Buying a Volkswagen Cabriolet
Contents
1. D as the 4 digit in their respective VINs All other models unfortunately will have to be verified on aesthetics alone unless the car happens to have its original build sheet in the trunk and or the seller happens to have all of the original Sales documentation particularly the dealer window sticker So again do your homework Wrecked Damaged Cabriolets Sadly those cars that have been neglected and left to become rust buckets are those that should be left to be buried in the VW graveyard and or stripped for useable parts This 1980 is a prime but sad example pi Ea The car has a blown out rear side window shot top dents and most importantly rust Not only has the car sunken into the ground there is rust on the rocker panel and the missing rear window and bad top means water has been entering the car s interior more than likely the floorpan is badly rusted You can certainly buy something like this for cheap but it ll require a major investment of time and money to restore if it s even capable of being restored it ll have to be gutted and stripped first it is usually then that it s discovered that the restoration process is no longer worth it due to the amount of body chassis work that will need to be done 2008 KamzKreationz Page 4 of 21 www cabby info com Usually if the car has rust or body damage from the doors forward it does have restoration potential because those pieces can still be found2. interior and 1991 wheels car received a complete make Claimed car year 1984 over Incorrect parts wheels gas cap missing bumper over riders car resembles a 1985 Claimed car year 1990 Modifications wheels suspension Special Editions If the car is advertised as being one of many special editions take care to note if it really is that particular edition One of the most common tricks at least when the cars weren t as old as they are now was to buy Wolfsburg Edition badges glue them onto the fenders of non Wolfsburg Edition models advertise the cars as being rare Wolfsburg Editions and tack on an additional 300 500 to the price Another rip off trick in the USA is to buy the original Rabbit GTI badges front and rear and advertise the car as being a rare Rabbit GTI Convertible One problem with that The Rabbit GTI existed only in hard top form in North America Even if the seller proclaims that s he is the original owner of the car and bought it from the local Volkswagen dealer with GTI badging the car did not leave the factory destined for the USA with those badges The dealer itself most likely put the badges on in order for them to make a higher profit off the car 40 in badges 500 in wheels an easy extra 1000 profit Unfortunately only two Cabriolet North America models can be verified by the VIN the Etienne Aigner and the Carat The Etienne Aigners all have an E and the Carats all have a
3. used or new and are easily replaced The rear part of the car is a different story The entire rear of the body except for the trunk lid is essentially one piece and cannot be replaced without major read costly work minor dents however can be repaired If the undercarriage and or the car s uni body shell frame have a lot of rust or damage pass it up If the body is sound it all depends on how much money you want to invest in fixing the car up If the Rabbit above didn t have nearly the rust that it does you re probably looking at spending around 2000 just to get it looking and running decent and easily up to around 5 6 000 getting it back to pristine condition The 1986 Cabriolet under the Dealers vs Private Sellers heading is certainly a restoration candidate and would cost approximately 1500 2000 less if used parts are sourced to bring back to good condition which is why spending 2999 for that car is absolutely insane Regional Notes Those of you residing in wet climates coastal areas and or places that use salt to de ice roadways will want to pay attention to signs of rust on body parts and on the undercarriage Those of you residing in dry sunny climates will want to be sure to look for dry rot on seals plastic and vinyl parts Vehicle History Reports Vehicle history reports such as Carfax don t always list accidents the car may have been involved in Often owners do not report accidents to their insurance companies be
4. caved in Boot top cover is missing filthy in poor shape missing broken parts and or does not fit properly 2008 KamzKreationz Page 8 of 21 www cabby info com 2008 KamzkKreationz Top does not latch properly when up is difficult to latch and or has a gap between the top and the header seal top of windshield frame J hook latching handles are loose no tension when released and or broken Top shows signs of leaking water e Rear windshield frame has rust and or is bent e Water stains on the headliner and or seats and or carpet Side caps what the boot snaps to are missing or do not match the color of the top Power hydraulic top pump fails to work is leaking fluid etc e Pump ts located behind the left side panel in the trunk Page 9 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Issue Example Seats are e worn remove any seat covers o vinyl leather cracked o Cloth ripped discolored badly faded dirty and or stained damp water leak mismatched Note White vinyl after being exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time turns off white or slightly yellow This is considered normal for the age of these interiors and for cars being used regularly Carpet is dirty damp stained indicates a water leak lift up carpet to inspect floor pan or is missing Floor mats are missing OEM mats matched the carpet color Missing brok
