There’s still a number of first generation VW Cabrios (1980-1993), which was based on the Golf Mk1 (Rabbit), but continued to be built right through the Mk2’s reign. For MY 1995, the second Cabrio finally arrived, based now on the Mk3 Golf, and it too was built right through the Mk4’s years. And although I may have overlooked them, when I saw this one it seemed like it was the first in quite some time. It’s become something of a rarity, and one that could be yours.
The reason VW kept these Cabrios in production so long is simply because they were built by Karmann, who couldn’t afford to tool up for a completely new body as often as VW did. Karmann built the body for these completely themselves; it was not some kind of conversion. There structural differences were very considerable, and Karmann had the expertise and experience to do so, having built VW Beetle Cabrios since almost forever, as well as the Karmann-Ghia.
By 1996, the 2.0 L 8 valve four, which became quite the evergreen engine, was at work in these, rated at 115 hp. In these smaller and lighter Golfs, it undoubtedly gave quite adequate performance, especially when teamed with the 5 speed manual.
Not surprisingly, back seat accommodations had to be substantially sacrificed for the Cabrio’s top. Not an inviting space.
I have no comment on the asking price. Convertibles are obviously a lot more scarce, and have a specific appeal to some, so I suppose it’s not too out of line as a starting point. I wonder if the common quality issues found on the Puebla Mk3 cars are perhaps better in these German-made ones?
It’s not exactly a car that has any appeal to me, but it looks to be in reasonably decent shape for an over 20 year-old convertible. Does it appeal to any of you?
I’ve always found small, manual transmission VWs a blast to toss around, so I have no doubt this would make for a fun summer beater to take to the beach and such. The winter, not so much.
I can’t help but always associate the Cabrio, particularly in this color combination, as a major chick car.
The convertible versions of a number of 90s econoboxes regularly seem to appear in disproportionately greater numbers in online classifieds than their sedan and coupe equivalents. Checking Kijiji, a Canadian version of Craigslist, you’ll regularly see a significant number of preserved convertible Geo Metros, Dodge Shadows, and VW Cabrios.
https://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/canada/geo-metro/c174l0a54a1000054
https://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/canada/dodge-shadow/c174l0a54a1000054
Specialty cars have higher survival rates than common cars.
My mind wanders to ragtops every spring. Lack of a garage to put it in always brings proceedings to a halt.
The mileage is not listed here, but if it is not ridiculously high, this might be quite the bargain. This poor boy needs to be relocated down here to the Gulf Coast where it will get the environment it needs 🙂
My 20-year old son has a 1996 almost identical to this one, except for a cloth interior. The odo currently sits at a tad over 95k and it still runs like a top. He received it from my Dad as a graduation gift. Dad bought it in 2009 to tool around in Tennessee until a couple years ago. In the 2 years it has been with us, it has had a timing belt, water pump, a set of tires, and currently trying to find an intermittent short in the steering column that keeps blowing the wiper fuse. The original top’s outer shell is going to need to be replaced in the next year or 2, but the inner layers are completely intact and are in great shape. It also does not leak, which I find surprising. There is a wear hole on the driver seat’s outer bolster, but that seems to be a known problem with this vintage. At least the headlights are still glass and won’t fog up in the sun!
Other than that, this car runs like a car with far fewer miles. Behind the wheel, it gives you the taut, firm feel expected of a German-built car. The 5-speed shifts smoothly and the 2.0L is still one of the best sounding 4s out there (especially so after I gifted it with a Magnaflow exhaust). As a matter of fact, it is a point of pride with my son that he is one of the seemingly few milennials that can drive a manual.
Hopefully this apparently decently-preserved model can find a new loving home.
I do wish there were new German-built VWs available at the dealer. Despite VW’s assurances to the contrary, the “W” cars just seem to be a cut above.
I do wish there were new German-built VWs available at the dealer. Despite VW’s assurances to the contrary, the “W” cars just seem to be a cut above.
VW recently announced that Golf production for the US will be moved back to Germany for the 2020 model year. Officially, the move is due to pressure from the union and government to “create jobs” in German factories, which have surplus capacity, and quality concerns with the Puebla built cars. A friend of mine has a Puebla Mk VII Golf and he says it is the best built car he has ever had. My Puebla Jetta wagon is also well screwed together, comparable to my Canadian built 98 Civic. I think Mexican quality problems are more a matter of image today, rather than reality. We old buggers remember when Japanese stuff was really shoddy.
Here’s the report of the production move.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-shifting-golf-production-from-mexico-to-europe-98375.html
Every Golf R is made in Germany.
Get good snow tires and a heated vest and you’re good for the winter.
Nahh, I rather have the Freestar! A convertible even in Oregon can be tempting at times and this one even has a stick shift.
That price seems pretty darn good to me. At the time, I thought these looked somewhat good, but I can’t say they have aged all that well to me.
Fun fact: VW actually did a second generation Golf Cabriolet prototype, and I think it looks really clean:
It does look good. I guess the Mk1 Golf Cabriolet never sold in high enough volumes to justify a redesign.
These pop up here in North Florida fairly regularly…or else it’s the same 1 or 2 cars. Mileage always seems to fall around the 100,000 mile mark, and prices fall around $1,700+ or – a few hundred dollars.
These Cabrios always seem to have an automatic transmission, so a manual transmission is a bit of a rarity. I guess, like most small convertibles, these were pitched primarily at young women.
I see a current Golf Mk6 cabrio on the way to work fairly frequently, and often end up looking at Autotrader at lunch time…..tempting cars if you like an everyday Cabrio.
I really wish we got that generation in the US. I would be all over one in a heartbeat, because the cabrio Bettle we get instead has a pathetically small trunk. It would be impossible to get two suitcases into one of one of those, but that wouldn’t be the case in a Golf. Who needs an overly complex Eos? I’m particularly smitten with the orange ones:
Where is this Cabrio located?
In Eugene. All the cars that I post are shot in Eugene, unless I clearly say so otherwise.
Thanks.
I have a ’98, but it was built in Mexico. There’s somewhere north of 170 K miles on it, and it still works well. Good summer car for my wife and I.
In 1996 VW built the Mk3 Cabriolet in Mexico, ’95’s were German built. The fender side lamp was replaced by a Wolfsburg crest in the German built cars.
Seems to be a reasonable asking price for this example.
Here is a ’96 with a 3VW (Mexico) vin.
https://www.autolist.com/volkswagen-cabrio#vin=3VWBA81E2TM800988
Her is a ’95 with a WVW (Germany) vin.
https://www.autolist.com/volkswagen-cabrio#vin=WVWBC81E9SK000465
Too late to edit. Karmann set up a shop in the VW factory in Puebla and built the bodies for VW Mexico there.
They must have made the change sometime during the model year as my son’s 96 is a “WVW”. I will peek at the door sticker and post the build date later today.
Wouldn’t be surprised if there is a mid year split, fairly common VW practice.
This is just a pet peeve, but “For Sale by Owner” signs are really meant for homes. Showing that home owner is not using a real estate company. “Realtor” (R) is a brand name btw.
Several years ago, when we needed to get another vehicle, my wife and I looked at a Cabrio very similar to this one that we found sitting with a for sale sign.
For some reason, one door wasn’t locked, so we looked it over inside and out. I don’t remember what year it was, nor whether it had a manual or automatic transmission. I think it had around 80,000 miles on it and was about 20 years old.
Both of us really wanted another convertible, so we kicked it around. I actually called the guy to arrange a test drive.
We backed away. With no garage, and having to use it as a daily driver, we decided it wasn’t worth pursuing.