Jim came by The Garage on Thursday morning, and it’s a good thing he did not have to rely on his 1997 Volkswagen Cabrio for the trip... because “that dog won’t hunt.” Or in this case, “that ride ain’t running.”

This fun little convertible has a melted spark plug, which Jim’s mechanic attributes to bad piston rings in that cylinder.  The car has 80,000 miles on it, and the mechanic recommends a rebuilt engine at a cost of about $2,000.

Jim doesn’t want to spend that kind of money on a twelve-year-old car, and “cash for clunkers” is not an option because this VW, with its four cylinder (115 horsepower) engine is not a gas guzzler.  A quick Web search indicates this car would be worth about $5,000 if it were running normally.  It would be nice if Jim could find someone to give him $3,000 for the car “as is” but that is not a realistic expectation.

Here are some things I think are options for Jim in this situation:

1) Install a new spark plug in place of the one that melted, and see if the engine runs.  Even if it runs badly (which you would expect with a serious piston ring problem) it could at least be moved around.  I think it would be easier to sell a rough-running car than a non-running car.  If it runs, it could be driven to another mechanic for a second opinion.

2) Offer the car “as is” on Craig’s list.  The ad is free, and talking to potential buyers is also free.  Maybe somebody wants to trade Jim a different truck, boat, or garden tractor for the VW.  Also, Jim could look on Craig’s list for someone selling similar car with a smashed body but a good engine.

3) See if there is an auto repair class at a local tech college that could fix the existing engine for less than the $2,000 cost Jim’s mechanic is estimating.  The car might be tied up for a longer period of time, but it isn’t going anywhere as it is.

4) Contact the Twin Cities VW Club. These folks are into older and collectible Volkswagens, like first generation bugs and micro-buses, but I’ll bet there is more than one VW mechanic (pro or amateur) in the club who might have an idea for Jim.

5) If all else fails, and Jim can get the car (driving or towing it) to an automotive component recycling facility (OK, a junk yard) they should give him at least $200 for it.

This is why so many guys are willing to “tow away your junker for free”... there is a $200 check waiting for them at the end of their trip.

If anyone else has any ideas for Jim, please let us know.