5. squeal do not stop car adequately or pull car to one side pulsate or chatter rear brakes lock fluid is leaking and or dirty emergency brake goes beyond 3 lt clicks gt e brake won t disengage drums discs are rusted pedal goes to floor or feels soongy Shocks struts e are stiff car doesn t bounce or can t be pushed down by hand are too soft car bounces too much are leaking fluid dust boots shields are torn and or missing bump stops are badly worn cracked and or missing e bearings are badly worn If aftermarket suspension is installed find out when it was Installed and what brand Axles e CV boots are split and or leaking e control arms are cracked or bent Power steering e steering is stiff or unresponsive e power steering reservoir and or pump are leaking fluid level is low e squealing noise heard when turning Drivability e car pulls to left right needs an alignment steering wheel is not centered front end vibrates steering is imprecise or has poor self centering front end growls or clicks particularly when turning 2008 KamzKreationz Page 17 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Issue Example Manual transmission e shifting is difficult or noisy or is not smooth e transmission fails to engage gears and or jumps out of gear clutch grabs late or not at all or slips on hills shifter is sloppy and or pops out of gear clutch pedal makes grinding noise when pressed gears grind wh
6. the top of the trunk lid e top will not lock lt click gt into place e frame is bent A Sn BS a How to put the top down up amp how to put the boot on www cabby info com top Headliner has tears stains is filthy is flopping around not attached to the frame or is missing altogether Insulation is missing or falling apart insulation pad can be seen while the top is in the half down or half up position If this layer is missing an outline of the frame will be seen while looking at the car with the top up Seals are worn loose cracked missing very expensive to replace or torn Foam padding across top of rollbar is damaged or missing early Cabriolets did not have this padding Top is difficult to put up down faulty struts faulty motor on power tops top will not go down with ease and or stops before it should Frame has rust squeaks and or is bent hinges are loose or filled with grime Top Is filthy has cracks holes tears side seam stitching coming undone side cable may be visible as a result and or duct tape covering problem areas Side cables incorrectly installed broken and or missing e Top will have an arc on the side s above the window s Rear cable showing should be hidden is rusty corroded broken and or loose Rear window support straps are missing or broken e These two straps hold the rear window frame if they are missing or broken the rear portion of the top will look
7. Buying a Volkswagen Cabriolet ine Derinitive Guide of Things You Should Know and What to Look Out For 2008 KamzkKreationz Page 1 of 21 www cabby info com Introduction amp General I nformation Welcome to one of the finest buyer s guides around for the 1979 1993 Volkswagen Cabriolet Rabbit Convertible On the following pages is some of the best advice for buying one of the most endearing cars you will ever own The first half of this guide contains information regarding reliability pricing vehicle history reports questions for the seller and more The second half of this guide is essentially a checklist these are the pages you can print out to take with you when looking at a perspective Cabriolet The checklist is a thorough break down of things to look out for when shopping for a Cabriolet picture examples are provided to visually show what some of the problem areas will or may look like At the end of this buyer s guide is a list of things you as the car s new owner should look at and or replace as soon as possible or have a trusted Volkswagen mechanic conduct the work Know Before You Go Before going to look at a Cabriolet know the following before you leave the house e Does the car run Can the car be driven e s the car presently registered insured and have a Clear title e Does it have an automatic or a manual transmission If you don t know how to drive a car with manual transmission now is not the time to
8. arranty ask if they ll pay for repairs done by a certified Volkswagen mechanic if they won t don t bother paying additional money for a warranty eBay It s buyer beware Cars should really be test driven and looked at in person before buying If you find the car of your dreams on eBay or any other online source make sure several different pictures are shown and ask for more detailed ones if necessary However we are living in the digital age when photos can be easily doctored i e flaws can be erased with the click of a mouse If possible search for a car in your area and go look at the car in person and test drive it If you can t see it in person ask the seller all sorts of questions before bidding buying especially if thorough information is not provided in the description Know what you re getting into before buying a car online and understand that most cars are sold as is where is with no warranty or guarantee this means that you should not expect to get off the plane get into the car and drive it 1500 miles home without a single problem occurring Take with you a print out of the eBay listing along with this buyer s guide checklist and look the car over thoroughly before handing over your hard earned cash One last note about eBay Contrary to what many in the States say eBay is not the place to go searching for what current Cabriolet values are There are too many reasons why people resort to selling their cars on eBay there ar
