Jan 12, 2018  •  Uncategorized  •  29 Comments

Clean Cabrio: 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet

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The VW Cabrio has long been one of the iconic later Volkswagen products. Many of them remain in good condition due to diligent owners, but the seller of this 1990 Cabriolet claims it only has 13,100 original miles. The pictures show that it is in good condition, and that “The factory cosmoline is still packed everywhere underneath.” This example is white inside and out, and shows quite well! Find it here on Craigslist in Michigan for $12,000. Thanks to Jay B. for sending this in!

The interior is nearly immaculate, with no wear or damage other than creases in the driver’s seat upholstery. The white and black interior color combination is very complementary to the white exterior, and gives a classy feel to what is otherwise a car without many frills. According to the ad, options include “Power Windows, Rear Glass w/ defroster, Automatic transmission, Power steering.” The seller states that there are minor paint imperfections in the driver’s door jamb from entry and exit. From the ad, “The top is in good shape, no tear and is pliable. It could use a cleaning.” The original radio’s LCD screen went out and it was replaced, but is included with the sale.

The engine is a VW inline four cylinder engine, which the seller claims is in perfect working order. At 12,968 miles, a service was performed including: “Valve Cover Gasket, Timing belt/water pump, PS fluid Flush, Coolant Flush, Brake Flush, All 4 Brake Hoses, Brake Master,Wheel Bearing re-packed/adjusted and wheel seals replaced, Starter.” Earlier this year, the seller had the following work performed: “Oil Change, Oil Pan and gasket replaced, Knock Sensor Replaced, Spark Plugs Replaced, Fuel Pressure Regulator Replaced, Battery, Tire Rotation.”

While Michigan cars often have rust issues, the seller states that this car was a Florida vehicle for the majority of its life. The seller is the second owner who purchased it, but has never registered it and decided to sell it to make space. This is an excellent example of a Cabrio, and will more than likely end up the hands of a collector or enthusiast. However, the price isn’t high enough to keep non-collectors away and the seller is open to taking offers.

Comments

  1. Todd Zuercher
    Jan 12, 2018 at 9:51am

    These were the preferred method of transportation for U of Arizona sorority girls when I attended there 87-92.

    Like 0
    • Pa Tina
      Jan 12, 2018 at 12:01pm

      Thank you for confirming these are the “chickiest” chick cars ever made.

      Like 0
  2. Joe Haska
    Jan 12, 2018 at 9:55am

    My wife had one of these when they were brand new, My then teenage daughter saw Mom’s new car and said, Mom you just got “The ultimate tanning machine”. It was a great car and we never had any issues with it.

    Like 0
    • OA5599
      Jan 12, 2018 at 10:42am

      Here’s another…

      Like 0
    • Pa Tina
      Jan 12, 2018 at 12:05pm

      Joe- Before you can continue posting please swear before the BF Brotherhood, with your right hand resting on a can of 103 Octane booster, that you never, never got behind the wheel of the Cabriolet. Even the name sounds like smelly French cheese. Say it ain’t so, Joe!

      Like 1
  3. Greg
    Jan 12, 2018 at 10:19am

    Fun little car

    Like 0
  4. Nathan Avots-SmithMember
    Jan 12, 2018 at 10:37am

    Gotta be triple white! (Or really quadruple in this case, if you count the wheels.)

    Like 0
  5. RichS
    Jan 12, 2018 at 10:38am

    Compromised windshield gasket on these cars lets water drain right into the fusebox. Had a super clean one I never could get working correctly because of that and sold it for scrap.

    Like 0
    • moosie Craig M. Bryda
      Jan 12, 2018 at 3:53pm

      amen

      Like 0
  6. OA5599
    Jan 12, 2018 at 10:45am

    Always wanted one with a 16 valve engine swap.

