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1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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In 1998, the Volkswagen Cabriolet came in three trims -- Base, Bestseller, and Boutique. Though each was powered by the same 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 90-hp engine and 5-speed manual transmission, they differed in standard features offered.
The two-door convertible Base featured cloth seats and a radio and not much else. Add-ons in the higher trims included cruise control, leather seats, and air conditioning, but the 1988 Cabriolet's trademark was not necessarily luxury as much as it was pure fun.
1988 Cabriolets seem to last forever, part of that durable German engineering, and most owners agree that they're fun to drive, not only because of the open top, but because of precise, spritely handling. They're great on the highway or just for making the scene around town, and the front-wheel drive is amazingly good on snow, owners say. The Cabriolet is easy to modify as well, so people today will often buy used ones to fix up. Parts can be scarce, say some owners, and repairs costly. A big problem with the convertible is leakage where the top meets the windows.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet
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by Anonymous
Oct 20, 2012
Handles great feel very safe great on highway plenty of power. Best car for the SUMMER WITH FOOD WINTER TIRES SHE GREAT. Only no place to put a drink for a holder. Oh ya don't forget the SUN SCREEN reallyOct 20, 2012
by Anonymous
Jun 06, 2012
I bought this car junior year of highschool and three years later I still love her. She's reliable but with that said there are some minor problems (what can you expect with a 24 year old car.) all my repairs could have been completely avoided if I would simply check the belts and hoses to make sure they look good. This car has been a perfect car for me especially considering my 300 mile a week commute with gas at $3.50. Its compact but im 6'2" and i am comfortable, back seat not so much. With the top down i can fit me, my girlfriend, and our surf boards so its a perfect ride for the beach. Would I buy another? In a heart beat. It's fun to work on and it's given me a chance to learn more about how autos operate. Jun 06, 2012
by Crystal B
Nov 24, 2011
I loved to take this car on joy rides. It was so fun and I got a lot of thumbs up. Everybody loves the look of this car. It has a lot of engine work done to it and some cosmetic work, but it still needs to have more restoring done to it. My hope is that someone who likes to do restoration on cars can purchase this car and finish what we started on it. It has so much potential to be so valuable with just a little more TLC. Nov 24, 2011
User rating:
by Anonymous
Oct 20, 2012
Handles great feel very safe great on highway plenty of power. Best car for the SUMMER WITH FOOD WINTER TIRES SHE GREAT. Only no place to put a drink for a holder. Oh ya don't forget the SUN SCREEN reallyOct 20, 2012
by Anonymous
Jun 06, 2012
I bought this car junior year of highschool and three years later I still love her. She's reliable but with that said there are some minor problems (what can you expect with a 24 year old car.) all my repairs could have been completely avoided if I would simply check the belts and hoses to make sure they look good. This car has been a perfect car for me especially considering my 300 mile a week commute with gas at $3.50. Its compact but im 6'2" and i am comfortable, back seat not so much. With the top down i can fit me, my girlfriend, and our surf boards so its a perfect ride for the beach. Would I buy another? In a heart beat. It's fun to work on and it's given me a chance to learn more about how autos operate. Jun 06, 2012
by Crystal B
Nov 24, 2011
I loved to take this car on joy rides. It was so fun and I got a lot of thumbs up. Everybody loves the look of this car. It has a lot of engine work done to it and some cosmetic work, but it still needs to have more restoring done to it. My hope is that someone who likes to do restoration on cars can purchase this car and finish what we started on it. It has so much potential to be so valuable with just a little more TLC. Nov 24, 2011
by Anonymous
Aug 04, 2011
there is a pull switch behind the trunk lid. it has to be pulled to drop the rear seats. it makes for just one more step to lift the top. not impossible, just a pain.
aside from that its a pretty good car.Aug 04, 2011
by Michele W
Jun 10, 2010
bad breaks, bad shocks, moderatly good at acceleration, very squeaky
and rattly. Great appearance, old car with only a few bruises, original
seating in good condition, black leather dash feels great to touch and
shines nicely, averages 18 mph in town, low maintenance required. stick
shift and a soft top turns the cabriolet into a go cart! very fun to driveJun 10, 2010
by Anonymous
May 08, 2010
Just brought 1988 and in the process of rebuilding need repair manual and instructions on removing and installing top.
