Newbie in Halifax needs buying advice.

[Jigme]

Hi all,

I'm new to TDI's and I have my eye on a '99 Jetta at Ed Harrington's shop here in Halifax. I've posted my question about it in TDI 101 here
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=149551

Anyone here have experience buying from Dave at Harrington's? It has 316k on it and seems in very good condition. I've already had Hillcrest diagnose it and it has a very short list of problems that Dave will fix. He claims he serviced it for a woman who drove to HFX from Truro every day and I am inclined to believe him (just my instinct).

Would anyone be willing to look at this car with me or just give advice?

Thanks,
Jeffrey

PS: You could give me a call if you have any input as well 444-6634.

 

[sportsguy]

First off - welcome to the group!

Next - buy the best car your budget will allow for.

That said, I've personally had Harrington's work on my VW's over the years and recommend them to folks. I do, currently, tend to take my own TDI to Hillcrest, though, as the difference in prices is often only slight enough that I'd prefer the dealership do the work anyway.

OK, so 316 eh?

Well, they should have a receipt for the timing belt - that would have been replaced right around the 300K mark.

Oil changes would have been regular, too - so check into that service history.

If the lady was from Truro, call Vantage with the VIN and ask them what work, if any, she had done there. Make sure the VIN is checked for any outstanding recalls as well. Likely already all been covered, but what the heck.

With that mileage, the car will be into the usual wear & tear items, so be ready to throw brakes, tie rods, ball joints, tires, etc. at it over the next 6 months - 2 years.

Those points are, overall, minor, and every car needs those wear items.

The motor itself, with regualr oil changes, should be just fine - noicely broken in as they say.

Watch for rust, obviously. if it has any, take IMMEDIATE action and stop it now.

Other than that, drive and have fun.

Anyone else?

 

[Jigme]

Sptorts guy, thanks for the reply. I asked Harrington's about contacting the previous owner or seeing service records and he claims that there is a new "privacy Act" forbidding dealers to give out info. I 'm not sure if this is true.

I went and drove the car again, and he is doing all the repairs that were recommended in the diagnostic test from Hillcrest. It's scary how much of this is based on trust in the mechanic. I don't know anything about this car or if he will do the repairs actually! I'm going on my instinct that he is trustworthy.

So I put $300 down on the car and it's mine.

I feel like I need someone to hold my hand!! This is all new territory . . . VW, diesel, etc. I've been a Volvo man for about 8 years now. I look forward to meeting some of you local TDI'ers sometime soon

PS: My Volvo got worked on today and the mechanic took before and after photos of the work he did and had them printed out! Now that's a first!! What a great idea.

 

[sportsguy]

No worries Jigme.

I've never had issues with harrington's, though others have. Horror stories abound, but in reality, things are often out of proportion & things become urban myths when it comes to a bad-news story.

As for the privacy act - he's confused, but still on the right track.

he cannot hand you the info to contact the previous owner, but he can share with you the details of the work that was done. if he doesn't know it, then he can just say that.

If you take the VIN to the dealers and ask them to run it, they should be able to provide you the service history without any reference to who owned the car when the service was performed. You just want to know the work was done - not who owned it.

make sure you get a very clear answer on the timing belt change at 300K. It's critical in these engines that that work is done and done properly.

These types of motors are known as "interference" motors - meaning, if the timing belt breaks, things "interfere" with other things - and not any fun ways.

Here's an example from my gasser days:

You have a piston moving up and down, often quite rapidly.
You have valves opening and closing very quickly.
The timing belt keeps the whole dance on track.
The timing belt breaks and pistons slap values upside the head and pretty quick someone needs a doctor.

We're actually having a GTG (get together) to work on a car tomorrow evening, so it's an opportunity to swing by and meet folks if that's your cup of tea.

I'll let Jeff share the directions - his place, and he explains it very well.

 

[Fyrman]

I'll let Jeff share the directions - his place, and he explains it very well.

Yeah, I'm really good at it!

http://tinyurl.com/n64oz

Come on Down!

 

[kburrell]

I had my 89 jetta serviced by Harringtons for years. I always found them great to deal with. I bought my 2003 golf from him a few months ago. I had a few issues with the car, but Dave was quick to take care of me. A coworker bought a 1999 golf from him, and has also had great dealings with him. Highly recomended.

 

[Jigme]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm very glad to hear about kburrells experience with Dave. I had the gut instinct that he is very honest and this helps me believe I'm correct.

I'd like to come to the GTG tonight if possible. I may not have the car yet due to insurance etc. When will the next one be?

What's the best way to repair rust spots? It has several on the hood and roof front edges about the size of a loonie.

 

[Slave2school]

Take it to a body shop is the BEST way, the cheap way isn't as pretty but perhaps as effective if the spots are small. Get some of the rust check rust converter in the mean time and keep at it.

 

[sportsguy]

The get togethers aren't scheduled - they just kind of spontaniously combust...LOL

We usually have a post or two in here when one is pending.

Just remember, those attending for their first time should bring gloves - you'll be scrubbing and mopping the garage floor after the work crew is done.

Being on the Supervisory Staff myself, I'll just kind of be there, looking like I'm not doing much, but taking mental notes on it all - like the guys who hang out at road work sites...

 

[BeckyTDI]

Just remember, those attending for their first time should bring gloves - you'll be scrubbing and mopping the garage floor after the work crew is done.

Being on the Supervisory Staff myself, I'll just kind of be there, looking like I'm not doing much, but taking mental notes on it all - like the guys who hang out at road work sites...

Like this...Cute eh? Keep up the good work Duane.

 

[Fyrman]

You'll notice that every shot of Duane, his hands are in his pocket. He got right excited when I brought out the red step stool as a seat... It was like I'd just given him his own throne!

 

[sportsguy]

That's it - next time I'm using the shower instead of the toilet...

 

[Bmarc]

I think Tony and Jeff ended up sweeping up, first Tony for all the leaves and dirt then Jeff for all the rust that we knocked off the bolts and rotors.

 

[Fyrman]

then Jeff for all the rust that we knocked off the bolts and rotors.

...and there was a sizeable pile! You should see some fuel mileage increases with that kind of of weightloss!

 

[sportsguy]

Not with the oak you added in the passenger's door...

 

[Bmarc]

The oak is holding up well.

 

[Fyrman]

It was maple. Dumb city kids.

 

[Bmarc]

I can tell you I'm no city kid, and I never even seen the piece of wood you put in my door as I was busy working on the suspension.

 

[sportsguy]

Car probably has spruce bud worms by now...

 

[Slave2school]

What was the door fix all about commmon folks I feel like a mushroom here!

 

[Fliehigh]

What was the door fix all about commmon folks I feel like a mushroom here!

The wire that rolls and hold the window up and down broke. Jeff used a couple pieces of wood to hold the window up so Blair could get home in a warm car.

Did anyone else know that John left Hilcrest? Oh ya and there is a recall on the EGR's for all TDI's 2004 and 2005 (all models) has anyone already replaced theirs? What will replace the EGR do for performance/Fuel economy?

Chad

 

[Slave2school]

Thanks!

My opinion, ask what the egr "fix" is... if they say something about complying with emmissions regs...don't do it becuase what they really mean is "We're replacing it with something that makes the engine choke on even more of it's own crap." With my EGR blocked off...hmm my intake i squeeeeky clean still...I wonder why......oop I mean in theory if my egr was blocked off it would be cleaner...yeah...something like that. Chances are though it fixes a leak or something like that though and they aren't trying to save the environment any more than the the feds make them.

 

[Bmarc]

The wire that rolls and hold the window up and down broke. Jeff used a couple pieces of wood to hold the window up so Blair could get home in a warm car.

Chad

I'd just like to point out my names not Blair.


That is all.

 

[BeckyTDI]

I'd just like to point out my names not Blair.


That is all.

HAHA, It is now!

 

[Fliehigh]

I'd just like to point out my names not Blair.


That is all.

Dooohh, Now I feel like Duane!!!

Sorry!

 

[Fliehigh]

Thanks!

My opinion, ask what the egr "fix" is... if they say something about complying with emmissions regs...don't do it becuase what they really mean is "We're replacing it with something that makes the engine choke on even more of it's own crap." With my EGR blocked off...hmm my intake i squeeeeky clean still...I wonder why......oop I mean in theory if my egr was blocked off it would be cleaner...yeah...something like that. Chances are though it fixes a leak or something like that though and they aren't trying to save the environment any more than the the feds make them.

it is supposed to be a Leak issue they are correcting and I think it is a complete replacement.

 

[Fyrman]

What was the door fix all about commmon folks I feel like a mushroom here!

You worried about being in the dark or are you unhappy about being a "fun guy"?!

 

[Slave2school]

I was worried about the mushroom food.