MotorWeek | Retro Review: '89 Volkswagen Cabriolet

[@MTSVW]

The trunk mounted seat release makes sense because it keeps the items in the trunk more secure-especially in a convertible. If you lock the trunk lid nobody will be able to get in there by folding down the seats from the interior.

[@madmax02906]

Exactly! It made great sense. Brilliant actually.

[@tahroo4262]

As someone who has two.. it's an adult sized Go-Kart.

[@Audra94braun]

Tahroo would you recommend someone with a bit of a lead foot buy one? I'm debating buying one I'd love to have your input if you wouldn't mind :)

[@tahroo4262]

At best it had 75hp when new, it's zippy up to around 50mph and very good handling. Plant the pedal down all you want! It's going to feel quick for you with all the low end torque while not going to get you in much trouble. You wont be winning any races but you'll get a lot of attention, stares, and compliments.

[@Audra94braun]

Tahroo thanks for your reply I've actually purchased a 88 golf cabby it's in the shop but soon it'll be mine to zoom around in!

[@tdchdatsunz]

The more I think about one I found locally for sale, the more I want it, but I'm concerned for engine reliability... Is there anything I need to lookout for???

[@tahroo4262]

Ooh, sorry. I don't keep notifications on. Almost every single thing can be bought and rebuilt on these little things except for one part. The "CIS Brake Booster Check Valve" was put out of production by VW many years ago, and a similar one that was used on the Cadillac Catera (AC Delco part # 90304535) was put out of production a few years ago too. So if you plan on buying one in the late 80s, I would recommend you ensure this little piece isn't cracked / leaking air. Though an engine swap to a more modern 1.8t or VR6 is certainly an option.

[@sloick]

THE #1 rich teenage girl car of its time.

[@jacobfleming565]

Vws arent expensive tho

[@4HBirtcher]

Alan_Akbar it depends on which vw!!

[@markbowman6655]

Triple White Cabriolets also seemed especially popular with females.

[@hertzair1186]

Jacob Fleming : it was twice the price of a regular Rabbit/Golf, if I recall...

[@stuartbear922]

These VWs were expensive when new! Cost more than the LeBaron

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Oh those synthetic drum sounds in the into. Gnarly dude!

[@mistertee5000]

I miss my 89. Not even my 2015 Golf is as fun as that cabrio was. That car always put a smile on my face.

[@fana406]

So what happened???? You lost it?

[@KingCast65]

Huh? The Cabrio was a slug. I had many GTi's but the Cabrio weighed more. Still a fun car, great car I almost bought a blue Aigner in 2013.

[@budphillips5275]

Motorweek, you know you're going to have to post that Chrysler TC now. lol

[@mephotography9829]

Still have my '91. Super fun ride that gets a nice boost in power with an AB 2.0 engine swap and stop on a dime 4 wheel disc brake conversion from a Corrado.

[@joshuamoore4971]

I own one, and I must say, everyone I know loves it just as much as me.

[@Audra94braun]

joshua moore does it still work well? I'm asking because I'm thinking of buying one myself and I'm looking for owner experiences if you care to share :)

[@joshuamoore4971]

Audra Braun it works great, obviously though with a 28 year old car it's gonna have a few little kinks. Unfortunately, however, I slid it into a curb recently and bent the front right control arm, but that's because of the driver not the car.

[@Audra94braun]

joshua moore I can't help it I love the boxy-ness of old cars! Sorry to hear about that and thanks for your feedback !

[@gypsyjoolz]

I had a '91 beautiful cherry red cabriolet & it felt strong, tough, safe & comfortably fun to drive. I could pack her to the brim, carry two passengers & climb the range from Noosa thru Malaney (SE QLD, Aus) & onto Woodford Folk Festival to camp for a week!!! She never missed a beat, cornered well & didn't even lose power on her the twisty climb. I couldn't believe how well she went. She was my first cabrio, now I have a '97 which I love too. I never thought I'd buy a vw , too many probs I'd heard!! My 89 transporter was also a fabulous van & I guess I'm now a V.W gal

[@MG-yu6do]

Great to hear :D

[@RajaReign78]

Can’t Buy Me Love and License To Drive 😬😬😬

[@4HBirtcher]

This is actually a VW rabbit with a convertible top!!

[@jefferysmith3930]

Oh the memories. My daily driver for 7 years. By the time I was done with my ‘87 Wolfsberg edition looked just like this test car with updated parts from a wrecked ‘88 model. Slow, but still a hoot to drive. Everyone who drove it came back smiling. Good times.

