From: mark@wdcwdc.sps.mot.com (Mark Shaw)
Subject: Re: The best water-cooled VW?
Organization: Motorola Western MCU Design Center, Chandler Arizona
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 19:35:20 GMT

|> 	SO, what do you consider to be the best of the second-generation VWs?
|> Which are the most affordable in terms of mileage, used cost, upkeep, etc?

Finding the best of the second generation water-cooled VW's is more related to body type
and engine type.  VW's modular method of construction spreads many of the same components
across many models (and years).  

I have owned (4) of these models.  The first was a '75 Rabbit with carbureated 1500cc
engine.  It worked fine and was fun to drive, but a bitch to tune and keep running smooth.
I bought it used at about 30K miles and traded it in at about 60K miles.  

The next was a '79 Rabbit with K-Jetronic 1600cc engine.  I got this one used with about
40K miles on it. This one was a real workhorse and went thru myself and two sons before it 
finally got wrapped around a light pole at 142K miles.  Never had the head off -- will never
know how long it would have lasted.

The third one was a '79 Scirocco with the same engine as the '79 Rabbit.  This was a real
find with only 45K miles on it and an S-Model.  This car still is in the stable and my son
drives it to college and my wife races autocross in it.  It sits at 80K miles.

The last was an '84 GTi which I bought in a battered condition for $1300 and 112K miles on it
last year (follwing the demise of the '79 Rabbit).  It has been reconditioned and is still
going strong as my primary autocross and work car.  It has the 1800 cc engine with KE-Jetronic
and Lambda sensor with catalytic converter.

The durability of the water-cooled engine is suberb if you make regular oil changes and
pay attention to it.  The later ('82 onward) engines with Lambda feedback (OX sensor) seem
to run smoother and start easier.  I would recommend any model (Rabbit, Scirocco, Pickup,
or Jetta) with the 1600cc or bigger engine and fuel-injection.  Avoid all carbureated models
and diesels.  The fuel-injection has been relatively maintainence free and provides better
response.  The later cars with electronic ignition are even easier to maintain.  One of the
big drawbacks of the diesel is its close tolerance design -- loss a timing belt and you
get an instant piece of junk, whereas the gas engine has enough clearance to not do any 
damage.  

The '83-'84 GTi's are real nice, but may be an insurance problem for younger drivers.  My
real preference is the `79 model year with 11600cc fuel-injection.  These cars run on
regular gas and parts are easy to obtain and reasonable.  But, I suspect you are in the
Midwest area where finding a good '79 anything is difficult.  Out here in the Southwest car
bodies last forever, so only interiors and mechanicals are of concern.

You should expect about 26 MPG in town and 30-35 MPG on the highway with most of the line.

If you have any specific questions (or comments about a specific car you found) mail me
direct.  I have a lot of experience with VW back to 1963 and have some friends who work at
VW's Desert Proving Grounds, which is moving to the Casa Grande area.

regards,
Mark                                            (mark@wdc.sps.mot.com)  Tempe, AZ.