is buying a used Volkswagen a good idea?

[nikotin]

I saw a 1998 VW Passat with 160000km for a´sale.price ist intresting for me as i cant afford a new car.Is a VW expensive to maintain in Thailand.The car has LPG should this be a concern on the condition of the engine?And what should i look for when inspecting it? thx

[oldcarguy]

which motor ?

what gearbox ?

[nikotin]

Just now, oldcarguy said:

which motor ?

what gearbox ?

1990 ccm automatic

 

ist this enough? 555  sorry i have no idea a out car

[oldcarguy]

My friends that work at the VW dealer see a lot of problems with the automatic,

not sure if the Thai models use the same trans

 

check the service records if there are any........

 

 

[eezergood]

where are you based, my friend is selling a VW maybe its his

[VocalNeal]

The can belt has to be replaced at 100,000 KMs. If owner cannot provide proof that this has been done you will have to do it. 

[mike324]

I would probably avoid cars at that age with lpg installed. Fixing and reliability wise, its not too bad, but since the car is at 160,000 I would imagine a lot of things will need to be replaced of fix soon due to wear and age of parts/rubber. I think you should pass on that car.

[nikotin]

2 hours ago, eezergood said:

where are you based, my friend is selling a VW maybe its his

chiang mai

[chiman]

Probably better off with a used Toyota or Honda .. easier to find parts and maintain. VW has a very small customer base here 

[thaijoe]

i have an opel vectra, 80,000 can search on cragslist

[VocalNeal]

3 hours ago, mike324 said:

I would probably avoid cars at that age with lpg installed.

Oil will have been crystal clear for 160,000 kms. No carbon carryover. Combustion chambers will be clean, ... 

[dundas]

1 hour ago, chiman said:

Probably better off with a used Toyota or Honda .. easier to find parts and maintain. VW has a very small customer base here 

Sane advice! 

[Dakhar]

17 minutes ago, dundas said:

Sane advice! 

Amen

[mike324]

the fact that there is only one authorize VW dealer, there is a good chance previous owners were not up to date with the service of the car. If it was purchased from grey market its even worse, doubt many grey market dealers have service manual too.

 

Stick with a honda or toyota, resale value would be better and easier to sell later.

[recycler]

Look around how many VW's you see on the road.... don't be adventurous if you can't afford it!

[Foozool]

30 years ago I worked for AAA CA road assistant and I was licensed. 

You are planning to buy a big trouble. 

You buy it you will marry to it and the honeymoon will be a lifetime mechanic shop. 

Used Japanese cars only. 

And I would buy used Toyota or Honda only. 

Good luck with VW

[killala]

Do not do it under any circumstances. 

[nikotin]

Ok,you guys talked me out of it.Thanks for all advices

[realenglish1]

I really do not know about VWs cars but I have driven one as a rental before Drove like a tank Not nimble

 

If you like it buy it if you dont look for another

[bangkoken]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[bazza73]

5 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Oil will have been crystal clear for 160,000 kms. No carbon carryover. Combustion chambers will be clean, ... 

LPG burns hotter than gasoline. Unless the valve seats are hardened to cope with the higher temperature, valve damage and leakage will result.

This is a 1990 car. Vehicle engineers only responded to the higher temperature regime of LPG in early 2000's. CNG is even worse for valve longevity.

Based on the km so far, my guess is the engine is headed for the scrap heap.

[Sapporillo]

It might be a good buy (or not) in its present condition, there's something to consider about the auto gearbox: a friend of mine had a VW from the same period, and one morning it refused to select any other gear than 1st or reverse (it was in "limp mode"). It turned out that VW did not perform repairs on these gearboxes, nor do they sell parts or give out repair information (as explained by a trusted independent mechanic). A new box was about 7k $ for his Golf (installation included). 

 

I don't know how likely it is to break though...

[Ulic]

VW.......over promise, under deliver. Incredibly expensive to

maintain, at least in Canada. Take the advise above. Stick

to Honda or Toyota.