While it doesn’t do much for me in pictures, the last few times I’ve been in Europe and seen the current Volkswagen Scirocco in the metal (especially in white), it’s captured my imagination. While Volkswagen fears this car might compromise GTI sales, I tend to disagree. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, we had a glut of good looking, reasonably priced sport coupes and hatchbacks. Of course there was the original Scirocco, which was replaced by the Corrado at the outset of the 1990s. You also had cars like the Ford Probe, Mazda MX-6, Honda Prelude, Nissan 240SX and Toyota Celica, just to name a few. Now what do we have? The Honda Accord and Nissan Altima Coupes? Somehow these two-doors don’t capture the magic of that golden era of affordable coupes.
It’s been 25 years since the Scirocco was last sold new on these shores. Every now and then, we come across the errant low mile, preserved example, such as this one for sale in North Carolina sent to us from a reader, John. While it’s not the 16 valve version that was released during this model year, it does have a 5-speed manual and is showing under 60,000 miles on the clock.
Year: 1986
Model: Scirocco
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 59,331 mi
Price: Reserve auction
CLICK FOR DETAILS:Â 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco on eBay
Time capsule! Survivor! 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 5 speed with low miles and no rust, and in super condition. Amazingly clean interior, seats look awesome. Really must see it and drive it to appreciate. Purchased in Charleston SC. History report verifies its a 2 owner with no accidents. Paint looks to be original, has a few places where the clearcoat is worn and some VERY minor hail dings that can only be seen if you are really looking for them. Otherwise, body is straight. Tires are at least 80%. Wheels look super as well. Timing belt looks to have been replaced in 2003 at 34k miles. Due to the age this car was purchased “miles exempt” (typical of cars this age). Miles appear to be correct based on the cars condition and the history report, but I cannot be certain as I am not the original owner and will be selling it the same way it was purchased.
These are getting near impossible to find in this condition with any miles so bid to own it. Please feel free to inspect the car, have it inspected by your mechanic or call with questions prior to bidding. Selling for a friend and am easy to work with. All sales are finally. $500 deposit due within 48 hours of auctions end, balance due within 7 days of auctions end, no exceptions. Shipping quotes can be arranged, but shipping is the responsibility of the buyer should you go that route. However, I will be glad to meet with your shipper within 20 miles of Asheville, NC. Or drive it home, either way is fine with me. Just please communicate and lets not waste each others time. I will be respectful of you and the buying process, but not looking for game players or strokers. This is a great VW in one of a kind condition. That said, it is also 27 years old so if you are expecting Barrett Jackson, please go find one there and don’t bid on mine. Best of luck and again, call 828-243-2791 with any questions, I will be glad to help. Thanks and good luck!
Carter featured a 1988 Scirocco 16V last month that sold for $2,500. That car had 114,000 miles on it, which isn’t unreasonable for the year. If the seller is realistic, the reserve on this car is probably somewhere between $3,500 and $4,000. In the end, if this car brings close to $4,500, it wouldn’t surprise me. The paint looks a little dull in spots and there’s a few trim items, such as the missing shifter boot, that need attention. However, you would be hard pressed right now to find one as good as this.
-Paul
The “miles exempt” label is concerning (sorry, but that’s not “typical” of cars this age), particularly since the car’s perceived value is all about the low mileage. Particularly since swapping gauges in VWs of that era was ridiculously easy. The seller apparently just bought the car, and doesn’t seem to know a lot about it’s history. Also concerning.
The few dings and other “needs” evident from the photos shouldn’t be too big a problem, however potential buyers should be aware that more and more replacement Scirocco parts are becoming NLA. By the way, the out-of-alignment dashboard appearance (particularly evident around the glove compartment) was typical – even when these were new.
Hopefully, the new owner will resist any urge to over-modify this one. It’s seems nice enough to just drive and enjoy as is.
Larry, it’s hard to say about the miles exempt. When I moved from North Carolina to Georgia, the Georgia Department of Revenue issued a miles exempt title on my 1997 BMW Z3, even though I provided them with a documentation trail to prove the mileage. Bottom line, the clerical staff is lazy and it’s easier to just slap all cars older than a certain age into the miles exempt category.
This makes keeping an actual paper documentation trail even more important. For every car I own, I have a 3 ring notebook that houses every repair ticket I have for that vehicle. (Use clear sheet protectors to make the pages last longer.) In addition, I will contact the previous owners of my cars (when possible) to see if they still have any documentation related to the car.
In all the states I’ve lived in (5, all in the Northeast), I’ve only been given 2 options at DMV: actual mileage and true mileage unknown. There’s sometimes a check box for “mileage exceeds mechanical limits” (i.e., over 100K for a 5-digit odometer) but the result is the same – the title is branded true mileage unknown, and effectively, your resale value drops instantly.
Either way, Kevin, your rather fastidious method of documenting the car’s history is ideal, and it will provide an eventual buyer with a high level of confidence (and it will likely reward you with a higher selling price). Unfortunately, most owners aren’t willing to invest that kind of effort. I also wonder how many auction houses and dealers would ensure such documentation stays with the car.