At $8,000, would you join the sorority of this 2001 VW Cabrio GLX?

The seller of today’s Nice Price or No Dice VW Cabriolet claims it has “all the features” and “almost no rust.” With that interesting yin and yang in mind, let’s look at its price, considering that summer is about to be fun.

When new, the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T Spyder that we saw last Friday represented a more affordable option among Mitsubishi’s sports cars. The more wallet-busting option was the 3000 GT. Affordability and price are key components of the used car market, which made our Eclipse’s $21,500 price tag a tough pill to swallow for many. When considering how well presented the car was, its mostly stock condition, and even the low miles reported, most of you felt that neither this nor any Eclipse was worth that kind of cash. When the votes were counted, it became clear an 83% ‘no dice’ defeat, handing the otherwise mighty Mitsubishi a loss.

It’s the middle of June, which means spirit Halloween costume stores are opening in abandoned storefronts all over the country. But, as eager as those otters are, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy some fun in the summer sun.

And what better way to enjoy a summer drive than in a comfortable convertible like this 2001 volkswagen cabrio With some good friends? Volkswagen also tapped into this exact dream-like vibe TV spot Promoting models, finding the perfect soundtrack to Nick Drake’s amazing ‘Pink Moon’. That spot was directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, who later made the feature film ‘Little Miss Sunshine.’

Such provenance makes this cabrio an interesting choice for romantics and VW fans. Considering it’s in extremely nice and well-maintained condition, there’s nothing to complain about with the car. However, I’m sure we can find something.

We can justifiably take issue with what’s in the Cabrio’s engine bay. This is Volkswagen’s tried-and-true SOHC 8-valve 2.0-liter inline four. In US trim, the engine produces a modest 113 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. Nor are the numbers high enough to cause even a single waggle or get the Cabrio into trouble in any way. On the plus side, that engine is mated to a five-speed manual with Volkswagen’s obscure shifter mechanism that should prove comfortably familiar to many.

Another consideration is that Volkswagens are like Lego, and any number of more powerful mills (turbo 1.8s, VR6s) can fit under the hood. As proof, we can turn to Hagerty’s Jason Cammissa, who humorously describes himself as a “highly influential automotive journalist. (Also a nerd).” Jason has put a 2.8-liter VR6 in his MkIII Golf Cabriolet and it’s all working.

However, there’s no shame in sticking with a four as dull as water, especially since the seller says it has been kept “in excellent repair.” Recent work done to the car includes replacing the timing belt, new radiator and alternator, and a fresh A/C compressor. A regular regimen of oil changes every 3K to 4K has been followed, and the cabrio has been kept in between moonlight drives. The tires aren’t new, but not so old that they require immediate attention.

All that work resulted in a car that looks great for its modest 124,782 miles and reportedly runs without any problems. This is the highest-spec GLX model, meaning it has power windows and locks and leather upholstery on the seating surfaces. It is also a strange carry-over model that combines the Mark IV front clip and boot lid with the Mark III body and interior. This isn’t a bad thing, but it’s just another way to bore partygoers with unimportant auto-related tidbits.

Speaking of parties, naturally, the Cabrio’s party piece is its convertible top. When retracted, it sits halfway above the boot lid, but is not as severe as the first generation Golf Convertible or the preceding Beetle. According to the advertisement, it has been fitted with a new toner to keep it comfortable when not in use. The basket handle B-pillar is an iconic element of the Cabrio and its Golf Cabriolet brothers. It also allows for the mounting of seat belts that will not suffocate the front seat occupants.

One caveat in the advertisement is that “There is almost no rust in the body.” This car has been introduced and apparently has existed for a long time in Minnesota, a salt-slinging state that regularly eats cars. There is no rust visible in the photos, but the extent of the road’s decay needs to be determined before any deal is signed.

If the rust is deemed insignificant, we should move on to the car’s clean title and then its price tag, which reads $8,000. For that kind of cash, there are several similar options that come to mind – among them the Mustang convertible and the GM J-body drop top. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, as does this VW. The question for all of you is whether its features and weaknesses are worth the asking price of $8,000. Before you decide, take a look at this GLS that sold for over $12,715 bring a trailerBack in 2022.

With all this in mind, do you think this Cabrio is a keeper of that $8K outlay? Or will the seller need to reevaluate that price so that their summer fun includes an empty driveway?

You decide!

minneapolis, minnesota, CraigslistOr go here if the ad disappears.

Hat tip to Don R for the hookup!

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