MK1 Cabriolet Oppinions

[intensem1]

Hi Guys,

Im a mk1 fan, dont own one but admire alot of the ones on this forum! Now that my sis is on the verge of getting her license she wont be driving my car or my dads so another car is needed despite mum saying share.

Sure another BMW would be suited but sister wants a convertible and there are only limited models in those that are generally pricey.

Ive suggested a VW cabriolet, but dont have much idea what they are like and am interested in hearing peoples views or experiences on them. First impression is that they would be a fun little car for a 16yr old girl and her friends to cruise around in.

What im wondering is are there anythings that really let these cars down? Do they run the same 1.8lt engine as the gti's or is it different, if so how?

Spose its a personal oppinion but do they lend them sell to being customised as much as 3 door mk1s?

Any help, even pictures of cabs to admire is much appreciated!

[WABIT]

hey mate

she would love one, i started driving in april and i bought my dads cabrio gti, my one is running a kjet but i dont have the australian deliverd mk1 cab, so im not sure what the aus ones are running.. if you do tend to get one for her, and theres an electric roof (my one is manual) if it does let itself go, you are up for about $2,200 for a new electric motor, the car should generally run fine due to most cabrio owners drive them like grandmas, but i have noticed that most of the cabs do generally get taken really good care of so your bound to find one in really good shape, the automatics have no get up and go, verry sluggish, but yeah she would love one i reckon



wabit

[intensem1]

Thanks Wabit,

Yours is such a clean example! I personally like your bumpers or the smal chrome euro ones better than the cabriolet bars fitted, IMO they make the cars look to heavy and single headlights is a must.

I think id pass on the electric roof! Cant imagine the manual roofs are too hard to put up and down. Is yours new? looks in great condition. Where is your car originally delivered?

Thanks again

[Tim]

my buddies one has the electric roof. He disconnected it and just does it manually. its much faster.

[WABIT]

my one is a U.S import, and it came with ugly massave, and i mean MASSAVE alluminium front and rear bars my dad got rid of them and the side reapers, my one is a recaro limited edition rabbit with recaro interior, also my one has single light grille with the gti face and black badge, and front spoiler, only the aus deliverd ones came out with the big cabby bodykit, also there is no power steering, but its still light

this is what my one originally looked like when we first picked it up 10 years ago


wabit

[Golf Loon]

All Mk1 Cabbys run K-Jet injection.
Later ones after about 1986 Have the Full Cabriolet Bodykit, very expensive if you break it.
No RHD Mk1s have power steer.
There is a really cheap bronze Cabby on Ebay ATM in Melbourne.

[WABIT]

ugly dont get it, i seen it at DOVW last year and its battered, and like loon said, each late model bumper is $1,500 each and $700 for each sideskirt

so your looking at alot to get a replacement if damaged

wabit

[Edison]

$2,200 for a new electric motor

I know an engineer at bankstown who could replace the motor for half that.. I'd get a motor myself, contract him to make the mounts and charge you half... the 2.2 is a 'i don't want to do it' quote i reckon...

[gtimk5]

I have a english GLI cab that runs all the GTI running gear and suspension. It is a great car but, cabrios have very heavy steering if they don't have powersteering. The one I have, (soon to be my daughters if she gets her licence on tuesday!) has a manual roof which is dead simple to use. Our dog sunbaked on it last summer and chewed a large hole in it! Insurance covered it ok thank goodness. Cheers! ( wabit, yours is looking great mate!!)

[WABIT]

thanks mate OMG THAT GTI!!!!!!!! dont show me any more pictures of it please!!! lol

wabit

[gtimk5]

Got to get around to respraying the cabrio sometime. And thanks for the GTI comment, couple more weeks to go and I will be over there mate!

[intensem1]

Thanks everyone for your input! Ive shown my sister a few pictures and passed a few ideas of mine by her and i think she just likes the idea of no roof! If it was my way id have the roof but i dont see my 16yr old sis getting around in a golf with half cage etc.

We will have to start looking around at these now, have to be a cheaper option than a bmw, and no doubt more fun!

Are the intjected engines easy to work on? Ive played with engines but im keen to learn more!

Thanks Again,

[intensem1]

Thanks guys for your help and thoughts!

I was hoping to win the bidding on the gold rabbit on ebay but missed out! Sister was disapointed as the car had grown on her!

If anybody knows of a cheap vw soft top/ cabriolet please let me know. Condition isnt a huge issue as the it will be resprayed etc etc!

PS did anyone on here get the car?

Thanks again!

[Golf Loon]

That was the cheapest cabrio ever. It`ll be a long time before you get another for that price.

[DubSteve]

That was the cheapest cabrio ever. It`ll be a long time before you get another for that price.

On Carsales they all average about $8000 and they are in OK condition but depends on the buyer though.