May 24th, 2009 | 
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Several things can be said about the Volkswagen Cabrio series: including the polarizing reactions most buyers have towards their car. The four-cylinder engine is at the heart of the strong emotions, it is powerful for its class and delivers a large amount of torque.
Under the Hood
The restyled Cabrio Base is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that utilizes 8 valves. The engine is mated to a Volkswagen four-speed transaxle. This has resulted in an increase in horsepower and torque over the 1996 version.
Steering control is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Cabrio comes equipped with power-assisted brakes, with Non-ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are drum. The car uses coil front springs and coil in the rear.
Vehicle Statistics
The dimensions of the Cabrio Base are 66.70 inches wide by 160.40 inches long. It sits 56.00 inches off the ground. It seats a standard four passengers, with 2 doors. The wheelbase of 97.40 allows for extra leg room for the rear passengers.
The listed retail price in 1997 (MSRP) was $17,925, with a dealer invoice cost of $16,244. This price is on target the industry average price for a two-door Convertible.
Fuel Efficiency
For the 1997 Cabrio, the fuel configuration is a electronic Bosch Motronic, using gasoline for fuel. A fuel-injected MFI configuration. The gas tank holds 14.50 gallons.
The 1997 Cabrio gets 29 - 31 miles/gallon on the highway and only 22 - 24 in the city. This is subpar for a convertible car.
What We Think of the Volkswagen Cabrio
There are several reasons why the Volkswagen Cabrio Base sold well in 1997. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Volkswagen, specifically a Cabrio.
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