1997 Cabrio/ Should I buy it?

[boisebimmer]

So My girlfriend is in the market for a car, she is super digging the VW Cabrio. (both 80's and 90's)

She found this one and wanted me to see what I can find.

To me it looks great, service records, only 98k miles, looks well taken care of (which goes along way in my experience)

What kind of fuel milage should I expect?


I'm just curious what I need to look for when I go and look at it with her, and if it's worth what they are asking ($2900) is a fair price.

I am very car literate so hit me hard and fast.

Appreciate the help

[Mach5er1]

pics? Link? My imagination likes it though!

[boisebimmer]

Oooops.... haha i meant to put the link. Sorry....

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3336054710.html

That would explain the lack of response.

[keganater]

I have seen that listing. I am in boise too . Bought my wife a pretty clean 92 cabriolet for $2000 here in boise (120,000 miles) for reference. Listing looks pretty clean. Doesn't look like a bad deal to me.

And as far as gas mileage goes.... My 95 VW Jetta gets 28-30 mixed driving and the wife's 92 Cabriolet gets 29-30 mostly city.

[boisebimmer]

Sweet! Good to see another person from Boise on the Forum. On the BMW forum i'm the only one that I have met.

Yeah, I was thinking it was good deal based on Edmonds and KBB

She has test driven it and is going to do it I think. I didn't get a change to look at it based on schedule conflict.

I'm just worried that VW's reliability isn't what it use to be...

The goal is to have the car for maybe a year and sell it.

It seems very well maintained.


I'm just very hesitant on the reliability, as my girlfriend needs a reliable car.

That's pretty good milage. She is going to be mostly drive to Caldwell from Downtown. (She goes to College of Idaho)

Her current car (A datsun 270zx 1981) is only getting 15 on 91 octane

So she is ready for a fun car with great fuel consumption. I think this meets those needs?

[boisebimmer]

We passed, it has some squealing from the motor (time belt? Cam?) and both cv's need replaced.

We are going to look at an 81 cabby tonight though.

[mileycyrus]

get the Cabby!

[boisebimmer]

The 81?

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3308682988.html

[keganater]

Car is only as reliable as well as it was taken car of. Any 20 year old car is going to have issues.

I know that 81 (brother's old car). The top and interior is in dire need of replacing. Other than that the motor runs really strong and the body is in decent condition (paint needs some saving). It was a single owner before he bought it. It had sat for a handful of years (hence the top and interior).

CV axles are super easy, ($50-$75 a piece). As for the noise, can't be of much help there without hearing it. Could be something as simple as the belt tensioner or old belts.