About to purchase a 1982 Jetta 1.6 N/A

[socalsean]

Not too sure if this is the right place to post this. Mods feel free to move this if necessary.

I'm going to go look at a 1982 Jetta Diesel with a 1.6 n/a. It has 75,000 miles (or so I have been told). The dealer said the timing belt has been recently replaced along with a crank shaft seal.

What sort of issues should I be looking for before dropping the cash on this bad boy? Obviously I can't do a compression check or anything crazy like that, but I'd like some simple pointers on issues I should be aware of/can look for.

I used to own a 1979 Rabbit Diesel 15 years ago and did a bit of work on it so I'm not a total idiot when it comes to cars.

Thanks!

[burn_your_money]

With the engine up and running remove the oil cap slightly. It's not going to have a splash guard so don't take it all the way off or you'll have oil everywhere. If you have white smoke puffing out walk away or talk him way down because the piston rings are shot. Air puffing out is normal but if it's white billowing smoke be alarmed.

Listen for noisy clatter, it has mechanic lifters and they probably need to be adjusted.

Check to see if the engine is warm before you try and start it. If it is it probably has a cold start problem that he is trying to cover up

Take if for a drive and note any smoke. Black is unburnt fuel, white is retarded timing, coolant etc (check the FAQ) and blue is oil. If you get a big puff of whitish smoke when you start it you probably need new valve seals but it could be the timing

[socalsean]

Thank you for the tips! I will definately check those things out and insist that that the car is not started/driven before I get there.

Any more advise is greatly appreciated!

[socalsean]

1982 Jetta Coupe 5 spd

I went out to look at the Jetta. It started right up on the first crank after it had been sitting for over a month. Here are some of the issues it had:

-some oil seeping on the driver side of the head gasket
-turn signals not working
-interior worn out (seats, headliner, door cards, carpet need help)
-brakes shot
-half ass repaint
-stiff clutch engagement
-vent wing window caulked to the door
-glow plug relay cut out and a switch installed instead

The car did have 75,000 miles on it and carfax seems to check out on it. 99% rust free and the body has the usual minor dents/dings for a 20+ year old car. Is it worth $1400?

[socalsean]

No opinions?

[burn_your_money]

1982 Jetta Coupe 5 spd nice

I went out to look at the Jetta. It started right up on the first crank after it had been sitting for over a month. that's good

Here are some of the issues it had: [

-some oil seeping on the driver side of the head gasket not good
-turn signals not working probably the hazard switch or a loose wire
-interior worn out (seats, headliner, door cards, carpet need help) that's normal
-brakes shot lines or just pads and shoes?
-half ass repaint bondo?
-stiff clutch engagement pretty normal, just replace the cable
-vent wing window caulked to the door common problem
-glow plug relay cut out and a switch installed instead I bought a car like that too, cheap ass previous owners... it's easy to reinstall

The car did have 75,000 miles on it and carfax seems to check out on it. 99% rust free and the body has the usual minor dents/dings for a 20+ year old car. Is it worth $1400? nope, 500-700 IMO

I paid $300 for my rabbit in about the same condition you are describing although it hadn't been repainted, just the one rear arch was bondoed and 1/4 assly painted

Where are you located? that effects the value of it

[socalsean]

1982 Jetta Coupe 5 spd nice

I went out to look at the Jetta. It started right up on the first crank after it had been sitting for over a month. that's good

Here are some of the issues it had: [

-some oil seeping on the driver side of the head gasket not good
-turn signals not working probably the hazard switch or a loose wire
-interior worn out (seats, headliner, door cards, carpet need help) that's normal
-brakes shot lines or just pads and shoes?
-half ass repaint bondo?
-stiff clutch engagement pretty normal, just replace the cable
-vent wing window caulked to the door common problem
-glow plug relay cut out and a switch installed instead I bought a car like that too, cheap ass previous owners... it's easy to reinstall

The car did have 75,000 miles on it and carfax seems to check out on it. 99% rust free and the body has the usual minor dents/dings for a 20+ year old car. Is it worth $1400? nope, 500-700 IMO

I paid $300 for my rabbit in about the same condition you are describing although it hadn't been repainted, just the one rear arch was bondoed and 1/4 assly painted

Where are you located? that effects the value of it

I'm in southern California.  Car is rust/bondo free. The cars I'm finding (not many at all around here) seem to be more expensive than this Jetta but in nicer overall condition.

The benefits of this local car is that it's local and I won't need to tow/fly/bus my way to get it home (which adds to the price of the car, ultimately).

Hmmm...............

[burn_your_money]

California eh... so it really is rust free then. If you can buy it with a clear conscience then do it, I know I have to at least talk the guy down a bit to feel good about buying a car :lol:

[socalsean]

California eh... so it really is rust free then. If you can buy it with a clear conscience then do it, I know I have to at least talk the guy down a bit to feel good about buying a car :lol:

The seller was asking $1900 but he said he'd take $1400. Steep in my opinion, but the prices on these cars seems inflated around where I live.

[burn_your_money]

Tell him based on the amount of work that the car will require to get on the road legally and passing smog (if it has to) that you can offer him $1000

You have to sound convincing though, like you actually know what you are talking about :lol:

If he has no other prospective buyers and he wants to sell he'll either agree or counter-offer. If he finds you offensive and doesn't want to sell he'll tell you to go somewhere at which point you should look elsewhere and possibly regret lowballing him (if you feel it's a lowball offer) it's hard to say without actually seeing the car in person.

Is this a vortex sale?

[914turboford]

I'm probably going to buy one tomorrow. 82 diesel Jetta. Factory AC. 160K. Sunroof. Original white paint in nice shape. No tears in interior. No rust. Aftermarket 15" wheels with nice tires. Buying it as an alleged runner without starting it. Reportedly smokes badly and has not been driven for 2 years. $200. I'll probably get it started and try adjusting the timing. If it runs good and I can get it not to smoke I'll probably ask $1900 for it.
Brian

[914turboford]

My $200 Jetta turned out to be a myth. I think I showed too much interest and the price has gone up to "I'm not sure if I want to sell it."
Brian

[Ziptar]

Seems Kind of steep to me. If you look on ebay MKI NA Cars usually don't go more than $1500.00 in great shape.

With the work it needs I'd say $1000 tops.

[socalsean]

Thanks for the insight guys! The seller wouldn't budge below $1400 and I felt like paying that much for a POS was a bit over board.

On a side note, while in Monterey, CA for Christmas I bought a different '82 Jetta for $1500. It was indeed advertised on the Vortex. It runs great just needs some suspension work. In my eyes, a perfect project for me. It could use some paint as one of it's previous owners painted it grey with a brush  :evil: