WTB: Clean MK4 5MT Wagon (yes I know, just like everybody else)

McGuillicuddy

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Location
Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon (5MT)
I know I'm looking for a unicorn, and half the people on here are looking for the same unicorn, but it doesn't hurt to ask :).

I'm looking for a clean MK4 wagon to make my daily commuter. Any colour. Must be 5MT of course. Doesn't have to be perfect, but very minimal rust. Any leads greatly appreciated!
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
One of my son's friends brought one he's thinking of buying by today, wanted my opinion. Silver 2006 5MT 250K leather/roof, TB at 172K, asking 5500.

Owned by a mechanic at an independent VW/Audi specialist. Well maintained mechanically, only issue I found was an oil leak which looks like it might be from the crank seal (TB end). No engine or ABS codes, readiness monitors all good. I'd rate the exterior 8/10, no visible rust. Interior 7/10, obviously used to cart stuff and the driver's seat is pretty tired. Lot's of little stuff that doesn't work, door switches etc., the sort of thing I try to stay on top of before they add up.

Not sure I'd pay the asking for it, especially if the oil leak means a TB job is needed, but decent MK4s are getting hard to find - too many people neglecting maintenance.

I'll let you know if my son's friend passes on it.

Simon
 

McGuillicuddy

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Location
Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon (5MT)
One of my son's friends brought one he's thinking of buying by today, wanted my opinion. Silver 2006 5MT 250K leather/roof, TB at 172K, asking 5500.

Owned by a mechanic at an independent VW/Audi specialist. Well maintained mechanically, only issue I found was an oil leak which looks like it might be from the crank seal (TB end). No engine or ABS codes, readiness monitors all good. I'd rate the exterior 8/10, no visible rust. Interior 7/10, obviously used to cart stuff and the driver's seat is pretty tired. Lot's of little stuff that doesn't work, door switches etc., the sort of thing I try to stay on top of before they add up.

Not sure I'd pay the asking for it, especially if the oil leak means a TB job is needed, but decent MK4s are getting hard to find - too many people neglecting maintenance.

I'll let you know if my son's friend passes on it.

Simon
Thanks for posting - appreciate it :). I've seen that one on Kijiji. Have you looked at the Carproof? It has had 2 accident repairs. One of them was for about $7500 and the other $1400. I thought that was pretty significant otherwise I would have been down to see it a week ago. The Carproof is posted on the Kijiji ad so at least the seller is being up front about it.

I know I can't be too picky when a clean wagon comes along but almost $9k worth of damage seemed excessive.
 
Last edited:

mrrhtuner

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2011
Location
London Ont Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon TDI, 2015 Passat TDI, 2015 Touareg TDI
Thanks for posting - appreciate it :). I've seen that one on Kijiji. Have you looked at the Carproof? It has had 2 accident repairs. One of them was for about $7500 and the other $1400. I thought that was pretty significant otherwise I would have been down to see it a week ago. The Carproof is posted on the Kijiji ad so at least the seller is being up front about it.

I know I can't be too picky when a clean wagon comes along but almost $9k worth of damage seemed excessive.

Because using OEM parts and high labour costs add up. I had my rear quarter panel backed into on my MK4 wagon. I took it to the best body shop in London and had the work done. The estimate/bill was very high also.

I'd obviously look at who did the work and take a very close look to make sure it was done properly.

If it had an impact on the sides/rear, I'd make sure the work was done properly with all the metal removed at the weld points.

The front is a bit easier as it primarily bolts all up.
 

McGuillicuddy

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Location
Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon (5MT)

mogly

Veteran Member
Joined
May 27, 2003
Location
Sarnia, ON, Canada
TDI
MKIV TDI + B5.5V AVF/01E
I did see that. At 515000 that is a lot of kms though. I've been trying to keep to cars below 300K. There are a few out there.
If the seller can back up his claims on the maintenance and with the new Bilsteins and springs, that's a very fair price IMHO. At 300TKM, you may get a car that needs all that's been done to this car.

My 2 cents: KMs are subjective. I've seen some super low KM super beaters and I've seen/had some high mileage gems.
 

steve6

Veteran Member
Joined
May 25, 2010
Location
Beaverton, ON
TDI
2003 jetta tdi
I did see that. At 515000 that is a lot of kms though. I've been trying to keep to cars below 300K. There are a few out there.
At 500k and 15 years old id be worried about steering rack. but it was changed, turbo.. said it was replaced, clutch history and timing is important, also Rad, a/c system.. may be getting tired if never done, but otherwise seems good
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
At 500k and 15 years old id be worried about steering rack. but it was changed, turbo.. said it was replaced, clutch history and timing is important, also Rad, a/c system.. may be getting tired if never done, but otherwise seems good
Sounds right. I bought one with just over 600K and did all the catch up maintenance, then in the next 50K it needed turbo (shaft failure), steering rack, radiator, alternator, and starter. Clutch was OK but the pivot wore through so had to pull the transmission anyway. No A/C problems though :)

Simon
 

McGuillicuddy

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Location
Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon (5MT)
One of my son's friends brought one he's thinking of buying by today, wanted my opinion. Silver 2006 5MT 250K leather/roof, TB at 172K, asking 5500.