[@fernandorocha901]

Yeah, i love Volks Cabriolet, It,s not a car, it,s Volkswagen. 85, 86, 87 and 88 is my favorite

[@landyachtfan79]

I LOOOOOOOOVE that you are now showing the opening teasers in these Retro Reviews!!!! One of my absolute favorite cars then & now!!!! 7:17........."In a way, classic Volkswagens are SUPPOSED to have idiosyncrasies"..........I could not have put that ANY better, John!!!!! Classic cars PERIOD are supposed to have idiosyncrasies!!!!!!

[@LMacNeill]

I actually bought one of these back in '89... It was a good car, but not great. I wished that there had been an overdrive on the automatic transmission -- that would've made it get better mileage on the highway. At 70 MPH that thing was singing along at 3500 RPM. Would've been more economical (and quieter) if it'd had a 4th gear that would drop the RPMs to, say, 2000 or so. The handling was very good, though, as all VWs of the era were -- a very German ride in that it was firm but not harsh, and always was willing to turn sharply at any speed without you losing control easily. I was 19, and stupid (as most 19-year-olds are). I should never have bought a brand-new car at such a young age. Stupid decision that I regretted soon after. Not to mention the fact that the dealer ripped me off, taking advantage of my youth and naïveté to charge me way more than I should've paid for it, all things considered. But, of course, that's not the car's fault. It was a decent car for its day.

[@cockindoodoo]

LMacNeill damn why exactly this car? You had that much money on your hands why not something.. Idk.. cool? Btw what happened?

[@LMacNeill]

I wanted a convertible, and there were literally *no* other new convertibles in this price-range that had the same build-quality. The good-quality convertibles were all *much* more expensive. In this price range, the only convertibles available felt so *cheap* when I drove them. The tops were literally one layer of canvas, with exposed metal framework on the inside and plastic back windows -- they literally whipped in the wind on the highway and were *so* loud, and felt so flimsy, it seemed like they would fall apart after a short time. The VW convertible felt like a *much* more expensive top, and the car itself just had *far* better build-quality. Also, my family had owned a couple of VWs throughout the '80s, and they had always been good to us, so I was kind of leaning towards buying a VW anyway... Eventually I had to sell the car because I couldn't keep up with the payments. Like I said, it was idiotic to buy a brand-new car at the age of 19. A little less than two years after I bought it, I sold it for exactly what I owed on it. But it was fun while it lasted. ;-)

[@rockolutheran]

Where did you get that kind of money? Im 21 and feel broke as shit now

[@super-kami-guru]

i have a 5 speed manual 87 and it's just fine on the highway. with the top down it's quieter than my 997 cabrio

[@DARKELLAKEL]

i LOVE this introduction.

[@rickreid81]

I owned a 87 vw cabriolet. Wonderful car! Had only minamial issues. Wish I had it back. It was like driving a go kart. Loads of fun that car was. Love the VW. Awesome review. Thank you.

[@DannyGadish]

did it have any problems? i'm thinking of getting one

[@jacobfleming565]

Legally speaking you were

[@fernandorocha8459]

Very beautiful this VW cabriolet 85-88 is my favorites

[@technorunner1]

Why does the world in the 1980s look like a TV set?

[@proeyebry]

Can't buy me love!!

[@a.person7825]

License To Drive!!

[@steveespinola7652]

I think Kelly drove one in the original BH 90210.

[@chipleach]

I was hoping to get a better look at that Goat that you teased us with in the intro! Love these retro videos!

[@bliglum]

The ultimate Chick Chic vert! A Valley girl fave babe!

[@davcuts2897]

Seeing John Davis in the Cabriolet makes it look like a toy.

[@maddesi2709]

The white seats are 🔥. A girl I knew in college in 2001 had an 84 Cabriolet and all I remember about it was that the top leaked like a sieve.

[@punkmonkey123]

god I miss mine, a yellow 88 with a five speed and a leak proof black roof way after they stopped producing weather seals for the top. the car was perfect but eventually died due to head gasket failure when I was in college. Rest in peace sunny! You never forget your first car.

[@hailstorm1986]

I always love seeing the intro from 1988 to 1993.😇

[@patmorales2344]

All First and second generation Volkswagens of golf rabbit cabriolet scirocco Jetta are highly reliable and fun to drive hands down.

