TheSamba.com :: View topic - Are Bugs going up in value & demand due to GAS prices ?

Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:06 pm

Any thoughts !

Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:35 pm

They get average gas milage, they are old, and stick shift.

Three things that would make an average person less interested in owning one.

But us V-dub nuts, we can't be stopped.

Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:35 pm

I have noticed that the prices have gone up a little bit, though here in AZ I dont know how many people would be willing to drive without A/C..

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:12 pm

Hate to break this to you,, But in todays market ,, not today ,, hell the last 20 years... VW are not known for getting good milage...

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:31 pm

towd wrote: Hate to break this to you,, But in todays market ,, not today ,, hell the last 20 years... VW are not known for getting good milage...

Theres alot of Type 1 VW that get in the 30mpg range...

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:33 pm

PZL66 wrote: I have noticed that the prices have gone up a little bit, though here in AZ I dont know how many people would be willing to drive without A/C..

I do everyday, I'll take hot over 11MPH that I get in my 04 Dodge Ram.

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:39 pm

Gas prices.......it's one of the reason I bought my first bug a month ago.
I have a 5.0 for a daily driver!!

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:53 pm

Bugs are increasing in price due to being a collector car that is cheap to buy and relatively cheap to run, and they are cool!! With the price of 50's, 60's and 70's cars running in the 5+ figures, it's an inexpensive alternative for most.

Even at a low price for a decent running bug, it takes alot of driven miles to make up for the initial purchase of the vehicle.

Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:31 pm

Quote: There's a lot of Type 1 VW that get in the 30mpg range...

yes bug can and some do hit 30 mpg.. that doesn't compare with 37 mpg,, radio,, heater AC elec windows...

my 1990 Toyota has all this...

The avg bug out there is getting about 18 to 20,, hell my Ford Diesel gets 18..

In the last few weeks I do see more and more Bugs on craigslist and at uncommonly hi prices.... Here I believe it has more to do with Hi hopes and a very bad economy

as far as VW being cheap to maintain ,,, I've had these things since 1963.. I don't call spending a 1000$ just in parts to do a decent rebuild on a 1600 cheap... I said decent,, not hack build..

where that toy cost me 299$ for a JDM motor,, you can't get heads and P&C set for that price LOL

Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:31 am

towd wrote: Quote: There's a lot of Type 1 VW that get in the 30mpg range...

yes bug can and some do hit 30 mpg.. that doesn't compare with 37 mpg,, radio,, heater AC elec windows...

my 1990 Toyota has all this...

The avg bug out there is getting about 18 to 20,, hell my Ford Diesel gets 18..

In the last few weeks I do see more and more Bugs on craigslist and at uncommonly hi prices.... Here I believe it has more to do with Hi hopes and a very bad economy

as far as VW being cheap to maintain ,,, I've had these things since 1963.. I don't call spending a 1000$ just in parts to do a decent rebuild on a 1600 cheap... I said decent,, not hack build..

where that toy cost me 299$ for a JDM motor,, you can't get heads and P&C set for that price LOL

Your Ford diesel gets 18mpg with what -- a 30 gallon tank? Meanwhile, a Beetle/Type 1 gets an average 25mpg on 10 gallons. Looks to me like the Beetle is the clear winner.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:50 am

i drive a TDi golf and i get 42 MPG around town. even thou diesel is $4.99 a gallon it's still cheaper then driving my beetle to work every day..

and i alot more comfortable but i do love driving the beetle in nice weather...

i think people are just collecting cars and that's why prices are going up... not for fuel economy..

Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:52 am

Beetles also do not have traction control, air bags and other safety devices common on newer/new cars.

I was reading an interesting article pointing out that Honda and Toyota offered models 20 years ago with fuel mileage better than what is available today. Part of the reason is a new Civic weighs much more today than it did then. The other is that the engines have much more power today than they had 20 years ago.

Buyers want the convenience, safety, room and comfort features of new cars. I don't think they are ready to scrifice that - yet.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:04 am

towd wrote: Quote: There's a lot of Type 1 VW that get in the 30mpg range...

yes bug can and some do hit 30 mpg.. that doesn't compare with 37 mpg,, radio,, heater AC elec windows...

my 1990 Toyota has all this...

The avg bug out there is getting about 18 to 20,, hell my Ford Diesel gets 18..

