A couple of Twingo ads I'm looking at.

"Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'" (otto-the-croatian)
05/22/2018 at 16:36 • Filed to: car buying, twingo troubles, oppositelock, twingo, craigslist

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(The ads are in Croatian, sorry. You can look at the pictures I guess.

This very yellow example with fantastic upholstery. It’s a United colors of Benetton edition, which means absolutely nothing.

I fell in love with those seats and how clean it is. One hubcap is different but I’ll change the wheels or remove them all anyway (hubcaps, not the wheels. I think I’ll need the wheels). It has a couple of the extras, too, and it’s the facelifted, post 1998 model I want.

The price for this one is a bit higher than the rest but it’s in perfect shape, it has all the extras and that fantastic upholstery. The downside is that it’s in the next city, about an hour drive from me. Here that’s quite a long way to drive, which I know might baffle some of you Yanks. Anyway that means that I can’t make it to my mechanic and back. I really want to do this right, so whatever I go for I’ll take it to a mechanic to have him take a look at it on a lift before I buy it.

Choice #2

This one has the correct 1.2 16v 75HP engine I’m looking for (as opposed to the lesser 1.2 8 valve which has about 15-20HP less, but gets the same MPG).

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The problem with the Twingo having 2 engines and both being a 1.2 liter, btw, is that people are fucking stupid. Barely anyone who is selling this car ever mentions if it’s an 8v or a 16v, so you’re left guessing or you have to call and ask, and a lot of the times they just don’t know. The HP figures on the ads are bullshit anyways, so they’re of no help. I have no idea if the engines look different, or at least I haven’t been able to spot the difference in pictures.

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This example has ALL the options (electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, and AC - which is a big deal).

The wheels look janky on this one, it has a few dents, the headlights are hazy and the interior is an ugly color scheme, but those are the only problems I spotted, which are compromises I’m willing to make. I’d actually love to try and polish the headlights myself and learn how to deal with the dings and scratches. I can take off the worn plastic bumper and repaint it in black, or even a different color. The upholstery can be a long-term project.

Choice #3

Basically the same as #2 but with less damage. The downside is that I’m not sure if it has the 16v engine. I’ll call tomorrow and check. It also has all the options and shit, AND it’s registered and insured for a year, too.

It took me 2 minutes to figure out how to spell tomorrow.
Tommorrow. Tommorow. Tommmororroww.

Choice #4

Significantly cheaper than the others, super clean and well taken care of. It has the older, non-airbag steering wheel which makes it easier to make the choice to spring for an aftermarket wheel. Like a nice three spoke alcantara Momo or a wooden rim Nardi knock-off.

However this car is a bit older, with zero extras and with the weaker engine. I dunno, I’m thinking since I’m already spending some money on this I might as well give a bit more to have the real deal.

This is gonna be my first car, after all...

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Should I be so picky about the engine or do you think that it doesn’t matter as much? And do you think I’m naive when it comes to doing the minor repairs myself?

Thanks for tuning in. I’d love to hear what you think. Updates next week.

DISCUSSION (13)

404 - User No Longer Available > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/22/2018 at 17:28

Benetton is a casual fashion group who used to sponsor a racing team, I believe.

I remember the stores used to be everywhere and then just all disappeared in the turn of the century.

My citroen won't start > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/22/2018 at 17:33

1st Twingo gets max Hon Hon Hon

Bonus vehicle seems to contain bonus human, so is a plus.

KnowsAboutCars > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/22/2018 at 18:15

Benetton edition = those funky seats and ragtop. There used to be one parked near where I used to live.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > 404 - User No Longer Available
05/22/2018 at 18:57

Yep, same here. The used to be a big brand with a lot of presence...

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > KnowsAboutCars
05/22/2018 at 18:57

Living up to your name.

Nom De Plume > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/22/2018 at 19:01

Bonus choice - There is no such thing as a cheap e34.

First car - #4 in blue. Drive the wheels off it, learn everything you can, make atrociously fanatic posts on OPPO about it, then sell it while still marginally intact.

LOREM IPSUM > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/22/2018 at 21:12

United colors of Benneton? Holy flashback, Batman. Does it come with a pair of British Knights?

(Neither has had a presence in North America in decades, and British Knights were shoes, if they never made it to that side of the pond.)

punkgoose17 > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/22/2018 at 21:44

My suggestion is get the 16v that way you will not have any regrets about engine choice.

FSI > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/23/2018 at 01:48

You’re doing a much better job at getting a first car than me lol. Too bad no Twingo RS was for sale here in the last couple of months. I’m still keeping an eye on old Twingos, Polos, Clios etc.

#1 Twingo looks great.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > LOREM IPSUM
05/23/2018 at 01:48

Oh man, British Knights. My first skate-shoes were one of those...

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > FSI
05/23/2018 at 01:51

Don’t worry, it all looks nice and planned when I list these ads, but in my head it’s all a huge mess. Good luck man.

duurtlang > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/23/2018 at 03:35

#1 is marginally cheaper than #2 and 3 (now?) and seems the nicest and most attractive of the bunch. The only downside is the mechanic situation. Can you bring someone who’s mechanically inclined?

I like #4 too though. However, if it doesn’t have features you want than it might be useful to pick a different car.

FSI > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
05/23/2018 at 08:03

My shopping for a first car was a mess as well before I settled with my A3.