[@chrisdooley6468]

Ahhh I remember that main blonde girl having one in that movie when I was in high school ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’. All the rich girls in my high school had these our senior year in 89. Good memories

[@skylinefever]

My dad once rented one of these when his 1992 Nissan Sentra was being repaired. The water heater failed in our house at the same time. We were able to take the water heater home because we could lower the roof.

[@lymphocytedr]

VW was still doing the trunk-mounted rear seat fold down lever as of 2018 as I found out the hard way when I was trying to move large items in my ‘18Jetta 😂

[@peepallgame]

The Bunny Basket!

[@dodgeguyz]

Anyone else think of License to Drive with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman?

[@a.person7825]

Lol, I did. Made my comment before I saw this.

[@RoadCone411]

So this episode probably aired in mid-1988, pretty much the start of VW of America's low spot. The VW Golf and Jetta were aging gracefully, but the MkIII models were still some years away (it would be 1993 before they debuted!) and although the Passat was all-new - and a pretty decent family car for its day- it sold in poor numbers compared to the US and Japanese mainstream. Honda and Toyota were already building their Accords and Camrys in the US by this time. The Brazilian-built VW Fox occupied the bargain end of the showroom floor and is almost forgotten about in the annals of history these days...it was not a great car. The Vanagon was roomy but pathetically slow and starting to look its age; it was no match for the modern minivans from Chrysler, Ford, GM and Toyota. The Cabriolet was a niche vehicle with no real competitors (were LeBaron/Cavalier convertible shoppers really looking at the VW?) but it was certainly a bit an anachronism by the late 1980s, being based on an early 1970s Golf/Rabbit design and was never a huge sales hit despite the hefty markup on each one sold. At the time of this test, VW of America was struggling against the weak dollar and the looming recession, with an outdated lineup against ever-improving competition. Much needed new models were years away. The Westmoreland, PA plant was closing up shop, and on top of that, the executive head of VW of America was killed in the crash of Pan Am 103 over Scotland in December 1988. These were dire times! It was not ludicrous to imagine VW ceasing US sales and retreating the same way Renault, Peugeot, Fiat/Alfa Romeo and Rover/Sterling did during this period. (Renault and Peugeot have never returned to the US market and Rover doesn't even exist today!) Thankfully for VW, the new models of the 1990s were solid, especially the Audi-80 based Passat and Mk 4 Golf/Jetta models that brought VW sales back.

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Loved my Goof GT made in PA. Great car

[@djkenny1202]

I really lost interest in most of their products around 93. They got bland and weighty with too many complicated features. The style was too much like a Honda. I am likely the opposite of what VW pro dominant customers desired. When the MK3 Golf GTI pictures came up to view I rushed to buy one of the rare 16v 2 liter GTIs. I still have a 92. Love the excellent seats (Recaro on the 16v, but all models had great firm comfy seats), simple manual windows, manual sunroof, even trunk can only be operated/secured a key. I still get excited to see the dual round front lights. They had charm and were pure fun. I think they are too likely to see more expensive repairs now as they age.

[@armandomirandajr.6744]

I own a 1992 vw cabriolet and I love to death. Gets a lot of attention and I'm always getting a thumbs up from other drivers. Lately though its been giving me a headache due to it randomly shutting off at idle.

[@djkenny1202]

Likely simple. Idle stabilizer, could be a fuel injection o-ring or something like tune up issue. My wife's 1.8 went through a lot of thermostat switches, otherwise it was really reliable up to when we sold it with 210k, still running strong.

[@TimSlee1]

It looks great but they should've given it the GTI engine with 110hp.

[@AngelacLee]

I’m dying in 2024 for a 1989 vw cabriolet

[@theKevronHarris]

JTLYK, the Volkswagen Cabriolet was Detective Traci Nash's (played by actress Enuka Okuma) personal car on the very first season of "Rookie Blue". It was her personal car for only one season until later episodes shows that she drives a 2nd generation Kia Rio5 SX hatch. :-)

[@marshalmagooo3899]

College girls most desired ride in 89

[@Daehawk]

*cough*chick car*cough* He looked so wrong in that car. And those LeBarons were junk. My mom and granny almost died when a big truck barely hit them at a red light in the back.

[@JeremyGreysmark]

I own a mk1 GTI convertible from 1991 which I love :) It needs a lot of attention though nowadays :)

[@TheArmedassailant]

they made these all the way to 2009

[@MaestroTJS]

My aunt bought one of these (also in white) brand new. A bit of a troublesome car, I remember the fuel pump breaking down relatively often. I always hated the look of it, but it had a surprisingly solid ride. No Mercedes in that regard, but definitely better than the American and Japanese cars of the day. I can just imagine how much of a wet noodle that Cavalier convertible would have been considering the regular Cavalier was awful.

