Maybe a new-used 2000 TDI?

[engsci_aero]

F that! Maybe a new-used _2001_ TDI?

// EDIT // Read below for my new questions!

Hello Folks!
I've spoken with another TDI'er personally and his knowledge directed me here.
I'm thinking about buying a 2000 Jetta TDI. It's black and it costs about $9000. The odometer reads about 180 000km but a quick CARFAX check shows the car at 172 000 km end of April 2006, but at 162 in June 2006. I'm assuming worst case scenario of the odomoeter being off by 15 000 if not a clerical error. The car also has a number of traditional VW problems, inside (cup holder, centre console, glove box) and 1 broken, manual, lock. The keyless and power locks still function.
The car is power everything with moonroof.
I have a 'gasser' father who has to cosign my financing papers and he seems to be under the impression that any vehicle with 180 000km+ is a terrible investment. Based on what I have read and a couple of mechanics, 190 000 km is not a TERRIBLE investment assuming it was decently maintained. The car seems like it is in good condition and the engine looks alright (and of course I'd take it to a mechanic, first).
On the other hand, VW dealership people have said it may not be the GREATEST idea since the previous owner put on a different exhaust (and muffler?) and painted the calipers.
I like the car and I'm willing to put in some effort for the cosmetic issues no problem. I also recognize I'd probably have to put in a timing belt change, basically immediately, since there are no service records.
What I want to know is, from anyone patient enough to have read this: what is your opinion of this car? Is it a reasonable idea? Am I going to run into some problems down the road with powertrain/engine? Also, based on the odometer, and some broken inside things such as the lock, and the timing belt, could I negotiate with this guy to drop the price by, say, 1000 - 1200?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys and girls!
//Edit: immediately after posting.
//If this is not the best/most appropriate place to post this, please advise where I should move it to.

 

[darkscout]

I have a 'gasser' father who has to cosign my financing papers and he seems to be under the impression that any vehicle with 180 000km+ is a terrible investment. Based on what I have read and a couple of mechanics, 190 000 km is not a TERRIBLE investment assuming it was decently maintained.

Hell, that could be in *k mi and be true. I have 180k MILES on mine right now. Quite a few able bodied mechanics have bought theirs with 200k MILES and run them just fine to 300.

Google math is telling me that 180k km is *only* 112k MILES. Goodness. That thing might finally be broken in (if it was broken in correctly).

Just check up on the maintenance and that it was done. At 112k it's due for a TB change at 120k (you do the math .

 

[Souzafone]

Look in the regional forum and find a club member to check the car out with you. Like getting a home inspection before buying a house, but paying in beer.

 

[BoostdJetta]

112k really isn't that much, just make sure the timing belt was done.

 

[engsci_aero]

Here's an update, I've dropped the car mentioned in the above post. My options are now as follows:

2001 @ 156 000 km with a timing belt change done (according to the sticker) at 108 000km. That's a plus, so is the sun roof and alloy wheels. The negatives are the somewhat crummy looking interior (relative to other cars I've seen - think a hole in the back seat and scratches on the finish), a random block heater plug in the front, an additional car alarm (that I'd be disabling immediately), changed pedals (to some metal pedals, they don't look stock ) and wires in the trunk where an amp and sub were clearly installed.

The other option is same year, same price, no sun roof but 132 000 km. There are only minor problems inside and the outside looks pretty good. There is no timing belt change evidence though teh dealer says that it is 'new.' I'd have to look into this to verify. Apparently the dealer accidently broke the power mirror switch but will fix it before I make my decision.

my question to all the gurus out there:
Where's the better value? Fewer KM with a couple less features and a potentially no timing belt maintenance, or more KM, timing belt done recently with some less than ideal internals and mods.

The other question: Are mods, in general, something to avoid? Do I want to be driving around in a car that someone modded up? Is there a big risk playing with pedals meant the person drove the car hard / didn't care for it (I doubt it since they seem to care about maintenance).

Anyways, any help would be appreciated. My first used car and first used jetta TDI.

Thanks!

 

[engsci_aero]

To add one more thing:

I don't have much diesel experience, but when I started car with the different pedals and let it idle, I found the exhaust made me caugh pretty quick. It had the feeling of particles in my lungs. Do I just need to get used to diesel? heh

I could just be a big wimp

 

[doc_m]

well let me put this out, my car has just over 259k kms on a 00 and got in an accinent a couple weeks ago and insurance repaired it and put around 7000 from what I understand into it

Also I would find it hard to believe that you would feel any affects from th car idling, gasser would probably be much worse for you health wise.

 

[Souzafone]

I would run from the "modded" car. It sounds like it was owned by someone who was more interested in making the car sound good. Just because it's had a t-belt installed recently doesn't mean the job was done correcly. Please get someone with experience on TDI's help you look before you make a costly mistake. Mods are not something to be afraid of, it's whether or not they are improvements. The random plug you mention could be a frost heater, generally accepted as nice to have.

 

[engsci_aero]

I would run from the "modded" car. It sounds like it was owned by someone who was more interested in making the car sound good. Just because it's had a t-belt installed recently doesn't mean the job was done correcly. Please get someone with experience on TDI's help you look before you make a costly mistake. Mods are not something to be afraid of, it's whether or not they are improvements. The random plug you mention could be a frost heater, generally accepted as nice to have.

Thanks for the help Souzafone. I just went for a quick peak the other day before I start seriously considering my options. I plan to have another tdi driver take a look before I make a decision. We would have gone yesterday but he had car issues . Also, that's good to know about the frost heater!