Another is this a decent used VW thread?

[jhynesrockmtn]

Ran across this VW on CL, thoughts? It's for my son primarily. I have not seen it yet and have questions on things like heat/ac, any electrical gremlins, clean title, etc. but if it checks out, seems like a decent price. We're looking for something relatively safe, affordable and a car he could do some DE's in eventually. I'd go Japanese if it were me but he seems pretty set on a VW and has been looking at GTI's, Corrado's, etc. He does like Jettas too. I like this as it seems to have a bit more utility to it.

If you are a VW enthusiast this is a steal. This car has been my project for almost 6 years. I have replaced almost everything inside and outside of the vehicle.

I swapped the stock 1.8 motor with a 2.0 out of a 1998 Jetta and did it right. The full cross flow conversion was swapped over. All injection, intake, electronics, and computers were swapped over not just a block swap.
Also at the same time I put a lower mileage transmission into it and a new clutch.

The axles, CV joints, hubs, bearings, and bushings have also been redone with either factory VW parts or high quality performance products.

There is a full Tektonics tuned exhaust in it designed for the 98 2.0 Motor.
There is also a K&N style intake in it. *Short ram style

The suspension has all been replaced. It has H&R full race springs and sport struts. (Just the combination I liked)
Tear drop rims in decent shape with newer all season tires.

The interior has fairly new carpet (OEM spec replacement) 3 years old.
I replaced all the stock interior with the interior out of a very nice 92 Jetta GLI. So this included both front Recarro big bolster seats, rear recarro seat and matching door panels.

Sunroof works and does not leak! (if you know these cars you know it's rare)
The bad: Tach and speedo do not work, I don't know why I put in a new speedo cable when I did the swap but still doesn't work so I assume it's the cluster.
I've been working on making the car mechanically sound and while I have kept the interior and exterior very clean and sharp looking it does have some minor dings and the paint while its still shiny and looks good is getting thin from too much polishing and buffing. I planned to have it painted after I put a turbo kit in it which was my next planned step.

Additionally the car has a decent MP3 CD deck and two 12" MTX speakers in a bandpass box with an amp that will go with it. (the 6" deck lid speakers need replacement however as they are shot from sun exposure, but not a very big deal)

The car runs great and gets about 35 MPG and is quick as it sits. This car is running about 50% more HP than it did originally and is no slouch. Not to mention is a much much smoother and nice driving car than any other A2 I've ever driven. The Xflow motor and setup delivers a smooth power delivery and ride.

I have over 10k into this car and the ONLY reason I am selling it is that I need the money to pay my mortgage this month. If I didn't have to I would not sell it at all but I certianly would not sell it for this cheap.

[Steve F]

Not sure about Washington smog laws, but in California that would a raise a of bunch of red flags unless approached in the proper manner

[genrex]

It won't pass smog with a full Techtonics exhaust. This may be an easily-resolved issue by itself, but unfortunately such issues are sometimes just the tip of the iceberg with flash-talking prior owners who don't care about legal niceties..

I'd look elsewhere.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I just talked to the owner and he's a much more mature guy than I expected. Close to 30, has owned it for 6 years, VW enthusiast. The car passes smog, he has the documentation. My 3.2 transplant in my SC with no cat and SSI's passes smog with the stock chip. Washington does not do a visual inspection, at least in my experience in King County.

Again, I have not seen it but he set the car up as a DD to take and do autoX with as well and then ended up buying a new car. It has a long list of maintenance and wear items that have been dealt with including brakes and newer tires. He wanted to keep this to continue to tinker with and now can't afford 2 cars.

I'll probably go take a look assuming it doesn't start snowing here again.

[Jim Richards]

Do you know the quality of work that this guy does? Does he know the torque specs for everything he worked on and torqued the parts to these specs? What things that should have been done were left undone?


Even Motor Meister looks good on the surface...