Need Opinions on Possible Used Car Purchase

4L Ford Ranger. Can't put a YZ125 in a VW....

MxKing809 wrote:

4L Ford Ranger. Can't put a YZ125 in a VW....

I have a pickup. A moto van is still atop the one year plan. This isn't an overly permanent buy.

Might I suggest a Ridgeline Jbro? They really show off the crossfit when you drive one, and I know that's important for you.

Seriously though, if those are a hydro clutch it could be as simple as just bleeding the fluid on the one that runs stronger. When you say it needs adjustment, do you mean it slips or that it has a soft feel to it?

JM485 wrote:

Might I suggest a Ridgeline Jbro? They really show off the crossfit when you drive one, and I know that's important for you.

Seriously though, if those are a hydro clutch it could be as simple as just bleeding the fluid on the one that runs stronger. When you say it needs adjustment, do you mean it slips or that it has a soft feel to it?

Thanks bro!

It disengages the second you move your foot and remove any pressure. It doesn't slip, just reminds me of a quick adjust on a 2 stroke that is too loose. But the motor was smoother than the 85.

Also, we don't plan on paying 2500, closer to 2k.

Bad idea unless theres gonna be a backup for when it inevitably breaks down.

BTW what about the VW truck? It's the same platform but has a bed, so you could actually use it. With the diesel they get over 30mpg.

Just personal preference, I would look at the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. They hold up excellent.

I bought the wife one about 25 years ago as she wanted a sporty convertible. Red with black top, 1.8L auto. It was dog slow.

It wasn't a great car then. Doubt it has improved over time.

AHRMA361 wrote:

I bought the wife one about 25 years ago as she wanted a sporty convertible. Red with black top, 1.8L auto. It was dog slow.

It wasn't a great car then. Doubt it has improved over time.

You mean to say that used cars aren't like wine??

JW381 wrote:

Thanks bro!

It disengages the second you move your foot and remove any pressure. It doesn't slip, just reminds me of a quick adjust on a 2 stroke that is too loose. But the motor was smoother than the 85.

Also, we don't plan on paying 2500, closer to 2k.

If the clutch master cylinder is full & it does what you say the clutch needs replacing.

If you're a good enough mechanic I think you should buy whatever you want and it will be fine.

6 years ago I bought a Saab 9-5 with 190K- it had a spun main bearing, but came with a used engine. I bought the whole package for $1200, swapped out the engine and the car now has 275,000 on it. I've had some issue along the way but nothing I couldn't fix myself. One of the best purchases I've even made..its kept 85,000 off my Tundra.

JM485 wrote:

Might I suggest a Ridgeline Jbro? They really show off the crossfit when you drive one, and I know that's important for you.

Seriously though, if those are a hydro clutch it could be as simple as just bleeding the fluid on the one that runs stronger. When you say it needs adjustment, do you mean it slips or that it has a soft feel to it?

JW381 wrote:

Thanks bro!

It disengages the second you move your foot and remove any pressure. It doesn't slip, just reminds me of a quick adjust on a 2 stroke that is too loose. But the motor was smoother than the 85.

Also, we don't plan on paying 2500, closer to 2k.

Every older VW I ever drove had a really quick clutch disengagement. To the point that I either stalled or nearly stalled them if hadn't driven them in a few months and had been driving another "normal" manual transmission.

VWs can be a pain in the butt, but for $2K it could be a lot of fun for a little while.

I bought my wife a used Beetle convertible last year just for the fun of it. Got a really nice 2006 with only 60K on it, 2.5 5 cylinder, leather, etc. Paid just a little less than $5K for it and have had no issues whatsoever so far, but they definitely have a different "feel" to them. Hers is a blast to drive with the wheels pushed out to the corners so far, but it's definitely not a speed demon.

JM485 wrote:

Might I suggest a Ridgeline Jbro? They really show off the crossfit when you drive one, and I know that's important for you.

Seriously though, if those are a hydro clutch it could be as simple as just bleeding the fluid on the one that runs stronger. When you say it needs adjustment, do you mean it slips or that it has a soft feel to it?

JW381 wrote:

Thanks bro!

It disengages the second you move your foot and remove any pressure. It doesn't slip, just reminds me of a quick adjust on a 2 stroke that is too loose. But the motor was smoother than the 85.

Also, we don't plan on paying 2500, closer to 2k.

BMSOBx2 wrote:

If the clutch master cylinder is full & it does what you say the clutch needs replacing.

This is what I was thinking as well, but that might not necessarily be a total deal breaker. Maybe just go into the deal assuming that it needs to be replaced, and call a shop for an estimate beforehand just so you know what you're getting into (I'm assuming you don't want to do this one yourself, not a real easy job). If you do end up going this route, make sure you get the flywheel machined when the clutch is replaced, it's just good practice. I can see one of those cars being super fun to rip around in!

i'm with Josh, if you're looking for a used car there's no better than the Ridgeline.

years ago Meg had a newer style Beetle, i hated that fucking car so bad. it singlehandedly made up my mind on ever owning anything with a VW logo on it.

AHRMA361 wrote:

I bought the wife one about 25 years ago as she wanted a sporty convertible. Red with black top, 1.8L auto. It was dog slow.

It wasn't a great car then. Doubt it has improved over time.

JW381 wrote:

You mean to say that used cars aren't like wine??

Specifically, a VW Cabriolet = Boxed wine. Cheap, barely palatable and thrown away quickly.

AHRMA361 wrote:

I bought the wife one about 25 years ago as she wanted a sporty convertible. Red with black top, 1.8L auto. It was dog slow.

It wasn't a great car then. Doubt it has improved over time.

JW381 wrote:

You mean to say that used cars aren't like wine??

AHRMA361 wrote:

Specifically, a VW Cabriolet = Boxed wine. Cheap, barely palatable and thrown away quickly.

We just drove an auto, I can see why you didn't like it. We're gonna pick up one of the two 5 speeds tomorrow, we found a good German auto shop in Eugene, so that's good. They were actually selling the auto we tested out.

I've had 2 VWs in my life - an 86 Golf & 97 Jetta TD. Don't think I'll ever own another one - the tranny (5 speed) suddenly going south on the 97 was the last straw and ended with us going directly from where it got towed to, to a lot full of shiny new Civics, had one the next day. Still have that one, relegated to the kids now - has 490,000 kms on it.

That said - if it is truly a 'really really want' thing and if you go into it assuming you will be spending money on it on a ongoing semi-regular basis, then it might turn out OK. If the luster fades you can always sell it & get what you should have in the first place - a Honda.

The VW pickups are so slow you need to push them up hills.

My fave cheap car is Volvo S60/S70 turbo. You can find them all day for around $2k with under 200k. Even with 150k+ they drive like new, get great mileage and other than a habit of blowing bulbs out dead on reliable. Easy to chain timing belts are a plus. We might pick up another here in a bit as a commuter.............

Great little car, and she got the ride she's wanted for a long time. Only issue at the moment is that the convertible top leaks (which I guess is really common). I'm very happy tho!