9. atch there is nothing to be alarmed plate on driver s side door jamb about paper build sheet sticker on the crossbar in the trunk under the black plastic rain tray beneath the hood inside engine bay Page 13 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist fails to start cold and or hot fails to turn over e loses power hesitates backfires stalls runs idles rough etc e idles too fast or too slow or surges vibrates badly can be felt inside car makes noises pings screeches rattles growls rumbles metallic tapping or knocking smokes on start up worn valve stem oil seals smokes while running bore wear belts and or hoses are cracked and or loose Spark plugs are fouled plug wires in poor condition e air filter is filthy or coated with oil air filter box has been Swiss cheesed holes drilled into it is missing timing belt cover Buyer Notes _ Oil leaks e valve cover oil leaks down onto the cylinder head and or onto the intake manifold oil pan e oil filter and or oil cooler Oil condition under side of oil cap and dipstick have a white film or oil looks like chocolate milk x indicates probable head gasket failure oil level is low oil is dirty oil pressure Is low warning light blinks buzzer sounds Fuel system e fuel pump s is making loud whining noise and or leaking fuel filter is leaking fuel tank is leaking fuel lines are loose leaking cracked poor
10. cause claims can mean higher premiums if they are responsible for the damage accidents sometimes it s cheaper in the long run to just pay for repairs yourself Therefore look the car over very carefully and better yet have the car inspected by a qualified repair shop However getting a vehicle history report is still a good idea because it may very well sound some alarms salvage titles how many times it s been registered and where if the car has ever been stolen etc Safety Notes North America Please be aware of the following e Only 1990 1993 Cabriolets initially sold in the USA have a driver s side airbag e Only 1991 5 1993 Cabriolets initially sold in the USA amp Canada have rear seat shoulder belts If you have young children and or are uncomfortable having only lap belts in the rear seat do not buy a 1980 1991 Cabriolet While rear shoulder belts can be retrofitted it is much easier to have one with rear shoulder belts already installed 1991 5 1993 The airbags installed in 1990 1993 USA Cabriolets are now over 15 years old and are most likely inactive or require servicing at a Volkswagen dealer If you re uncomfortable driving a car without an active airbag do not buy a Cabriolet The Test Drive The test drive is one of the most important aspects of buying a car especially a used one Be sure the car is cold i e hasn t been driven for several hours start it up and then e Listen to how the engine sounds Pop the hoo
11. d bonnet and look at the engine running No major issues Drop the hood and hit the road Be sure to leave the top up wind noise when the top is down can mask sounds you need to hear on a test drive You can drive with the top down all you like when the car is yours e Drive the car on neighborhood streets on city streets where traffic is and on the freeway highway with the radio off check the radio cassette CD and speakers while car is parked Make note of how it sounds how it drives and what the gauges are reading visit www cabby info com gauges for details e Drive over bumps and through dips to check the suspension don t ffy over and through these things or you wil have automatically bought the car and or will have to buy new suspension steering components e Turn the A C on if the car has it Does it greatly affect the car s power particularly at idle Does cold air come out of all the proper vents Turn the heat on Does heat come out of all vents except the side ones e How does the car steer Does the car squeal when turning Note Be aware that many models do not have power steering Briefly let go of the steering wheel does the car drift to the right left 2008 KamzkKreationz Page 5 of 21 www cabby info com Things to Have Tested Before Buying While taking the car to a qualified certified Volkswagen mechanic is not required it is a good idea to invest in this task during inform the buyer ahead of time or after the
