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Looked at an 81S today - need lots of input (long)
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Jeff- Because I was in the market for an '81S for several years, I read =
the description with great interest. $800 sound like a fair deal, not a =
great steal nor overpriced, but fair. I suppose it depends on just what =
condition the Champagne Edition is, eh?=20
It also sounds like you may not be entirely sure about the S =
regardless. There are better S's out there, it's just that they are =
getting more rare by the year.....I guess I'd go with the S, since the =
goal is a complete restoration anyway. You know; last year of the MkI =
and all that...
Larry
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Jeff Toomasson=20
To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org=20
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2003 2:50 PM
Subject: Looked at an 81S today - need lots of input (long)
Wusup, everyone?
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
There were no aftermarket mods added to this this car that I can =
tell. There's no wing or spoiler, etc.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.
=20
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.)
=20
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt
Wish me luck...
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Jeff- Because I was in the market =
for an '81S=20
for several years, I read the description with great interest. =
$800 sound=20
like a fair deal, not a great steal nor overpriced, but fair. I =
suppose it=20
depends on just what condition the Champagne Edition is, =
eh? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2> It also sounds like you may =
not be=20
entirely sure about the S regardless. There are better S's out =
there, it's=20
just that they are getting more rare by the year.....I guess I'd go with =
the S,=20
since the goal is a complete restoration anyway. You know; last =
year of=20
the MkI and all that...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Larry</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: =
0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A href=3D"mailto:jtoomasson@yahoo.com"; =
title=3Djtoomasson@yahoo.com>Jeff=20
Toomasson</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A=20
href=3D"mailto:scirocco-l@scirocco.org"=20
title=3Dscirocco-l@scirocco.org>scirocco-l@scirocco.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, January 19, 2003 =
2:50=20
PM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Looked at an 81S today =
- need=20
lots of input (long)</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Wusup, everyone?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I went and looked at a Cosmos Silver =
81S today=20
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=20
accurate and he seems like an honest guy. He said he'd let it go for =
$800. But=20
the fact it's been hit makes me a tad uneasy. I also took a bunch =
(23) of=20
pictures:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A=20
=
href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3D=
t">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt</=
A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I've also been trying to get in touch with a guy who has a =
'78=20
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=20
haven't seen yet). To this point, the guy's been a complete flake. I =
think I=20
could get this one for under $500 (probably much less).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>So - the question is: do I hold out for the Champagne =
(which is=20
more rare and has more goodies), get this 81S which is a decent =
platform and=20
runs pretty well, or hold out for a sterling example? My true =
vote is=20
get the 78 and if it's not salvageable, pillage it for parts and =
hold out=20
for a better S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get the wife to =
allow=20
that scenario! :)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't =
come=20
around that often and when they do, they're $$$...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The ultimate goal is a complete restoration/near-show-quality 200 =
hp JH=20
turbo which must be an original special edition...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks in advance everyone! 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=20
rear wheels are different. It's dark so I can't totally make =
out what=20
brand they are. All four tires look like they have at least =
4000 miles=20
on them, but I'm by no means a tire specialist.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The mileage just broke =
195,100. The miles=20
on the engine are probably less than half since much of =
the engine was=20
rebuilt about 1995 or 96.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I've personally replaced the =
heater/vent=20
fan switch, rear brake shoes, brake-light sensor, the starter, =
all the=20
plugs and wires, distributor cap and the battery during =
the time=20
I've owned the car. I also have a set of front brakes that =
don't need=20
to go in yet since the old ones seem fine.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There were no aftermarket mods =
added to this=20
this car that I can tell. There's no wing or spoiler,=20
etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The body is in great =
condition. The=20
backside was in an accident before I before I bought the car, but =
I've seen=20
no problem with the structural integrity of the vehicle. =
Everything=20
seems aligned, there's just a little bit of damage on the driver's =
side of=20
the bumper.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The engine runs really well. =
I got a=20
smog check about a year ago and it passed with no problems. =
The car=20
was owned by a mechanic in the mid-90's and he apparently rebuilt a =
majority=20
of the engine. I've taken care of the car with oil changes =
every 3000,=20
have 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. 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. I've kept the inside armoralled, while nice seat covers =
and a=20
dashmat have reduced sun damage. Since it's the limited S =
model, it=20
has a nice jet-black dash. 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. It has a pioneer single =
CD=20
player with two infinity speakers and a woofer in the trunk. =
The sound=20
is excellent.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </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). 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. It=20
already existed when I bought the car, but it has grown about an =
inch and=20
half every winter. It's below eye level.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The heater vent fan stopped working =
a few=20
months ago. The switch was having problems (only the 2 =
and 3=20
levels worked). The fan stopped working altogether. =
So I=20
replaced the switch and the fuse, but the fan is still not=20
operational. It may be the motor or resistors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The driver's exterior door =
handle came=20
loose (the contraption on the inside came loose), but the =
inside one=20
still works. I have yet to repair this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The air-conditioning unit was =
removed sometime=20
in the car's history. </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=20
car is idling after a really long drive.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>This is all I can think of I see =
wrong with the=20
car. The car has treated me extremely well and I have treated =
it=20
really well in return. It's a fun, zippy=20
and surprisingly fast ride that I'm gonna miss. =
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=20
pass them up again. The car still has life and I want someone =
who is=20
going to appreciate it to take it over. I know I =
would run=20
it into the ground with my commute to school, so I'm selling =
it. $1200=20
obo as is.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I think someone who knows a little =
bit about=20
old wet-VW's would have a very easy time with this car and have fun =
driving=20
it. 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=20
minute commute to school.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV dir=3Dltr><A=20
=
href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3D=
t">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt</=
A></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>Wish me luck...</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><BR>
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Do you Yahoo!?<BR><A=20
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href=3D"http://rd.yahoo.com/mail/mailsig/*http://mailplus.yahoo.com";>Yaho=
o! Mail=20
Plus</A> - Powerful. Affordable. <A=20
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