1981 Volkswagen Scirocco review from North America
"A fun, economical car, worth keeping on the road"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The car is twenty years old now so I have replaced some bearings and CV joints.
The motor ran great past 150,000 miles. Slight oil consumption between 3,000 mile oil changes - between half and a full a quart.
Standard valve cover gasket is a two piece made of cork & rubber. Replacing this with the one piece all rubber Corrado gasket means no more leaks.
Cars of this age reflect the previous ownership and maintenance. I have not had any great problems.
General comments?
1981 is the last year of the original Mk1 body style. I think is a classic shape and enjoy looking at it almost as much as driving it.
It is a great platform for modifications; by pulling from the VW/Audi parts bin you can increase your performance without affecting reliability.
Like any car of a certain age they sometimes have personalities, proper preventative maintenance will go a long way towards having an enjoyable experience in ownership.
The Scirocco is a great car to drive. It can put a smile on your face with it's nimbleness and responsive handling.
Recommended reviews
| An appreciated classic VW that proves to be a fun and reliable car in its old age. |
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| Cute, but poor engineering means a short life! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1981 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.7 originally Manual |
| Performance marks | |
| Reliability marks | |
| Comfort marks | |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 0 miles |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Jetta |
| Date of Entry | 3rd May, 2001 |