YACT: '02 VW GTI 1.8t for ~$9k ?

[fs5]

Found a silver GTI (5 speed) for around $9k after everything (tax, registration, etc).... I think it was in a flood and there's come electrical problems with it. The engine runs fine, I'm dynoing it tomorrow and going to try to fix the electrical stuff. It has 18k miles and the interior smells a little funny, hopefully febreeze will fix that.

Good deal?

edit:
kbb says one can expect to pay $14,000 in a private party sale for this thing. That's for a car in "fair" condition.

edit2:
decided not to get it, read my last post.

 

[HiTek21]

Not a bad deal hopefully nothing is seriously wrong with the car. If its electrical its probably gonna cost an arm and a leg to fix.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: HiTek21
Not a bad deal hopefully nothing is seriously wrong with the car. If its electrical its probably gonna cost an arm and a leg to fix.

actually we think it's just a relay that needs to be replaced, just have to find it. Should be like $10.

 

[KingNothing]

VW has enough of a history of electrical problems without flood damage helping it along. I wouldn't.

 

[fyleow]

Flood damage is bad, I'd avoid it

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: fyleow
Flood damage is bad, I'd avoid it

why is it bad? The engine itself runs fine, I didn't get a good look at the interior.. I want to know how much water it was sitting in and how high it went.

 

[fyleow]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: fyleow
Flood damage is bad, I'd avoid it

why is it bad? The engine itself runs fine, I didn't get a good look at the interior.. I want to know how much water it was sitting in and how high it went.

Well, just inspect the car carefully before you decide to buy it. Electrical problems and interior damage is going to cost a lot to fix.

 

[kitkit201]

and dont change ur stereo to an aftermarket one either or else u'll fail the CA smog test I wouldn't touch VW with a stick..

 

[kitkit201]

and make sure it doesn't have a salvaged title or whatever.. but im sure you' already check that out with carfax before you bought the car...

 

[Ryan]

Wrong move - and trust me, the smell will not come out unless the thing is steam cleaned.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
Wrong move - and trust me, the smell will not come out unless the thing is steam cleaned.

and how much would steam cleaning cost? I think kbb is valued at $13k.... that's the only reason I'm considering it.

 

[Aharami]

is it a 1.8T, VR6, or the base GTI model? (GLS i think)

either way, if a GTI is selling for that cheap..something's definately wrong with it. be cautious...get it inspected

 

[StageLeft]

That seems very lowly priced. That car is all but certain to give you problems, but at that price I'd probably buy it anyway.

Oh it has flood and electrical problems? DO NOT BUY IT. These cars have bad enough issues as it is. You'd do much better to send that $9k to me and I'll send you my 93 sentra and keep the change. At least then you'll have a car that runs.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That seems very lowly priced. That car is all but certain to give you problems, but at that price I'd probably buy it anyway.

Oh it has flood and electrical problems? DO NOT BUY IT. These cars have bad enough issues as it is. You'd do much better to send that $9k to me and I'll send you my 93 sentra and keep the change. At least then you'll have a car that runs.

the car runs, it runs prefectly. The shop that has it atp eats and breaths these things for a living so mechanically the engine is sound. It's the smell that I'm worried about, how much would it cost to get it cleaned?

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Aharami
is it a 1.8T, VR6, or the base GTI model? (GLS i think)

either way, if a GTI is selling for that cheap..something's definately wrong with it. be cautious...get it inspected

as the title says, 1.8t

 

[Vic]

Sounds like a salvage title. Check for that, as it significantly reduces the vehicle's value.

From Kelley Blue Book: "A vehicle with a branded title (salvage, flood, etc.) or unsubstantiated mileage should be considered ?poor? because of potential problems and should be independently appraised to determine its value."
"Kelley Blue Book does not attempt to report a value on a "poor" vehicle because the value of cars in this category varies greatly."

 

[Actaeon]

Sounds like you are determined to get the car despite everyones advice.

If you didn't listen to them, I don't think you're going to listen to me either, but stay away from flood damaged vehicles. VW's already have enough problems as it is, the flood damage doesn't help either.

Do what makes you happy, just be sure you can afford the potential problems if they come.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That seems very lowly priced. That car is all but certain to give you problems, but at that price I'd probably buy it anyway.

Oh it has flood and electrical problems? DO NOT BUY IT. These cars have bad enough issues as it is. You'd do much better to send that $9k to me and I'll send you my 93 sentra and keep the change. At least then you'll have a car that runs.

the car runs, it runs prefectly. The shop that has it atp eats and breaths these things for a living so mechanically the engine is sound. It's the smell that I'm worried about, how much would it cost to get it cleaned?

ATP has it? Shoot, tell them to throw in a FMIC and go for it.

How much is it going to cost to for the smell to come out? Well....how the hell do we know? It may just take an interior detail (between $75-90) OR it may take replacing the seats, carpeting, headliner...etc.....which MAY be worth it (if you can find a deal on these over at the vortex).

I would be more worried about the electrical problem. I LOVE VWs, but they one glaring issue is their electrical system. If you're going to buy one with electrical problems already all I can say is, GOOD LUCK!

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Sounds like you are determined to get the car despite everyones advice.

If you didn't listen to them, I don't think you're going to listen to me either, but stay away from flood damaged vehicles. VW's already have enough problems as it is, the flood damage doesn't help either.

Do what makes you happy, just be sure you can afford the potential problems if they come.

What do you mean I'm not listening to them? Nobody has told me why flood damage is bad for the car besides VW's have been known for their electrical problems. It seems like everybody on this board is anti-VW without good reason.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Sounds like you are determined to get the car despite everyones advice.

If you didn't listen to them, I don't think you're going to listen to me either, but stay away from flood damaged vehicles. VW's already have enough problems as it is, the flood damage doesn't help either.

Do what makes you happy, just be sure you can afford the potential problems if they come.

What do you mean I'm not listening to them? Nobody has told me why flood damage is bad for the car besides VW's have been known for their electrical problems. It seems like everybody on this board is anti-VW without good reason.

We're anti-vw for reason. The newer golfs/jettas,etc. have known and documented serious reliability problems. There is a reason why VW is worse than mitsubishi for quality. Worse than Ford. Worse than Dodge. That smell could, as mentioned above, require removal of all upholstery from the vehicle. There may be rust in areas you can't dream of. There may be mold in areas you can't dream of. Flood damage cars, aside from having horrific resale, will sometimes illicit problems that all but cannot be solved. Maybe your tailights will go out and continue to go out, time and time again. VWs have bad enough problems as they are, that they don't ned this thrown on

You may do well. It may be an easy job to clean the smell out and mild electrical problems. But, I doubt it. If it was a quick fix the seller would do it and sell it for more than $9k.

 

[EXman]

if it is a flood car the Value of it seriously gets killed great if you want to buy and drive the wheels off or if you live in a state where you can wash the title from rebuilt title to a regular one and do not have Scruples.

I don't think frebreeze will help unless you use it all the time to mask it. It probably has mold inside all the upholstry and cracks that is almost impossible to get all out. If it is a flood car and they are selling for 9k they are doing quite well IMO.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Sounds like you are determined to get the car despite everyones advice.

If you didn't listen to them, I don't think you're going to listen to me either, but stay away from flood damaged vehicles. VW's already have enough problems as it is, the flood damage doesn't help either.

Do what makes you happy, just be sure you can afford the potential problems if they come.

What do you mean I'm not listening to them? Nobody has told me why flood damage is bad for the car besides VW's have been known for their electrical problems. It seems like everybody on this board is anti-VW without good reason.

1. VW's do not have the best reputation for reliability. This is a fact, thier electrical issues are quite well documented. A search on google or vwvortex will tell you that.

2. You are considering buying a vehicle that you KNOW has been in a flood. This will result in random electrical problems over time, corrosion, and who knows what else.

Stop focusing on cleaning the upholstery. The reason the car smells is because IT HAS BEEN FLOODED. The electrical repairs will eat up any savings on buying the car so cheap.

 

[tnitsuj]

Flood Damaged Vehicles Repair Checklist
Please do not construe the below checklist for flood damage to be an "approval" for repairing those vehicles by ABOL. It is our opinion that MOST flood damaged vehicles can never be returned to pre-accident condition because of hidden damage. The majority of the damage surfaces at a future date, leaving the unsuspecting owner of the vehicle, many times, with insurmountable problems.
BUT, customers and insurance companies will need estimates. This checklist will assist you in compiling those estimates.

1. Check Dipstick For Water
High oil levels on the dipstick and water bubbles in engine oil, or if red atf fluid turns pink, water has entered the system.
2. Pull Passenger's Floor and Trunk Plugs if so equipped. Wash all mud and silt out of passenger and trunk compartment.
3. Remove Carpets, Seats and Interior Trim Panels and dry them or replace them. (Foam types usually don't dry.) (Drying can be done by using your heated spray booth for one or two nights.)
4. Remove Spare Wheel jack and handle, clean it; use WD-40 on screws holding it.
5. Remove Door Trim Panels and check window motors; use WD-40 on them, grease regulator pivots and check door speakers!
6. Grease Door Hinges.
7. Check Battery & Terminals; clean terminals and grease them. Clean under the battery especially if its located in the trunk or under the seat.
8. Look For Computers, Equalizers, Alarms (lo-jack) or other "black boxes" under seats.
9. Check Airbag Sensors under seats and seat belt retractors, and dry them. When re-installing seats, grease tracks and use WD-40 on seat motors and the belt retractors.
10. Clean Debris off Radiator, A/C condenser and Aux. Fan/Motor Assembly.
11. Blow Out Starter Motor with air.
12. Pull Plug in Differential and check for water.
13. Check Muffler For Water.
14. Re-Pack Wheel Bearings Grease suspension and steering when applicable.
15. Shampoo Carpets, Seats and Interior.
16. Re-Connect and Re-Set ABS and Main Computers. Run diagnostic on airbag computer.
17. Re-Set Radio Codes.
18. Detail Exterior and Engine Compartment.
19. If The Car Has Been Kept Closed For Over A Day, spray all the metal panels and upholstery with Lysol to kill the bacteria and odor.
AIR BAG EQUIPPED VEHICLES

Volvo warns that if a car has been in a flood, an attempt to start it could inadvertently deploy the air bag. Other air bagged cars could also be affected. Check with the dealer.

FOR HIGHER WATER LEVELS

Change oil and filter, check relays and sensors. Pull spark plugs and crank engine; oil spark plug treads and cylinders prior to starting engine; check spark plug wires for arcing. Check power steering and brake fluids.

Special thanks to SCRS for this checklist.

http://www.autobodyonline.com/industry/documents/flood.cfm

 

[vi edit]

I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Salvage titles are the kiss of death.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That seems very lowly priced. That car is all but certain to give you problems, but at that price I'd probably buy it anyway.

Oh it has flood and electrical problems? DO NOT BUY IT. These cars have bad enough issues as it is. You'd do much better to send that $9k to me and I'll send you my 93 sentra and keep the change. At least then you'll have a car that runs.

the car runs, it runs prefectly. The shop that has it atp eats and breaths these things for a living so mechanically the engine is sound. It's the smell that I'm worried about, how much would it cost to get it cleaned?

The engine might be fine, but there's almost no way to diagnose the electrical grimlins you're going to have in the future.