Need help with gathering information brought care for 400 dollars which i believe to be a steal. please advise as soon as possibleMay 08, 2010
by Gavin B
Nov 21, 2009
performance: cars slow as hell to me but wont be for much longer got lots planned performance wise excluding turbo
Build Quality: 1st class its a vee dub what can a say
Appearance: not too good just now but will be shortly
Fun Factor. The Car is fun to drive cause its like a feckin boat but handles good enough for a cabbyNov 21, 2009
by Anonymous
Sep 14, 2009
I love my Cabriolet! Great MPG, dependable, fun to drive and absolutely adorable! A real head turner that consistantly gets remarked, on. Parts are cheap if you put some time into the search for them. With routine maintenance, these cars seem to last forever! Sep 14, 2009
by Anonymous
Jul 16, 2009
I enjoy my Cabriolet, I have had an 1988 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V and now my Cabrio and despite the fact that I can pretty much any car I would want, I will never get rid of my volkswagen. Everyone should have the chance to drive one.Jul 16, 2009
by Alex J
Oct 21, 2008
There is nothing better then driving this car downtown somewhere and getting noticed without having a huge fart can as a muffler. I bought this car over a year and a half ago and besides it needing a tune-up from sitting for over 3 years I haven’t invested a single penny into it besides unnecessary parts, oil changes and other regular maintenance. This car was defiantly a hidden gem in the automotive industry and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and simple car!Oct 21, 2008
by Andrea A
May 28, 2008
This car will work as long as you need it to. It may be a little out of date but it will never quit on you.May 28, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 23, 2008
bought one for my wife and this is probably the best purchase we have made. She drives this car rain or shine. Few minor problems but nothing major. Has rust and I am finding it hard to find a trunk lid to replace the rusty one on the car. also slight leak at doors when raining hard. Other than that it is a real head turner, people are always commenting on the cute car
Jan 23, 2008
by Anonymous
Sep 22, 2007
Just in need of a handle (top lock) for the roof of an '88 Volks Cabriolet. The broke off and I'm looking for places that might happen to have a replacement, new or used!
JcabralSep 22, 2007
by Anonymous
May 06, 2007
Great fun carMay 06, 2007
by Anonymous
Jan 24, 2007
My daughter bought her 1988 cabriolet in 2005.She paid too much and it shook,rattled and barely rolled.Thank god my best friend is a mechanic so between the two of us the car has recieved a new rebuilt motor(original one),a complate body job,everything underneath is new,and a brand new top.We are now starting on the interior.My point is that when she first bought it i hated the car,and now two years later i hate to admit that i have more fun driving it than my 1985 corvette(except when im going 150 mph and i do ).its absolutely a blast to drive . as far as expensive to repair you just have to be willing to source out parts and stay away from the vw dealership when possible.you'll be amazed what you can find on the internet now for these cars.Go VW. Jan 24, 2007
What users have asked
I have a 1988 VW Cabriolet. That will not start sometimes and when it does it won't stay running
I have a 1988 VW Cabriolet. I have several issues with this vehicle and have googled, youtubed and read every forum I can to try and figure this thing out. So the I will begin. First thing is that the car doesn't always want to engage the start once the key is turned, you have to press the key in firmly and then turn the key in order for it to sometimes start. Next, when the car does begin to turn over it takes a while to start it takes a while to fire. There is new plugs, wires and distributor cap installed. Next when the car does start it has to be accelerated to about 5000 rpm for a while before it will run without dying. Once you let off the gas and let it idle it will idle rough and then sound like it will cut off (almost like it's starving for fuel or air since sometimes it will backfire). It seems like there has been some bypass done on some of the wiring in the vehicle also. I replaced the alternator in this vehicle due to the fact that it wasn't charging the battery at all and someone had stripped out the main bolt holding it in. I know there is a lot of different issues I have stated I just want to get it running smoothly so I can figure out the wiring the person before me did. They did some very foolish things with this vehicle, for example in order for the cooling fan to kick on you have to turn on the lights or the fans for the heater. Please any advice would be great!
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I have a 1989 vw cabriolet. She wont start.
It wont start. When i turn the key it revs high then cuts off. I have changed both fuel pumps, spark plugs, relays and now gas is coming out of the spark plug unit.
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Have you driven a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet?Compare this car
1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Pricing
Original MSRP
$14,770 to $16,410Price 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
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent