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87 jetta, reliable and fun dd?

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elite.mafia

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5072435-Feeler-fs-ft-87-Jetta-gli-16v

would this car be reliable? It looks pretty good, coilovers, low miles, and its a 16 valve. I don't know a ton about mk2 but I hear they are better than mk3's :banghead:

What do you guys think?

I don't really have to drive it daily though, I just like to drive to work even though I can take local transportation, but who wants to do that? Way more fun driving the mk3 to work than taking a train.
 
#3 ·
mike02467 said:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5072435-Feeler-fs-ft-87-Jetta-gli-16v

would this car be reliable? It looks pretty good, coilovers, low miles, and its a 16 valve. I don't know a ton about mk2 but I hear they are better than mk3's :banghead:

What do you guys think?

I don't really have to drive it daily though, I just like to drive to work even though I can take local transportation, but who wants to do that? Way more fun driving the mk3 to work than taking a train.
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THINK WITH 4k you could buy a m50swap bmw e30 which a.) Would ****ing smoke that thing around corners and in a straight line. B.) is a way better driving experience. c.) Looks 100 times better d.) RWD> FWD E.) NEED I SAY EFFING MORE??? you will become bored with a mk2 just like your mk3. If you yearn for a fun car buy a e30 if u lean for a half full driving experience buy that 4000$ 23yo car.
 
#4 · (Edited)
the MkII and MkIII have a lot in common. a MkII can be very reliable but it will take some work to make it so. if you don't work on your own car, then i wouldn't recommend a MkII...or a swapped e30. as for a $4k e30 being faster/more fun than a MkII VW? that's debatable.

*edit* just looked at the FS ad. early 16Vs like that are getting very hard to find, that one with 8x,xxx miles on it is very nice. its just getting broken in. try to pay as close to $3k as you can get.
 
#5 ·
Seask said:
THINK WITH 4k you could buy a m50swap bmw e30 which a.) Would ****ing smoke that thing around corners and in a straight line. B.) is a way better driving experience. c.) Looks 100 times better d.) RWD> FWD E.) NEED I SAY EFFING MORE??? you will become bored with a mk2 just like your mk3. If you yearn for a fun car buy a e30 if u lean for a half full driving experience buy that 4000$ 23yo car.
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4,000 for a swapped e30?

Maybe I will move back to America?
 
#6 ·
under the radar said:
the MkII and MkIII have a lot in common. a MkII can be very reliable but it will take some work to make it so. if you don't work on your own car, then i wouldn't recommend a MkII...or a swapped e30. as for a $4k e30 being faster/more fun than a MkII VW? that's debatable.

*edit* just looked at the FS ad. early 16Vs like that are getting very hard to find, that one with 8x,xxx miles on it is very nice. its just getting broken in. try to pay as close to $3k as you can get.
Click to expand...
This.
 
#7 ·
Reliable... yes, as long as the electrical system stays dry! :laugh: By 23 years old you might need to replace most of the relays and clean things up tho. The engine/gearbox is solid tho. The bodies on them stay in decent shape even in the rust belt... that being said, time does kill all cars and you don't see many Mk2's here - tho I swear you seem more of them then Mk3's (which rusted more).

Fun... YES! Mk2's are great fun to drive
 
#9 ·
mike02467 said:
Any other oppinions? I really like the car but I don't want to end up in the same nightmare of failing reverse gears with the mk3.
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You have to be gentle with the reverse gear. You have to completely stop the car before engaging it and feather the clutch. That said, at 86k, I doubt it has much wear.

4k is high considering the wheels aren't included. As for reliability, the 16V isn't all that great but it depends on previous maintenance, lika all cars.

Are they fun? Hell yes.
 
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#11 ·
mike02467 said:
Any other oppinions? I really like the car but I don't want to end up in the same nightmare of failing reverse gears with the mk3.
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going from a newer car to an older car for reliability is pretty ridiculous. yes, it allegedly has low miles, but the car is 23 years old, **** just ends up breaking after 23 years. 23 year old wiring, 23 year old vacuum lines, its going to have some headaches.

also, the classified car prices are just stupid high. 4 grand for a 23 year old car that is more or less stock with coil overs? the wheels dont come with it, and it has a rusting rocker panel. if that car came with the wheels, i wouldnt pay a penny more than 3 grand for it.
 
#12 ·
it's an old car and as long as you can deal with an old car and keep your patience, they can be fun

Get ready to have things break (and yes, they will break)

I'd have a back up car for when the Mk2 needs work

Image
 
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#13 ·
I daily a 16v.

I love it but I would not suggest it to anyone who doesn't expect reliability.

Haven't had anything break that recently, but a few months ago pretty much half of the stuff on the car broke INCLUDING a transmission.
 
#14 ·
i owned four different Mk II Volkswagens. after throwing buckets of money away i finally figured out that Porsches indeed were cheaper to own... and more fun.

obin :beer::beer:
 
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#15 ·
By the way, I just got this car to use everyday, but obviously I have many other cars to choose from when it needs help (they all need help and don't do all that well if you abuse them)

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#17 ·
mike02467 said:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5072435-Feeler-fs-ft-87-Jetta-gli-16v

would this car be reliable? It looks pretty good, coilovers, low miles, and its a 16 valve. I don't know a ton about mk2 but I hear they are better than mk3's :banghead:

What do you guys think?

I don't really have to drive it daily though, I just like to drive to work even though I can take local transportation, but who wants to do that? Way more fun driving the mk3 to work than taking a train.
Click to expand...
The transaxle is a ticking time bomb. Just make sure you have about $2K for a new trans and clutch when it goes.
 
#18 ·
Diamond Dave said:
The transaxle is a ticking time bomb. Just make sure you have about $2K for a new trans and clutch when it goes.
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so.. for the mk2... you recommend which trans... what years?

i'm thinking newer has less wear if I need to change the trans for a mk2
 
#19 ·
audifans said:
By the way, I just got this car to use everyday, but obviously I have many other cars to choose from when it needs help (they all need help and don't do all that well if you abuse them)

Image
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I would trust a TD before any VW gasser. I love the 1.6TD.

Diamond Dave said:
The transaxle is a ticking time bomb. Just make sure you have about $2K for a new trans and clutch when it goes.
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If you plan on having a shop fix everything for you, then yes a tranny+clutch job will be expensive. If you DIY, you could do both for less than $500 in a weekend.
 
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#20 ·
Obin Robinson said:
i owned four different Mk II Volkswagens. after throwing buckets of money away i finally figured out that Porsches indeed were cheaper to own... and more fun.

obin :beer::beer:
Click to expand...
Don't want to derail the thread, but I'd be interested in hearing more about this. :)
 
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