From: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw
Subject: Re: Purchasing used VW
Date: 12 Nov 92 23:16:30 GMT
Reply-To: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, squiec@rs6417.ecs.rpi.edu (Craig L. Squier) says:

>In article <1dstokINN7ct@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer) writes:
>>
>>In a previous article, squiec@rs6416.ecs.rpi.edu (Craig L. Squier) says:
>>
>>>In article <1992Nov11.215908.676@gmuvax2.gmu.edu> lcarr@gmuvax2.gmu.edu writes:
>>>>Hi.
>>
>>>  You have to be specific in which model type you want. From 80-84 the
>>> Jetta was on the A1 chassis type( kinda like a Rabbit with a big trunk)
>>> From 85-on it was on the A2 chassis(likewise a Golf with a trunk).
>>> I liked my A1 Jetta better than any A2's that I've driven, but I'll be impartial and list the good/bad points by model.
>>>  A1 Jetta 1980-1984
>>>   GOOD:
>>>     1)Lotsa room for it's size, deep trunk(compared to what it looks like)
>>>     2)Easier engine to work on (before electronic engine management)
>>>     3)Cheaper to buy(older)
>>>     4)Cheaper to buy aftermarket soup-up parts for......your discretion.
>>>     5)Cool gas mileage(@25-32, diesels higher)
>>>     6)More squat(hence sportier appearance)(at least I think so...)
>>>     7)The GLI model is rare AND cool looking if you can find one(105hp)
>>>   BAD:
>>>     1)Since it's older its harder to find A good rust-free example.
>>>     2)Rust prone in some specific areas:a)Bottom of A-pillar
>>>                                         b)Hood &Engine Compartment
>>>                                         c)Trunk Lid
>>>     3)A little more cabin-crampage compared to its big brother
>>>         ( But its lighter making it a little more nimble)
>>>     4)Some electrical problems(Mainly the fuseboxes because of leaks through
>>>            the antenna and harness grommets in the firewall)
>>>     5)Less horsepower than Big Bro(Lighter though so it's not too noticeable)
>>>  A2 Jetta 1985-present
>>>   GOOD:
>>>     1) A little bigger sizewise
>>>     2) Big trunk like its predecessor
>>>     3)More hp available ( GLI too  @115-123hp)
>>>     4)MAny improvements over little brother(power accessories etc.)
>>>     5)Diesel models are REALLY reliable(also get @42-50mpg)(some with turbo)
>>>     6)More of them out there to buy 
>>>   BAD:
>>>     1)Generally more expensive to fix(newer more sophisticated parts etc.)
>>>     2)After market stuff too(also a little more $$$)
>>>     3)Engine more complicated(just as reliable)
>>i do not really know about this all..but would like to comment on myne..i 
>>have the 85 jetta..i (nach) assumed that it would be much more complex as 
>>far as the motor and controls..but it really is not..the only thing that is
>>seems to have that the pre85's didn't is the O2 sensor..(but i'm not sure
>>whether or not the <85's did)...otherwise, it appears to be pretty much
>>the same(FI is on the other side..but otherwise..)
>>
>The A1 chassis does have a O2 sensor but I was talking about simple problem
> diagnostics with the Bosch KE-Jetronic. Its quite different than the 
> K-Jetronic....
beats me..like i said..the O2 sensor is the only thing i've been able to pin
down as being different...but, myne hasn't broken yet either..it's amazing
how much more you'll learn  when it breaks! :-)

>>>     4)More expensive to buy(newer)
>>>     5)More prone to break-ins(buy Armor-Guards)
>>>     6)Heftier( new suspension set-up decreases the effect of the extra weight
>>>                but I noticed a big difference right away)
>>>     7)SELF-TERMINATING TRANSMISSION:
>>>         On many of the 5-speed 020 gearboxes in this period, a circlip was
>>>       left off the trans shaft by the factory (to save$$$) which causes the
>>>       shaft to eventually wear thru the trans bell housing. This causes fluid
>>>       loss and eventual failure(big $$$). You wont know if you have a bad one
>>>       until this happens though :(. So its a risk. I dont remember if theres
>>>       a recall or not( anybody know this???)
>>
>>this is (according to what i have read) only a problem in the "sport" models..
>>ie..the GLI's..and GTi's(golfs)..but not in the base model trannys...the
>>article i read said that VW refused to call it a foul up, as the trannies
>>sometimes make a good 120k before breaking down(though some don't get over 50k 
>>before it machines itself out!)all in all..this should not be  a big problem,
>>but something to plan for..just look up the known perpetrators, and if you 
>>find a car that is in the range, plan on taking the tranny apart and installing
>>the clip..no big deal, unless you get one that machines..then..it runs into some
>>$$ cuz the cases are al..and mus use special welding proceedures....also, the
>>long ratio boxes (again..the non "sport" models) seem to be unaffected.
>>
>>>  This is about all I can think of. If I were looking, I'd be putting my $$$
>>>  on a nice clean '84 Jetta GLI. I had the chance but my fundage ran out.
>>>  The older GTIs were so cool, the GLI took it one groovy step further......
>>> -Craig S.
>>>HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>depends on which style you like better. they both have thier merits as far
>>as chassis goes, but i think the A2 is better stock, but may cost a little 
>>more to upgrade...whatever...it all comes out about the same in the end..
>>as one needs parts the other doesn't...etc...just find what YOU like..and 
>>get one with a trashed motor(but rebuildable!)(yes..this is ME talking..if
>>i had the $$$$!!!) and get one of the factory 2.0 either 8 or 16 valve(whatever
>>came in the car..i think i might prefer the 8..but am still undecided..)
>>some sport(rally!) suspension...huge gummies!!ah..i wish..for now..i truly
>>enjoy tooling around in a fun and (resonably, since a couple mishaps) 
>>dependable car...it really is fun! and the trunk!!!!!!!
>>DREW
>The person that wanted the info wanted to compare cars that were basically
> going to remain stock. I don't think that she wanted a project car.
> There is a BIG difference between a car I would buy for a project(engine
> or otherwise) and a car I would buy for my girlfriend to drive around in...
yeah..i know..i was just...venting...i suppose..and apologize(but you did
say "if I were looking..." this is what sparked it..sorry again....but i 
think i'd tell my GF to do the same thing...only more of the work would
be done by a mechanic instead of her doing it herself..(she's a power 
freak as well as i...odd..she drives a stang 2.3 and i a bone stock jetta...
neither is known for massive acceleratory forces...:-)
>What I think she was looking for was just buying points on the two types
> of cars(to stay stock) and what to look for....
>-Craig
>No flame intended, I just wanted to clarify myself.... :)
gotcha..apologies again for the outpouring..
along the lines you were travelling..i'd personally recommend that said
reader go for the 8v whatever...just because the 16v's ultimately make
more hp, and sound funner...i find that MOST(yes..this means a gross
generalization is following..do not take it personally if you are an
exception..please...) women/girls(members of the female gender) tend not
to drive in the high rpm spectrum where they are going to notice the
improvement of the 16..just my offering...no reason to pay for what you
never use..8v are cheaper all the way around..
good luck!
DREW
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