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Looked at an 81S today - need lots of input (long)
- Subject: Looked at an 81S today - need lots of input (long)
- From: jtoomasson@yahoo.com (Jeff Toomasson)
- Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 14:50:11 -0800
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Wusup, everyone?
I went and looked at a Cosmos Silver 81S today and need lots of =
opinions. Below will be the owner's description to me when I asked for =
more details. After seeing it, the description is quite accurate and he =
seems like an honest guy. He said he'd let it go for $800. But the fact =
it's been hit makes me a tad uneasy. I also took a bunch (23) of =
pictures:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt
I've also been trying to get in touch with a guy who has a '78 champagne =
edition (he's the only owner and it has lots of suspension goodies, 15" =
BBS (older ones) and a Neuspeed big brake kit). The '78 doesn't run and =
needs a front wheel bearing and has "rust issues" (the extent of which I =
haven't seen yet). To this point, the guy's been a complete flake. I =
think I could get this one for under $500 (probably much less).
So - the question is: do I hold out for the Champagne (which is more =
rare and has more goodies), get this 81S which is a decent platform and =
runs pretty well, or hold out for a sterling example? My true vote is =
get the 78 and if it's not salvageable, pillage it for parts and hold =
out for a better S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get the wife =
to allow that scenario! :)
But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't come around =
that often and when they do, they're $$$...
The ultimate goal is a complete restoration/near-show-quality 200 hp JH =
turbo which must be an original special edition...
Thanks in advance everyone! Jeff
_________
The two front tires are Firestone, while the rear wheels are =
different. It's dark so I can't totally make out what brand they are. =
All four tires look like they have at least 4000 miles on them, but I'm =
by no means a tire specialist.
The mileage just broke 195,100. The miles on the engine are probably =
less than half since much of the engine was rebuilt about 1995 or 96.
I've personally replaced the heater/vent fan switch, rear brake shoes, =
brake-light sensor, the starter, all the plugs and wires, distributor =
cap and the battery during the time I've owned the car. I also have a =
set of front brakes that don't need to go in yet since the old ones seem =
fine.
There were no aftermarket mods added to this this car that I can tell. =
There's no wing or spoiler, etc.
The body is in great condition. The backside was in an accident =
before I before I bought the car, but I've seen no problem with the =
structural integrity of the vehicle. Everything seems aligned, there's =
just a little bit of damage on the driver's side of the bumper.
The engine runs really well. I got a smog check about a year ago and =
it passed with no problems. The car was owned by a mechanic in the =
mid-90's and he apparently rebuilt a majority of the engine. I've taken =
care of the car with oil changes every 3000, have done regular tune-ups =
on it (twice I've done the plugs, plug-wires, distributor cap, rotor), =
and I've been pretty gentle with the engine, always letting the car warm =
up for at least 30 seconds before driving away, never jumping =
immediately on the freeway. I always use Unleaded Plus fuel, because =
the mechanic who rebuilt it recommended it.
The interior is really good shape and is clean. I've kept the inside =
armoralled, while nice seat covers and a dashmat have reduced sun =
damage. Since it's the limited S model, it has a nice jet-black dash. =
It also has a hertz gear shifter.
The owner before me, about four years ago, installed a really nice =
sound system. It has a pioneer single CD player with two infinity =
speakers and a woofer in the trunk. The sound is excellent.
The E-brake shaft was bent by a mechanic who pulled it too hard (I =
guess the guy had never heard of using blocks at the wheels). I =
disconnected the E-brake and have yet to repair it.
There's a crack across the windsheild. It already existed when I =
bought the car, but it has grown about an inch and half every winter. =
It's below eye level.
The heater vent fan stopped working a few months ago. The switch was =
having problems (only the 2 and 3 levels worked). The fan stopped =
working altogether. So I replaced the switch and the fuse, but the fan =
is still not operational. It may be the motor or resistors.
The driver's exterior door handle came loose (the contraption on the =
inside came loose), but the inside one still works. I have yet to =
repair this.
The air-conditioning unit was removed sometime in the car's history. =20
One of the sun-visor hooks broke, but both look like they need =
replacing.
There's a spot of rust damage on the passenger side door handle.
It tends to leak water into the car in heavy rains, like the one we =
had a month ago.
The dash lights flicker a little bit when the car is idling after a =
really long drive.
This is all I can think of I see wrong with the car. The car has =
treated me extremely well and I have treated it really well in return. =
It's a fun, zippy and surprisingly fast ride that I'm gonna miss. =
People often mistake my car for a pinto-like vehicle and try to pass me, =
but my car still has a lot of power left and if I drop back into 4th, I =
can usually pass them up again. The car still has life and I want =
someone who is going to appreciate it to take it over. I know I would =
run it into the ground with my commute to school, so I'm selling it. =
$1200 obo as is.
I think someone who knows a little bit about old wet-VW's would have a =
very easy time with this car and have fun driving it. I'm mainly =
looking to sell it to someone who will take care of it and fix it up or =
at least keep it running, which is the main reason I am selling it (so I =
don't drive it into the ground with my 20 minute commute to school.)
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt
Wish me luck...
