VW experts, opinions on this bug - Page 2

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by widebody911

Personally, I would go 66 or earlier.

The front end sits high because it's a super beetle

You should buy her my '56 Karmann Ghia instead

The front end is high because it probably needs new struts. If you get it, put disc brakes on the front. Check the frame head and under the back seat for rust. A lot of the rear suspension off a 944 will bolt right on, just sayin'

You really ought to get her that ghia, I have seen it rolling around town and it is a beauty.

afterburn 549 · 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grog

I wouldn't buy one for anybody I liked. When I was a teen the Dad of a boy next door had a bug, got hit in front, steering column went through his chest, kid had no Dad.

The same could be said about any older car even the 911.
You dont own one?
You just here for the politics? HMmmmm...................

scottmandue · 02-10-2015, 11:52 AM

Interior looks fantastic, looked under the hood and appears to have a newish carburetor, it is parked in a circular driveway tilting forward, could that cause the front in to stick up like that?

I'm sure this is a WIP and I would have to dump some money into it... however I presume it still would be a lot less than a 56 Ghia even after whatever repairs. (how much is the Ghia?)

Main reason I have not seriously looked into a beetle for her is because of the safety issues.

When I met her she was driving a Nissan pickup truck with a stick... she even insisted her daughter learn to drive a stick... however when she bought the Miata she got a auto because "I'm done with that."

Didn't test drive it because we are just tire kicking at this point.

All the exterior rubber needs replacing and some rust on the chrome.

I would have to sell the Miata to fund this... I guesstamate I could get $5K for the Miata on a good day.

scottmandue · 02-10-2015, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Zero bids on this one at $2500.

Volkswagen Beetle Classic All Original | eBay

Close to me and the price is right... but "been sitting in the garage since 1990"

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Completely turn-key museum piece

TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 1956 Lowlight Karmann Ghia

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

My memory is fuzzy on this, but I was told that the 71/72 flat windshield Super Beetles were the worst car VW ever built.

I loved my 1976 Super way back when.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I find that 56 Karman Ghia very appealing, and at $40k it seems like a decent deal. The "Piston return springs were NOS" puzzles me though. I've rebuilt somewhere around 100 VW engines and I've never had to replace a piston return spring.

dave 911 · dave 911's Garage

Agree, not the most desirable year, but if it's solid and runs well, buy it and drive it! They're fun cars, I've owned various beetles for 30 years continuously.
After all, they are the first Porsches

95avblm3 · 02-10-2015, 02:13 PM

I don't think the front end is actually sitting high... It looks like it is parked on a slope and the right front wheel is on/against a curb, thereby compressing the suspension on the right side, lifting the body and giving the left side an appearance that it is sitting high... Move the car to level ground and reevaluate?

afterburn 549 · 02-10-2015, 02:23 PM

Needs a corner balance.

Grog · 02-10-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

The same could be said about any older car even the 911.
You dont own one?
You just here for the politics? HMmmmm...................

Just relating a personal experience. Maybe the OP didn't think about the safety issue. I certainly would not want my wife or kids drive around in one. If they go out and buy one on their own, then I could just warn them. If something bad did happen, I don't want to be the one who put them in the car.

Why the attack? No I don't have a 911, At the risk of offending, I think the older ones look like Volkswagen bugs. I'm sure its a nice car, I just don't want one. I like the newer ones. I always loved the way the 944 looked. So that's what I have. You would have known that If you looked at my sig. 1987 and later 944's had airbags available & ABS.

ted · ted's Garage

I'd consider a squareback or notch or fastback b4 a super beetle.
at least a 72 is smog exempt in Ca.

sand_man · 06:24 AM

I think a lot of this is dependent on the OP's pocketbook/budget. I've owned most of them over the years, and a Type III 'Notch will certainly command more $$$$$ than a "Super" Beetle.

John Rogers · 02-10-2015, 06:16 PM

If rubber needs replacement, you can go to the VW dealer in Tijuana as they still carry most parts for VW bugs. You could drive over or walk and carry it back. Last I heard it was about 50% of the price up here in CA.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

My friend did that when he rebuilt his old bug, it turned out pretty nice.

My super handled pretty fantastic after I put better springs on the front, good struts and shocks, 914 wheels and front disk brakes. It was surprisingly competent, but makes a 914 seem fast. I bet that blue car is light. If you did the suspension and put about 90 horsepower worth of motor it would be a hoot for autocrossing.

afterburn 549 · 02-11-2015, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grog

Just relating a personal experience. Maybe the OP didn't think about the safety issue. I certainly would not want my wife or kids drive around in one. If they go out and buy one on their own, then I could just warn them. If something bad did happen, I don't want to be the one who put them in the car.

Why the attack? No I don't have a 911, At the risk of offending, I think the older ones look like Volkswagen bugs. I'm sure its a nice car, I just don't want one. I like the newer ones. I always loved the way the 944 looked. So that's what I have. You would have known that If you looked at my sig. 1987 and later 944's had airbags available & ABS.

lefties want a law for everything.
If you do not have a porsche, did not have a P.car. How did you end up here?
They have corvette and Pirus forums....

scottmandue · 02-11-2015, 08:09 AM

Well, yeah... this is all about budget, we were thinking a cheap little beater to putt around town in... not a show car... not a race car.

Kind of like the old Rambler I had, something you don't have to worry about when you park it in the supermarket lot.

Wife gave me a pass on this car which is a win/win, I score points for giving in to her wishes of getting her an impractical 'cute' car without having to do all the repair it probably needs. Though I suspect it would be a fun and easy car to work on (my brother had a 58).

sc_rufctr · 02-11-2015, 08:31 AM

Why not a water cooled Beetle? Not as cool but a bit more modern and therefore practical.

I personally don't like them but I generally don't like modern cars.

VINMAN · 02-11-2015, 08:34 AM

I've had a few super Beetles and a bunch of regular ones . I like the standard Beetle better but never had an issue with the Supers I had.

afterburn 549 · 02-11-2015, 10:53 AM

The big problem with the old one was the dandelion exhaust vale in number 3 cyl.
It was a 2 piece valve and the head would pop off ...not a good thing.
At O.H. the time the cases would need a line bore.
Other then that they would go a million miles.
The doors always fit well . Just one tough car thats why they were converted to dune buggy things .