Classified Find: MK2 VW Jetta

There is a bit of a trend of late of people selling, what were fairly humdrum cars in period, for pretty ludicrous amounts of money. It seems anything pre-internet-age, now has enough ironic-cool to be worth probably more than they were new.

You could skim by this advert for a 1989 MK2 Volkswagen Jetta and see it as one of these "My Da had one of those a kid", relive your youth for a large chunk of money, cash-grab sales.

Delving deeper though and you will find a car that has been not only fastidiously maintained, but improved upon from it's original guise.

There will be purists who will scoff at the sight of the 2.8 litre VR6 engine living in the bay where a 1.8 four-cylinder once resided, but the execution of the engine transplant appears to be top-drawer, going by the pictures anyway.

Sure, the Jetta never had this engine in period, but it also wouldn't have had the modern day performance this engine will now provide. The seller also claims to have up-rated the suspension and brakes to accompany the more potent engine.

The paint is immaculate and a genuine VW shade of blue. The interior has a lovely set of period correct Recaro seats and a rather tasteful Nardi steering wheel.

To top it off, it's NCT'd and taxed (not too difficult, seeing as it qualifies for classic) until next September.

OK, yes, it is left hand drive, the fabric roof, no matter how meticulously fitted, is never going to be air tight; and those pseudo Land Rover wheels are bit OTT. But you could flog those and acquire a nice set of BBS or Ronal rims.

As mentioned at the beginning, these millennial machines carry hefty price tags these days and six grand for a near-as-damn-it, 32-year-old Jetta seems steep, but if it is as good as it appears in the ad, I think the price is justified. Where would you rather put the money? In this or a ten year old diesel Jetta? I know which I'd prefer, even if I looked like an ageing hipster (guilty) driving around in it.