Re: New car joy and sorrow (long)

[Chuck Van Pelt <cvanpelt@aracnet.com>]

Thanks for your response, Tim. I have priced the motors for fun and
found them somewhere on the net for USD $100. Not $900, but still spendy
for a small electric motor. ;-)

I thought about getting a Sony, but the Blau's integrate much better
with the Jetta dash. The Sony's are glossy black and don't match the
flat black of the dash as well as the Blau. I also find that the
attention to detail in the Blau's design and interface offers a bit more
flexibility for the $. Just my $0.02.

I didn't say it in my original post, but I DID replace the factory plugs
with new original equipment plugs. They were about USD $5.50 each...I've
never had to drop over $30 on plus before. ;-)

Chuck Van Pelt

Tim Irwin wrote:
> 
> Something to think about - I've heard new sunroof motors running about $900,
> so it may not be a bad idea to have a spare around, or have one available to
> sell to a fellow VWer when their's goes out.
> 
> As I've mentioned before on this list, I really enjoy my Blaupunkt (Sydney).
> Others prefer Eclipse or Sony.
> 
> Factory plugs aren't the cheapest, but they're probably the best (unique
> design).
> 
> Enjoy,
> Tim Irwin
> '98 GLX Porcelain Blue
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chuck Van Pelt [mailto:cvanpelt@aracnet.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 12:08 AM
> To: jettaglx@igtc.com
> Subject: New car joy and sorrow (long)
> 
> Hi all. I'm new to the group and new to my 1995 Jetta GLX VR6. I just
> bought it a week ago (upgrading from an '85 Quantum).
> 
> The car is in generally great shape and I am quite happy with it overall.
> There are a few minor flaws, however:
> 
> 1. The radio security code given to me with the car's paperwork is
> incorrect. Not a huge deal since I needed an excuse to buy and install a
> new Blaupunkt system anyway. ;-) Besides...I understand that the dealer can
> get the code for me.
> 2. The side molding on the doors apparently came off and was glued back on
> poorly. Glue gooped out around the edges. I plan to pull it off and start
> over. I have followed the door molding thread that started recently and
> found it helpful. Thanks!
> 3. Needed new plugs...the factory plugs were still installed after 71,000
> miles.
> 4. Brown waxy substance on the intaKe manifold. Got it off the aluminum
> parts with a wire brush. Painted the plastic part. Looks great now.
> 5. No glove box! OK, so this isn't a true "flaw", but it's annoying as
> hell. The first thing I did was to order a glove box off of a junked Jetta
> somewhere in Cali. Airbag safety be damned! I need a place to put CD's!
> 6. The sunroof used to stick. I say "used to" because there is a story:
> 
> I knew the sunroof was sticky when I got the car and used this as a
> negotiating factor. After I took ownership, my wife decided to try to get
> the sunroof to open...CRACK was the next sound that I heard.
> 
> Upon inspection the next day, one of the metal pawls that slides back and
> forth broke into two pieces. It seems unbelievable that the sunroof motor
> has enough power to snap a piece of metal like that, but there you go. I
> went from a small adjustment needed to a major repair.
> 
> Of course the dealer tried to bend me over the parts counter for the needed
> parts...they only sell "assemblies", not individual parts. I found a local
> yard that will sell me the ENTIRE sunroof assembly off of a wrecked 99 GLX
> for $325. When I say entire, I mean the glass, motor,
> mechanism...EVERYTHING. I am leaning towards the used sunroof, even though
> I don't need the glass or motor. Also, I am terrified of the prospect of
> dropping down my headliner to replace the mechanism. Does anyone have
> experience doing this? Has anyone else had to deal with a broken sunroof? I
> understand that this is a common problem.
> 
> So that's my new car story. I have big plans for this car, after I get the
> sunroof whipped into shape. I already bought an ABD upper front stress bar
> and plan to install aftermarket sway bars, new larger alloys and tires, and
> stiffer springs and shocks.
> 
> Thanks in advance for any advice that is given.
> 
> Chuck Van Pelt
> 1995 Jetta GLX VR6 "Sprout" (That's what my wife calls it...it's green ;-)