Advertising:

Strong engine, runs great, but needs a new transmission ($3500-$5500). Often the transmissions on these buses are replaced after 100K miles, so it's amazing that it lasted this long. You might get by for some time, but a new (rebuilt) tranny is in your future. DRIVE is fine, but REVERSE is very weak. Just had a transmission service, and conceivably another service down the line could buy you more time -- but don't delay this repair.

Odometer reads 262K, but previous owner says the engine was replaced at 102K. Mechanics say engine is strong, suggesting 160K, but previous owner has no documentation. He's a VW mechanic, so may have done it himself (or his friend did it -- see below.) It has been on synthetic oil for many years, which may be making a difference also. It can easily pass nearly any other vehicle going up Boulder Canyon.

This vehicle has been stalwart for the two years we had it. Lots of great mountain trips.

You may want to connect with Indian Peaks Auto in Boulder for pre-purchase inspection, as they know the vehicle. I have a VIN Car History report I can email you, as I don't see how to attach it here.

21 AUGUST UPDATE: The AutoCheck report came through this morning, and I learned a few things. (Therefore, I recommend AutoCheck over VIN Car History.) Minor accident in 2006. I contacted the Durango Police Dept, and they sent me a form to fill out in order to receive the details, since we have the case number. This form has to be sent back via snail-mail, with a check for $8.50. I will do that today, in order to expedite things, but it's bound to take a week or so before I hear back. I'm also including some additional photos, as I realized I had not shown the pop-top. It's a little worse than I remembered, probably due to leaving it improperly closed for a while about six months ago. Still, all seems patchable.

You can see from the history report that the vehicle has lived its whole life in Colorado, which accounts for the lack of rust. It looks as though it sat for a while with 102K miles, so I suspect that's when the engine was replaced -- according to the previous owner. If that is correct, then the engine now has 160K on it. The gearhead (1) I bought the vehicle from had bought it from his friend, also a gearhead (2). Based on all this, it seems likely that the engine work was done in 2005, and that's when they started using synthetic oil. Gearhead 1 said his friend, Gearhead 2, was very particular about the synthetic oil (MOBIL ONE).

24 AUGUST UPDATE: I think I forgot to mention that the brakes are new.

Auto Services in Colorado

Wollert Automotive ★★★★★

New Car Dealers, Used Car Dealers, New Truck Dealers

Address: 1710 N Townsend Ave, Palisade

Phone: (970) 249-6464

Vanatta Auto Electric ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Automobile Electric Service

Address: 1981 8th St, Eldorado-Springs

Phone: (855) 226-0713

Ultra Bond Windshield Repair & Replacement ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Glass-Auto, Plate, Window, Etc, Windshield Repair

Address: 2458 I 70 Business Loop, Clifton

Phone: (970) 256-0200

Tunerz, Boomerz And More ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Automobile Alarms & Security Systems

Address: Black-Hawk

Phone: (720) 469-4461

Star Crack Windshield Repair By Joy ★★★★★

Automobile Parts & Supplies, Glass-Auto, Plate, Window, Etc, Windshield Repair

Address: 5770 Verde Rd, Colorado-City

Phone: (719) 240-7027

Spradley Barr Mazda ★★★★★

New Car Dealers, Used Car Dealers

Address: 2601 S College Ave, Fort-Collins

Phone: (970) 206-8507

Auto blog

Piech is back (kinda) at VW

Wed, Oct 7 2015

Before the company was rocked by the diesel emissions scandal, you would've thought that the ouster of Ferdinand Piech as chairman of the Volkswagen Supervisory Board in April was the biggest corporate news from the automaker all year. After all, the longtime exec was a towering figure in the German auto industry. He wasn't gone for long, though. In a fascinating article, The Wall Street Journal breaks down how Piech is now wielding influence within the giant corporation yet again. Piech's continued sway has come in part because two people close to him have started running the company. His resignation reportedly came because Piech was supporting Matthias Muller as next group CEO, rather than Martin Winterkorn. Now, Muller has achieved exactly that role. In addition, Hans Dieter Potsch has taken over as supervisory board chairman. He's also the chief financial officer at Porsche SE, the family holding company that controls a vast swath of VW stock. "The Porsche-Piech family will exert more influence over the company in the future," an anonymous person close to the board said to The Wall Street Journal. Piech appears fully aware of his changing fortunes within the company, too. According to the WSJ, he and his wife Ursula arrived at the VW factory's main gates in a red Bentley the day after WInterkorn's resignation. If you find all of these corporate machinations fascinating, then the piece is well worth a read.

