vw diesel rabbit issues
Hard to start when cold.
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1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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For 1981, the Volkswagen Rabbit received a boost in power, for both its gas and its diesel engines. The Rabbit's standard powerplant was a new four cylinder, 1.7-liter single-overhead-cam gas engine that generated 74 horsepower, up from 71 hp the previous year. A new 1.6-liter diesel engine, which was available as an option, generated 52 horsepower, up from 48 hp.
The Rabbit's exterior also received some minor restyling, with the addition of wrap-around turn signals added to the Rabbit's square front headlights. The taillights were redesigned as well.
As in previous years, the Rabbit was available as either a two-door or four-door hatchback, with a number of trim packages available, including the Rabbit L, the Rabbit LX pickup, and the Rabbit convertible. MacPherson struts, large disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, four-wheel independent suspension, and energy-absorbing bumpers were all standard equipment. Other standard features and options included an AM/FM radio, color-coordinated interiors, reclining front seats, a rear window defogger, a wood-grained dash, and air conditioning.
Drivers were generally very positive in their reviews of the 1981 Rabbit, with many praising the Rabbit's reliability, quickness, gas mileage, and durability. Some noted that their Rabbits were still running even though the odometers were showing several hundred thousand miles.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit
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by Anonymous
Dec 11, 2013
I like to work on old cars and this has been a real challenge. It is fun to drive and gets good mileage, Plus its a convertible. Use it mostly to drive 30 miles each way for works. Fun car.Dec 11, 2013
by Anonymous
Nov 01, 2010
This is a cute car that is just fun to drive with the top down. Its a onw family car. Mother bought new and it just keeps running. It is very dependable. I will give eight more words for this.Nov 01, 2010
by John H
Oct 21, 2010
love it its a 1.6 diesel that rolls coal. i get 63 mpg with the pump down and 42 with it now. i gettin ready to put a 33 ml turbo on it and lower it 2 in. its really fun to drive. this pic was taken at the walmart, in one of the shoppin kart corrals.Oct 21, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Dec 11, 2013
I like to work on old cars and this has been a real challenge. It is fun to drive and gets good mileage, Plus its a convertible. Use it mostly to drive 30 miles each way for works. Fun car.Dec 11, 2013
by Anonymous
Nov 01, 2010
This is a cute car that is just fun to drive with the top down. Its a onw family car. Mother bought new and it just keeps running. It is very dependable. I will give eight more words for this.Nov 01, 2010
by John H
Oct 21, 2010
love it its a 1.6 diesel that rolls coal. i get 63 mpg with the pump down and 42 with it now. i gettin ready to put a 33 ml turbo on it and lower it 2 in. its really fun to drive. this pic was taken at the walmart, in one of the shoppin kart corrals.Oct 21, 2010
by John H
Oct 15, 2010
its a badass 1.6 diesel i got the injector pump turned up and it rolls coal like a mother. i get bout 36 mpg out of it now was gettin round 55. it sucks in acceleration but handling it likes to hug the curves.Oct 15, 2010
by Samantha P
Sep 04, 2010
I love my car. Great mileage, super fun, great VW community. Rabbits started the "hot hatch" car building...and are totally worth the time and energy to build, even as a 30 year old car! They're great for swapping and slamming. MK1s rock!Sep 04, 2010
by Verna V
Dec 05, 2009
Hmmm.... I've been a VW owner for most of my life; I think it's somehow gotten into my DNA. So while this car is not really everyone's cup of tea, this rally-setup vehicle brings me nothing but smiles!!!
I swapped it over to a manual transmission and am running a custom suspension setup around Bilstein Off Road HD shocks. Custom springs and stich welded reinforcements through out unibody.
This car isn't fast, but it handles rough surfaces with easy and is both forgiving and quite nimble through the turns. Dec 05, 2009
by Bob B
Sep 29, 2009
it was a small efficient, pickup, fun to drive great gas mileage, great handling, for the age was great. interior needed some work but looked good when it was in shape. didn't need very much maintenance. go get one of these cars Sep 29, 2009
by Garrett B
Jun 25, 2009
The car is fun to drive just because it is so light, but
once you get more than one person in there, you can
feel the car slow up. Looks fantastic, gets great
mileage, and performs pretty good for being rebuilt
fully stock.Jun 25, 2009
by David V
Oct 25, 2008
1981 Rabbit Turbo Deisel. Not much get up an go but it was a hoot to drive and easy to keep running!
I always felt as if I was drving a big go-cart; everything was so iimediate. Unless it was a steep hILL THEN IT SEEMED TO TAKE MORE TIME :)Oct 25, 2008
by Tyler L
Aug 05, 2008
This is a great car. Its 74 hp engine feels as if it's got much more power. The German build quality is solid; after all these years, there are only minor squeaks. It's very fun to drive, especially with the radio on and top down. The Giugiaro styling catches your eye again and again. I recommend this car to anyone!Aug 05, 2008
by Der G
Apr 16, 2008
Currently turning "The Hammer" or, the "Blue Bullet" as it's been called, into a true Rally car....yes, they do that!Apr 16, 2008
by James E
Apr 03, 2008
The car was not dependable! It did not want to be sold. Apr 03, 2008
by Naomi E
Mar 27, 2008
It was an older car with a lot of milesMar 27, 2008
by Naomi E
Mar 26, 2008
It was a fun little dieselMar 26, 2008
by Billy A
Mar 10, 2008
No much to say about it, I abused it.Mar 10, 2008
by Greg B
Feb 28, 2008
It was good on gas. No acceleration. It got me around in the winter.Feb 28, 2008
by George M
Jan 16, 2008
Just like the German word says "driving pleasure". This VW Rabbit diesel was an awesome car, even though I didn't own it for long, it was very exciting driving it, may be because it wasn't allowed on the road for the time I owned it :-)... It was in the first few months I immigrated to Canada, when I purchased this car. It needed a new fuse panel and wiring harness. After estimating the cost for this repair I quickly decided to sell the car. So I went down to the harbor, found some Russian fishing boat and not long after we were loading the car aboard the ship, the main engineer bought it. For me it was quick $200 made and getting rid of some headache. We'' it was fun while it lasted...Jan 16, 2008
by Gus F
Jan 10, 2008
Built in 2004, 1.8L G60 motor setup for turbo but never completed. Sold off for my current CorradoJan 10, 2008
What users have asked
water leak
Water leaks through cab vents behind seats.Window is sealed,where is it comeing from? Its my 1981 rabbit pick up.
123 views
clutch and brake petal pivot pin keeper,is it a C clip
the pivot pin for the clutch and brake petal came loose and the clutch petal fell on the floors got it put back but i don't know what keeps the pivot pin in place. is there a C clip that goes on the end of the shaft or pivot pin? this is on a 1981 rabbit diesel pu manual trans. 5 spd.
26 views
What is causing my car to shut off when I'm driving?
My 81 VW Rabbit will start and run all day but when I drive it, it only drives for about half hour and then shuts off. And then when I tow it back home it will start right up but then only drives for another half hour and does the same thing.
233 views
how much does it weigh
could you tell me how much a volkswagon rabbit from the year 1981 would weigh?
1645 views
Top Comparisons
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1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pricing
Original MSRP
$6,015 to $10,200Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent