Beater Archive

Rabbit Ragtops for a-Dime-a-Dozen: 1979-93 Volkswagen Cabriolet

By admin ⋅ June 12, 2009 ⋅  Email this Article ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

by Raphael Leonard

The Background

Consider the Volkswagen Cabriolet. Based on the proven platform that was used by the Golf, Jetta and Rabbit, the Cabbie can be likened to a four-seater Miata. Though it lacks the Mazda’s raw, racecar-like driving feel, its ability to carry more than one friend more than makes up for it. Combine that with the excellent gas mileage, sporty (but not GTI level) suspension, and surprising practicality that comes with owning one, and you end up with a cult classic, which these vehicles are slowly but steadily becoming.

First appearing in American showrooms in 1979, the Cabriolet, nee Rabbit Convertible, was an affordable replacement for the ragtop Beetle. It was, however, quite different than its predecessor, being a front engine, front wheel drive, water-cooled automobile. Physically, the new Vee-Dub continued to break from the Bug. While somewhat dated looking during its final years of production when automakers converted to curvier styling, it fit in perfectly with cars of the 1980s, and was an instant hit with the younger crowd who enjoyed the low entry price and peppy 1.6 litre I4 engine, which later evolved into a 1.8.

In 1988 the Cabriolet enjoyed a modest redesign, which included a European-styled exterior skirt treatment. Known as a “Clipper Kit” among Cabbie enthusiasts, it was the most noticeable addition to the vehicle, though the car enjoyed many other small additions and in fact, became slightly shorter.

In 1993, Volkswagen chose to replace the aging convertible with the curvier Cabrio. However successful the latter may have been in its own right, the slightly less quirky replacement lacked the appeal of the Cabriolet, and has since been discontinued, and then paid homage to in the form of the decidedly more upscale Eos. Although there are rumors of a Rabbit Convertible set to debut in 2010, it is doubtful that Volkswagen will be able to recreate the success that it enjoyed with the Cabbie. Ah, where have all the cheap, compact convertibles gone?

The Opportunity

Are you looking for an affordable beater convertible? How about now? Now are you? The Volkswagen Cabriolet, aside from being a quite good all-around summertime beater, attracts many people for one reason, and one reason alone: it is cheap. Others are drawn by the huge support group that is on the web, which includes two or three very good sites devoted exclusively to these cars; some are drawn by the gas mileage that easily reaches the low 30s, and others still are attracted by the ability to roll the top back and use the car as a small pickup. Simply put, this Volks rocks in nearly every way a proper beater should.

The Downside

I’m going to be perfectly frank here: Barbie owned one. Yes, everybody’s favorite doll drove a flaming pink example in the late 1980s for a period of about 8 months, before she upgraded to another blindingly neon convertible. While not the girliest of stereotypical girl cars, the Cabriolet is still up there, somewhere below the aforementioned Miata and late model Saab 900. Sadly, if you are accustomed to a fire-breathing F250, you may have a difficult adjustment period.

Volkswagens in general are also known for electrical gremlins which can slowly become annoying enough to make the owner scrap the car, which may explain the large amount of low-mileage examples which merrily festoon nearly every junkyard on the west coast like so many dead flies. These problems are best fixed by knowledgeable independent garages or stealerships, both of which are on the (very) expensive side. The author’s family has, in fact, had a Cabriolet kicking around for some 17 years and 160,000 miles, and windows that roll themselves down during rainstorms, Christine-like radio problems, and other various electrical issues have marred an otherwise fairly trouble-free motoring experience

The Hit

$400 – $3,950

In a Nutshell

Cheap, practical, cute as a button, and surprisingly tossable down sun-spotted wine country roads, the Cabriolet is a perfect car for those ragtop summer days that you’re bound to experience sooner rather than later. Throw it in the garage during the winter, keep up on the maintenance, and you’ve got yourself the perfect summer beater that’ll zip the family to and from your favorite beach for years to come.