# Thinking about picking up a MK2 Jetta 1.6TD eco - Any words of advice?
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350
**Category:** Shift518 Automotive
**Created:** [February 28, 2013, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350 "2013-02-28T08:47:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/1 "2013-02-28T08:47:35Z")
So, as the title states I’m looking into picking up an old MK2 Jetta Diesel. I don’t know much about these MK2s or the old diesels in general, but I am doing what I can as far as research on them.
I wanted to get [**this**](http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5940677-Feeler-85-Turbo-Diesel-Coupe-in-NY)and possibly do a newer TDI engine swap in it after I gave the original eco motor a few runs.
Now this car is apparently local and seeing as this is a local forum, does anyone know anything about this particular one?
Questions:
Is this a good price for the car (assuming there is no/minimal rust)?
Are the “modifications” and parts included actually worth anything toward the price of the car?
What should I look for as far as typical places the body of car rots/rusts?
What conditions warrant a “OK, this thing is a roach, I’m out” response?
Do they have typical spots of damage/rust on/near the frame/subframe/mounting points on chassis to watch out for?
What parts of a MK3 will work on these MK2 cars? (subframe, fuel tank, seats, dash, linkage, suspension, etc…)
And anything else that you may feel is relevant.
Thanks guys.
---
### Author:  [@madwabbit](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/madwabbit)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 10:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/2 "2013-02-28T10:14:15Z")
That particular car had a serious rear end collision…buckled the rear quarters badly. I know the previous two owners of the car…it used to run well and had no typical mk2 rust. That information should have been disclosed in his listing. If you have an interest in the car I can easily get you in contact with previous owner.
I know a lot of body work was done to repair the damage…but it’s still very visible.
From my experience…the 1.6t diesels are beyond gutless. They are essentially bullet proof though and will run and run and run.
A 1.9 TDI swap in a mk2 is a GREAT swap. The wiring can be a bit hairy…but totally worth it. I think TDILogik has some experience with this swap.
Your questions:::
No
Strut towers. Pinch welds. Floors. Rear apron behind bumper.
All the above.
Suspension
Subframe
Personally, with the work required…I would buy a shell in better condition and do the swap from the beginning. My hardest VW project ever was when I took over someone else’s unfinished job.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 10:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/3 "2013-02-28T10:24:05Z")
Ugh, wow, yeah that would be something very usefuly for the listing… that was going to be one of the Q’s when i went to look at it, but damn. Bummer that the damage was so severe. Thanks for letting me know though. I figured that someone on here would know the car! I’ll most likely look for another shell/MK2 that wasn’t F’ed up.
Yeah, the 1.6 has some low numbers! I’m hoping that I can get the 1.9 TDI in to one of these at some point. It sounds like a great combination.
---
### Author:  [@madwabbit](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/madwabbit)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 10:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/4 "2013-02-28T10:33:02Z")
There were pictures of the damage on ROFLwagens at one point. I’m sure with some time those pictures could be found. It was HERENDOUS.
I’m all for saving pre '93 VW’s…but that car was beyond totaled and it annoys me that another local car enthusiast would attempt to pass this car off as “good condition” with no mention of a known accident.
EDIT: Friend came through with this…
Trunk doesn’t seal. Constantly moist and moldy. Still creases in quarters. Mismatched paint, painted over large chips, still has waves in c pillar. Drives fine.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 10:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/5 "2013-02-28T10:48:35Z")
GOOO!
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/6 "2013-02-28T10:59:08Z")
This explains a lot of what I was seeing in the pics he put up…
---
### Author:  [@TonyJ124](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TonyJ124)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/7 "2013-02-28T11:03:02Z")
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Good info. Great pic too.
Edit- you actually know three of the owners of that car. Though I never titled it. I know the PO PO PO PO too. The one that got rear ended. Great guy.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/8 "2013-02-28T11:05:23Z")
I think some MK3/MK4 TDI action in one of these little guys will be an awesome and beneficial project. I’d imagine I can find a clean shell or and 8v somewhere for less than 1k.
---
### Author:  [@TonyJ124](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TonyJ124)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/9 "2013-02-28T11:09:34Z")
^That is a great swap indeed. Plenty of info out there about it. IIRC, there was one FS on Albany CL?
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/10 "2013-02-28T11:25:44Z")
I saw someone did a 2.0 in a golf, but it looks like they didn’t make it great and have everything working lol.
---
### Author:  [@TonyJ124](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TonyJ124)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/11 "2013-02-28T11:36:54Z")
Like a 2.0 gas engine? Aka crossflow swap?
Younger, dumber me did two such swaps and they ran… Super fun cheap swap, not crazy fast, but plenty of fun and way better than a normal 1.8.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/12 "2013-02-28T11:41:58Z")
[http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3634909251.html](http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3634909251.html)
ABA swap
---
### Author:  [@TonyJ124](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TonyJ124)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/13 "2013-02-28T11:50:30Z")
I cringed at the hood pins and price. The idea is there though.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/14 "2013-02-28T12:33:12Z")
lol yeah, not a good looker… and waaaayy too expensive for having a bad trans…
BTW: this just in at Vortex:
[http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5940677-Feeler-85-Turbo-Diesel-Coupe-in-NY](http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5940677-Feeler-85-Turbo-Diesel-Coupe-in-NY)
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/15 "2013-02-28T13:35:00Z")
What about this pile for a TDI conversion?
[http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5899925-FS-1991-Red-GTI-8V-139k-NY-Coilovers](http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5899925-FS-1991-Red-GTI-8V-139k-NY-Coilovers)
---
### Author:  [@TonyJ124](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TonyJ124)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/16 "2013-02-28T14:32:32Z")
Looks hammered. Jeep hood latches on the rear gate? Really? I’m banning myself from the vortex.
You can find better, I promise.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/17 "2013-02-28T14:51:53Z")
Ohh yeaaahhhh. Well if anyone knows where I can find a good 90-92 shell or working car, hit me up!
---
### Author:  [@Baumbauer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Baumbauer)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/18 "2013-02-28T17:39:41Z")
Love my ABA mk2. I’ve thought about TDI swapping it, but will probably wait until I kill my 2.0 and then my spare motor too haha.
Ill keep an eye out for you.
---
### Author:  [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/19 "2013-02-28T17:59:55Z")
Sweet! Glad to hear some more good things about the mk2 cars with swaps. I hope i find a good car/shell soon. 🙂
How long have you had your mk2? I dudnt know u had it!
---
### Author:  [@JRubino](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JRubino)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350/20 "2013-02-28T18:05:43Z")
I wanted that coupe too! Definitely shady on the sellers part for not puttin that in the description.
[Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/thinking-about-picking-up-a-mk2-jetta-1-6td-eco-any-words-of-advice/266350.md?page=2)