school, so I'm selling it.&nbsp; $1200 obo a=
s 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 a=
bout old wet-VW's would have a very easy time with this car and have fun =
driving it.&nbsp; 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 r=
eason I am selling it (so I don't drive it into the ground with my 20 min=
ute&nbsp;commute to school.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV><!--/BLOCKQUOTE-->
<DIV dir=3Dltr><A href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D=
/Work&amp;.view=3Dt">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Wo=
rk&amp;.view=3Dt</A></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>Wish me luck...</DIV><!--/BLOCKQUOTE-->
<P><BR>
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