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Golf Karmann Cabrios
Kuchster - May 14th, 2010 at 09:13 PM

Are early 90's golf cabrios going up in value, or still decreasing? Is it worth it to buy one for the future? Are they a good car? I dont see many around for sale. Would you say they are 'rare'?

Cheers


bajachris88 - May 14th, 2010 at 11:25 PM

From what i have seen, its getting steady.

But the thing thats devaluing them most is the 'aging' factor. A crush of mine (few yrs ago) at uni had one, and the soft top was getting a little 'under the weather'. If u kept it in good nick, like any volkswagen, it will grow. And they are becoming 'limited'.


Phil74Camper - May 17th, 2010 at 08:58 AM

Yes they didn't sell very many of them, so that makes them collectable to start with. From 1990-93 the then-importers, TKM/Inchcape, only imported the Mk1 Cabrio and the Mk2 GTI. The FCAI did not split the data, but only gave a 'total' of both together. In 1990 there were 107 sold; in 1991 there were 289; in 1992 just 90. In 1993 the GTI was discontinued, and just the Cabrio was sold. 290 were sold that year.

They are a very good car, strong and reliable, well made. The body kit fitted as standard is a matter of taste - I prefer the 'pure' look of the earlier Euro cabrios (that weren't sold here). And yes, the condition of the top is the limiting factor; the car mechanicals are pretty much bullet-proof.

There are half a dozen or so for sale on Carsguide.com.au at the moment, from $3K up to abround $9k.


rob53 - May 17th, 2010 at 01:20 PM

My brother has a 93 one in reasonable condition. He has had some trouble with getting parts here directly though. I drove it once and was really very disappointed with it.

It was so noisy (engine), steering was stiff, clutch was ridiculously hard (you leg get's sore from using it LOL) and the gearbox was stiff.

Honestly my beetle was a more comfortable ride. (In all fairness, maybe my brothers car is stuffed and others in good condition are not like this, but still, take one for a test drive to find out).

Good points, it's actually pretty fast for a 1.8, it's convertible, and there aren't that many around.


Phil74Camper - May 17th, 2010 at 02:49 PM

Yes it reflects on how it has been treated over its life - just like Beetles. You come across good ones, and bad ones. Hence the wide spread of prices for these on CarsGuide.

Shouldn't have any trouble getting parts for these though - VW dealers stock parts for 20 years at least, and then there are quite a number of modern VW specialists like Camden GTI and GTI Imports, and more starting up all the time as modern VWs become more common.