NH VW Junky (Stephen)

First I would like to thank Bryan, Mike, Fabio and all the Moderators. This is a fantastic community that is helpful to a wide audience. B5one offers technical support, a place to show off our toys, and a place with many great friends. I am honored to be chosen oneB5. In the last year the outreach from this group has been fantastic. UNITE is a very real part of what B5one is and it all just came naturally. I think it says a lot about the good people here.

Definition of a VW Junky: Owning 15 VAG cars in 12 years, always working on them, always modding them and always just looking to have fun with them.

The list:

1. 86 GTI 8V Tornado Red - roof
2. 87 GTI 16v Metallic Blue - roof
3. 91 GTI 16V Tornado Red - Power Recaros / Windows and Roof (15.9 3/4 mile)
4. 85 Jetta Wolfsburg - bought with over 200K on the car
5. 89 GLI 16V Silver - Power Recaros / Roof / Big Bumper conversion
6. 95 GTI VR6 Black - loaded w/ roof and heated seats
7. 99 Passat GLS Sedan - Black Magic W/ Tip and Lux package
8. 89 GLI 16V Black - 2.0 16V bubble block swap W/ 2Y tranny
9. 90 Audi 90 CSQ Black - Grey leather / Roof / 5 speed / Quattro
10. 90 Jetta GL Blue 4 door - 5 speed w/large dent in rear
11. 95 Golf 4 Door Black
12. 96 Jetta GLS Green - Roof / PW
13. 98 B5 Passat GLS Sedan - Satin Silver
14. 00 B5 Passat GLS Variant - Black Magic
15. 99 Passat B5 GLS Sedan - Windsor Blue

I can still remember finding my tornado red 86 GTI, my first VW. I drove that thing like it was a Porsche and I was an idiot back then. That car took many road trips to NJ and Delaware - about 20 in total. That car - 1.8 liter 8V could make it all the way from NH to Exit 98 on the Garden State Parkway without refueling. Ahh good times!

I got into a B5 for safety after crashing a 95 GTI VR6 head on into a guard rail. Goal was to move from a hatch to a sedan and into an Automatic - at the time the "Tiptronic" was all the rage! So, I leased (read - was an asshat) a brand new 99 Black Magic B5 sedan with charcoal interior, Tiptronic, Luxury Package, Optional 5 spoke alloys and mudflaps. I loved the car so much - the blue dash lights were so unique back then. You know I'm going way back.

My overall with Volkswagen's, I like to work on them, and with me doing the work and good parts sources, I should save money. I'm still not convinced of that, but its fun! Along that theme, I was cutting cost and got very lucky buying out the lease, then ended up in an 89 GLI (did a motor / tranny swap in that). That car was like a go kart compared to the B5 I was driving.

A few VWs later, life was moving ahead and I needed room for my wife and son. So, I went In search of a B5 again. This time I wanted one that was sweet and that I could pay cash for - so it had to be in the right price range. I found a Satin Silver 98 B5, sunroof, stick and well maintained. I modded it and loved that car - but it wasn't meant to be. 1 1/2 years later - totaled that car RIP, I walked away from the accident. I can speak first hand about how safe these cars are.

We also picked up a 00 Black Magic Variant - huge improvement over the golf 4 door wife and son were driving. 1 owner, well maintained - very clean and has Monsoon!

To replace the 98 - I want on a 20 car search. We all know how hard it is to find a clean used B5 at a reasonable price. But, my search was successful, I found a one owner 99 B5 GLS Windsor Blue Sedan. ZERO options - LOL! So, here I am with another stock B5 - so much potential. Driving this car sometimes makes me feel like I'm invisible on the road, it blends in so well. I drive this car 500 miles a week in hard Massachusetts bumper to bumper traffic. It has served me very well to date. I would say this is my best VW out of the 15. The fastest, best handling , best looking, best modded, and one of the best stereos I have had to date.

I do all of this because I love to drive and I love cars. I hammer my cars pretty good - not abuse. But, right up to the edge. VWs like it.

Thanks to everyone at B5one who has been helpful in helping me get the car to this point, and with the age and mileage mounting, helping me to keep it on the road.

Mods

Engine:

• EVOMS - Billet DV
• UPsolute 1 Bar software
• Pure MS Snub Mount

Suspension:

• H&R Sport Springs
• Bilstein Sport Struts

Interior:

• GLX multifunction leather steering wheel
• EuroSwitch

Exterior:

• S4 Fender Well Intercooler Vent
• Lip Spoiler - color matched
• 25% 3 Ply metallic reflective tint
• 17inch Audi A4 Sport Wheels
• BFG g-Force Sport 235/45/17

Electronics:

• Extensive aftermarket audio system - MB Quart / Rockford Fosgate / Pioneer HU
• Proclip mount W/ custom black iPod doc - integrated into Pioneer-IP bus

Other oneB5s

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