This listing combines a few of my favorite things: for one, it’s a Volkswagen Corrado G60, one of the prettiest and most trouble-prone sport coupes you can buy; and two, it’s offered for sale by an eBay seller who deals exclusively in donated cars and trucks, which always makes me curious as to the stories behind the vehicles and how they end up here. Of course, in the case of this tired Corrado, it doesn’t run and the listing has perhaps the most ominous description this seller will offer, which is to say the Corrado “….will require engine service or repair.” That’s about as detailed as they get, so you may have to just roll the dice in this no reserve auction if you’ve been hunting for a Corrado project. Find it here on eBay with bidding to $2,625.
I’ve wanted to own a Corrado for a few years now, but every time I think I’m ready to take the plunge, I lose interest. I’m not sure why exactly that is, as the Corrado was loaded up with features and details that typically rub me the right way, from the flat-faced alloy wheels to the speed-activated rear spoiler. The Corrado of this generation came with a supercharged four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual or optional automatic transmission. The G60, as this trim line was called, was VW’s first version of the Corrado, and was short-lived compared to the later cars equipped with VW’s sonorous narrow-angle VR6 engine. Either flavor requires a comprehensive maintenance plan, and buying non-runners is generally advised against.
Of course, that was before the supply of unmolested examples completely dried up and the better cars started selling for $10,000 or more. The Corrado was a dream car for car enthusiasts of a certain age, so there’s some nostalgia buying happening right now. The G60 is a decent performer when it’s been maintained, which unfortunately accounts for relatively few of the ones still on the road. This example does have some encouraging signs, however, like the intact interior, which shows the highly-bolstered sport seats to still be in very good condition. The stock steering wheel remains in place, not swapped out for some aftermarket three-spoke. And the hard-to-find factory badges are all still affixed, not lost as a result of a respray or some teenager wanting to sport the “de-badged” look.
Overall, the stock appearance is what’s likely selling this car at the moment. As a bit of a tuner-friendly vehicle, finding one today in either G60 or VR6 form that hasn’t been tweaked or modified is a challenge. There are also some encouraging signs under the hood, with factory stickers and warning labels remaining in place, and fluid reservoirs still topped off. The paint on the shock towers looks quite vibrant yet, and I’ll bet that chalky exterior would come back to life with a good buffing. If you can accept the fact that the potential engine issues run the gamut from being shockingly simple to complete rebuild levels of expense and frustration, this Corrado could be worth the risk given how few remain in any form, let alone bone-stock condition.
Seems like it would be a good project. Rebuilt G chargers are expensive and if this car needs one I would be inclined to find a mark 3 Jetta VR6 for a heart transplant. I had a friend who had a 90 Corrado with the smaller pulley upgrade. Car ran really good but they didn’t make the nicest noises. The VR6 was a better suited engine for this car. They drove really nice and made all the right noises.
When the owner said he was going to give a “supercharged donation,” the charity was probably really excited and expecting a lot of money. Then they saw this.
Trouble prone?
Yes, Trouble prone and usually beaten.
This will be a good car for a mechanically inclined VW enthusiast. The car is likely rust free, the interior and exterior look more than serviceable.
This site has featured many cars being auctioned this company. They process nearly 1,000 cars a month. If I lived in their vicinity I’d keep an eye on their inventory, they get interesting cars, which sell for reasonable prices on a regular basis.
Steve R
I was having work done on my vw fox, walking around the dealership, the service manager suggested I test drive a Corrado. The salesman drove it out of the lot, we swapped seats up the street, and he says, “you’re responsible for any tickets”. Took it out in the country, did a rolling hammer down up thru the gears to a buck 10, then he says “now hit the brakes!!” I slam em and it stopped on a dime. Funnest car I’d driven up to that point in my life. This one looks good, but, I’d rather drop the dime or so on a running, well preserved version.
A fun car to drive, but they need to be maintained.
Although the VR6 models are much better all the way around, they were still built with a mish mash or parts. VW was trying to make a high end performance car with relatively low end parts and what you got was what you expected.
As for the G60 superchargers, it is a matter of WHEN they will fail, not IF. The VR6 is a great engine, much more reliable but the same can’t be said for the rest of the car.
Based on my experience, these are some of the things that will likely fail and will need to be fixed or upgraded at one point or another
Heater Core
Sunroof
Door Handles
Seat belts
Dash lighting
AC
Fog lights
Headlights
I learned a lot about cars with mine. The best thing I learned was not to buy another one ;)
Plastic radiator neck
Part of the problem with the superchargers might have been their tiny size. I remember the early Corrado ads that showed the impeller. It was something you could fit in your hand, and the ad claimed “instant spool up”
This overall is a great car! I do own 2 of them while one is my first car from ’89 that I still do own. There is absolutely no reason to be “afraid” of this 80s state-of-the-art technics. Yes, the G-chargers had a very bad reputation but only because of lack of proper maintenance on them and people who beat the hell out of them without taking care of general rules that apply especially if you ride a whatever-charged car. Mine for example does run with it’s very first G-charger without any issues at all. It’s all about proper maintenance. And yes – they for sure need it. But especially speaking for the first gen G60s they do have a lot of special parts as for example reinforced and nitrated crankshafts, valves and so on. Always prefer a G60 over a VR6. The only one thing that might be better with the VR6 will be the so called “Plus”-axle; means -> suspension. Especially for you U.S. guys a well kept one may become a gem and definitely a headturner the same way as a Hemi Cuda might be. There are very few left of them here in Germany – so how many may there be left in the U.S.?! So I guess a good Corrado might be a good investment. By the way – the sound of the G-charger is absolutely great – it’s a masterpiece of engineering anyway. I think you just might get used to it ;-) Stay safe guys! All the best from Germany!