The ’85 and ’86 model-year Volkswagen Golfs were a bit unique, since the base and diesel models were manufactured in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. There were minor trim differences, but the easiest way to spot them was the Rabbit-inspired sealed-beam headlights and unique grille. Unlike today’s market, where the Golf has gone upscale, the launch of the A2 chassis for the US market saw the diesel Golf as the cheapest way to buy a VW – and the gas unit was only a hair more money. But they were fairly basic transportation; the 1.8 liter inline-4 GX motor was rated at 85 horsepower for adequate acceleration and fuel mileage. Interiors were basic tweed in a few colors, you had to option in things like a radio and power anything (including steering!), and they came with 13″ steel wheels. If you wanted more upscale, you either spent another $1,000 and bought a Jetta, or in 1986 Volkswagen added the Wolfsburg package to make you feel a bit more special.
Today’s car is a fairly basic first-year US Golf that was ordered with an automatic gearbox and air conditioning. But the big story here is the low mileage, with under 30k since new. This isn’t an everyday occurrence, since these cars were workhorses from new and not collector cars. And it sounded familiar to me, so after some looking sure enough – I checked it out a little over four years ago.
With only a few more miles on the clock since that time, but with the market for 80s classics having reached a new level, what does 2018’s $10k asking price look like today?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Volkswagen Golf on eBay
Year: 1985
Model: Golf
VIN: 1VWFA0172FV077075
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 29,668 mi
Location: Ocoee, Florida
Price: Reserve Auction
Vehicle Description
1985 Volkswagen Golf, 4 Door Hatchback, 1.8 Liter 4 Cylinder Engine, Automatic Transmission, this car is like NEW with only 29,668 Original Miles, one of the finest Golf’s in the Country that was meticulously cared for and has very low original miles. The pictures say it all! The exterior is excellent, and the interior looks like it just drove off the showroom floor, while we do our best to provide the highest quality classic cars with an honest and reliable description, we encourage you to come visit our showroom and see this Golf in person in person. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks for looking and continue to watch our website: for new Classic Car Inventory coming in daily! Financing is Available with low rates as is shipping to from our showroom to your garage. Our team is working and available anytime by Phone or Text for your convenience at 407-559-7759.
To me, the market for this car is really a place like BaT, since low-mileage oddballs are all the rage. This one looks striking in Diamond Silver Metallic, and it would certainly draw a crowd at RadWood or pretty much any VW show. Aside from that? You’ll be the strange person driving an obscure old German hatchback slowly. Back in 2018, I thought the $10,000 asking price was a little much. This dealer is now looking for $16,000, it looks like, and that’s even harder to take. That money gets you into a much neater and more fun A1 GTI with a cool story, a low-mileage A2 GTI, a Scirocco 16V with nice mods, or a slick Corrado G60 with a bunch of cash for repairs. In short, you have to really, really want a base Golf with an automatic to pay this amount.
-Carter
Ended reserve not met, $5,150.00
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