1983 Volkswagen Rabbit from North America - Comments

CV Joints

New Brakes

Clutch is starting to go.

This car is the best value in the world. I paid $500 for it two years ago and have put less than $1000.00 into it. It's cheap, smelly, and has lots of character. My favourite feature has to be the aftermarket horn button that was installed by a previous owner on the dashboard to pass the safety inspection (I believe due to the fact that the regular horn on the steering wheel stopped working).

The best part about this car is a) The mileage. I don't care how many people laugh, think I'm on welfare, or just plain don't get it. When my monthly fuel bill is less than they spend in a week it makes me smile as I bounce and vibrate down the road leaving a cloud of black smoke behind me. With the gas prices shooting up I just grin every time I drive.

B) The complete lack of class. It's rusty, looks like a go-kart (albeit slower than a go kart). But this is transportation at it's most basic. This car says I'd rather be riding a bike/horse/turtle, but since it's cold/rainy I sitting in this box.

C) The ability to blow large clouds of black smoke at all times. The entertainment value when some suit is behind me in a convertible and I leave him coughing up black soot is unbeatable. It never gets old!

Overall the rabbit has been super reliable, I have a great local mechanic who loves these cars and gives me great deals. The best part about the rabbit is that there are no expecations of performance or comfort so you are never disappointed. The doors stick open, the radio doesn't work unless I pound on the dashboard, the heat barely works, it won't start if it's even remotely cold without being plugged in, but I still love this car.

Overall I would buy another rabbit diesel in a minute when they are available in North America. Car companies have to realize that some of us just want to get from point A to point B as cheaply and without any whizbang features.

Great review!

Tho it's not totally correct as the early VW's were not offered with turbochargers. If it was, it wouldn't be nearly as reliable.

They did offer a turbo.

Yes it is true that they were offered with Turbo Diesel engines. If you happened to be around during that time you would have probably had friends or just noticed them around besides the Non-Diesel engines which were also abundant.