1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The car actually isn't an 85, it's an 82. Little discrepency i felt i needed to add in there. I just bought this car recently from my Grandfather, who did a complete restoration on the body, and repainted the car in a very bright shade of Red (not sure of the actual paint code, but it was very close to the original color). This car has your standard A2 watercooled engine; the 1.8 liter that powers many VW's from the 80's. Coupled up to to a 5-speed manual means great control, and surprisingly for a completely stock car, it gets up and goes; there's no power steering, so low speed manuvering is a bit hard, but once you're moving the car feels light and very nippy. It's not quick in a straight line, but it absolutely loves the twisty stuff. In a way that makes sense, considering it's based on the Rabbit, which itself is a Golf, and everyone knows what the Golf GTI was (and still is) like to drive. Build quality is solid, except for normal convertible caveats; the top leaks right around the windshield, so inclement weather is a problem sadly. But it doesn't really matter since this car only gets driven on sunny days with the top down, which is the point of a convertible anyway. Outside it looks like your typical 80's car; boxy, small headlights, and no real 'flash' to speak of. Interior is pretty much the same as every other Mk1 Rabbit/Golf, i.e. slightly spartan. The car does great on gas with that little 1.8, but it's still got enough power to help merging onto the highway. Fuel injection means no worrying about stalling out at traffic lights, or hesitation from a stop. As for fun factor, how can you not have a smile with the top down, wind in your hair, sunglasses on and tunage blasting. That's what convertibles do to youFeb 20, 2009