GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: frog on 11 July 2007, 17:12
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I know this is a golf site but....
i'm seriously considering buying a beetle.
does anyone on here have one and what should i look for when viewing / searching?
Whats the best engine to go for?
Im completely in the dark when it comes to beetles as i normally have Minis but fancy a change and dont cant really afford the type of golf i want as the budget is tight and beetles seem to be cheap at the moment
Any help / tips / ideas?
Any web sites i could / should belooking at?
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Martz has one i believe, and vaughn is knowledgable on the aircooled engines, as he is bit of a campervan fiend. :cool: See if you can pick their brains about it.
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Im still awaiting news on whether or not i going to be allowed a T2 camper to restore so i thought why not start with a beetle. Same engine , just that i've never driven a beetle (or anything air cooled) and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction
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Check out Volkszone: http://www.volkszone.com/
Wicked site for all things aircooled! Could spend £Â£Ã‚£Ã‚£'s in the classified section! :cool:
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yeah Ive had various bugs over the years..this is the current one
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/scooter-perv/redbug111.jpg)
Owned it for about 2 years and its been off the road 70% of that time :cry:
Like all old cars they need money spending on them (well mine always seem to anyway) to keep them in tip top roadworthy cond
Engines are easy and cheap enough to come by but if you buy a rotten bug its gonna cost you a lot of money/time to sort out so rot should be your first priority when looking at a bug. They are very basic, most dont have interior heat so not good in winter, slow (although a lot of money in the right direction can change that)but bloody good fun a bring a smile on your face.
I say you need to have a go in one before you decide as ppl either love em or hate em and like most things if you are going to look at one take someone who knows what theyre looking for to save the heartache..prices are cheap at the mo so you can find a decent one for a grand or so hopefully..
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had a camper before and bug or two.... lol.. heres my last one (long gone now..)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m143/kniterider74/newark4_20011.jpg)
check what martinb put in his link, thats where i bought mine from and sold mine from... wicked site for all things vw :smiley: :smiley:
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check what martinb put in his link, thats where i bought mine from and sold mine from... wicked site for all things vw :smiley: :smiley:
nice bug matey :cool:
yeah vzi is also the best place to be for aircoled if you have a problem and need some expert advice just as much as this place is for the golf I just bought as a daily :cool:
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What sort of price should i be looking at for a decent Bug?
Dont mind the odd bit of work here and there.
What engine? 1200,1300,1500 or 1600?
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1600 if ya can get it! but they only put that in the 1302S.
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also consider if you want better handling with the 1303 which most ppl say is ugly but have far supperior road holding.
You can pick up a tatty mot`d bug for around 500 quid but if you want 1600, tax exempt (pre `73) then you may pay more for the right one..
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also consider if you want better handling with the 1303 which most ppl say is ugly but have far supperior road holding.
You can pick up a tatty mot`d bug for around 500 quid but if you want 1600, tax exempt (pre `73) then you may pay more for the right one..
Tax exempt would be nice but to be honest all bugs exept the 1600 fall into the cheap tax bracket anyway!
I normally have Minis (sold my last one to buy my golf) but fancy a change as minis are commanding stupid money for rot boxes and i've always liked beetles and with prices and parts being affordable i'm thinking why not!
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hi i have been into beetles for years.
a grand should get you something solid and presentable, 500 a bit of a ratter. wher are you? my mate in sthingyhorpe is selling both of his at decent prices.
when looking at the car the first place to check is the heater channels (sills to most people). these carry heat fron the engine to the front of the car. warm air hits cold steel, condensates and causes rot! it is a big and/or expensive job to get done. do it on the cheap or badly any your door gaps will never be the same again!.
have a real good look at the front buklhead behind the pedals as that is a rust trap, as are the inner rear wings - have a good look under and behind the back seat.
engines - 1200 is very strong and reliable but slow. dont expect more than 70 (unless you can find a gt gearbox) 1300 are ok but a bit mor prone to oiverheating if not looked after properly. the 1500 is probably the best air cooled engine vw made.its not fast but is a happy cruiser and again, they are very strong. loads of bugsd now have 1600 motors and i have had a few and personally they are my favourites. again not fast but plenty strong enough. loads of performance parts to get the power up too without too much outlay.
put some thought into which model you want. the curved screen 1303's have a more modern macphereson strut set up at the front and independant rear and are a dream to drive. the torsion beam ones are a bit more hairy - the rear wheels arc up so tend to tuck under on really heavy cornering. that can be sorted though!
hope that helps
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Have decided against a beetle as dont think my budget is going to be good enough.