[Revelate]

I'm trying to find a fun lightweight commuter car to take some miles off my BMW Z3 and keep it out of the Seattle rain.
So far I've looked into a Dodge Neon ('95-'96) and Toyota Corolla GT-S ('88-91). After some quick research, I immediately ruled out the Neon because of its horribly bad reputation for blown head gaskets and leaking rear main seals. And some searching on the Corolla has revealed that either they are rare in the Pacific Northwest, or that no on wants to sell theirs... I can't find one for sale within 200 miles of Seattle!
Anyway, I'm not that familiar with the older VW's and would like to hear anyone's comments or suggestions on a good, reliable (as can be expected from a 10+ year old car anyway) car with no major faults for the model. I'm assuming that there are a few good years in the A2-A3 range of Golf/Jettas that are reasonably priced and reliable with high mileage...
This is most likely going to be a small, lightweight car with a small engine to keep the 'fun factor' where I want it... if the engine size goes up to compensate for a heavier car, the price goes with it. A GTI comes to mind...

Looking forward to any helpful advice.
[EDIT] Grammar


[Modified by Revelate, 5:13 PM 11-27-2001]

 

[MrGTI]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (Revelate)

I'm the wrong guy to answer this, because i'd say put the $$ down on a new GTI !!
I've had the others, and the 4th generation body is the best yet.

 

[Revelate]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (MrGTI)

quote:[HR][/HR]I'm the wrong guy to answer this, because i'd say put the $$ down on a new GTI !![HR][/HR]​

That's a good idea, but look at my sig. I already own one new Jetta (wife's)... Not interested in another, yet.

That and I couldn't buy a newer 3rd car and not feel guilty about parking it in the driveway, as I only have a 2 car garage.

 

[darisgin]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (Revelate)

for $2-3000, you can get a nifty 1st generation RX-7 (shoot for an 84 or 85 GSL-SE): fun, reliable, sporty - a great commuter car. There's a few available in your area (more than in *mine*, that's for sure). Check thepartstrader.com or ebay. Get good wet-weather tires though - the car is light.
Otherwise, find yourself an old subaru AWD; also light and reliable (fun? well, maybe not so fun...)

 

[A2RicedGTI]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (darisgin)

Yea, except if you buy an RX7 expect to do an engine rebuild every 40k. Not exactly the car for the non-enthusiast.
Anyways, he asked for dubs, lets give him some. If you can find a project that somebody has done they usually go for a lot cheaper than what they are worth. 2.0 conversions are pretty fast, and one thats a couple years old probably will set you back about 3k. If you cant find that (which is very likely) go for a 90-92 GTI 2.0L 16v...should be pretty fast, and not a whole lot of torque (which is good for the rain, eh?) but they are uncommon and fairly expensive. So if you cant find one of those, just go for any Golf/Jetta II. They tend to last quite a while (150k miles? More on a well treated one). They are fairly zippy, and engine reliablity is pretty similar over the seven years of their production. Digifant (90-92?) is generally considered to be the most reliable, although the least tuneable if you are wanting to make it go faster. Stay away from auto trannies in all years.
These dubs tend to be enthusiast cars for a reason...they arent that great. They have lots of little parts that break that are easy to fix if you have time, a jack, and a little experience or help. If you want a "buy it and forget about it" car go for a old Corolla or Civic. (or accord or Camry, but those are usually more weight without more power).
Stay away from Sunroofs if you can...they tend to cause a car that leaks to leak even more.

 

[Revelate]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (Craig_Heitzman)

Excellent information Craig, thanks. Yeah, the '90-'92 GTI 2.0L 16v is looking like a long shot... I think I'll have to step back a few years and just live with it. The older GTI 16v still looks like viable option.
Great suggestions on both the tranny and sunroof.. I hadn't put much thought into the sunroof, but expected to get a 5spd to squeeze as much power out as possible.
One of the reasons I keep mentioning the GTI and not the Jetta is that I don't need 4 doors, a trunk, or anything more than a drivers seat, and I just assumed that the Jetta is heavier than the GTI... am I wrong in that assumption?
As for the Civic/Corolla idea, not a chance... I think I already mentioned the word 'fun' as a requirement for this car.

As much as I'd like to pick up one of the hundreds of Civic/Corolla/Accord/Camry specimens available and be happy with it, I know I couldn't, especially when I have the option of driving the two cars in my sig.

If I end up with a VW, I'll just deal with the little problems as they come and realize that I pay the price on occasion to have cheap fun when everything is working.

 

[mk2jetta]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (Revelate)

89 gti 16v

 

[shourick]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (mk2jetta)

get a 90-91 honda accord
the thing will never fall apart
I drove that car for 5 years, now my friends are driving it...I just can't remember any problems withit.
i think, they have around 270k miles on that car and it is still drivable and looks OK

 

[VWTattoo]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (shourick)

Here's the best bang fer ya- if you can find one, a 16V Scirocco! Awesome handling, cool coupe, and the GTI16V's older brother. I am looking for one, myself. Sciroccos still look great, IMO. I still look and wave at them, just for old times' sake.

 

[Elwood]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (VWTattoo)

quote:[HR][/HR]Here's the best bang fer ya- if you can find one, a 16V Scirocco! Awesome handling, cool coupe, and the GTI16V's older brother. I am looking for one, myself. Sciroccos still look great, IMO. I still look and wave at them, just for old times' sake. [HR][/HR]​

 

[Revelate]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (VWTattoo)

quote:[HR][/HR]Here's the best bang fer ya- if you can find one, a 16V Scirocco![HR][/HR]​

Funny, I'm looking into that right now.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Regarding the Honda Accord... I just can't do it. I can't stand driving overweight underpowered cars. I got a Subaru Legacy Sport as a loaner car when my Jetta was in the shop and I almost killed myself pulling into traffic.

Thanks for the suggestion though.
Still gotta test drive an '87-'89 GTI 16v as well as the Scirocco to know what I like better.. then it's up to whoever's selling the right car at the right time for me to get one!
Thanks for everyon'e help.

 

[VWTattoo]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (Revelate)

Hey, if you find one near Reading, PA, let me know- either the GTI or 'Roc would work for me too. (Like you will be looking out here...

)
My last Scirocco was my best friend for 10 years... Awesome car, for an 8v. at 166K on the clock, no rust, original motor except for an alternator. Man, I miss ALL my old VWs.... <sigh>

 

[blackslc]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (VWTattoo)

audi gt coupe may be a good find, less power to weight than the gti but a friend of mine has a 86 and the thing does not have a creak or rattle in it.

 

[blackslc]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (VWTattoo)

1970 1600 cc VW bug, i miss mine.
-brian in boulder

 

[burzum]

Re: Good "Bang for the buck" fun VW in the $2-3k price range? (Revelate)

I would have to agree with finding a 16v rocco. Faster than a 16v gti/gli and better handling. You can find very nice ones for 2-3k. But those rocco's are getting more rare every day. Hurry up