Quick, where are the MK2 Jetta experts?

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3664749668.html

Seriously considering this as a replacement for my daily. Should be a significant enough increase in fuel economy that it'd pay for itself in about 10k miles.

What should I know about these before going to look at it?

I am not an expert, but I do own VW's ... That being said... A)Do you know diesel? Not hard to learn, but there are some special tools for timing belts and such. In fact VWs have some weird fasteners all over the car. 2)How is your electrical troubleshooting? If good, no problem. 3)There will always be at least 3 things going wrong with the car, after all it is an old car. D)Rust never sleeps...

In general these are simple and reliable cars. It's 20 plus years old, so expect it to have general issues. Two things do concern me. 1) that is not a stock engine - granted it sounds like a total blast to drive - but who did the work, how well was it done, what are the actual miles on the swap (not known?), and what is it running for engine management? 2) The engine is from Canada - does that mean this car has spent most of it's life in the great white (and salty) north?

I've been driving a '92 Jetta (Gas) for years now, and it's really a fun car to drive - it's not fast, it's just sporty enough that you can have fun without getting arrested. The only non-wear and tear issues I've had have been with the engine management system - but you would have a different system than I.

Just for reference here is a "similar" car for sale in Mass, the price seems fair for the one you are looking at. EcoDiesel

Neat. I have not heard great things about the EcoDiesel or its performance potential, supposedly it is a vastly inferior setup to the later TDIs and not heavily supported. Jettas of that era tend to have electrical problems of some sort. The door handles break or work poorly - the cars are not built terribly well, especially the early Mexican ones.

By my interpretation of the ad, I'm saying it WAS an ECODiesel, but has been tuned/adjusted to closer to the TDi. Probably won't get the fuel econ you'd get with a real ECO, but shouldn't be bad.

Regarding the electrical issues: is there anything in particular that has problems, or is the whole harness just a bit flaky?

That is still very much an EcoDiesel, probably not too close to a TDI in terms of performance or fuel economy. The MF "EcoDiesel" engine is the stock A2 Jetta diesel, and like I said it's not known for its potential; one wonders why he'd sell a project like that after so much work. That is a relatively big turbo, I would be really curious to hear how it drives.

You will deal with a lot of relays going bad, electrical functions that will randomly blow fuses into eternity, Satan's own power windows (if so equipped), and flaky engine management seems to plague virtually all of them that I've seen in some way.

Oh, and I put that same Polo G60 valve cover on my Jetta, back before it got stolen.

We owned a 92 gas Jetta from new until it was a little older than 10. It was very reliable, and a very good car up until about the last year, and then it did what every one of my VW's have done. It deteriorated to the point where I was always working on it. As soon as I would fix one thing, something else would go. With exception of the ignition switch, we never had a single electrical problem, and it was completely rust free when we sold it. Driving home from purchasing it's replacement, it blew a head gasket. The fact that I have fond memories of my diesel VW's is proof that the mind can play tricks on you. My Rabbit was, in hindsight, THE most unreliable car I have ever owned, bar none. I would still drive a Mk1 or 2, but only as a project car, and never as a DD.

that looks like a great car if you're a tinkerer. I'd jump on it for the money if it's not rusty.

Plus given your payback rationale, if it pays for itself that quick, you can consider it a throwaway.

Realistically, even if abused and neglected, if still running with another 50K on it, it's still a $2K car. Your payback is likely way faster.

Well damn. He's got a pending sale, but I'm next in line if it falls through. Said the cashier's check is "in the mail", and buyer is supposed to be coming from 4 hours away this weekend, so I'll keep my fingers crossed and check with him again on Saturday afternoon.

He said he's the third owner, and it has always been in MO. Sold in KC to an older couple, bought by a bonehead in St Joseph who blew the motor and had the replacement engine installed. Stopped running, so he parked it. Seller diagnosed it as improper fuel system priming, bought it, fixed it in the driveway, drove it home. He's owned it for 3 years, daily driven it for the duration. No major issues, just normal wear and tear stuff. Gradually upgraded the suspension as time permitted. Only rust he reported was a spot on the seam on the backside of the bottom edge of the pass. back door, and at the leading edge of the trunk opening, where apparently leaves collected before he bought it. Said he's been getting about 35 mpg. Selling it because he's buying a house and has to make the down payment, so he's thinning his herd (5 cars for 2 drivers).

Damn I want this.

Those recaro seats are the BOMB! I would've bought the car just for the seats...

Those cars are extremely rare, its a turbo diesel with an N/A injection pump. I know someone who has one, some of the parts would be a little difficult to find, but nothing impossible. The head probably has huge cracks in it though (they probably all do), and if you ever needed a replacement engine they go for as much as $2k for a used one.

"Quick, where are the MK2 Jetta experts?"

Waiting for a tow truck.

You got that right.

Consider yourself fortunate. You can't afford the payback on a car like that.