At $4,500, Should This TLC-Needing 1996 VW Passat TDI Find A New Home?

According to the ad, the 25-gallon fuel tank in today’s Nice Price or No Dice Passat will allow the car to go nearly 1,000 miles between fill-ups. Let’s see if it’s priced to go the distance as well.

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You might very well ask, “What do Ozzie Nelson (of Ozzie & Harriet fame) and Cass Elliot (of the Mamas & the Papas) have in common?” The answer, of course, is that both sang lead vocals on the standard Dream a Little Dream, with Nelson’s rendition being notable as the first and Elliot’s as perhaps the best known.

Speaking of dreams, last Friday’s 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS no doubt spurred some fitful nights fretting over its beauty and, with a $62,000 price tag, its affordability. That price may not be within reach of many of us (me especially), but for the well-heeled, it wouldn’t prove a bad move according to the 56 percent of you who awarded the mid-engine two-seater a Nice Price win.

As noted, frivolous cars like those wearing the Prancing Horse aren’t for everyone’s budget. In fact, for many, getting around outside public transportation routes or in weather that makes bicycling a dangerous proposition can be a budget-busting challenge both in initial outlay and ongoing running costs. Finding something with even a modicum of style and intrigue within such budgetary constraints is harder.

That’s why we have cars like this 1996 Volkswagen Passat TDI Estate. According to the seller, this mid-sized wagon will get better than 40 miles to a gallon. And while it would cost over $100 to fill the car’s ample 25-gallon fuel tank, that expense should cover well over 1,000 miles of highway driving.

That’s made possible by a parsimonious drivetrain comprised of a turbocharged and intercooled 1.9-liter SOHC diesel four, good for 90 horsepower and 149 lb-ft of torque, and a five-speed manual gearbox designed to maximize that frugal number of ponies and power.

This combo has pushed this Passat to a remarkable 235,154 miles. The car exhibits evidence of those miles and its advanced age in both looks—suffering some scrapes and fading top coat—and its function with non-working sunroof and side mirror controls, as well as a recalcitrant driver’s side window.

Other issues include what the seller describes as finicky locks, a small oil leak from the engine, and, most notably, a coolant leak that the seller suggests may be from a hose or the radiator rather than the engine. Unfortunately, they have added a can of stop-leak rather than hunting down the actual source.

On the plus side, the clutch was replaced at 169,000 miles, and at 224K, the car got all-new brakes. The seller claims the tires are in great condition and is throwing in a set of winter meats with the deal. More parts will come with the car, such as extra door handles, headlamps, and the like, so any prospective buyer should plan on garage space for a few extra boxes along with the car.

Considering the car’s age and condition, that prospective buyer will need to be a unique individual. Frugal, yes, but also a fan of this generation Passat and perhaps handy with a wrench as this car will need some care and attention. The bones seem reasonably solid, and the cabin is clean, as is the title. Could that be worth $4,500 to the right individual?

What’s your take on this down but not out Passat and that $4,500 asking price? Does that seem fair, considering the car’s rarity and kit? Or is that simply too much, too late?

You decide!

Portland, Oregon, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Don R. for the hookup!

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