"Chappie" (johngaffney)
02/05/2015 at 18:31 • Filed to: None
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"Chappie" (johngaffney)
02/05/2015 at 18:31 • Filed to: None | 0
| 17 |
Alright Oppo-lockers, I need help. I'm stuck.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
First, as my avatar and post history suggests, I'm a VW guy. More specifically, I'm a mk1/mk2 guy. I've owned 5 combined in 9 years of motoring. They're cheap, they're fun, there are a ton of different variations and parts and here in the Delaware Valley they are plentiful. This years tax return is quite generous, and as I am currently without a fun car I have decided that I want something else to mess around with again, and while I'd be very content with another Mk1/2, there isn't really anything out there worth putting money into that isn't a long term project, and I don't have that kind of time.
So, as a result I've branched out. Originally, I went looking for Miata's, but nothing really caught my eye and there really isn't much out there right now either. Then I thought Scirocco, because for all intents and purposes, I understand the ins and outs and quirks of it mechanically, but it is still different than what I've had. Swing and a miss, nothing worth buying in the immediate area either. I caught one all the way up in Massachusetts, but that is just too far.
Now I'm looking at an 850R that's been manual swapped and intrigues the hell out of me, but has it's issues. It's also a bit more expensive than I think it's worth. what do I do? I'm torn, because the want for a Scirocco and the R are very, very great.
I've included pics for far purposes.
44444444444
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 18:36 |
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Mileage, price, and interior pics.
It's a turbo'd FWD 5 cylinder. It'll get 24mpg highway. Needs a timing belt every 10 years/100k miles. A PCV system every 150k. LCAs every 75k miles. If you want AWD and a wagon get a V70R. Stay away from the 2000 ones though.
Funktheduck
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 18:40 |
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Tough call. Unless you need to buy a car immediately I'd just hold off a bit until you find something that really strikes you. If it's supposed to be a fun car, you won't have as much fun if it's not what you want.
I'm personally against buying someone else's project like the 850. I don't know much about Volvos except that the newer they get the more expensive they get to fix.
If I were searching for a fun car: I'd search CL/Autotrader/etc clicking on anything within budget that looks like it could be interesting. You may find something new to get into or you may just stumble across a nice VW. You could go totally out of your comfort zone and get a Jeep if you have off road areas to explore somewhat nearby. You could get an old truck, stick a powerful engine in it and laugh every time it starts to rain or sprinkle outside.
RallyWrench
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 18:42 |
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850s are really tough cars, and the manual swap remedies one of their few (slight) annoyances, the automatic. Even the autos will last a long time with service, but they are leak-prone. That turbo 5 will run well past 200k miles and haul ass as long as you don't overheat it. Get it looked at by a shop that knows what they're doing before you buy. What issues does it have, that you know of?
Tipo Stradale Fever
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 18:42 |
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Wait for the Scirocco. Buy it. Replace the Pierburg with a Weber carb. Have the best time of your life...it's worth the wait...
JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> 44444444444
02/05/2015 at 18:51 |
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This! So much this!
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JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 18:52 |
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Ive lost all trust in P80 Volvos... if it has known issues... There are so so so many more unknown ones hidden...
source: 00 V70R owner
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44444444444
> JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/05/2015 at 18:55 |
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I'd still buy a 2000 one. I'd just drive it until the transmission fails and M66 swap it. The only thing better than a 5 speed is a 6 speed that keeps the AWD.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 19:58 |
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I'd go for the Volvo. I love how they look, and I've owned one before so I know what to look out for and how to fix the issues. But I fix things for a living and having to do that isn't a problem for me. Though I would consider them to be easy to work on and DIY friendly, depending on your skill level.
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JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> 44444444444
02/05/2015 at 20:29 |
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Want mine? Perfect candidate for an M66 swap!?
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Chappie
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/05/2015 at 23:09 |
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Getting into gear on hard shifts is tricky. From what I've researched, it's either the linkage or the bushings. Either way, not a hard job.
It has a boost leak supposedly somewhere. Current owner has replaced the throttle body gasket, turbo control valve, vacuum lines and controller bypass valve as of right now. I'm not sure what to make of that, other than maybe a blockage somewhere? I'd have to investigate the hoses more.
Needs a parking brake. No big issue.
Needs a new abs module. Refurbished ones go for about $80 and the process to remove/replace is no issue.
There's an exhaust leak somewhere, he thinks closer to the down pipe? Or at least that's what I think he said. Either way, bigger issue that may need welding, which I don't do.
The PO apparently let the car's hood and left front fender rust, so he replaced them. The the fender is a different red than the rest of the car, and the hood is black. Not sure if I totally believe that, or if it was in an accident, but the car has a clean record and I see no engine bay creases that would suggest major damage. Either way, the different colors are fucking annoying. It needs a respray at some point.
Other than that, the viscous diff seems to still be good, the clutch is new, the engine revs and idles perfectly and there were no signs of overheating I want to check the oil before I buy, if I buy, just to make sure no coolant is spilling in but I don't have any reason to believe it is. My biggest concern is finding the boost pressure loss. Apparently if you disconnect/reconnect the ECU its fine for 5 minutes and then drops. I'm not familiar enough with turbos or these cars to know what to start with, besides the obvious which it looks like the current owner already has taken care of
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Chappie
> RallyWrench
02/05/2015 at 23:11 |
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if you read my reply to amgtech I go through them. I'd love to hear your opinion.
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Chappie
> Funktheduck
02/05/2015 at 23:12 |
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I CL hunt everyday haha. And autotempest. Market is just very dry right now.
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Funktheduck
> Chappie
02/05/2015 at 23:17 |
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Still cold. The smart people know to list fun cars in the spring so they can get more money for them.
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Chappie
> Funktheduck
02/05/2015 at 23:20 |
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I know. being the seller is sometimes much easier than being the buyer.
It's funny you mention getting a jeep. My buddy is selling his 350z to get a Wrangler. Meanwhile all I want is a little hot euro car. I feel like from an automotive perspective I still haven't grown up at all haha.
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Chappie
02/06/2015 at 01:43 |
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The biggest issue to me would be the boost. A physical leak shouldn't be changed by resetting the ECU. But I'm not quite that familiar enough with them to know how their logic is setup. I would check faults, adaptations, and actual values. Then if I still suspect a leak I would smoke test the intake. Not terribly easy things to do without the right equipment.
ABS modules can be fixed. Remove out, open it up, 're-solder cracked joints. Easy.
Go for it if these seem like things you're willing to tackle and the price is right.
sellphones2493
> Chappie
02/06/2015 at 09:11 |
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I feel like you're talking about the one with the black hood somewhere in PA on CL.
If so, the previous previous owner says stay away.
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Chappie
> sellphones2493
02/06/2015 at 09:51 |
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Yeah it's in West Chester. Any way you can give me details?