12. ds and or ends up to 87 are missing and or damaged chrome around windows up to 88 is missing and or damaged caps and seals on windshield wiper shafts missing and or damaged chrome or black door handle inserts are missing door handle gaskets are cracked or missing side skirts are broken or missing 1988 fender flares stone guards broken or missing black plastic A pillar trim is broken or missing Buyer Notes _ Paint is dull badly scratched or in poor condition if re sprayed overspray is on trim pieces the black plastic rain tray rocker panels pre 88 rocker panels should be black badges etc there are large touch up re sprayed sections or paint color is mismatched Note Minor rock chips on the hood rocker panel bottom of doors and rear quarter panels is normal for a car that Is driven regularly Rust anywhere inside and outside The most common places for rust are under the spare tire in the trunk strut towers amp battery tray lower corners of windshield frame inside of the fenders and under fender flares floor pan lower portion of firewall rocker panel and bottom of doors fuel filler neck front and rear valances lip that retains rear top cable behind rear tail light covers Badges inscriptions are missing incorrect improperly placed or damaged Cracks on strut towers and or on bumper bracket shafts inside engine compartment 2008 KamzKreationz Page 12 of 21 www cabby in
13. e at least twice as much as what you ll pay for it so that you ll be prepared for possible immediate mechanical repairs A car may have been well maintained but not all parts have received attention Therefore a Cabriolet that has all new brakes tires battery plugs amp wires air filter belts and runs like new could very well give you axle problems transmission problems etc Take the car to a qualified mechanic for a complete inspection if possible prior to buying the car and ask to see repair maintenance records While Cabriolets are best used today as secondary or pleasure vehicles thousands of Cabriolets throughout the world are still performing daily driving duties Value The overall value of Cabriolets is s ow y going up However while Cabriolet enthusiasts consider their cars to be classics the automotive world does not yet This means that prices for these cars are all over the map and so are their conditions A Cabriolet in good condition i e straight body nice paint clean interior running engine but has high miles can sell for 500 while a Cabriolet that is in poor condition bad paint a few small dings bad top dirty interior with low miles can sell for 2 000 So you can get a steal or you can get ripped off Furthermore while a fixer upper can sell for 2008 KamzkKreationz Page 2 of 21 www cabby info com 450 a showroom condition all original low mileage Cabriolet no matter the model year can
14. e too many reasons why people buy cars on eBay there are too many ads missing information and pictures and most importantly the price range is far too wide Use the industry standards such as Kelley Blue Book Edmunds and the like 2008 KamzkKreationz Page 3 of 21 www cabby info com Originality If you re looking for an all original Cabriolet you ll want to do your homework Unfortunately because these cars are now well over 15 years old many of them have undergone some changes from something as subtle as better wheels and a sportier suspension to something obvious such as an aftermarket body kit interior overhaul and engine swap For various reasons many 1988 1993 Cabriolets are stripped of their Clipper kits and are made up to look like the 1979 1987 era Cabriolets and vice versa by the same token USA Cabriolets can be made to look like their European counterparts and vice versa The obvious clues are aesthetic and those who know Cabriolets well can spot them immediately Those who are new to Cabriolets may want to take an enthusiast along or do some good research before going to take a look or take pictures and send them to someone who knows their Cabriolets Visit www cabby info com models to see what your perspective Cabriolet should look like The following are a few examples of Cabriolets that are certainly nice looking but not as they left the factory for their respective model years Incorrect parts Clipper kit
15. en items in trunk e carpet OEM carpet is contoured to fit the outline of the trunk floor Spare tire and or tool kit jack wrench black plastic covers for rear tail lights interior light lens black side panels build spec sheet sticker black trunk lid panel hides lock mechanism rear seat pull knob Seat belts are severely worn dirty frayed do not retract and or jerk stop or are missing Parcel shelf is missing damaged warped or stained Note This item conceals the trunk s contents when the top is up and most importantly holds the glass rear window when the top is down Also if speakers are seen in the parcel shelf these were an owner add on they are not factory Rear seat e does not fold forward pull black knob to the left of trunk opening first e is missing pull strap left side e is missing its black back panel How to fold the rear seat forward www cabby info com interior htm rear_seat Front seats do not fold forward or slide forward backward do not tilt forward backward seat back do not tilt up down seat bottom where installed headrests do not move and or stay up 2008 KamzKreationz Page 10 of 21 www cabby info com Missing and or broken interior trim pieces dash bezel and or switch trim plates steering wheel center pad and or horn buttons emergency brake cover Knobs handles caps trim plates etc gearshift boot or trim plate upper door sills Missing and or broken inter
