How reliable are cabrios?

[onedcb]

This is to all the owners of cabrios out there. just wondering how your time owning a cabrio has been. relatively reliable? or not?

[cahoey85]

Originally Posted by onedcb

This is to all the owners of cabrios out there. just wondering how your time owning a cabrio has been. relatively reliable? or not?

I have a 2000 cabrio. While it's fun to drive, I've had all sorts of problems and would not recommend it. The dealers have just compounded the problems.

[jerrylee]

had nothing but probs.

[soapsuds22]

Not only do cabrio's have lots of problems but they are hard to fix and can be expensive.

[veedubmechanic]

a cabrio is a golf with a convertable top.. same engine, trans, suspension ect..

[trtlrvr]

have a 91 w/ 120,000 mile it's getting old but we get around.

[Supurban]

Originally Posted by onedcb

This is to all the owners of cabrios out there. just wondering how your time owning a cabrio has been. relatively reliable? or not?

Cabrio or otherwise, VWs require a certain level of attentiveness that most Honda and Toyota owners are oblivious to. If you ever owned an aircooled VW, then you are overqualified to deal with a Cabrio/Cabriolet.

These cars can run great, but you need to know that you are going to spend some time workig on them. In some ways, that is part of the charm. If you aren't interested in fiddling around with this type of stuff, you will find ownership quite frustrating.


1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet

[teenie]

I have a '92 Cabriolet-the older version of the Cabrio, and I find it to be absolutely reliable. I would recommend the older cars to anyone. Mine wasn't exactly a well cared for car when I bought it, but by having a little of this and a little of that replaced along the way, we've reached 190,000 miles and we're still going. I've decided I'm going to run this motor till it burns out completely, then replace it with another one. I have never had such a reliable car in my life.

I think VW did the same thing to all their cars...years ago I had an ugly '81 Jetta that just wouldn't quit. When the newer style came out, I got a '96 & had nothing but computer problems from almost the first day. When I was in the market for a "fun for mommy car" I considered the Cabrio's, but being bitten by VW's new (faulty) standards, I decided to go with an older model. I have not regretted it since.

Go get a classic. People still love them-they're too cool!

[95LT]

I owned a used manual trans 98 which I regretted so much selling that I bought a used 2001 cabby last year.

Pluses: Put some good tires and a few items like a K&N airfilter and the like, and while not super fast, it will be a "gentleman's express" that will carve up the twisties. I put in a hop up computer chip and the 3/4" lowering springs on my 98 and it felt like a econo-BMW to me in performance and was excellent in handling and power. Grins per mile are great, especially with the roof down! Has the "hoop basket" roll bar for safety and is a relatively heavy car for it's size. Multiple layer roof makes for a great winter car use if needed.

Minuses: Made in S America for the US market on an aging Golf platform means you are getting an older engine in the 2.0 that is pretty reliable, but some of the supporting stuff needs regular attention. I would agree with another post that "bits and pieces" are always needed here and there periodically at about $200 a pop. Normally not very expensive except the roof hydraulic pump which runs $1500 to replace, and you can just just switch it to manual instead which is no big deal. I feel the basic engine is reliable to the point of considering a new supercharger that hops up the output 60% since this is my midlife crisis car and not my daily driver. VW dealerships tend to be pricey and our local one is known to be poor. However, my independent service with Steve's European Auto in SE MI is fantastic. One of the few places that I would trust without reservations. There has always been some VW enthusiasts running service around that was a big part of my decision to buy one again.

Verdict: What YOU want! The thing I liked about them is the car has soul. A bit like a beautiful woman that is a little high maintenance, but worth every bit of it to me. I bought my 2001 last year with 45k for around $11k. What are you going to get for that much money that is this much fun? Just go in with your eyes open and know you won't have zero problems if you buy one used. Get a soul-less Civic well maintained if you don't want problems. Buy the Cabrio if you want to celebrate every day that your alive and it's convertible weather! Life is too short not to drop the top!

More info than you probably wanted, but I am rather passionate about them. All my other vehicles have been US brands and this has been the only one to seduce me, especially going back to a manual shift tranny.