Volkswagen reveals Golf GTI Clubsport concept at Worthersee

Wed, May 13 2015

The various brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella are bringing a slew of hot hatch concepts to the GTI-Treffen in Worthersee, Austria, this week – but the gathering wouldn't be complete without a version of the headline Volkswagen Golf GTI. And here it is. Previewed with initial details and a trio of design sketches last week, VW has now released a proper array of images showing the GTI Clubsport concept. The enhanced GTI packs an upgraded version of the stock version's 2.0-liter turbo four with 261 horsepower on tap, favorably splitting the difference between the standard GTI with the Performance package and the more potent Golf R. An overboost function even kicks in an extra 10-percent more horsepower to bring peak output up to 287 hp Â– just a few horses shy of the R's 292, but driving only the front wheels. As you can see, the Clubsport concept also features a more aggressive aero kit as well as upgraded rolling stock with semi-slick rubber. Most, if not all, of these enhancements are earmarked to find their way onto a 40th anniversary edition GTI, but we're unlikely to see that model in US showrooms. World premiere of the Golf GTI Clubsport at Lake Worthersee - Exclusive anniversary model for 40th birthday of the GTI - Golf GTI Clubsport debuts with 265 PS and boost function Next year, the Golf GTI celebrates its 40th birthday. Volkswagen is marking this historic event with a progressive anniversary model: the new Golf GTI Clubsport. Volkswagen will be showcasing the Golf GTI Clubsport on 14th May as part of the legendary GTI meet at Lake Worthersee, when it will make its world premiere in the form of a near-production concept car. With a power output of 195 kW / 265 PS (35 PS more than the Golf GTI Performance) and top performance temporarily increased by around a further 10 per cent thanks to a boost function, the Golf GTI Clubsport is set to take off at the start of 2016 as the most powerful production 'GTI' yet. The anniversary model is being launched not only with an extremely powerful engine, but also with an individualised interior and exclusive bodywork details. The design modifications include a completely new front bumper, new side sills, a new and aerodynamically highly innovative roof-edge spoiler and a specially developed rear diffuser. All of these features were designed with the aim of further enhancing the GTI's performance and of thereby bringing form and function into perfect harmony.

VW's Winterkorn to stick around through at least 2018

Thu, Sep 3 2015

Volkswagen may yet to have found a new chairman, but it's not about to get rid of its chief executive any time soon. The German automaker has announced its intention to renew Martin Winterkorn's contract through the end of 2018. That is, assuming that the Supervisory Board heeds the recommendation of its own Executive Committee when the full 20-member board meets on September 25. 68-year-old Winterkorn joined the Volkswagen Group back in 1993 after a decade and a half at Bosch. He was named head of Audi in 2002, and chairman of the Board of Management (effectively the chief executive officer) of the entire Volkswagen Group in 2007. Just a few months ago he faced off against Ferdinand Piech – chairman of the company's supervisory board and grandson of Ferdinand Porsche Â– that resulted in Winterkorn's victory and Piech's resignation. The executive committee's endorsement, then, is effectively a vote of confidence in Winterkorn's leadership. It still leaves unresolved the question of who will ultimately take over as chairman to succeed Piech. Winterkorn was touted for a potential promotion, but if the supervisory board renews his contract Â– currently set to expire next year Â– he'll be staying right where he is and a new chairman will need to be found. The chair is currently filled on an interim basis by Berthold Huber, former head of the union that was instrumental in Piech's ousting. Wolfsburg, 02 September 2015 Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Volkswagen AG Supervisory Board The Executive Committee of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG unanimously agreed a resolution for submission to the Supervisory Board at its meeting on September 25, 2015 under which a new contract as Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG for a term until December 31, 2018 should be concluded with Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn. "Together with Professor Martin Winterkorn at the helm we will continue on our successful path of recent years and systematically implement the goals of Strategy 2018", Berthold Huber, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, said.

2001 Eurovan Weekender Pop-top on 2040-cars

Volkswagen EuroVan for Sale