16. en shifting is leaking gear oil bell housing has cracks Note Reverse is a non synchronous gear if this gear is engaged too quickly it will grind Automatic transmission shifting is difficult or noisy or is not smooth transmission jerks into gears transmission engages gears late or fails to up shift to a gear selector lever is sloppy pops out of gear or doesn t move at all poor acceleration transmission slips parking lock fails to engage is leaking gear oil bell housing has cracks 2008 KamzKreationz Page 18 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Issue Example Electrical accessories don t work including e running lights brake lights side repeaters and rear fog light Europe headlights high and low beam reverse lights interior and dash lights turn signals and emergency flashers horn rear window defroster windshield wipers and washers HVAC fan blower power windows power hydraulic top heated seats Any or all warning lights are on while driving f the airbag lights do not go out the airbag system requires servicing and the airbag will not deploy in an accident Starter is faulty or fails to turn engine Distributor cap rotor spark plug wires etc are worn corroded faulty etc Alternator is not charging system properly or is making whining noise Battery is dead Gauges do not work including odometer speedometer etc or are intermittent Proper gauge readings ww
17. fetch upwards of 7 000 both examples being priced pretty fairly Bottom line do your homework and shop around Price Dealers vs Private Sales Usually dealers put a high price tag on cars because they are businesses trying to make a profit while private party sales are uSually priced right at or under Blue Book value because most sellers just want the cars gone However while the stealership stigma will always reign true for dealers with convertibles some private sellers mark up prices as well especially those who don t need to sell the car right away and are willing to wait for a sucker to come along who will fork over several thousand dollars for an average specimen As it is with online buying it is buyer beware one reason this guide was created was so that you can become an informed buyer no matter what sources you decide to shop from Now let s go window shopping for a few examples so that you can get a feel for values Waaaaaaaaaaaay Overpriced Slightly Overpriced JutRig si i aj E ij J P et p T a r Car year 1987 Car year 1987 For sale in 2008 on AutoTrader com For sale in 2007 amp 2008 on Craigslist and in For sale in 2008 on Craigslist Seller Used car dealer AutoTrader Seller Private party Price 2 999 Seller Private party Price 1 900 Condition Poor wrecked front end dent in rear Price 4 000 Condition Great and it comes with a car Y panel front seats ripped to
18. fo com 2008 KamzKreationz Major body damage such as dents particularly to the rear quarter panels if damage is severe these are not repairable or replaceable and or to the frame Wheels are dirty dull caked with brake dust damaged Alloy wheels are missing center lug caps covers and or caps do not match in style and or color Steel wheels are missing center caps and or trim rings Doors sag or do not open close properly Bumpers or bumper covers are crooked marred missing and or sagging all bumper types should be nearly parallel to the ground Trunk lid does not pop up or does not stay up faulty strut lid should be nearly vertical when open Door locks do not function properly or are difficult to operate different keys for the locks sometimes one door handle is replaced without swapping in the original lock cylinder Rubber seals are cracked split blistered broken etc expensive parts to replace Windows do not line up with their respective seals there should be no gaps between the glass and seals Gas cap is missing or is not the original black star cap Tires are low flat or mismatched Tires are badly or irregularly worn or bald VINs do not match Check all locations to verify the North America buyers the VIN located under the car s VIN black plastic rain tray of 1981 Cabriolets will contain four Zs this is normal So long as the dash VIN plate other 13 digits m
19. fuel mileage strong fuel odor in engine bay Note If fuel leaks or a strong fuel odor is detected do not test drive the vehicle 2008 KamzKreationz Page 14 of 21 www cabby info com Vacuum lines are disconnected broken cracked or Vacuum line diagrams missing www cabby info com engine htm engine_vacuum Cruise control if equipped doesn t work a Exhaust system e has holes cracks and or is rusted is loud hisses rumbles rattles components are disconnected and or missing car failed its most recent emissions test smokes o blue smoke internal seal gasket failure o black smoke running extremely rich o white smoke head gasket failure _ 2008 KamzKreationz Page 15 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Issue Example Coolant leaks e hoses hose connections flanges radiator expansion tank water pump heater core Coolant condition e coolant level is low e coolant is dirty e coolant has significant amount of oil in it x indicates possible head gasket failure Electric Electric cooling fan fails to turn on or off fan fails to turn on or off Water eee gauge ec cooing Fan faleto tum oh oF low Proper gauge readings www cabby info com qauges Hatma o airflow cards are missing top and or sides aa Car overheats runs hot and or warning light is blinking 2008 KamzKreationz Page 16 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Issue Example
