Faults:

First off, yes, the car has 594 k miles on the odometer. that said, I bought this car at a lien sale with the speedometer cable missing so it has more miles than listed :). Bought it with the heater core leaking like a sieve, needing a tune up, severely faded paint, needing all 4 struts, missing the radio and the heater controls, and the seat belt lock on the drivers side. It also has a large dent in the passenger side front fender. The ignition switch is also worn and needs replaced. starting is a matter of getting it started and hitting the right spot to keep it running.

General Comments:

I paid $400 for this car on the novelty of the miles it has :) (VW rep asked me if I wanted to do a commercial heh). lacking the funds to immediately fix the problems, I simply made the car "usable" in that I cut the hoses going to the heater core and joined them to allow for proper water circulation, did a tune up (cap, rotor, plugs, air and fuel filter). It starts reliably and runs as well as can be expected with a car with so many miles... pickup is a chore, but she cruises highway speeds admirably and gets decent gas mileage. This is a daily driver for work while slowly restoring it :). I love the car and everyone here just shakes their head when they see the odometer. This is my 6th vw (several gas rabbits, several cabriolets, 1 66 beetle and 1 diesel rabbit.) I love vdubs, you just can't keep them buried :)

Faults:

New Front Shocks.

Clutch.

Rear brake calipers.

Usual seat wear and some smaller bits and bobs.

General Comments:

First off never underestimate a VW with 200000+ miles on the clock! If looked after these cars are excellent with crisp handling, still respectable hot-hatch performance and good understated looks (if kept standard) I highly recommend the the 16v engined over the 8v because once you've learnt to use its top heavy power band you won't be disappointed - plenty of rolling roads have proved the lower end torque advantage on the 8v to be a myth (in standard form anyway!) and they do handle better. I also think once you've built up some muscles the non-powered steering offers better road feedback. Even after driving more powerful cars (also got a BMW 535 and wife's Corrado G60) I miss the feel of real driving and light weight precision of this car. I can see why so many are still popular on the Neubeuring as they make good track cars.

Looking to get a lower mileage 2.0 16v Corrado engine in it at some point (if this engine will ever die!)

Faults:

Things that have gone wrong with this car are as follows:Temperature light flickers from time to time, Oil pressure light comes on every now and then, Air conditioner does not work and the heater is always on.

General Comments:

I paid to much for it, $1000.00. But that being said I do like it. I will probably give the car a good once over in order to keep it reliable, (It probably has another 160,000 miles left on it.)

It handles good, drinks less gas than my 2000 Dodge Dakota and has flaws that would be common for a car of it's age.

Faults:

Water pipe split in traffic on the M25 but I had been sat there for 2 hours.

Heater matrix split pouring boiling hot coolant over myself and my passengers legs, not a pretty sight... VW refused to replace/fix it despite a recall (which the car hadn't been through).

Alarm went up the wall - no fault of the car, but I will never by a Clifford alarm again.

Usual wear and tear items for MOT such a CV gaitors.

General Comments:

The best fun you can have in an appreciating classic.

I prefer the 8 valve engine because of the torque. Fantastic power from the start.

Superb handling, bettered with uprated poly bushes throughout and a Boge Turbogas lowered and uprated suspension kit.

The bolster on the drivers seat wore with time, but this can be expected of a car of this age and mileage.