To buy or not to buy

[Possum79]

So Im in need of another car and found a 96' jetta gl for 1600$ US obo. I went to check it out tonight. I have to say its not in great shape but I like it. The rear bumper seems to kinda have poped off its mounts a little bit and its got paint fade. The windshield has a crack. The driver headlight has a crack/hole from a rock. The airbag light is on. Runs pretty strong at almost 121k miles. Tranny shifts nice and car still has power. Interior has a few minor stains with a little foam wear out in the driver seat. car has more road noise then my sisters 98 jetta gl and this possibly may need some new rear bearings. little bit of noise.

What do you gus think?

I wish she was a diesel then I would be all over it 

[bajacalal]

I would pass. I'm not a fan of the Mexican made 2.0 (assuming here) Jettas from that generation. They just seem so cheaply built and so much more complicated than an mk2 or mk1 esp. if it's a diesel... By cheaply built, I took the front bumper cover off a '96 model. The bumper was made of styrofoam...seriously, I think a lot of cars have this but I'm just not driving a car made with styrofoam parts.

If you want an economical gasoline FWD car get a Honda, sorry... I see you're in Cali so you won't have problems finding one.

[mystery3]

I would pass. I'm not a fan of the Mexican made 2.0 (assuming here) Jettas from that generation. They just seem so cheaply built and so much more complicated than an mk2 or mk1 esp. if it's a diesel... By cheaply built, I took the front bumper cover off a '96 model. The bumper was made of styrofoam...seriously, I think a lot of cars have this but I'm just not driving a car made with styrofoam parts.

Styrofoam does a pretty good job of absorbing impacts, probably better than the bumper shocks on a mkI anyway.

[catlin_cava]

from 93 on most VW's in North America are made in Mexico...I'm not a big fan of it but they still have to pass the same safety standards as the ones made in Germany. Its still the same procedures to build the cars....We think they are cheaply made because the labour cost are cheaper to make them

[smoken u]

lol i really dont mind the mkIII's they still have a better build quality than gm lol, the only thing is mexico has a lower steel quality standard than germany, so they kinda rust out faster   but thats why undercoating was invented

[catlin_cava]

New Floor kit 400$ plus installation...then spray or roll on bed liner...NEVER RUST AGAIN...I'm going to do it to the new car

[Possum79]

Well I tried to low ball a little bit  by offereing 1000 bucks cash. Tried to throw in that the windshield and head light is fix it tickets. ha. He didnt like that. He isnt very good on the working out a price when he asked for 1600 then I offer 1k then 1200 and he goes to 1500. and stays there. Not much of up for working out a price. He did call back later and say 1400 so Im thinking about it. I need a car but  I dont want to spend 1400 on that car that needs some work to avoid tickets.

[catlin_cava]

a head light are usually cheap...I like living where i live...NOONE knows anything on VWs so when I start listing off parts the car needs I usually get it for the price I'm asking...YES I KNOW I"M AN (think of what other word to use) but thats how I am. My lastest Golf the guy wasn't asking a price call and offer...I offered 500 and listed off everything the car needed...got it for 750

[Possum79]

Yea I did some pricing and I can get two newer ones on ebay for like 50 bucks just don't tell him that. The only thing that concerns me is the windshield and the airbag light. I mean the airbag light isnt really a big deal but it makes me think what else could be going bad. I think Im gonna cave and give him the 1400 I just have to borrow money from my dad. HA! I hate that.  My rabbit is motorless right now and my single saturn isnt helping my wife any when I take it to work everyday.

Anyone near the central valley california that can hit me with VAG COM? hehe.

[catlin_cava]

Tell him you;ll give him 1400 if he puts a windshield in and see where that takes you.

[Quantum TD]

Sounds like a turd: like all MK3 cars.

I wouldn't pay more than $800-900 for one. They're ugly all around, reverse gears blow up, AC compressors grenade, and they're prone to electrical problems (taillights, clusters, etc).

If you really want a MK3, I'm sure you could do better for the price.

The only upsides to the MK3 is the 2.0 is the motor, which you can't kill if you try, and the interior trim which is pretty much bullet-proof (compared to the MKIVs).

[Possum79]

Well he called and caved to 1200$ So i said deal. Just waiting on him to smog it. I like the look of the MK3 jetta's. I just gotta put a little bit of fix it junk in it. I'll post pics as soon as I pick it up. I need something and its a start while I fix the rabbit back up.

Still need a VAG to scan this sucker once I get it. Also need to scan my sisters jetta for airbag light.