I just went today after work and looked at an 88 sedan for $400. Claimed to have many new parts and only needed the engine mount fixed for it to drive. Paint and interior was suppose to be in bad shape. Only two owners.

It was missing trim, 50% of the clear coat, worse color of blue interior with a soft material, no glove box or stereo, had a strange grind for a second after starting, the brake pedal went too far and spongy, had some valve clatter at high rpm, no pre-heat hose, vacuum leak, bad tail lights, bad smell inside, no speakers, bad tint job all around, bad tires, broken sway bar linkage, leaking power steering hoses/ overflow, leaking auto transmission but it had NO RUST. California car and has only seen salted roads one winter.

It has a new water pump and radiator along with a new alternator. I think having the old pump and radiator would be more assuring that it hadn't overheated. Was driven for a number of years in the desert of the South West.

For $200 I'd buy it just for the no rust. I've got a rusted out 86 ready to be parted out to such a body. Tempting to just go for the restoration of the paint and swap parts including interior. But then this post made me realize it'd be young and foolish to swap everything. I was thinking it would need engine and all.

Any VW beatle restorer would think it a great deal.