Good morning, and happy Friday to you all! Today, we’re throwing the rulebook right out the window, and looking at a couple of vehicles I would have gone gaga over in high school, and would still love to have today. Why? Because tomorrow is my birthday, and I can.
So first, let’s settle up on our crossovers:
I guess that’s what I expected. I, however, disagree, and would take the Tribute if given the choice between these two. I do all my own maintenance and repairs, and a two-wheel-drive vehicle with an inline four sounds like a whole lot less hassle than all-wheel-drive and a transverse V6. And Lexus or not, at 230,000 miles, something will need work soon.
But anyway. Yes, Autopians, tomorrow is my birthday, and it’s a major one: the big five-oh. Half a freaking century. It means I’m eligible for AARP, and people can start using adjectives like “hale and hearty” to describe me. And yet, I’m looking forward to it; turning forty didn’t bother me much, and fifty just seems like the same thing, only more so. I’m calmer and more comfortable in my own skin than I was when I was younger, and I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of my appearance, musical tastes, or vehicular choices any more. I just like what I like.
The only trouble is that, as my grouchy British colleague pointed out yesterday, so much of the pop culture and fashions of my youth have been co-opted by younger generations that it takes a lot of the fun out of reminiscing. What’s an aging Gen Xer to do? Screw ’em; this stuff was ours first. Nostalgia doesn’t come cheap, however, and I can’t shake the feeling that I should have bought one or both of these when I could afford them.
1985 Jeep CJ-7 – $9,450
Engine/drivetrain: 4.2 liter overhead-valve inline 6, four-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Location: Bonita, CA
Odometer reading: 88,000 miles
Runs/drives? It had better, for this price
Our new California resident and editor-in-chief David Tracy isn’t the only one around here with a fondness for Jeeps. I learned to drive in a CJ-8 Scrambler, and I’ve been a huge fan of CJ Jeeps ever since. I’ve never had the opportunity to own one, but I would certainly like to one day. And this CJ-7, or something like it, wouldn’t be a bad choice at all.
This Jeep is powered by the tried-and-true AMC inline six, converted to electronic fuel injection, which sends power through what I’m assuming is a four-speed manual to the rear wheels, or, with the pull of a lever and the twist of the front hubs, all four wheels. It has a little bit of a lift, as so many do these days, as well as a roll cage. I’m not overly fond of the wheels the current owner has chosen, but they could be worse.
There is just something inherently cool about this era of Jeep. It has a no-nonsense look about it, and an eager countenance that is game for anything, ready for a good time, not Very Serious and Angry like so many modern Jeeps. This is a toy, and it looks like one. The seller says it is driven daily, but I don’t think I could put up with the harsh ride every day at my age. (Good grief; did I really just use the phrase “at my age”?)
I suppose I am a bit too old to set it up with a pirate radio broadcast rig and go tearing around town with Samantha Mathis, but I can pop in a Was (Not Was) tape and pretend.
1987 Volkswagen Scirocco – $12,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, 5 speed manual, FWD
Location: Tujunga, CA
Odometer reading: 135,000 miles
Runs/drives? Better than new, it sounds like
This one I’m a bit upset about. Back in 1989, when I drove a Scirocco, nobody thought it was cool except me. For decades afterwards, these early watercooled VWs languished in obscurity at the bottom end of the used car market, just waiting for me to have a place to park a project car, until just a few years ago when they suddenly became cool and prices went through the roof. I cannot believe that this car is twelve thousand dollars.
For a brief period, this Scirocco’s twin-cam 16-valve engine, also available in the Golf GTI and Jetta GLI, was the most powerful Volkswagen engine ever. I tried to get my Firebird and Mustang loving friends interested in this fact. No one cared. This 16V engine has been overhauled and had some head work done; it runs perfectly and just passed a smog test. It’s coupled to a five-speed manual, the only transmission available with this engine in those days.
It has had some suspension work done, and a little visual updating in the form of European-spec lights and bumpers, but it’s a lot closer to stock and original than you usually find these cars, and at least the suspension is merely lowered and not slammed. it’s fairly clean inside too, with only the characteristic wear spots on the driver’s seat bolsters and a little wear on the steering wheel. I do suspect there are a couple of cracks under that dashboard cover, but you’re unlikely to find one these days that isn’t cracked.
