zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?
At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?-October 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:15

Nice Price or No Dice 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet

The red and white color scheme on today’s VW Cabriolet is tweely referenced in the Coca-Cola license plate on the front bumper. Let’s see if this smile-inducing little convertible’s price is equally as refreshing.

I think we all can agree that cars are meant to be enjoyed by getting behind the wheel, cranking that starter, and vrooming-off in them to someplace. Sure they can be fun to look at too, but that’s totally secondary.

With yesterday’s , someone threw a glitch into the system, taking the model’s “Collector’s Edition” designation to heart and only amassing a mere 898 miles on the car over the past 25 years. That lack of use couldn’t atone for the model’s only modest appeal and at a $59,900 asking, most of you found the whole idea laughable. The result was a massive 98 percent No Dice loss for the low-mileage Lincoln.

Image for article titled At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?

So, we’re already two days into Summer and just what have we got to show for it? Let’s get this party started with a classic presented in a cheerful red and white combo.

This clean title basket-hoop droptop is claimed to be all original and to have been in the possession of its present owner since 1996. That owner has seemingly pampered the car over the years, saying that she has always garaged and covered the car when it’s not in use.

Image for article titled At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?

Overall, that effort seems to have paid off. The paint pops almost like new, even on the bumper caps’ horizontal surfaces, which typically show sun wear after years of exposure. The top looks in decent condition as well, showing no rips or tears, and the seller claiming no major leaks. The factory 13-inch ‘Zandvoort’ alloys are spotless too, showing no evidence of curb rash or flaking paint.

Image for article titled At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?

Under the hood, the 1.8-liter SOHC four presents as clean and without any obvious malarkey. Everything seems intact, right down to the weird pool ball case-appearing vacuum canister strapped to the hood. In the Cabriolet, this mill produced 90 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque so don’t plan on using this to win any races. The five-speed stick should at least make it engaging and frugal with the fuel.

According to the seller, the car has recently been given a tune-up and now runs “pretty good.” The A/C works, but, per the seller, could likely stand a recharge. That’s R12 so good luck with that. The only other notable issue is a broken odometer. That stopped working at what appears to be a little over 103,000 miles, and the seller doesn’t say how long ago it gave up the ghost, nor how many miles they estimate the car has done since.

Image for article titled At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?

Besides those issues, it all seems to be in working order and in very nice shape. The interior is clean and gives off a very ’80s vibe in both the color choice and pattern. The seats will be familiar to any Volkswagen fan regardless of their upholstering, as will the dash and random-appearing but factory ancillary gauges above the shifter. Just below those are four cassette drawers, another bit of ’80s kitsch, although the car now has an aftermarket CD stereo. We don’t get to see the car with its top down, but the seller makes no mention of any issue in it doing so.

Image for article titled At $13,200, Is This 1988 VW Cabriolet Ready For Summer Fun?

With Summer slipping past us seemingly before our eyes, what might this cute Cabriolet bring to capture some warm-weather driving fun while it’s here? The seller asks $13,200, and we now need to weigh in on how spot-on they may be in setting that price.

What do you say, is this VW worth that much? Or, does that price rain on our summer parade?

You decide!

Phoenix, Arizona, , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Don R. for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. 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
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...
Oct 26, 2024
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...
Oct 26, 2024
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...
Oct 26, 2024
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...
Oct 26, 2024
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...
Oct 26, 2024
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...
Oct 26, 2024
Copyright 2023-2024 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved