zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $3,200, This 1987 VW Jetta Is Just Two Doors Down
For $3,200, This 1987 VW Jetta Is Just Two Doors Down-December 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:10:02

Did you remember that VW once made two-door Jettas? Pepperidge Farm remembers, and today’s ’87 Wolfsburg might just jog yours. That is of course, if you’re not just going to shut the door on its price.

Let’s get this out of the way up front: the Elephant Man was one of a kind. I bring that up because rarity does not always equate to desirability, and at times it simply is demonstrative of a poor initial choice or bad luck roll of the dice. Fully 77% of you wouldn’t have rolled the dice on yesterday’s lime creamsicle of a , at least not at its asking price.

If that kermit-colored Dodge wasn’t your cup of green tea, then maybe this will be. It has been rattle canned black, which can go with anything from fancy to goth so it’s extremely versatile.

This Jetta is also one of the more-rare (there’s that word again) two-door models from the marque’s second generation. Claimed a Wolfsburg, it’s also described as a Pirelli car, however the wheels with the little Ps on them - and who doesn’t enjoy a little P on them - seem be missing.

Instead you get your choice of a set of 14x6 Borbets with old tires, or some Enkeis with new tires… and the Borbets! Other goodies include Raceland coilovers, new brake bits and a slew of other wear-item replacements that you would expect on a car of this age.

On the downside, the “custom” 2.5-inch exhaust is now cat-free which should make title transfer in some areas dicey. Also, the A/C compressor is kaput, there’s a dent in the hood, the dash is cracked, and the reverse gear L-tab is broken. Oh, and those coilovers kind of make this Jetta a low-hanging fruit.

All that however might just be countered by the interior which is resplendent in Recaro finery. The car has received a full interior swap so the velour Recaros in front are fabric matched by the bench in back. There’s also a Polo steering wheel, which I guess must be a thing now.

The outside seems pretty straight and the car is claimed to be totally rust-free. It also should be noted that it’s badge-free if you’re OCD about other people knowing your business. Under that dented hood lies a pretty milquetoast 1.8 but as noted, it’s seen some maintenance including a new timing belt. The gearbox is a five-speed manual with a Golf ball shifter knob, and who doesn’t love those?

This could all be someone’s for $3,200. If you’ve ever wanted to run with the good folks at , then this would be your ticket in. It also would be an excellent first car for a teen driver - especially one who doesn’t want to really get their hands dirty as there doesn’t look to be a lot that needs a-doin’ here.

What’s your take on this two-door Jetta that’s been lightly personalized and its $3,200 price? Would you pay that much for the seats alone? Or, is that just too much to dance this ‘Dub-step?

You decide!

Washington DC , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Josh W for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Let’s cut right to the chase: buying a is not a good idea unless you have deep enough pockets for the upkeep. For those not in the know, they’re sirens. They draw you in with their premium Italian image and sweet songs of and then go in for the...
Dec 13, 2025
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
One of the calling cards of today’s Plymouth Colt is its “Twin Stick” overdrive gear change, which gives the car eight speeds going forward and two in reverse. Let’s see if this project car has anything else to offer. Just as Goldilocks discovered when appropriating Papa Bear’s lifestyle and...
Dec 13, 2025
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
Today’s Mustang is being sold by a towing yard, which means it’s probably a lien sale. Let’s see if this clean title convertible is priced to put a new buyer on the hook. The general consensus on last Friday’s was that it would be the perfect car for someone...
Dec 13, 2025
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
The seller of today’s Caddy claims they should be selling it at auction but says who’s got time for that? Let’s see if we have the time for this custom convertible at its non-auction price. Many of you agreed that the $950 asked for yesterday’s was “chump change.” Even...
Dec 13, 2025
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
The (and Tacoma) have a death grip on used values. It’s been this way for years. Go ahead, go try and buy any TRD trim that’s a couple of years old; it’ll cost you as much as a new one — not that you could buy a new one...
Dec 13, 2025
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
According to its seller, today’s Nissan 4X4 shows “pride of ownership.” Let’s see if it would take swallowing one’s pride to pay its asking price. Opinions were split on how well the design of yesterday’s has held up over the years. Some of you commented that the design still...
Dec 13, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved