Happy Easter: 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Caddy

If you causally mention you have a Volkswagen Caddy, a normal person would assume you had some sort of golf sponsorship...but a not-so-normal person will ohh and ahh for they know how special VW's front-drive water-cooled leisure activity vehicle (LAV...not kidding...that's an actual marketing term).  When I saw the pictures, I was surprised to see snow in Oregon in mid April...until I scrolled down a bit to find the car is located in Alberta, but offered in US dollars on 'Murican ebay. Find this 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Caddy here on eBay bidding for $4,150 in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada with a few hours to go. Tip from Jim.

Vicious Attack Bunny: 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit Mk1

Got some unknown image hosting issue with DT's site right now -- please accept our apologies if images are wonky.  The original Volkswagen Rabbit is a fun little front drive econobox that checks all the right boxes if you don't mind driving something that isn't fast in a straight line.  They are fun little machines in stock setup, but stiffen the suspension and revv the motor out a bit for a properly good time.  Find this 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit Mk1 offered for $3750 in Hercules, CA via craigslist.

Callaway Turbocharged: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

A brand new Volkswagen Golf will set you back at least $20,910 before taxes, license, registration, etc etc and a GTI starts at $26,415 and something called a Golf R will cost at least $39,785...and I'm certain they are nice cars with all of the safety, convenience, and Apple car play that you'll ever need...but they don't have a golf ball shifter knob and will be worth 1/2 of what you paid in 3 years...so I'm going to recommend a classic Golf for half the price to start.  Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI offered for $15000 near Portland, OR via craigslist.

Captive Breeding Program: 1981 Volkswagen Rabbits

The Volkswagen Golf was introduced in 1974 as a replacement to the 36 year old Beetle (Type 1) and sold like salty pretzels at Oktoberfest, with over 6 million of the front-drive compacts leaving worldwide factories through 2009.  For the first few years, the Giorgetto Giugiaro (of ItalDesign - noted for his work on the Alfa Giulia Sprint, Ferrari 250 GT, Maserati Bora and Isuzu Impulse) designed family car was called the Rabbit for the US market. Find these 1981 Volkswagen Rabbits offered for $500 starting near Rome, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

A What What What? 1984 Grumman Olson Kubvan

Do you ever stumble upon a craigslist advertisement and think perhaps alzheimer's has finally set in?  How did I ever manage to survive on this rock for so many revolutions around the glowing orb of hot plasma and I've never heard of a Grumman Olson Kubvan.  Now I know.  I've seen it all.  Done.  Find this 1984 Grumman Olson Kubvan offered for $3,000 in Hartford, CT via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Auction Watch: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI here on eBay bidding for $6,600 in Hopkins, MN with 3 days to go.

The Original: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

The now iconic Rabbit GTI hatchback helped usher in a post Brougham era into the 1980's.  It is almost laughable to think that a 75 horsepower car could made such a big impact on the auto landscape.  Things like a zippy 4 cylinder engine, slick shifting 5 speed trans, sharp handling, great ergonomics, 60 series tires, and space efficient design were all very difficult to find on any price point cars back in 1983.  The first generation GTI is a sure bet to become a future classic to Generation Xers.  Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI for sale in Northfield, MA for $5,000 via craigslist.

Mid Week Match-Up: Three Pedals For PhiLOL

Todays Mid Week Match-Up request comes from DT contributing writer PhiLOL who writes: Life is short, and I'm bored with my car. My budget is around $6,500. Mrs. PhiLOL has already given her blessing to a healthy NB Miata, which would surely meet my needs. That said, this price point is home to everything from LT1 Corvettes to Integra GSRs to 944s, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something wonderful.  Non-negotiable: four wheels, three pedals. Preferred: at least as safe as an NA Miata (so rickshaws are out of the question). Bonus: a back seat.

Auction Watch: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

Find this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI here on eBay bidding for $4,150 with auction ending Tuesday.

Fiero Chassis 3800 V6: 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet

I think it was Colin Chapman that once said the best VW Cabriolets are all built on the Pontiac Fiero chassis...or was that Smokey Yunick?  You won't find that quote in the history books, and both those guys are dead, so you can't verify those quotes -- but if they were alive, I'm sure both would agree that the only powerplant for your Fierrabbit is a GM 3800 V6 with a single turbo put in the place of the original supercharger.  Like this 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet custom offered for $6,500 in Rancho Cordova, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Safety Fast.

Auction Watch: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI

Check out this 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI here on eBay bidding for $6,969 with auction ending Sunday at 6:53PM PST.

Happy Easter from DailyTurismo

Happy Easter to all egg heads, car guys, and bunny lovers out there in cyberspace.  In celebration of Easter, the ragtag crew who run this website are taking the day off from writing about the best used cars on the interwebs to spend the day with our family(s). We hope you do the same.

Choose A Volkswagen Bunny: '83 Rabbit vs. '89 Cabriolet G60

This next feature comes as words and a tip from Scott T:

OK, so our first contender is this solid roofed rabbit that someone has mounted a 1.8t motor into and started wiring it up and got far enough to try turning the key and getting no joy. Pictures show it partially assembled, the most recent of which may show a few tubs of parts. Entry price is only 3k, so, you could probably part it out for about that if you can't get it running. Body looks solid from above, and someone extended the shock towers...so they're definitely solid if they were done right.

Drive, Ignore or Burn: der Lastwagen versus Torakku

By K2 Mystery Car -- In this installment of Drive, Ignore or Burn, we’re highlighting two car-based pick ‘em-ups. Whether you choose to drive, ignore or set aflame these interesting and/or repulsive vehicles is up to you. Make your feelings known in the comments!

Our first victim, I mean contestant is a 1983 VW Diesel Rabbit found here on eBay that’s been converted into a mini-truck. It features gorgeous green paint and a fabric sunroof. Here is the seller’s description:

10k: All Motor: 1980 Volkswagen Caddy Rabbit Pickup

There is a term that gets tossed around in the sport compact community -- all motor.  It means that the builder has not used any power adders (supercharger, turbocharger, nitrous).  Kids with baggy pants (wait...someone said that punk kids wear tight pants now, what the hell is going on?) ask yahoo answers how can I make my car all motor, and others reply with seemingly limitless knowledge on what parts can make them faster than some turbocharged car -- but the bottom line is that the all motor crowd is all about mystique/street-cred.  The problem with all motor mania is that you have to keep qualifying your successes because they sound so pedestrian.  I ran a 9 minute mile the other day...well it was with a cougar chained to my leg. No no, really I am the cougar-chain champion of the greater Waukesha, Waterville & Mukwonago Big Cat Running & Racquet Club.  We're sponsored by Puma, ya'know?  I'm the third fastest runner in the club, well actually 2nd because of that unfortunate issue with the Bill and the bacon he had in his pocket...hey, where are you going?   Find this 1980 Volkswagen Caddy Rabbit Pickup offered for $12,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

3k: Dead Tortoise: 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Mk 1 Diesel

I've owned and driven some slow cars in my time.  A W123 Mercedes-Benz 240 diesel with the OM616 inline-4 non-turbo engine was slow, but it felt like being launched from a cannon compared to the Mk 1 Rabbit that I owned a few years later.  The Rabbit couldn't out drag a UPS truck from a stop, but somehow was a surprisingly fun experience.  It was like that time you went to one of those dreaded kids birthday parties and ended up in a game of kid-versus-adult dodge ball.  You didn't expect anything other than a few hours of tedium, but ended up sweaty and bruised.  Find this 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Mk 1 offered for $2,900 in Almeda, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

1k: Basement Priced: 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk I

The Mk I GTI was a world changer and showed post fuel crisis world that a front wheel drive, reliable family econobox could be fun.  Its combination of fuel injected engine, manual rack-and-pinion steering, 2000 lb curb weight, and room for your junk put the GTI in a class of its own.  The paradigm is still true today and you don't need a spend a bunch of money to pick up a used GTI.  Find this 1984 Volkswagen GTI Mk I offered for $1400 near Kalispell, MT via craigslist. Tip from Oldsmobuick.

4k: Skinned Rabbit; White Inside: 1993 VW Cabriolet

Chick Cars. There is a whole subset of small, fun, and affordably priced vehicle that has traditionally received the stigma; the Mazda Miata, Honda Civic del Sol, VW New Beetle, VW Jetta, and of course the drop-top VW Cabrio all come to mind. But who cares? Is the stigma earned - are these actually terrible cars to drive? No. In most cases they are fun, light, and cheap. Every track day and cheap racing series across the country is littered with countless Miatas. Get over it. Why not get some kicks out of a car that other guys are too insecure to drive, and get some Vitamin D in the process. Find this 1993 Volkswagen Cabriolet Collector's Edition for sale in Glen Burnie, MD for $4000 obo via the turbobricks.com forums (membership required to view; sorry).