VW Corrado, What is it worth? $$

[needsducktape]

Recently, a low mileage 1990 Corrado popped up for sale- I have a thing for unique older cars (Owned: 91 MR2, 95 M3, 99 RS2.5... etc etc)

I looked at the car today and the guy wants $4500 there are only apx 45K miles on the car but...

The bad:
The car was backed into- dent w rust on back hatch and bumper cover is cracked

The front hood has a dent and grill is dented. -again another back into situation. Neither look "OMG" major but they are noticeable.

The ABS LIGHT IS ON

Will need brakes, and belts soon (timing as well)

Ignition is finicky -he says its not the starter or batt.



---The good:
Documented miles and oil changes-
Very meticulous owner and it drives very well and tight.
All stock except for a tuning chip
I DO NOT SUSPECT Odometer fraud. Though the original odometer broke it was documented by VW and mileage adds up properly.
I saw No drips or leaks

Other:
He bought off of the original owner 3 years ago. He said he speeds with it and has gone 125mph
He says he has experimented with oil types and it seems to like Mobil 1 15w50
-being a BITOG guy I said have you considered Mobil 1 0w40 ? He said that he tried 5-30 M1 but the oil pressure light would come on around 2k rpm. (Also, he replaced the oil pump around a year ago and the light has been off ever since)

It was a summer car its first 20 years of life- HIS son drove it last winter but that is it. No rust except where he was backed into on the hatch. It is surface rust.

I am NOT a big VW fan (Audi a4 experience has scared me)however I would like a little fun daily driver until winter.

Thanks for your help I wish I had pics!

 

[bepperb]

Doesn't start good, doesn't stop good? You have balls that clank if you plan on taking that any significant distance from home.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
Doesn't start good, doesn't stop good? You have balls that clank if you plan on taking that any significant distance from home.


+1


Could be fun though....

 

[needsducktape]

I forgot to mention, that he is willing to negotiate price OR fix the ignition problem if I pay full $4500.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you don't like VWs this car won't change that.

ABS? Ruuuuun. How on earth would you diagnose that? I bet the dealer even sold their legacy computer on ebay already.

This would be a great $500 car to enter in LeMons.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
I would like a little fun daily driver until winter.

If you have too much time and money on your hands, go for it. For a daily driver, I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole. If an A4 scared you, I don't know what a Corrado is going to do to you. Reliability is horrendous. Make yourself a pot of strong coffee, go onto a VW forum and start reading.

 

[needsducktape]

I realize this car will be heavy on maintenance- I am not expecting a civic.

The A4 was NOT fun because I paid a significant amount of money for it and it was pretty new at the time.

With the Corrado, there would be relatively little invested and this one in particular has a chance to become a very fine low mileage example of a car that had low production numbers.

If this was a Jetta or Golf, I would pass in a hot minute. This car caught my eye because like an MR2 or an original RS2.5, there are very few left and even fewer unmolested ones.

Does that make sense to anyone? I am trying to decide weather or not this will substitute buying a project motorcycle.

 

[teambeechstreet]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: needsducktape
I would like a little fun daily driver until winter.

Make yourself a pot of strong coffee, go onto a VW forum and start reading.

Best advice so far.

 

[Vikas]

One should never buy a used vehicle with known ABS or Airbag problems. The check engine light is something you could chance but the other two, forget it! You are talking possible expenses in kilo dollars.

- Vikas

 

[Vikas]

On the other hand, it is a VW and if you have the right diagnostic tools (RossTech??) you can find if ABS problem is something simple (e.g. a wheel sensor) *before* the purchase.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
On the other hand, it is a VW and if you have the right diagnostic tools (RossTech??) you can find if ABS problem is something simple (e.g. a wheel sensor) *before* the purchase.

We're talking about year 1990 here. There isn't much out there in terms of 3rd party diagnostic tools, hence the joke eljefino made earlier in this thread.

RossTech has something, but it doesn't look like it covers the ABS module:
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/applications/corrado.html

 

[OVERKILL]

I would look at a similar aged BMW instead. Far fewer issues and there are models that are equally as rare.

M3:

 

[needsducktape]

The E30 M3 is SLIGHTLY out of my price range...

We're talking a $4500 Corrado NOT a $15,000 E30 m3

Trust me, if they were anywhere near similar in price I wouldn't even consider vw.

-I have had 2 e36 M3s (95 OBDI and a '97 obdII) NOTHING else I have ever owned comes close to the driving experience of the '95
The problem is that these cars are getting harder to find without being ruined...

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
The E30 M3 is SLIGHTLY out of my price range...

We're talking a $4500 Corrado NOT a $15,000 E30 m3

Trust me, if they were anywhere near similar in price I wouldn't even consider vw.

-I have had 2 e36 M3s (95 OBDI and a '97 obdII) NOTHING else I have ever owned comes close to the driving experience of the '95
The problem is that these cars are getting harder to find without being ruined...


Well (and this is going to sound nuts) if you are looking for an inexpensive "project" car.... why not look at a Mustang from that era?

If you want something "rare" try and get a '93 Cobra maybe? The price might be a bit more palatable

And it will be fun and RELIABLE

 

[SteveSRT8]

C'mon, man. Nothing rare about a Mustang.

I can see wanting the car for its 'uniqueness' but i could not even consider an older Corrado with known issues.

You are far braver than I.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
Doesn't start good, doesn't stop good? You have balls that clank if you plan on taking that any significant distance from home.


Fastest I've ever changed my signature....three days.

I agree on all previous answers. $4500 is a ton of dough for that particular car and its current and potential past issues.

 

[needsducktape]

Thanks to all for the input.

I went to my Euro mechanic (worked for MB, BMW and VW/AUDI) and he actually owned a Corrado-

His first words out of his mouth (before I even told him the known issues) : " Skip it "

He said maybe if it was a later (VR6 may have been worth it) but the early 1990/1991 had problems right off the showroom floor.

Its a shame because I like the late 80s/early 90s simple designs and light weight cars...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Glad someone was able to convince you before you parted with your hard earned cash.

 

[mpvue]

your mechanic already beat me to it: skip the G60 corrados; NO, RUN from them!
the G60 was slow for what it should have been, the supercharger fails by design and VW guys have even given up on them.
I'd MUCH rather have a 8valve GTI from the same era.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
Originally Posted By: bepperb
Doesn't start good, doesn't stop good? You have balls that clank if you plan on taking that any significant distance from home.


Fastest I've ever changed my signature....three days.

Yeah, that's a classic!