Purchase advice needed

[emerscape]

My girlfriend and I are looking for a manual transmission TDI wagon to be used for long trips when it doesn’t make sense to drive our wrangler. We found this one on Craigslist - https://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/d/acushnet-2002-vw-jetta-tdi-wagon-clean/6912533956.html

I know it has high mileage but I was thinking about buying this and then dropping it with either Dr. Volks, Mrchill or KMH to go through front to back and make any necessary improvements. Anything I should be aware of with this vehicle or should I hold out for another one?

 

[eddieleephd]

I'd take it to one of the mentioned people and ask them to look it over first. Than make a decision

Sent from my Armor_2 using Tapatalk

 

[Genesis]

Second what Eddieleephd said -- pay one of those folks to look it over first BEFORE money changes hands.

 

[Rrusse11]

High mileage, but it sounds like the previous owner looked after it.
Mechanical problems are easier to deal with than bodywork.
Rust free and straight, I wouldn't wait too long to make an offer.


My $.02

 

[JDSwan87]

My girlfriend and I are looking for a manual transmission TDI wagon to be used for long trips when it doesn’t make sense to drive our wrangler. We found this one on Craigslist - https://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/d/acushnet-2002-vw-jetta-tdi-wagon-clean/6912533956.html
I know it has high mileage but I was thinking about buying this and then dropping it with either Dr. Volks, Mrchill or KMH to go through front to back and make any necessary improvements. Anything I should be aware of with this vehicle or should I hold out for another one?

Entire front clip has been repainted... fender paint doesn't match doors but fenders match hood and bumper

 

[Bengoshi2000]

Entire front clip has been repainted... fender paint doesn't match doors but fenders match hood and bumper

Looking at this pic, the driver's fender clearly doesn't line up with the hood and headlight. I'm not believing it's never been in a collision.

 

[eddieleephd]

After the comment about possible front end damage you should definitely check the passenger side motor mount.
The spot in the rear where it bolts to the engine tends to break when there's a front end collision.
Take a mirror and flashlight with you to look at it as it's in a difficult place to see otherwise. From the passenger side, follow the timing cover down the back until you get to the bolt and inspect from under the turbo. Look for damage, our welding showing its been repaired. Cast blocks don't weld well and tend to break again in time.

Sent from my Armor_2 using Tapatalk

 

[gforce1108]

it was probably rusty fenders that were swapped out (could have been under the 12 year warranty). There are rust stains on the rockers / door near the bottom of the fenders. My 03 was the same. The rest of the car was in nice shape, but both front fenders were shot. 2 used, but OEM painted reflex silver fenders and it looks 10x better.

 

[jmodge]

Body strip on the door doesn’t line up either, guy lays it on thick about the car being unique. There were a lot of these produced.
Having it looked over by someone familiar with TDI’s is sound advice. A lot of things wear out on cars this age and nickel and dime a person who does not do the work themselves. Actually they Nickle and dime a person who does the work themselves and can lead to a small fortune spent by someone who doesn’t.

 

[JDSwan87]

Looking at this pic, the driver's fender clearly doesn't line up with the hood and headlight. I'm not believing it's never been in a collision.

After the comment about possible front end damage you should definitely check the passenger side motor mount.
The spot in the rear where it bolts to the engine tends to break when there's a front end collision.
Take a mirror and flashlight with you to look at it as it's in a difficult place to see otherwise. From the passenger side, follow the timing cover down the back until you get to the bolt and inspect from under the turbo. Look for damage, our welding showing its been repaired. Cast blocks don't weld well and tend to break again in time.

Sent from my Armor_2 using Tapatalk

it was probably rusty fenders that were swapped out (could have been under the 12 year warranty). There are rust stains on the rockers / door near the bottom of the fenders. My 03 was the same. The rest of the car was in nice shape, but both front fenders were shot. 2 used, but OEM painted reflex silver fenders and it looks 10x better.

Body strip on the door doesn’t line up either, guy lays it on thick about the car being unique. There were a lot of these produced.
Having it looked over by someone familiar with TDI’s is sound advice. A lot of things wear out on cars this age and nickel and dime a person who does not do the work themselves. Actually they Nickle and dime a person who does the work themselves and can lead to a small fortune spent by someone who doesn’t.

All of this is true. When I had the fenders replaced on my wagon, the panel gap and alignment was terrible. My concern is the complete lack of stone chips on the front bumper and leading edge of hood, that screams repaint to me.

All that said, it wouldn't bother me so long as the repairs we done properly. Looks like a nice car for the money.

 

[gforce1108]

two more super rare reflex silver 5sp ALH wagons Neither has been in accidents, but both have had fenders replaced.


I wouldn't be worried about that at all - just really look at the rockers - at this age many have some serious rust in the north east. Same with the hatches.

I gotta get mine up for sale (on the right in this pic) while these things are still super hot. It just runs so smooth and 700mi to a tank is super simple.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Have you contacted the seller? For some reason I have a suspicion that this vehicle isn't really available.

If it is, Bob or Chris would be happy to look it over. Or you could take it to Chris Zanis in Wareham, who is closer. My guess would be that you'd be into it for $5-6K by the time you (or your gf) are comfortable driving it daily.