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<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Wusup, everyone?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I went and looked at a Cosmos Silver =
81S today and=20
need lots of opinions. Below will be the owner's description to me =
when I=20
asked for more details. After seeing it, the description is quite =
accurate and=20
he seems like an honest guy. He said he'd let it go for $800. But the =
fact it's=20
been hit makes me a tad uneasy. I also took a bunch (23) of=20
pictures:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A=20
href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3D=
t">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt</=
A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I've also been trying to get in touch with a guy who has a '78 =
champagne edition (he's the only owner and it has lots of suspension =
goodies,=20
15" BBS (older ones) and a Neuspeed big brake kit). The '78 doesn't run =
and=20
needs a front wheel bearing and has "rust issues" (the extent of which I =
haven't=20
seen yet). To this point, the guy's been a complete flake. I think I =
could get=20
this one for under $500 (probably much less).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>So - the question is: do I hold out for the Champagne (which =
is more=20
rare and has more goodies), get this 81S which is a decent platform and =
runs=20
pretty well, or hold out for a sterling example? My true vote is =
get the=20
78 and if it's not salvageable, pillage it for parts and hold out =
for a=20
better S. Let's just say it would take a LOT to get the wife to allow =
that=20
scenario! :)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> But my main concern is that nice S's or Champagnes don't come =
around=20
that often and when they do, they're $$$...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The ultimate goal is a complete restoration/near-show-quality 200 =
hp JH=20
turbo which must be an original special edition...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks in advance everyone! Jeff</DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>_________</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The two front tires are Firestone, =
while the rear=20
wheels are different. It's dark so I can't totally make out what =
brand=20
they are. All four tires look like they have at least 4000 miles =
on=20
them, but I'm by no means a tire specialist.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The mileage just broke 195,100. =
The miles=20
on the engine are probably less than half since much of =
the engine was=20
rebuilt about 1995 or 96.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I've personally replaced the =
heater/vent fan=20
switch, rear brake shoes, brake-light sensor, the starter, all =
the plugs=20
and wires, distributor cap and the battery during the time =
I've=20
owned the car. I also have a set of front brakes that don't need =
to go=20
in yet since the old ones seem fine.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There were no aftermarket mods added =
to this this=20
car that I can tell. There's no wing or spoiler, =
etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The body is in great condition. =
The=20
backside was in an accident before I before I bought the car, but I've =
seen no=20
problem with the structural integrity of the vehicle. Everything =
seems=20
aligned, there's just a little bit of damage on the driver's side of =
the=20
bumper.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The engine runs really well. I =
got a=20
smog check about a year ago and it passed with no problems. The =
car was=20
owned by a mechanic in the mid-90's and he apparently rebuilt a =
majority of=20
the engine. I've taken care of the car with oil changes every =
3000, have=20
done regular tune-ups on it (twice I've done the plugs, plug-wires,=20
distributor cap, rotor), and I've been pretty gentle with the engine, =
always=20
letting the car warm up for at least 30 seconds before driving away, =
never=20
jumping immediately on the freeway. I always use Unleaded Plus =
fuel,=20
because the mechanic who rebuilt it recommended it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The interior is really good shape and =
is=20
clean. I've kept the inside armoralled, while nice seat covers =
and a=20
dashmat have reduced sun damage. Since it's the limited S model, =
it=20
has a nice jet-black dash. It also has a hertz gear=20
shifter.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The owner before me, about four years =
ago,=20
installed a really nice sound system. It has a pioneer single CD =
player=20
with two infinity speakers and a woofer in the trunk. The sound =
is=20
excellent.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The E-brake shaft was bent by a =
mechanic who=20
pulled it too hard (I guess the guy had never heard of using blocks at =
the=20
wheels). I disconnected the E-brake and have yet to repair=20
it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There's a crack across the =
windsheild. It=20
already existed when I bought the car, but it has grown about an inch =
and=20
half every winter. It's below eye level.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The heater vent fan stopped working a =
few months=20
ago. The switch was having problems (only the 2 and 3 =
levels=20
worked). The fan stopped working altogether. So I =
replaced=20
the switch and the fuse, but the fan is still not =
operational. It=20
may be the motor or resistors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The driver's exterior door =
handle came loose=20
(the contraption on the inside came loose), but the inside one =
still=20
works. I have yet to repair this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The air-conditioning unit was removed =
sometime in=20
the car's history. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>One of the sun-visor hooks broke, but =
both look=20
like they need replacing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There's a spot of rust damage on the =
passenger=20
side door handle.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>It tends to leak water into the car =
in heavy=20
rains, like the one we had a month ago.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The dash lights flicker a little bit =
when the car=20
is idling after a really long drive.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>This is all I can think of I see =
wrong with the=20
car. The car has treated me extremely well and I have treated it =
really=20
well in return. It's a fun, zippy=20
and surprisingly fast ride that I'm gonna miss. =
People=20
often mistake my car for a pinto-like vehicle and try to pass me, but =
my car=20
still has a lot of power left and if I drop back into 4th, I can =
usually pass=20
them up again. The car still has life and I want someone who is =
going to=20
appreciate it to take it over. I know I would run it =
into the=20
ground with my commute to school, so I'm selling it. $1200 obo =
as=20
is.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I think someone who knows a little =
bit about old=20
wet-VW's would have a very easy time with this car and have fun =
driving=20
it. I'm mainly looking to sell it to someone who will take care =
of it=20
and fix it up or at least keep it running, which is the main reason I =
am=20
selling it (so I don't drive it into the ground with my 20 =
minute commute=20
to school.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV dir=3Dltr><A=20
href=3D"http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3D=
t">http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jtoomasson/lst?.dir=3D/Work&.view=3Dt</=
A></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>Wish me luck...</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><BR>
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