[@1996BuickRiviera]

Is this a way of saying that the Cabriolet is JD's favorite car? Since it is his birthday and all.

[@ottodob]

too bad the eos was shit and we didnt get the regular golf soft top.

[@anonymoususer6683]

Still a good looking car!

[@ericanderson1691]

I just bought a used 1989 with 80k miles found in a Grandma's barn in a Wyoming. Only drove 500 miles over 20 years. My new 1981 lasted ten years with 140k miles and still drove and looked good, but no power steering was crude. Sold it in 1991 for a 1984 318i coupe. I have since owned 50 cars.

[@realazduffman]

Was that really a roll bar? The ones I remember never looked very strong.

[@bellamorales6342]

Yes it's called a targa bar.

[@realazduffman]

But is it actually a "roll bar?" A roll bar will support the car if it flips over. Looking back on these VW Cabrios the bar was more to give the top stability when it was up IIRC. They never looked substantial

[@rourkeyliiid4769]

AZDuffman What that other guy is saying is that he doesn't know basically. 😒

[@LMacNeill]

It met the safety standards of the day -- it would support the weight of the car when upside down. Just. It also held the 3-point seatbelt retractor mechanism, and the inertia-based lock that would stop the belt from unspooling in a wreck. Today's standards require 4 times the weight of the car to be supported, with only a certain amount of deflection (I think 5%, but don't quote me on that), so it will definitely not meet today's standards. Not even close. But for a 1989 convertible? Most definitely one of the safest you could buy. For 1989. Safety technology has come a *long* way in 30 years. :-)

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

I almost bought one but ended up with a 1988 Ford Escort Xr3i Cabrio. And i'm glad

[@RajaReign78]

Old Fords Don't die ooo I wish those were sold in the USA

[@masterchinese28]

I owned a Cabriolet during grad school. My son and I both loved the car and Southern California was the ideal place to have one. After graduation, I sold it to my brother. I'm grateful to say that he didn't get hurt in the accident, but the car was totaled. If I ever see an old one on sale, I might consider it, if not just for a nostalgia purchase.

[@a.person7825]

Name the movie: “I don’t need a BMW, I already have a Mercedes!” 🎶get out of my dreams..get into my car..get in the backseat Baby..🎶

[@steveespinola7652]

To me it's still a great looking car.😀👍

[@markallen2984]

The absolute WORST new car I ever owned was a 1999 VW Cabrio (actually we bought it for my wife). Garbage.

[@Kevin-hw3pn]

Yep, I had one. An 86 automatic. Fun but so unreliable. The tow truck drivers started recognizing me.

[@pg5149]

"Cabrio, bro." Uh... no.

[@fernandorocha901]

What engine, hp and torque of Volks Cabriolet? The color of interior is combined with body

[@discodanrichter4487]

I have a 1988 cabriolet, trying to figure how to change the air filter, not sure how to get the filter out, can you help?

[@rvborgh]

Still have my '82 in storage :) made 195 whp and 205 wtq (starting at 2000 rpm) on the dynojet with CIS injection :)

[@danielreigada1542]

Bitch basket. I wouldn't mind having one despite certain stereotypes associated with it.

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

Which “Rabbit” cartoon character sticker would YOU put on your “VW Rabbit”? Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh or Bugs Bunny. If you don’t have a GTI, consider the Winnie the Pooh Rabbit, perfect for this Cabriolet Motorweek is testing here. If you do have a GTI, how about Bugs Bunny?

[@NickHazletonMusic]

We had one of these as a kid. Good memories going to the Oregon coast in the early 1990s

[@montesaatchi5874]

I want one! Owned an 81 Rabbit. My favourite car of all time.1700lbs Wish we had simple, all manual, non-computerised cars today. My current 2012 Civic weighes 2700lbs

[@benpar8120]

MW I don't know how you can compare this to a Beetle. ..they are NOT alike. This is Front wheel drive and front engine, whereas the Beetle is rear wheel drive and rear engine. This car HANDLES. You would not be able to go through the cones with the beetle like that . This car has heating that works. ....

[@ozzstars_cars]

Such a chick car

[@jendel42750]

This white VW Cabriolet was a limited-edtion version called the "Cabriolet 'Boutique.'" I was surprised to see it being tested here like any other VW Cabriolet model of the time.

[@TimJoseph08031990]

The front, especially the headlights, does remind me of the BMW 3 series, even though it's a Volkswagen.

