Have an opportunity to buy an '89 Cabrio. My son has driven and says the brakes will need some work. So.....if we have to replace the master/slaves:

1. how available are parts (and how pricey)...my son has a limited budget, I'm a decent mechanic and should be able to do the work.
2. any special problems I will likely encounter (such as REALLY hard to access the parts, special tools, will I have to pull half the engine/components, etc. to get to the master cylinder
3. in other words, is it a reasonable project for someone who can do "normal" brake work?

I apolgize for the questions that might be very obvious, but I have NOT seen the car, plus, the hood is currently unopenable. My son wrecked his car and has very limited funds...I will help him out, but would like to have some general knowledge of what I'm facing before we go talk to the current owner. My son did drive it and says the brakes are weak, have little pressure and it pulls badly. Sounds to me like it could probably have new master and slaves all around. I won't let him drive it until it can be on the road safe. I don't have much experience with VWs, but have never had any problem doing brake work on American cars...are VW cabrio brakes any special breed unto themselves?

thanks very much for any help. I'm sure I will have many more needs for help as we get into the car, but for now, this and the hood are the pressing problems.