Good "bang for the buck" fun VW in the 2-3k price range?

Re: Good "bang for the buck" fun VW in the 2-3k price range? (Halx)

Ok, so I'm interested in a A2 GTI 16v... Someone mentioned that '91-'92 are better years than the rest because of a Motronic ECU. That's the kinda stuff that I wanted to hear, as I wouldn't know details like that from any normal web source.
I'm going to continue my research on the A2 GTI 16v and see what's available in this area... trying not to spend more than $3,000. autotrader.com has ten '91 & '92 GTIs in the PacNW area, but everyone is asking $5000-8000 for them!
I suppose it's a normal case of "ask way more than you expect in hopes of getting 'low-balled' for the price you really want", but is anyone familiar with the going price of the later model A2 GTI 16v around here? Edmunds.com says a clean private sale car would be in the $2500-3500 range for those two years.
BTW, 88Jetta, thanks for the info on the MKI/MKII idea, but I can't justify buying a project car... Sure I will want to tweak whatever I get, but I don't have the garage space to do any real work, and would much rather put money into my 2002 Jetta 1.8T.

Re: Good "bang for the buck" fun VW in the 2-3k price range? (88Jetta)

Consider yourself lucky if you can find a "NICE" A2 GTI for the price you are asking for.
I picked mine up for $3500, the car had only had one owner and was garaged for most of it's life. In the beginning he was asking like 5 or 6 grand for it, I forgot exactly how much. But here's the trick I had, I took it to a Mech, took it to a body shop, took it to emissions and all before I bought it. I mentioned every little freakin thing wrong with the car and everything that needed work, that's how I got down to 3500 bucks. Sctraches, nicks, dents, the fact that the OG wheels aren't on it, fender bender, high mileage, spots or tears and stains in the interior, head liner loose etc, leaks what have you, all the fixable stuff that is not fixed helped me bring down the price. Car failed emissions so I had the guy subtract the dollar amount it would cost to fix it. (bad cat in my case), I had futre exhaust plans so I did not want him to fix it.
Anyways that said, I saw a Rabbit for sale in Woodinville for 3500, that dude was smoking rocks man, but that just goes to show that VW's are much appreciated here in the NW.
Good luck. I'm looking to sell my MKIV to replace it with an MK II, that way we'll have two of them. I like 'em so much.
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Re: Good "bang for the buck" fun VW in the 2-3k price range? (1.8T A2)

There's a man with good taste http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Revelate - I see you narrowing your sites to the 91-92 GTI 16v - honestly for that price range, it's gonna be mission impossible. You also have to ask yourself just how much patience you have, as it took me over 6 months (8 times per day, everyday on the Autotrader) to find a 92. It was a test to say the least
I would suggest expanding the search to an older 16v GTI, GLI, or Scirroco (as 88 Jetta suggested). They are REALLY fun! Check out Peter's 16v 2.0L Motronic Jetta, that he's selling in your price range:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=165431
Good luck