Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDon
I like the MKIII, what year were those out?
I would like for the car to have OBDII so I can run a scangauge
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Couple points:
B4 Passat: 1996-1997
Mk3 Jetta: 1997-1999.0
Mk4 (Jetta, Golf, New Beetle) 1999.5+, and 1998 for the buggies. \
Note that around the time of the switchover 1.9 IDI cars were available in Canada. These are not TDIs (no computer) and don't match the later cars power or fuel economy.
All but some 1996 Passat TDIs are OBDII compliant. 1996s were not from the factory, but many had a TSB done in 1997 to turn off the 5th fuel injector on the catalyst. In that TSB they replaced the EDC12 computer with an EDC15 one, which has OBDII.
Mk3s are great cars, but beware of rust!!! The Mexican built cars from 93-99 rust like none other. Worse then a Mercedes. And just like a benz they'll be all shiny and pretty on top with no rockers or floors left. Note that the 96 & 97 Passats came from Germany and are not as badly affected by rust.
IMHO go for the New Beetle. They come from the factory with a sportier suspension, and didn't hold their value as well as the sedans or hatches. Plus the 4th gen platform is stiffer, safer, and more comfortable. Plus the rust proofing on these cars is fantastic (yes, they are made in Mexico but they fixed the problem for the 4th gen cars).
The timing belts are a bit easier to do on the 3rd gen cars then the 4th gen, but the 4th gen cars can have one installed which goes 100,000 miles. 3rd gen is limited at 60k.
Also beware of fuel injection pump leaks. I've seen this a lot with the older cars. Good news is the seal kit is not expensive at all, and it's easy to take the whole thing apart on the bench, install new seals, and put it back together. Then it's just a matter of re-calibrating it using VCDS, which you need anyway to set the static timing.
An ex-coworker just picked up a clean 1996 Passat with a leaky injection pump. The previous owner got the $2000 estimate from his mechanic to replace the pump and decided to dump the car. A timing belt kit and seal kit ($300 in parts?) and the car is running like a top. Deals can be had, you just have to look for them and be willing to drive to get them.
-Jason