I still think this is a cool car, even though everyone else thinks so now too. And it’s a car I absolutely would drive daily, five-figure price tag be damned. And I would absolutely get an original Fahrvergnugen window sticker for it.
We’ll get back to our usual junky fare on Monday, after my odometer rolls over to the next big number. In the meantime, which ride are you taking with me?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Man, I don’t get you Scirocco lovers. I admit, never drove one, so mine is an utterly unqualified opinion, but I remember being wholly disinterested in them back then, and I have never once since 1989 heard a single person even mention the word out loud. Never seen one restored, or even preserved. Never seen one in an enthusiast magazine or even a TV show. I thought I was the only person alive who even remembered they existed. All that said, this particular example doesn’t particularly offend me, except in one single detail. It looks like a perfectly nice $3500 car.
I’ll take the slightly overpriced Jeep instead. That at least was something I did want back in high school.
I learned to drive in a CJ-7. Horrible vehicle at any speed above 40 mph, but much nostalgia.
I pick the Jeep. It looks a bit rough, but a lot of that is the condition of the top and doors. A replacement top and doors isn’t that expensive. This could be a nice Jeep with about $3,000 of work. $12,500 for a decent CJ7 is a good deal. This is a vehicle I would at least look at (and probably buy) if it were closer to where I live.
Happy Birthday!
Having owned a Scirocco, I pick the Jeep, the CJ-7, not as cool as a CJ-5, but better road handling relatively speaking. Maybe the last real jeepy Jeep?
I don’t understand the Jeep thing. I have never understood the Jeep thing. They are fundamentally awful vehicles. I mean sure you can take them off road, but there is nothing I would want to do in a Jeep that I wouldn’t rather do on an ATV. And having written that something in my brain just clicked. Is that the thing? Is that why you folk like them–it’s an ATV you can drive to the trails? I guess I can sort of see the appeal of that.
Anyhow Scirocco.
Scirocco, mainly because of the engine. I recall driving an 8V version and thinking, “How nice.” When I got into a 16V a couple months later, it was “Woohoo!” The chassis was Peak VW — which is to say, a brilliant back-road runner — and the engine simply loved to rev. Just what I wanted.
CJs are nifty at what they do — I ran the Rubicon Trail twice in Jeeps (and once in a Landie) — and they were incredibly competent and reliable rock-climbers.
Sadly, the majority of my mileage was run up on streets and highways, then and now. Jeeps can do that, but why? Give me a Screamin’ Scirocco, please.
I’m 52, and CJs and Sciroccos were also on my list of desired cars in high school. (I mean, the list was fairly long, but these two were on there!) Although both of these are nice, I have to vote Scirocco. You see Jeeps everywhere (maybe not CJs, but still). But the Scirocco would be a unique ride these days and an awesome ride for a trip to Radwood!
I’m not a huge VW fan but that Jeep looks like a rattle on 4 wheels. Scirocco for the win. 16v to boot.
I like Sciroccos but I don’t like them enough to spend 12k on one. The Jeep is my pick here. It’s in really nice shape but it’s not too nice so I wouldn’t feel bad taking it out on some trails. It is a Jeep after all, only using it to drive around town would be a waste.
My family had two Sciroccos and we loved them. Mom had an ’84 Wolfsburg edition, then Dad bought a used one. Mom bought a Legacy a few years later, Dad got Mom’s car, and my brother got the used one. Then my brother started buying his own cars, and the older Scirocco stayed in the backyard and became a donor car for the Wolfsburg.
I think an engine swap happened somewhere along the way, but I could be wrong.
Those cars were very reliable and pretty easy to wrench, even the Wolfsburg with all its fancy electric gadgets. (Power windows! Ooooh!)
Both cars are fantastic finds. My money would go to the California Scirocco.
I agree with you on the Escape!
This is my favorite Jeep. When I think Jeep, this is what I see in my minds eye. Plus, the owner is clearly a member of the Justice Society of America. On the flip side, there is rust, a damaged fender, and I am wondering how those front wheels turn. It doesn’t look like the wheel would clear the fender in the first picture.