In the last few weeks I do see more and more Bugs on craigslist and at uncommonly hi prices.... Here I believe it has more to do with Hi hopes and a very bad economy

as far as VW being cheap to maintain ,,, I've had these things since 1963.. I don't call spending a 1000$ just in parts to do a decent rebuild on a 1600 cheap... I said decent,, not hack build..

where that toy cost me 299$ for a JDM motor,, you can't get heads and P&C set for that price LOL

I have a 91 toyota, and it may have good mileage, ac, power window etc, but it's the most boring car I've ever owned! I get 35mpg in the toyota and 30mpg in my Beetle.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:50 am

The EPA rating of my '79 vert was 20mpg. It's printed on the sticker. My wife's 5000lb Chrysler Pacifica averages 19. My '99 New Beetle averages 25 and I can get about 40 on my Harley.

-jeffrey

Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:49 pm

I have a 15 passenger 1 ton GMC van that gets 12 MPG. The bug gets about 30.

I surely save money on gas.

The biggest savings on the bug is it fits into parking structures.

The van doesn't fit into parking garages so I'm forced to park it on the street and pay $1.50 an hour. The bug fits in parking garages and I save a couple dollars a day because the garages are cheaper.

I put a radiator in the van last month - $750! For that money I could buy a running VW.

Oddly I also save money on insurance. I had - it's for sale if you want it - a loaded 1990 Buick Century that I used as a daily driver before I got the bug. Damn thing was hitting me for $2-300 a month in repairs, and stranding me so it had to go.

I bought the bug and my insurance went down by $200 a year?

Same liability coverage, but the bug also has theft and collision at replacement value.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:59 pm

I don't think gas prices has anything to do with the price of bugs going up. If people are looking for cheap mileage, they'll buy something newer... even 10 yrs old is concidered newer because most people can't possibly live without fancy, up-to-date "LUXURIES" that have spoiled us..........

Power windows, power locks, anti-lock brakes, CD player, A/C, security system, cell phone holder, cup holder. Seems like every schmo now days is looking for a car with gizmos inside that will make their pancakes for them and rub they're balls.

It kinda pisses me off too that Toyota is advertising they're "Crapola" I mean Corrola that gets 35 mpg like it's some huge achievement.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:55 pm

SkrapMetal wrote: I don't think gas prices has anything to do with the price of bugs going up. If people are looking for cheap mileage, they'll buy something newer... even 10 yrs old is concidered newer because most people can't possibly live without fancy, up-to-date "LUXURIES" that have spoiled us..........

Power windows, power locks, anti-lock brakes, CD player, A/C, security system, cell phone holder, cup holder. Seems like every schmo now days is looking for a car with gizmos inside that will make their pancakes for them and rub they're balls.

It kinda pisses me off too that Toyota is advertising they're "Crapola" I mean Corrola that gets 35 mpg like it's some huge achievement.

X2 ..good "creature" comforts and for a family, a Bug would not be on my list for "good" fuel economy vehicle. Hell I got one ( and I built it for what I wanted) and do not even consider it for a fuel saving vehicle!!
Ok thats all.

Mark

Mark

Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:01 pm

I think they are going up in price because they are an easy entry into the vintage car scene. They are fun, cheaper, simple to work on and parts are readily available. I was told by a Chev guy that they are the training car before you get serious about vintage vehicles. Obviously he was an asshole.
As for high fuel prices, it depends. If you currently have a vehicle that gets less than 25-30mpg and you don't mind having a car with no cruise, A/C, power windows/locks/seats/sunroof/brakes or steering and can handle the winter weather conditions in one, then a Beetle is for you! I love mine. I currently drive a VW Fox which offers basically the same options as a Beetle but you have to mess around with a waterpumper engine. They both get roughly the same gas mileage but the Beetle is much more fun to drive.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:05 pm

I just bought my first bug in well over 20 years. (I had one in High School.) I bought it for two reasons:

1. My Ford Expedition get's about 12-15mpg and I have a 35 mile one-way commute.
2. I loved my bug back in High School.

I'm getting 26-28mpg in my 69, which I paid cash for. Insurance was almost nothing to add it (Just liability) and I LOVE driving it.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:29 pm

I just stopped into VW Paradise in San Marcos CA. Their lot was full of bugs. I counted 15 outside. I asked them what the deal was. They said that their shop has been packed because of gas prices. Everyone is pulling them out of storage and are bringing them in to get them running again. Some haven't run in years. VW had a formula for success. Cheap car, good on gas, easy to fix. That coupled with the fact that parts are abundant and cheap will help get alot of them back on the road.