Owned by a mechanic at an independent VW/Audi specialist. Well maintained mechanically, only issue I found was an oil leak which looks like it might be from the crank seal (TB end). No engine or ABS codes, readiness monitors all good. I'd rate the exterior 8/10, no visible rust. Interior 7/10, obviously used to cart stuff and the driver's seat is pretty tired. Lot's of little stuff that doesn't work, door switches etc., the sort of thing I try to stay on top of before they add up.

Not sure I'd pay the asking for it, especially if the oil leak means a TB job is needed, but decent MK4s are getting hard to find - too many people neglecting maintenance.

I'll let you know if my son's friend passes on it.

Simon
I went to see this wagon as well. Outwardly it appeared in pretty decent shape. Unfortunately the interior was pretty beat up. I think he must have fixed the interior switches as I didn't notice a problem there, but it was well worn on the inside. Was definitely used as a work vehicle by somebody. If the interior was minty it might be worth the asking price, but not as it sits now.
 

TDIGAZ

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Location
Eastern Ontario, Canada
TDI
Current: 2003 Jetta GLS Grey 5 spd. Previous: 2003 Jetta GLS Silver 5 spd (lost in a collision)
I know I'm looking for a unicorn, and half the people on here are looking for the same unicorn, but it doesn't hurt to ask :).
I'm looking for a clean MK4 wagon to make my daily commuter. Any colour. Must be 5MT of course. Doesn't have to be perfect, but very minimal rust. Any leads greatly appreciated!
Here's a lead... and would surely make for a fun commute :D
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...on/1341604508?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
Something tells me it's not what you're looking for though. Good Luck with your search.
 

McGuillicuddy

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Location
Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon (5MT)

imo000

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Location
Cambridge
TDI
2009 M-B ML320 Diesel & '05 Passat TDI Manual 5-Speed
That wouldn't pass a legitimate safety inspection with the lowering springs and non OE size rims/tires.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Gotta pay to play. If the body is as clean as it looks in the photos and the interior is in good shape, that car's a bargain.
 

steve6

Veteran Member
Joined
May 25, 2010
Location
Beaverton, ON
TDI
2003 jetta tdi
Bargain? Fair possibly, but a bargain?
Indigo is 'merican, I see lots of postings over there for wagons for 5/6/7 grand.... USD in not nearly nice of shape. So 8 grand Canadian for a 60 mile , 03 wagon , 5 speed is a pretty good deal for some areas. But that car does not even have leather/sunroof/esp or alloy rims!
 

breakfasteatre

Veteran Member
Joined
May 5, 2008
Location
Toronto
TDI
gone: 97 b4v, 01, 00 mk4 now: 06 mk4v
For reference i paid 4k safety and etested for a 2006 with 330k kms, 5 speed, cloth interior

this was in january, i was looking for about a month. Had a line on an auto 2005, but that car was totalled by the owners brother after I test drove it and told him i wanted it...
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
No sunroof is a good thing, IMO. A PD isn't an ALH, and 100K kms is unheard of. Good luck finding any ALH with that few km on it, much less a manual transmission wagon.
 

McGuillicuddy

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Location
Canada
TDI
2003 Jetta Wagon (5MT)
No sunroof is a good thing, IMO. A PD isn't an ALH, and 100K kms is unheard of. Good luck finding any ALH with that few km on it, much less a manual transmission wagon.
I tend to agree on the sunroof. I go back and forth on leather vs. cloth. Although I do think I'd prefer a vehicle with 100K more on it that has just had a bunch of the wear items recently replaced (brakes, suspension, clutch, maybe turbo, plugs, starter) over a high priced gem that has a bunch of things just about to go bad.
 
Last edited:

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Suspension is probably not perfect, but OK for a while. Depends on how picky you are. Clutch is barely broken in, as is the turbo. My car has the original starter at 360K miles. I replaced the OE brakes on my car at 150K miles. I don't recall if the timing belt is done on this car, but if not it certainly needs one. Otherwise you could easily drive this for a few years and do nothing to it other than filters and fluids.
 

Cesar F.

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2018
Location
Toronto
TDI
2001 and 2011 Jetta Highline
My MK4 (non wagon) has now 120 000km all stock with manual transmission, how much you guys think I paid for it? Was last year with 110 000km no rust nothing never seen a winter.
I maybe freak out most of you but I wanted that Jemma so it's mine ��
 
Top