1985 Volkswagen Cabrio Cabriolet review from North America

Fuel injector problems.

Windshield wiper motor.

AC Condenser.

Wheel Bearing.

Front Brakes.

Heater Switch.

Various water leaks.

Shift linkage.

I should start off by saying that this car developed a lot of problems in six-months time, but it did have over 120,000 miles on it when I purchased it. I blame myself for not having the mechanicals thoroughly checked out before I purchased it.

Especially since I was replacing a 1987 Cabriolet that I had just purchased from a small dealer. The '87 odometer read 82k miles, but I found a receipt in the glove box that showed the vehicle had 159,000 when it had been serviced years before. (The dealer immediately took the '87 back and refunded my money.)

The '85 Cabriolet was very nice looking; dark blue with a new dark blue top and a blue cloth interior.

Almost from the start it began having running problems, first cold start problems, then running rough and on 3 cylinders.

I spent a small fortune trying to get this little flivver running correctly.

Both at a VW dealership and at a small

VW shop. It would sometimes show improvement for a while and then start running poorly again.

Between all of the things that went wrong with the vehicle (some where normal maintenance as well as wear and tear items) I spent about $4,000. over six-months.

I had the AC fixed and it blew very cold.

I had a very nice stereo system installed, replacing a very cheap unit that was in it.

I had all of the water leaks repaired

by a leak specialist.

Actually everything was working great on the car, but it kept running poorly.

Finally on my way home from Boston one day, it gave up the ghost. I limped home on three cylinders (if I was lucky)

at about 20mph. At least I made it home!

I traded the little Cabriolet in for a new car the next day.

I really did not want to get rid of it.

It was great when it was running, but it was driving me to the poor house!

The good points are that Cabriolets are so fun to drive. They have spirited acceleration, they handle great, and get great gas mileage.

It just so happened that this particular one had more issues

than I knew about when I purchased it.

I'm not going to bash the company, as I've owned ten VW's and most have been virtually trouble-free.

The vehicle did have 122,000 miles when I bought it, and as I said- I blame myself for not having it thoroughly checked out.

I'm happy that I now own another Cabriolet, and thus far my newest one

has been great. I have all of its service records since new, and it has been properly maintained.

If you are in the market for a used Cabriolet, just make sure you find a well-kept example and try to get the old service records if at all possible.

I would also steer clear of those that have been modified.

A clean, well-kept, original example is always a good choice.

They are a joy to drive and can be very rewarding to own.