JBjunior
Veteran Member
I have two 2003 wagons that are both daily drive capable.
Wagon 1 - Indigo Blue, 5-speed, 310K miles. New AHF engine off the shelf 60K miles ago I installed myself with clutch, etc. at the same time. Suspension redone 60K miles ago, basically everything mechanical redone 60K miles ago. Typical fender rust, front seats torn, headliner destroyed, carpet torn. Slight front left suspension knock, I have a raxle to put in but I haven't verified it as the problem yet.
Wagon 2 - Black, 5-speed, 260K miles. Needs a timing belt (I have all of the tools/parts and will do it myself), sunroof operates sporadically, seats torn, headliner destroyed, typical fender rust, fender/kick panel rot out, goes into limp mode after stopping the car/restarting too quickly but is easily fixed by turning the car off and back on again. Strangely, this car feels firmer in almost every way even though suspension/steering components are older. Just feels better made, even before I knew it was a German made car.
I just got orders to move back to the west coast from the east coast again, so while I can leave the cars on my property here I am contemplating making one really great wagon, putting them both in storage, doing all repairs to both, etc. Just want to get some thoughts. I also have a 2005 Passat I have torn apart in my yard mid timing belt change that I haven't finished yet because I plan on doing the oil pump/chain mod (have the parts, just haven't had the time to finish it yet).
Historically I have loved working on cars (done engine swaps, diesel swap/builds) and have done all of my own work but have gotten to the point I am too busy to maintain all of them and all of my tools are about 1.5 hours away due to my current home rental/work location. My wife is also at the point she is tired of driving less than stellar cars that increasingly require more maintenance. I can't think of another car I would prefer today than an ALH wagon though. Now with the orders back to the west coast, it puts me in a position to do something.
Wagon 1 - Indigo Blue, 5-speed, 310K miles. New AHF engine off the shelf 60K miles ago I installed myself with clutch, etc. at the same time. Suspension redone 60K miles ago, basically everything mechanical redone 60K miles ago. Typical fender rust, front seats torn, headliner destroyed, carpet torn. Slight front left suspension knock, I have a raxle to put in but I haven't verified it as the problem yet.
Wagon 2 - Black, 5-speed, 260K miles. Needs a timing belt (I have all of the tools/parts and will do it myself), sunroof operates sporadically, seats torn, headliner destroyed, typical fender rust, fender/kick panel rot out, goes into limp mode after stopping the car/restarting too quickly but is easily fixed by turning the car off and back on again. Strangely, this car feels firmer in almost every way even though suspension/steering components are older. Just feels better made, even before I knew it was a German made car.
I just got orders to move back to the west coast from the east coast again, so while I can leave the cars on my property here I am contemplating making one really great wagon, putting them both in storage, doing all repairs to both, etc. Just want to get some thoughts. I also have a 2005 Passat I have torn apart in my yard mid timing belt change that I haven't finished yet because I plan on doing the oil pump/chain mod (have the parts, just haven't had the time to finish it yet).
Historically I have loved working on cars (done engine swaps, diesel swap/builds) and have done all of my own work but have gotten to the point I am too busy to maintain all of them and all of my tools are about 1.5 hours away due to my current home rental/work location. My wife is also at the point she is tired of driving less than stellar cars that increasingly require more maintenance. I can't think of another car I would prefer today than an ALH wagon though. Now with the orders back to the west coast, it puts me in a position to do something.
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