No major problems have yet shown up with this car. The seats (all of them) have worn down to foam, ditto for the carpet, vinyl is separating from the dash, minor to moderate rust, and the top is worn out. In addition, the speedometer does not work, so I do not have a clue as to what the actual mileage is.
This is a fun car to drive, and it is great on gas. However, do not buy this car and expect a race car- 90hp does restrict your GO. If you can find one cheap, buy it- but don't intend on it being a daily driver.
"If you can find one cheap"?
Any VW Rabbit you find is going to be cheap, if not free!
While that may be true of the Rabbit sedans, the convertibles are another story.
Sure you can find old worn-out or abused ones cheap.
But if you want a fine example, that you CAN use as a daily driver, be prepared to pay a decent price for it.
These convertibles are good little German-built cars, and are becoming collectible.
You are right about the convertibles. Yes, a regular run of the mill Rabbit can be found anywhere for cheap. But when it comes to finding a good Cabriolet, you can expect to pay big bucks.
If you are considering buying a Rabbit consider how small and gutless the car is. I went from a Grand Am with double the horse power (and interior space) to a Rabbit, and it has been a difficult adjustment. After I sell this car I doubt I will ever buy another compact.
UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST
In the year that I have now owned her, she has given me little grief.
She ran great in the winter, up until we had a large snowfall and the shift linkages locked up with ice. But that is to be expected in a low car!
More recently she would stutter, stall, and backfire. Dealer (wrongly) replaced the fuel pump relay. A few days later I replaced the rotor and distributor cap- problem solved!
Nice car! Go out and pick one up!
I have since discovered the problem with the speedometer- since it is an American model, it has an oxygen sensor light that is activated every 60,00 miles from a counter box that is in line with the speedometer. The threads of the counter box were somehow stripped, and the cable from the transmission no longer fit right, accounting for sporadic readings. I went to the dealer and purchased a new speedometer cable (Canadian model) and replaced the gauge pod as well with the Canadian style. I have not yet had any issues and regret not fixing it sooner!
The top has quickly disintegrated, and no longer holds out water, but the car is over 20 years old, so I have no issues with that at all!
Truly over-engineered!
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