While I could buy this, chrome the front grill and paint it up like the Santini Air Jeep, I think I would have to go for the VW.
Everybody walk the dinosaur, indeed.
I have owned both sciroccos and CJs and the scirocco is much more water resistant on rainy days but not completely. I love the strut tower brace. The CJ is a better price and will not depreciate nearly as fast. If you want driving pleasure go with the scirocco. They will both have the characteristic Jeep and VW smells to them but on pavement, the VW will be way more fun and much less tippy and wandering on the road.
The CJ is a no-brainer. Never get a Shit-rocco, as one of my neighbors used to say.
CJs are incredibly simple and easy to work on.
Insert the ¿Porque no los dos? gif here. I’m torn because I love Jeeps and I know there is such a rich market for parts… but that Scirocco is legendary and unique.
We definitely need a ‘Both’ option on these, I would have mashed that today.
Exactly. Why not both? Cheaper than the traditional mid-life crisis Vette AND you’d have choices.
All in on both, especially with b-day monopoly monies
Both for me as well. The first gen Siroccos are light. You throw them at a curve, then mat it just before the apex: makes you feel quite the Stig. OTOH, there’s a fair few fire roads around here that I can’t go all the way through in my shitbox due to lack of clearance & skid plates. Jeep would cure that. But, I know how Jeeps happen: there’s a trail you can’t take without taller tires…then you need more lift…better suspension … bigger axles … upgrade the steering … add a welder cause you’re starting to break shit on the trail….
2 years later you’ve put another 12k in it—and now you need an LS …
I’m glad I’m not the only one who cross-shops vehicles that have wildly different purposes. I think these are both good, but I voted the Jeep. I just like it better.
Happy Birthday, Mark! You’re looking very spry.
Srsly: as someone who’s halfway through their 50s, I can confirm they’re pretty good.
As for the car: Team Scirocco all the way.
The rust on the Jeep doesn’t look bad, and David can show you everything you need to know about rust repairs. I actually think this CJ is a good value for someone who wants to put in the work.
But who the hell wants a birthday present that comes with rust? You deserve better on your special day. Go for the Sirocco, Mark.
I test drove a used Scirocco, it could have been this very one, around 1994. I think it was $3100, which was very steep for my situation back then, and none of the gauges worked. The VW dealer that was selling it offered to fix all of it, but after test driving it, I was convinced I was not responsible enough a seventeen year old to drive something that fun. I don’t drive a ton of fun cars, so this was absolutely the most fun car I’ve ever driven. But damn, that’s a lot of money. With Gen X nostalgia comes Gen X attitudes about pricing- I still think concert tickets shouldn’t be more than $40 and candy bars $.50 at most.
Okay, now I’m going to sound really old- in 1995, I paid the princely sum of $18 to see this lineup of bands at a festival. I just looked it up and can’t believe it was that cheap…
Foo Fighters
Bjork with Aphex Twin
Afghan Whigs
Sky Cries Mary
Sweet 75
Shudder to Think
Wool
Blew my teenage mind back then.
I’d go for the Jeep, but I would immediately have to get a hard top for it. Soft tops on CJ’s are SO LOUD at anything over 30mph.
Gotta be hard top or no top.
I’m 47 and loved the Scirocco and the Corrado when it came out. Both are peak VW for me. Yeah, a MK1 or II GTI would also be nice but a VR6 Corrado is in my dream garage for sure. I have to go with the Scirocco in this choice. The jeep isn’t even a thought.
I’m about to turn 39, and 39×2=78… Shit. Do I need to get started on my midlife crisis?
Thank you! I was told I was too early for a midlife crisis, and I pointed out that I don’t know how long I’ll live, but 39 seems like a pretty reasonable guess for middle of life. Glad I’m not the only one. I think I shall resume looking for something appropriately absurd to buy.
I can see the rust on the Jeep already so went for the VW. Plus I liked those unloved cars.
Gimme the Scirocco, and it’s a manual. Too many Jeeps and not enough Scirocco’s on the road.