Cory Wolfe 281 Posted November 22, 2009 Upon hearing the news of my employer going bankrupt, I decided to buy a car. Logical, eh? Actually, I had been looking into it before I heard the news. After the fact, I simply wasn't going to let it ruin my fun. The car had been advertised on VWvortex forums since August, listed for $950. The seller purchased it sight-unseen to use for a project. He hasn't seen the car to this day. He asked a friend of his in the area to pick up the car for him and they were planning on doing a complete TDI swap with it. His friend thought the shell was too rough, however, and he put the car back on the market to regain his money. Three months later, and a drop in price to $750, I inquire about it. After a week, I, my brother, and my BF drove out to New Jersey to check it out with his paypal on paper ready to do a deal. After arriving and enjoying some IHOP, we check it out. It's as rough as they were saying. Most of it the blemishes (IE dents) were on panels that could be changed out, but there was some road rash on the right rear quarter panel. After some haggling, he accepted $500 and I drove it home. I figure it'll make a good winter beater, or perhaps a good project. Honestly, I didn't have a reason to buy it. I did for the hell of it, mostly. Here's the original seller's ad: 1994, 5speed stick shift, 2.0 ABA engine, 200,400 miles -$950 I have owned last 14 years as a second owner (I purchased at 8,000 miles in 1995.) and has been maintained with care. All fluids have been changed regularly last 14 years. It was my daily commute on my 50miles highway drive until May this year. Good: -Car drives well (engine runs strong.) - The clutch was replaced at 170K -No rust/very good paint condition/clean interior -NJ DVM inspection was done 7/08 and good until 7/10. -New Headgasket - New Head gasket/head bolts - New Vale stem seals - New Valve keepers - Intake/valves cleaned - Fuel injector cleaned Many replaced new parts while I cleaned the head during the last year. - Battery - All belts including timing belt - Ignition coil - Spark plugs - Distributor/rotor - Ignition wires - Thermostat - Two oil pressure sensors - Water pump - 4 tires (a year old) - 5speed gear shifter bushings - Front and Rear Muffler assembly - Coolant flushed Bad: - Does have some cosmetic blemishes - Rough idling - Check Engine Light is on - Oil pressure warning light beeps occasionally after an hour of driving - A dent on the trunk door and driverside headlight area - No A/C Also the following items are included with purchase of this vehicle. All these parts are working well but I purchased these as a preventive care early this year but didn't have time to replace. - Radiator hose (New) $55 - From upper flange on radiator to flange on head, water pump and oil cooler. - Starter (used) - Windshield wiper motor (used) -Fuel pump (New) $197 - Cabin Air Filter And now for pictures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blake Noble 151 Posted November 22, 2009 Congrats on the project car BV. Keep us posted with updates. (I expect a lot of hypocrites in here ... but that's beside the point ... for now.) maintained with care. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Intrepidation 882 Posted November 22, 2009 Looks like a fun little project car. And since you have lots of spare parts you can work on it on the cheap as well! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cory Wolfe 281 Posted November 22, 2009 Congrats on the project car BV. Keep us posted with updates. (I expect a lot of hypocrites in here ... but that's beside the point ... for now.) Thanks. I've already addressed a few minor issues. Fixed the windshield washers (no hoses), the door sensors (driver side was bad, thus, the interior would be on when the door was closed, and off when it was opened), and I supplied a missing interior piece with one from the Jetta's stockpile. Plan on swapping out alot more parts tomorrow and addressing the CEL. Looks like there are some vacuum hoses missing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daves87rs 574 Posted November 22, 2009 Dude..sweet pick up! Love it! I've always liked that gen of Golf.... Enjoy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A Horse With No Name 1,986 Posted November 22, 2009 You lucky SOB! Great find. Glad to hear you have a BF, sounds like life has been good to you in other ways as well. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blake Noble 151 Posted November 22, 2009 Thanks. I've already addressed a few minor issues. Fixed the windshield washers (no hoses), the door sensors (driver side was bad, thus, the interior would be on when the door was closed, and off when it was opened), and I supplied a missing interior piece with one from the Jetta's stockpile. Plan on swapping out alot more parts tomorrow and addressing the CEL. Looks like there are some vacuum hoses missing. For some reason, I was thinking you sold the Jetta for parts or something. Still having it will most definitely help in bringing the Golf back up to speed. It seems there's a piece of trim missing around the front of the car. Is the Jetta's still intact and usable? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caddycruiser 52 Posted November 22, 2009 I like it, 200k+, color and all...that's a true classic VW, that's lived quite a life already Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SAmadei 224 Posted November 22, 2009 What is going on with the hood and the headlights? Is that how they were from the factory or did someone put the wrong headlights (or hood) on the car? They just don't look right. Congrats on the new purchase. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eldiablobanshee 3 Posted November 22, 2009 What is going on with the hood and the headlights? Is that how they were from the factory or did someone put the wrong headlights (or hood) on the car? They just don't look right. Congrats on the new purchase. first thing I thought when I saw the pic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ocnblu 1,143 Posted November 22, 2009 It has Jetta headlights and grille in it. The Golf lights are more rounded and fit the holes. Same with the grille, the Golf grille has a lower piece that is full-width and a different mesh. The VW bug has bitten Viper. I can think of worse things to spend money and time on. This could be a big collaboration labor of love project for Dallas and Cory. I expect more pics of the process. Now he's made me want to go look at 2010 GTIs again... insanity must be catching. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Camino LS6 868 Posted November 22, 2009 Not bad for 5 bills! Congrats BV, have fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daves87rs 574 Posted November 22, 2009 Would make a great beater... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMTruckGuy74 228 Posted November 22, 2009 Congrats on the new toy BV!! BTW, where in NJ did you get this from? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew Dowdell 6,487 Posted November 22, 2009 Time to undent die Auto! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Intrepidation 882 Posted November 22, 2009 We were tallking about the mismatched headlights yesterday. While I do like the Jetta ones, I think it would be harder to convert it to a Jetta front end, since it would need a hood and fenders as opposed to headlights and grill to put it back to Golf spec. Oh and the trim piece below the headlightss/grill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blake Noble 151 Posted November 22, 2009 Wait a second ... That's frightening. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blake Noble 151 Posted November 22, 2009 "I ate his intake manifold with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cory Wolfe 281 Posted November 22, 2009 Congrats on the new toy BV!! BTW, where in NJ did you get this from? Right outside Trenton. Thanks for the comments. I plan to have fun with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew Dowdell 6,487 Posted November 22, 2009 You're stalking me. That's where I grew up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Justin Bimmer 138 Posted November 22, 2009 Looks good. Get that NJ plate off it and you will be all set. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z-06 493 Posted November 22, 2009 Congrats BV. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gm4life 5 Posted November 22, 2009 Neat car, and yes if I would buy an European car it would be diesel. Enjoy this little puppy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A Horse With No Name 1,986 Posted November 22, 2009 Now he's made me want to go look at 2010 GTIs again... insanity must be catching. I had to drop my 19 year old daughter off at CSCC to do research for an english paper...droped by Byers VW while she was working on her paper. You and me...on the same wavelength. Then I went across the street to the Buick dealer where they had a pristine GNX on display, and a very gently used Colorado Crew Cab 4WD on the salesroom floor. You and me...on the same wavelength. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
!!!TED!!! 3 Posted November 23, 2009 I like it. For the money spent, the good far outweighs the bad. I like the colour combo too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites