1990 Jetta 1.6 diesel in South Dakota..best offer

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
I have no idea what this is worth and I don't want to give it away to a dealer. I know these aren't high dollar cars do I'd rather an enthusiast own this as I need to upgrade to something that more comfortably drives 80 mph down the interstate. It will definitely drive 80 but the mileage drops from mid 40s to high 30s in that scenario and I'm looking to get into a 1.9.

I have owned this car since 1995 and fully maintained it through a combination of myself and a mechanic specializing in VWs. I have numerous receipts for the work that has been performed over time. The car now has 171k and was a daily driver for several years. The car then sat for about 3 years (at 167k miles and only needing a CV joint) before I starting driving it again. Since I started driving it again I have put about 4000 miles on it just to verify it's working well after sitting. I have done significant work making sure it's ready to go. In that time I changed all fluids and filters, replaced both headlight bulbs and housings ($250), both CV joints ($220), rebuilt the alternator ($90), replaced the battery ($90), the shift linkage, gas cap, coolant cap, and numerous other odds and ends. It starts instantly and runs very well, and drives straight. Prior to that the injection pump was rebuilt recently and other routine maintenance was kept up on. The body isn't perfect but it does still look pretty decent for 22 years old and the tires have a lot of life in them. I can email pictures should you desire. It's never once left me stranded and I just returned from a 500 mile trip. Thanks for consideration.
 
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FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Figured this would be a tough sell and really hate to give this away to a dealer that doesn't appreciate the added benefit of the diesel motor....but sometimes you have to bite the bullet I guess. I just don't have the room to keep it even though it's hard to part with. Maybe I'll try local craigslist as a final resort.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Could someone with some experience give a general idea what sort of price to expect for this? Thanks.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
No sunroof. I'd say that there is no rust but I haven't looked at it in every single place to be 100% sure. At the very least, it doesn't appear to be rusty. I will take a closer look when I get a chance. Overall I'd say the body looks pretty good for as old as it is. There is a dent in the rocker panel on the other side. I'll get a picture from that side, too. Everything is what you'd expect from a car of this age. The interior is actually in good shape in my opinion. No big stains, obvious wear or tears on the seats. The dash is cracked but it's not terrible.




After I got it going I started tracking the mileage on fuelly but haven't been diligent lately. My last tank was 42.5 on a 500 mile trip so it's right where it has been. You can see what it has been here:

 
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TomJD

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Location
St. Louis
TDI
2000 Jetta TDI GLS, 2015 Golf TDI
Don't let this go to a dealer. If I were in the states I would be interested in this for sure!
 

burpod

teh stallionz!!1
Joined
Nov 27, 2004
Location
cape cod, ma
TDI
82 rabbit vnt ahu, 98 jetta vnt ahu, 05 parts car, 88 scirocco.. :/
that's a handsome jetta. take more pics and post them here and/or craigslist. someone will surely buy it... wish i could!
 

sethb85

New member
Joined
May 21, 2010
Location
Austin TX
TDI
85 TD Jetta, 91 TD Jetta (both sold)
More pictures please, strut mounts under the hood, drive side floor right behind tire in particular.

All she needs is some aerodynamic mods to hit 45MPG, 4" garden trim does wonders on these older models and who cares if it scrapes it's like $10 a roll of 30ft.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Now, the problematic areas....here you can see the cracks on the dash. Next you will see the dent in the rocker panel area I mentioned. I was going to put some fender flares on the dent to cover it up but decided I wanted it visible if I was going to sell it.

The other dark spots in the picture are simply dirt spots where diesel was spilled out of container. Of course the dirt stuck there but will wash right off.



 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Maybe I'm not a good judge of rust but I'm just not seeing it on this car. Here are the pictures of the strut towers and the behind the wheels. Looks good to me.


 

89greendiesel

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Location
columbus, oh
TDI
not really looking for a TDI, waiting for the Mazda diesels! Got 267k on my Corolla
i think you have earned the right to use the term "rust free"
 

TomJD

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Location
St. Louis
TDI
2000 Jetta TDI GLS, 2015 Golf TDI
Beautiful...why can't these be available when I am home!?
 

burpod

teh stallionz!!1
Joined
Nov 27, 2004
Location
cape cod, ma
TDI
82 rabbit vnt ahu, 98 jetta vnt ahu, 05 parts car, 88 scirocco.. :/
looks great! as a responsible owner, you are required to make sure this car finds a good home!! i would love one for a future project, but you are too far away, and i already have a (same color) new england raised mk2 gli 16v that is rusting away in my yard. savable.. but a lot of work, and just way off my priority list
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
I actually am committed to finding a good home for this car after owning it for almost 2 decades. What's a fair price to ask for it on Craig list?
 

