1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 8v

Summary:

If all cars ran like this, the world would be a better place

Faults:

The oil cooler leaked once. I needed to replace radiator as a result. Otherwise, interior parts fall off from time to time, but these are just cosmetic problems.

General Comments:

It's a fabulous car! Years of driving with very little problems. It's not quick, but it starts day after day, doesn't need much work, and it's great on gas. I love my Scirocco. I purchased it for 500.00, have put about that much money into it over the past three years in work, and it takes me everywhere I want to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st December, 2005

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1.8

Summary:

The most dependable, reliable, economical car a backyard mechanic can own

Faults:

Nothing but maintenance and service.

Never let me down!!!

General Comments:

Nothing but dependability.

Cheap to fix and upgrade with limitless possibilities.

Fun to drive.

One day, this car will go down in history as one of the most affordable and dependable 4 cylinder automobile ever made!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2003

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 8v MKII 1.8

Summary:

Best little cheap car ever

Faults:

Lots of things go wrong... But I do all the work myself so it isn't expensive.

Biggest problems:

Water in the fuse box! (bad bad bad)

Water in the trunk

Water on the floor.

All the drains work, and seals seem good, go figure?

Timing belt broke, but no damage occurs.

Drive-shaft fails

Struts don't last long

Brakes don't Last long.

General Comments:

Most of the problems occur because I really USE the car. I tow a boat with it. I drive it way too fast and too hard for a car this old, but she takes it in stride. This is a wonderful multipurpose vehicle (tow, offroad, fast, fun, good in snow) all around great car. There is nothing, not even new that is better. Reliablity has been good, but It has let me down twice in a big way (fuel leak, timing belt).

If you have a chance to get one DO IT! they are wonderful cars, soon you will find not just one, but two or three in your driveway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2002

5th Dec 2002, 05:56

The water gets into the trunk through the holes for (VW) and Scirocco signs at the back.

11th Nov 2005, 11:20

I've had this same problem with leaking through the emblems. A little bit of black silicon was applied behind them and they seem fine now though. I also had water in my fusebox that was fixed by cleaning the crud out of the firewall holes. You made some very good points about the problems. I thought they were random problems that only I was having.

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1.8 8v

Summary:

A well-made, fast car doesn't have to be expensive

Faults:

My biggest problem has been the drive axles, I've gone through two within the time I have owned the car. I think this is more of an installation problem however.

I had to replace a motor mount soon after I bought the car.

I also had to put in a new water pump at the same time as the motor mount.

The shocks were mushy when I bought the car. I took them off and it turned out they were dealer shocks with more than 100,000 miles on them.

General Comments:

None of the problems I mentioned above require a lot of money to fix. Parts are still readily accessible. For the things I didn't know how to do, it was still fairly cheap to have a qualified shop take care of it.

For the money the Scirocco gives some excellent performance. With a good set of shocks, it makes you long for a twisty mountain road.

I love the engine and transmission combination to. If you seriously use the close-ratio transmission, this car can really move.

The back seats may be small, but the trunk is huge! You can safely fit a fairly large television back there without any problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th December, 2001

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 1.8 liter 8v

Summary:

A fun car for a reasonable price

Faults:

The odometer works only on occasion, but I am told this is a common problem with Volkswagens of this age, and isn't an expensive fix.

The warm up regulator, which controls the idle when the car is first started, was bad so I had it replaced, it cost about $500.

The fuel pump also had to be replaced, that cost $200.

The most serious problem was the intake and exhaust gaskets were both broken, which caused the car to run and start poorly. To get the gaskets replaced was another $800.

General Comments:

Even though the repairs were expensive, the car did not cost a lot of money to begin with, and is a lot of fun. It is not the high performance model (the 16 valve), but it is pretty fast, and handles great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2001

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V 2.0

Summary:

Long live the Type 53 and Type 53B!

Faults:

Clutch, steering rack, power steering pump, other maintenance/wear items.

General Comments:

My favorite car of all time! The mighty Scirocco lives on with a small but ferociously loyal following around the world.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd May, 2001

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco MKII 1.8l 8V gas

Faults:

Nothing beyond typical maintenance, paint job, and upgrades.

General Comments:

An AMAZING car... Much better with a good aftermarket suspension and exhaust but it's well worth the cost. This car sticks to the road like glue and can beat most cars off the line. Gotta love the 7000rpm redline, and the burbling exhaust when you lift of the gas sounds very "rallyish"... It's also very rare these days and gets lots of envious stares if you've got one in good shape.

There is NO room in the back seat (The back of the front seats almost touch the back seat) but that's OK.. Passengers just slow you down anyway :)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 1999