The VW Fox was a variant of the Gol that was manufactured by Volkswagen do Brasil. It was sold in North America between 1987-93. It was an entry-level subcompact that offered practicality and economy over frills. Its success in the U.S. market would be limited as Passat, Jetta, and Golf garnered more attention from buyers. This first-year example looks like a nice survivor, although well used at 108,000 miles. We’re told it runs well in Hesperia, California, and is brought to our attention by Pat L. This VW is available here on craigslist for $7,500.
Fox models were powered by a 1.8-liter inline-4 which was rated at 80 hp with a 4-speed manual transmission. You weren’t likely going to get a speeding ticket trying to do the quarter-mile. No automatic tranny or power steering were offered, but you did get power-assisted disc/drum brakes (no ABS). Remember, this was an econobox that sipped gasoline at 28-30 mpg, not a major achievement by today’s standards.
This Fox has been serviced and the seller has receipts to back it up, plus some documentation that dates to the original sale of the car. Some of the items that have been replaced are the timing belt, water pump, fuel pump, brakes, and tires plus some odds and ends that you would expect after 35 years. The body and paint look good as does the interior, although there is some wear on the driver’s bucket seat that isn’t an immediate problem.
NADA looks at the Fox as just another old, used car, so the top dollar in their book is about $2,000. The seller is trying to recover some of the money spent on the work that has been done and the car presents well overall. So, the question becomes what are your alternatives in the $7,000 price range? If a collector car, you will have to spend more. If a daily driver, you should be able to spend less.
These were decent cars. Based heavily on the Quantum Audi 80 drivetrain. Would be nice to have a 5-speed. Used to be a easy car to modify and became a budget tuners car by fitting it with the 16V engine. I know Newspeed made a bunch of performance parts for the car. The 87 was a good year being the last year for Bosch CIS-E injection. I worked on a bunch of them. A little lackluster as compared to a golf. Cheaper build quality vs. the other VW offerings. The main reason for discontinuing the line was the Brazilian economy with out of control inflation making it a money looser for the US market.
They were CIS-E through 1990 everywhere except California.
I owned one, hopped it up from throttle body to exhaust. Tweakable scam pulley, dasher sourced exhaust manifold, cam. It was fun
I had a 4 speed, gear ratios were wonky, stump puller 1st big jump to second, It would match pace w a gti after my tuning
I remember cross-shopping one of these against the Honda Civic back in 1989.
The VW wasn’t even in the same league.
I’m sure that the Fox was a good bit cheaper than the Civic. You get what you pay for.
I’m sure that the Fox was priced a lot cheaper than the Civic.
Probably a grand or so.
But it wasn’t any better than the Hyundai Excel which was far cheaper that the VW.
The market spoke loudly on the Fox. The little Honda was outselling the VW by 3-4X through the late 80s.
The fox GL model was way more sturdy and had better quality fabrics etc. The only problem was since it was the Lowest economy model, It did not have any power accessories or come in an automatic transmission which is why every other competitor out sold it.
This is strong money for a Fox sedan, the last-of-its’-kind 2 door wagon seems to be the most desirable model.
I had a friend that was really into the VW’s of the 80’s, and had one just like this that was his daily driver. I swear you could not kill that car…just keep it up with regular maintenance and it may run for a long long long time.
My wife (then girlfriend) bought one after I suggested she shop a Civic or Carolla. It was fun to drive but it was the biggest piece of s#*t I’ve ever owned. Struts were shot within 25k. Endless little engine problems. Awful thing. Similar in a lot of ways to my old Audi Fox but my Audi was much more reliable.
Owned a ’90 that I bought in ’98 with 120,000 miles. For $250.00 from a thrift store. I drove that car over the next 12 years till it reached 534,000 miles, with only a used 4 speed replaced at 300,000. NEVER used oil. Drove it 1200 miles to Tucumcari, NM to pick up a well preserved 944 and gave it to the guy…. who drove it at least for two more years. Value actually relegated to tenths of a cent per mile over my ownership years. Bulletproof, toss-able, economical, fun.
It’s always funny to me when ppl have totally different experiences with the same vehicle. Seems like most of these Fox comments are overwhelmingly positive but it wasn’t my experience. Must’ve been the Monday car or something. Sometime you get the bear. Sometimes the bear gets you.
I remember a magazine article calling it
“A Fox in Wolfsburg clothing”.
Good ol’ VW Voyage! Grandpa’s last ride… Greetings from Sāo Paulo.
I’d buy it if I wanted a cheap, economical commuter car. Seems like it’s in good shape. Just obscure enough to be cool.
$7500 for a Fox?
Not when you can get this for the same money.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-volkswagen-jetta-gli-16v/
Author states it was a “Gol” (Golf?) variant; I believe it was actually a Polo derivative.
Nope, the Gol (not “Golf”) started as a Brazil-only model developed and built there, unrelated to the Golf or Polo but, rather, derived from the VW-Audi B-platform used for the Audi 80/Fox/4000 and VW Passat/Dasher/Quantum.
Note the Audi-style longitudinal FWD powertrain here, unlike the transverse FWD powertrain of the Golf/Jetta and Polo. One reason for this was that early Gol models used a Beetle-derived air-cooled flat-4, but turned around and mounted in front for FWD using an Audi-derived transaxle.
I had a 1988 VW Fox 4dr GL. White exterior. It was a great little car. Drove very well, returned about 30+ mpg, l paid just over $11,000 Canadian out the door with all taxes etc.
I wish l still had it.