    Like 1
  7. Steve R
    Jan 12, 2018 at 11:05am

    My friend used to refer to certain cars as GGC cars, because when you saw one you expected a gorgeous girl to be sitting behind the steering wheel. That was defiantly the case with these, more so with these than any other make or model.

    Steve R

    Like 0
  8. Jason G.
    Jan 12, 2018 at 11:31am

    Automatic. No thanks. Stick is the only way with these.

    Like 0
  9. MichaelD
    Jan 12, 2018 at 11:51am

    We used to call them b-word baskets because of the handle.

    Like 0
    • Nightingale
      Dec 9, 2018 at 5:35pm

      I was just about type that cause I too had a friend that called it that

      Like 0
  10. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember
    Jan 12, 2018 at 12:19pm

    I don’t understand the sentence “The factory cosmoline is still packed everywhere underneath”. Anyone?

    Like 0
    • DW
      Jan 12, 2018 at 12:32pm

      Back in the 80’s the local dealer had a specialist that did nothing but replace the fuse/relay panels in Rabbits because of the water damage. I think I paid around $200 for mine. Cosmoline is the rust inhibitor they applied at the factory. For a year or two they applied it on the inside floors of the M4 Jetta’s and it smelled like crayons.

      Like 0
    • moosie Craig M. Bryda
      Jan 12, 2018 at 3:57pm

      Early on V W coated their cars with cosmoline for their ocean voyage from Wolfsburg.

      Like 0
      • Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember
        Jan 12, 2018 at 4:03pm

        Thanks Craig. Cosmoline sounded like a fuel George Jetson might put in his “car”.

        Like 0
    • Andrew TannerAuthor
      Jan 12, 2018 at 10:44pm

      Yep, Craig nailed it!

      Like 0
  11. BOP_GUY BOP GuyMember
    Jan 12, 2018 at 3:39pm

    The hottest girl at my high school had one exactly like this, even an automatic. She looked great in it! Daddy gave it to her for her 16th birthday. I, on the other hand, was driving around in a 69 Buick Riviera GS. Some called it an “old man’s car”, until I opened her up!

    Like 0
  12. P Wentzell
    Jan 12, 2018 at 4:33pm

    These, with a 5-speed, are an absolute blast to drive.

    Like 0
  13. Joe Haska
    Jan 12, 2018 at 5:05pm

    I swear I didn’t, definitely a girls car…..Joe

    Like 0
    • Pa Tina
      Jan 12, 2018 at 6:05pm

      You ‘da man!

      Like 0
  14. David Miraglia
    Jan 12, 2018 at 5:40pm

    Always liked the two Rabbits I owned. After the Beetle Convertible, the Rabbit
    Convertible is number two on my list.

    Like 0
  15. glenn
    Jan 12, 2018 at 8:43pm

    the pressure washed underside has me worried about what is being hidden also witht he body work required it is not worth that much. it is quite beautiful but not 12k beautiful maybe 7k

    Like 0
  16. Paul Grumsha
    Jan 13, 2018 at 6:59am

    I remember the impression of my first Rabbit ride, pretty damn zippy little car! Kinda like a Cooper.

    Like 0
  17. guggie
    Jan 13, 2018 at 2:28pm

    I had one just like this ,its name was Stella , had a one year only fuel injection system with 2 fuel pumps and a problem with gas getting into the crankcase ,never solved the fuel problem . the next owner after me sold it off rather soon , saw it setting in a guys yard for about 5 years and then gone !! STELLA where R U !!!lol

    Like 0
  18. Daved N.
    Jan 14, 2018 at 11:15pm

    Affectionately otherwise known as “b*t*h baskets” LOL

    Like 0
  19. Mark-A
    Jan 19, 2018 at 8:55am

    Might actually be a Coco Chanel edition, the upholstery is exclusive to the model & being Triple White that’s what I’m thinking, it might be worth getting as a car from years ago. They are highly prized in most VW Owners Clubs or Forums, even being a 45yr Old Scottish guy I’d drive the wheels off of it!

    Like 1

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