[@coxhoe789]

it doesn,t have a roll bar the bar is made from plastic and just holds up the roof

[@SmangItDrums]

Motorweek, you know you're going to have to post that Chrysler TC now. I know I"m one of many others who have asked about it, but yeah, bring on the TC!

[@afroarabian]

Did you guys ever review Gen 2 CRX?

[@matthewsanders6499]

My man's head is literally popping out above the roof line

[@Sit2090]

I'd love to see the 1994 Mercedes Benz E320 review, the 1996 Geo Tracker 4 door debut review, as well as the 1999 Acura 3.2 TL review. I love these retro rewinds. It's a blast from the past! Keep them coming! Thank you so much!

[@hazzaknox1069]

That intro still gives me shivers!!!! So cool But u must upload the chrysler tc video AND NOT A PREVIEW TEST

[@prins_af_danmark]

AN IDIOT-PROOF AC CONTROLS. THAT'S WHAT WE ALL NEED!

[@andrewcolsen]

Why does the ass end of the car sag so much when the top is down??? I wouldn't think that canvas roof would be that heavy. This is a sorority sister car!

[@CyrilSneer123]

I owned a 91 Golf GTi Karmen convertible. Nice car. Not much good for northern european weather though.

[@jimbojerry596]

He's too big for it.how tall is he

[@jacobjames1171]

Man, they still look good. It was the local young bombshell car of choice.

[@whoohaaXL]

T/C by Maserati. Rare beasts came with a low-production run DOHC 16 Valve engine.

[@RustyVigero2005]

Needs a turbo. Surely there's turbo kits for a mk1 gti. Maybe it'd work on it since it's got the same motor.

[@djkenny1202]

Out of high school I was desiring a new best seller model Cabriolet. I managed to get mom and dad to get me a 16v GTI instead. Yep, 2 liter 16v GTI. Still have one. I always loved the Cabriolet though, and kinda nice it was made in Germany instead of Mexico like my car.

[@briansmith2163]

White on white with White Rabbit plates: IMLATE

[@sunilayya8948]

I remember reading a mid 80s consumer reports review where it said to steer clear off the rabbit due to poor reliability.

[@ARAR148]

I’ve got a cabriolet that looks identical to the white one they were testing.

[@patmorales2459]

I’m glad I kept my wife’s 89’ car since new going on now for 28 years people ask if you want to sell it we said no

[@rockislandred]

My first thought was that the grille was taken from a late 70's Toyota pickup....

[@steveespinola7652]

With idiot proof ventilation controls right below. LoL 😁 that was funny.

[@davidvalenzuela4529]

Here's a MotorWeek Retro Review of the Volkswagen Cabriolet from 1989.

[@edwardbianchi192]

I have taken my Cabrio to Lime Rock a few times. My friend who works / races there set my suspension up. I was keeping up with Porsches , well until the straight away!

[@xgtiglix]

What brand and suspension set up is it?

[@edwardbianchi192]

@@xgtiglix I believe it was Nuespeed springs, Bilstien shocks with regular mounts on top. polyurethane engine and transmission mounts. ATS rotors that’s what I remember. If you want more specifics I can try to get more information. My friend will remember. I still have the car but I got into an accident and I parked it after driving it for a while when I bought my house.

[@111danish111]

Mercedes Lane's car in License To Drive 1988.

[@super-kami-guru]

just bought an 87, it really is pure fun to drive!

[@avtomad722]

Convertibles seem so totally unnecessary, yet this one is kinda OK ish

[@joaoteixeira822]

I personally love this version of Vw (Golf) cabriolet in this colour. Unfortunatelly they didn't sell it in my country. Wish I had one...it still so stylish!

[@jacobjames1171]

"A Le baron Freddy."

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

LeBaron is rubbish, Cavalier too.

[@BeesonsCars]

As Matt Farah would say, the "bitch basket."

[@hertzair1186]

But does it have a oil pressure gauge and a voltmeter?

[@vladimirarellano7137]

“This family car can drift”

[@guanyu5091]

Love my 89 just got it in August. It helped me be less depressed about having to sell my truck

[@thefersko]

Same here

[@cargo4441]

Please post gto video thanks for all the cool videos

[@TheKnuckles65]

*Jason Camisa has entered the chat

[@danielferstendig]

get a cowboy with the or surfboards with cars.

[@EndeavorsDnB]

Tht intro trak tho 😎💩

[@chrisvan4328]

E30 Cabrio that's all humped up lol