20. ifter bushings and linkages manual transmissions Adjust ignition timing along with setting the idle Replace idle screw O ring Replace gaskets valve cover oil pan Inspect motor mounts and replace as needed Replace all vacuum lines and rubber connectors If you intend to do any work on the car yourself it would be very wise to invest in a Bentley Service Manual for your car Volkswagen Rabbit Scirocco Jetta Volkswagen briolet Scirocco While the Bentley Manuals for Cabriolets have their shortcomings they are the best DIY repair manuals currently on the market For those living outside North America The manuals shown above are for CIS and Digifant fuel injected Cabriolets Now that routine mechanical maintenance has been completed drop the top and go for a cruise Happy cablying 2008 KamzKreationz Page 21 of 21 www cabby info com
21. ior parts ashtray vents radio Switches map pockets and or speaker grilles cigarette lighter rearview mirror Vinyl coverings peeling up or off or vinyl is damaged front rear door panels dash kneebar glove box upper door sills Windows are difficult to roll up down will not go up and or down at all or get stuck Opening vent windows are glued shut stuck to their seals or do not open Note rear windows roll only half way down this is normal Glove box will not lock unlock using master key Glove box lid will not stay uo when opened Keys e are missing e are mismatched Manuals are missing owner s manual maintenance manual warranty booklet etc No documentation for the car particularly receipts for repairs and maintenance Keys your Cabriolet should have www cabby info com interior htm keys Interior has been smoked in cigarette burns appear on seats and or headliner The exterior mirrors fail to respond to the adjustment knobs 2008 KamzKreationz Page 11 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Car body is dirty Dirt and debris in rain tray under re hood at firewall and plugging up the drain holes Trim pieces side trim is missing and or damaged rocker panel trim 79 87 is missing and or damaged windshield trim is no longer chrome 79 88 black plastic rear license plate bracket tub is missing rubber trim piece above bracket is missing bumper pa
22. learn Please become skilled at driving a stick shift before you shop for a Cabriolet with a manual transmission What to Take With You When you go to look at a perspective Cabriolet here are a few things you might want to take with you e The checklist in this buyer s guide a pen pencil and a clipboard e A friend family member mechanic and or Volkswagen enthusiast if possible e Tools flathead and Phillips screwdrivers multi meter Translations Before going any further it should be noted that this buyer s guide uses American English For those utilizing British English here are some helpful Cabriolet translations to keep in mind while reading this guide ra falas Hood oO Bonnet Top o Hood Roof Trunk K Boot Boot Cover Hood bag Windshield oO Windscreen Reliability As can be said for any older used car common sense prevails do not buy one expecting it to be 100 problem free even if it is in pristine condition They are used vehicles parts wear out over time and need replacing Most importantly do NOT buy a cheapie Cabriolet and expect it to only cost what you paid for it i e don t think that 300 Cabriolet was a killer deal odds are you WILL dump money into it within the first few months of ownership These cars take a lickin and keep on tickin but they have their breaking points Therefore if you ve found a nice looking cheapie Cabriolet for Sale and are planning to use it as daily transportation set asid
23. move at all Fan switch broken or missing Selector levers broken or missing Vents blow out dust dirt or other debris Heater e air does not get warm note side vents only blow outside air and A C cooled air 2008 KamzKreationz Page 20 of 21 www cabby info com Things to replace after the purchase Congratulations You re now the proud new owner of a beautiful Cabriolet Now what Well before you head out for your topless drives you ll want to do some maintenance Unless the seller has receipts proving that the following has recently been completed you ll want to have these things performed or do them yourself e Brake fluid flush amp bleed with quality fluid inspect pads drums amp rotors and replace as needed e Coolant flush system amp add new coolant install new thermostat and cooling fan thermo time switch inspect hoses water pump amp radiator and replace as needed Replace engine oil and filter Replace air filter Replace fuel filter Inspect fuel injector O rings seals and replace as needed Inspect all belts and replace adjust as needed Inspect suspension and axle parts and replace lubricate as needed Replace oxygen sensor on catalyst equipped engines Service the carburetor on carbureted engines Europe Purchase fuel pump relay keep in car as a spare Replace ignition components distributor cap rotor spark plugs spark plug wires Inspect transaxle oil and replace as needed Replace sh
