Seals will be an issue Jeff.

If they've been starting the engine regularly the engine seals are probably
okay but I would definitely replace all the rubber ( and the fluid too) in
the calipers and rear wheel cylinders.

The parts are cheap enough that you could just install rebuilt calipers and
new slave cylinders and be done with it.

Be sure to check the master carefully too.

I would want to replace the timing belt as a pre-emptive strike. I don't
know what 8 years translates to as miles but that's an important piece of
rubber.

Keep an eye on the cam, idler and crank seals for a while.

I don't have any knowledge of the Cabriolet, but we had an '87 Golf that had
420,000 kms on it when I sold it, my older son has an '87 Jetta and my wife
currently drives a '90 Golf.

They're very strong and reliable cars and I hope Patty loves it.   :)

On 6/2/07, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Patty (my SO) has found a Cabriolet for sale that she likes. Problem is
> it's
> about a 12 hour drive from us. The car is in real good condition but has
> been garaged for 8 years. It was started and ran once a month for about 20
> minutes during that tims. So I guess I'm looking for advice on what to be
> concerned about on a car that sat that long. I mean is a fluid change and
> a
> tune up going to do it? Aside from checking brakes and tires. Thans to
> Larry's site I found a couple of highly recommended shos near the seller.
> I
> am hoping they will be willing to drive the car to one of them for
> servicing. We would like to drive it home.
>
> Anyhow, advice and suggestions are very welcome. On anything from the
> situation to the car - I'm not real familiar with the Cabriolet.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> 90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful. Now sporting a very unstylish brown
> interior taken from the parts bus)
> 86' (We call this one Parts)
> 85' GL (Sidelined and feeling neglected)
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com