ok guys...i never said junk or toss the car....
I just said I wouldn't bother trying to repair the rust...just continue to drive it as is and get some use out of the car until either the body gives out or the engine blows...
I wouldn't spend anything other than essential maint (filters, oil, brake pads, belts, etc) on that car...next $$$ repair comes up
Then it's time to move on and salvage whatever is of value, ie hard to find body, trim, interior, mechanical, etc parts that are still in good condition and still of economic value to the public/ebay/forum...
but sadly I think our cars are on the backside of the "popularity curve"...most of the TDI fans have gravitates to the newer TDI models as the used prices have dropped to within reach...I've seen the first gen TDIs for dirt cheap now, a notable drop in asking prices on CL as more 2nd/3rd gen TDIs make their way to CL at lower and lower prices...
I probably won't get much of anything when it's time to move my B4V...which is very soon I think...