24. s the car ever been used as a tagalong If it has a trailer hitch Has the car ever towed anything Final Words This buyer s guide is just that a guide It s for getting to know what to look for and possibly what you re potentially getting yourself into as well as being a checklist for when you see your potential new toy in person Furthermore just because you encounter the Issues listed on the following pages doesn t mean you shouldn t buy the car If the car has issues they are your bargaining chips so to speak The more issues it has the more you will have to spend on top of what you pay for the car to fix what s wrong with it therefore mark down all the flaws and subtract a fair amount from the seller s asking price if the asking price is more than what it should be Happy cabby shopping 2008 KamzkKreationz Page 6 of 21 www cabby info com Badgino For your reference the following table is included to provide a list of the badges and inscriptions found on Cabriolets and where their factory locations are all side badges and inscriptions are on both sides of the car re a i an AT KSW AN E 1N 1979 1984 Remember no such thing as Karmann Edition x VOLKSWAGEN 1985 1993 1985 1993 1985 1987 2008 KamzkKreationz Page 7 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Top amp Boot Buyer Notes Issue Example Top folds down incorrectly e loop of material flops over
25. shreds missing Condition Excellent 121 000 miles cover 136 000 miles a side trim Conclusion It s in excellent condition but has Conclusion While it s in great condition it has Conclusion fixer upper easily repaired but will f over 100K on the clock While 3 500 is more Its usual minor used car issues and has over require that is way way way overpriced accurate this car is a much better value than 100K miles but this Cabriolet is priced just 500 tops the 86 at left right An additional note about used car dealers Volkswagens are a special breed of car much like any other European import That said it s usually best to buy any Volkswagen from a Volkswagen dealer including those that are not part of the VW franchise for example Fred Davidson s German Autos Idaho s largest unauthorized VW dealer Those VWs sitting on a Joe Schmoe Used Cars lot are not necessarily money pits waiting to happen but be aware that these dealers usually know very little about VWs and cannot fix them properly nor know much about them They usually have a fairly high mark up on VWs especially if they re drop tops Be sure to test drive the car look the car over with a fine toothed comb and have it inspected by a qualified Vo kswagen mechanic If you decide to buy it and have problems with it do not take it back to the Joe Schmoe dealer for repairs take it to a qualified VW mechanic shop If the Joe Schmoe dealer includes offers a w
26. test drive especially if the car is going to be a daily driver a mechanic will confirm the problem areas you encountered using the checklist Among the things that should be checked e Brakes Wheel bearings cylinders Cooling system Engine compression Engine oil pressure fluid leaks oil condition amp level Timing belt belt tensioners pulleys Vacuum lines amp connections distributor centrifugal and vacuum advance Fuel injectors carburetor Tire condition amp pressure Exhaust system Transmission transaxle CV boots and joints axles shift linkages manual transmission Motor mounts Shocks struts springs bump stops All ground wires Throttle switches idle boost valves Questions for the Seller You ve looked the car over carefully test drove the car and because everything passes your examinations you are now really wanting the car Before handing over your hard earned money there some questions to ask the seller e Why are you selling the car e How many owners has the car had e Do you have all of the maintenance repair receipts and or records e What has recently been repaired replaced e Has the car ever been wrecked If so when and how much damage was done e Did it pass its last emissions test and or vehicle inspection If not why e lf the car has been modified ask why it was done and when e Has the engine been rebuilt or replaced Has the transmission been rebuilt or replaced If so how long ago e Ha
27. w cabby info com gauges MFI MFA cluster components do not work Europe Bulbs blown interior and exterior Radio does not work is in SAFE mode or is missing Any or all speakers do not work or produce crappy sound or are missing Parts or all of the car have been re wired done right it s a good thing done wrong it can be a nightmare Amateur add on or re done wiring exists this can be a real pain when you have electrical problems Wires are disconnected worn burned etc Fuse box relay panel is corroded indicates water leak Relay fuse locations www cabby info com electrical_ system Relays and or fuses are missing broken or rusted 2008 KamzKreationz Page 19 of 21 www cabby info com Buying Checklist Buyer Notes Issue Example A C system only warm air exits center floor or defrost vents compressor fails to engage no air exits center vent but exits windshield defrost vents instead water leaks into the car rather than to the ground drain pipe runs down the right side of the heater core and out through the passenger footwell How the system controls work www cabby info com hvac_system htm controls Windshield defroster doesn t work or air fails to exit defrost vents Vent flaps move in rhythm with engine rom vacuum leak The fan blower fails to work on 1 2 3 or all settings Hissing sound coming from dash vacuum leak Selector levers are difficult to move or don t
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