Ski in NC

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Location
Wilmington, NC USA
TDI
2001 Jetta ALH 5sp stock
My completely random gut level guess would be around $3k, maybe plus or minus $1k based on detailed inspection, how it drives, engine/tranny/suspension health, sneaky hiding rust, water leaks, etc.
 

TDISD

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 20, 2012
Location
South Dakota
TDI
2004 Jetta TDI
Im interested, and according to the pictures looks like you live close (hills area) I will PM you my phone number!!
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
I've gone through some of my old receipts and have figured out what either I've done to this or had done at the VW place. It wasn't an actual dealer but two guys that were major VW diesel enthusiasts. I nearly cried the day they told me they were retiring.

I drove it about 500 miles this last week so it now has 171,500 miles or so....

Here is what I have done recently after it sat for a while - and have receipts for:

167,000 miles: Replaced both CV joints and tie-rod ends. Parts alone were $330.
New 72 month with 2 year free replacement battery - $92.00
Both headlights (full assembly) with new bulbs - $270
Filters, gas cap, radiator cap - $60
Shift Linkage bushings and ball to repair slack in shifter - around $50

163,010 miles: Rebuilt Injector pump at John Deere implement dealer. Billed for parts of shaft, bushing gasket, tube, clamp, and washer. $306

161,696 miles: Replace all glow plugs and voltage regulator - $243 for parts and labor

142, 862 miles: New tires, New water pump and water pump housing, engine heater, various hoses, new timing belt, and power steering, fan belts. Parts and labor - $663.98.

Somewhere around here I put new exhaust on it and rebuilt the alternator but don't have any records of that for some reason. The previous timing belt (before the last change) was changed at 97,000 miles as I have the receipt for that too. The point is that I feel I have taken good care of this car and have a good history of it's repairs.

Clearly I don't think I can recoup maintenance costs but considering it's had at least $2000 of documented work done within 30,000 miles I don't think $3000 seems like an unreasonable asking price, either. It drives fine down the road and it still looks decent. The body is far from perfect as it has scratches, rock chips (the only place I've found rust is the rock chips) and many other imperfections.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Im interested, and according to the pictures looks like you live close (hills area) I will PM you my phone number!!

Spearfish....and I'm frequently all over the state.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Just remembered one more day of repairs I did. I must not have saved the receipt but for some reason I remember the miles I did the work at. The struts and shocks were all replaced at 133K. I also replaced the brake pads and rotors while I was doing the front struts.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
I advertised this online and had an offer of $2500 contingent on the guy being able to come up with the money. I have no idea what that means. I talked to him a little bit and he started off telling me how much he knows about cars but hasn't had a diesel before. I wanted to be sure I explained that these require a different level of maintenance than most cars while he basically told me that it's a wives tale that timing belts need changed, oil needed to be changed so often, etc. Apparently it's a parts dealer conspiracy. That said, I'd be a lot happier selling it to someone here that understands. I anyone is interested at $2500 please let me know soon.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Sold...sort of. Thanks for the comments and help guys....a buyer is coming as soon as he can get the money - tomorrow he says.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
This story isn't over yet. The guy that agreed to buy it dropped off $500 with a plan to return quickly and I never saw him again. After quite some time, I learned he went to jail. Always wondered if he was trying to steal the balance due. At any rate, I sent the money back to a family member and this car is again for sale. I don't drive it and it's a shame someone doesn't so I would like to see it being used and out of my garage. Please someone make me an offer I can't refuse. I'd even be willing to trade for a number of things and I'd add some cash on the right item. It could be another vw, adifferent car, truck, recreational vehicle, or ? I'm just trying to get down to one vehicle. In fact, I also have a 2005 gmc I'd sell or trade, too.
 
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FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Any one? Trades for a TDI? Anything is a possibility. Need one reliable vehicle I can drive daily on the interstate. This was that vehicle but it's 23 years old and, frankly, isn't built to drive 80 mph for long distances.
 
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FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
This is going on craigslist today for $2000 for one week. If that doesn't work, then to the dealer for a new Jetta. Wish I had more room to keep/work on things but the reality is that I don't.
 

FletchMan

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Black Hills
TDI
2006 Jetta, 99.5 Jetta...previously owned 2000 Beetle and 1990 Jetta 1.6
Actually sold to a family real close to me with an extensive collection and knowledge of diesel A1 and 2s. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out and the interest on craigslist was overwhelming. I could have easily gotten more than my asking price but made a deal and didn't want to go back on it.
 

samuraitd

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2013
Location
Provo, UT
TDI
ahu mtdi samurai swap, 1991 jetta ecodiesel
is it a turbo diesel? or just diesel? i probably missed it if you said it
 
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