TheSamba.com :: View topic - What is this Baja beetle worth? I may be buying it.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:37 am

I have a sport bike worth about $3000 that I've been wanting to trade for a 4x4 truck or Jeep but a guy emailed me wanting to trade for his 74 Baja Bug. He included pics and it looks decent (I attached a link to one of them). I know very little about VW's so I am now sure if things like a 5 rib trans is good or if a dual port is really that great when compared to a single. Anyways, just thought I would get some opinions before I trade a bike I love for a piece of junk or something that won't do what I want it to (mudding and some hill climbing and driving on the street some).

Here's what he put in his email:

"Hi, I just bought a rail buggy and no longer need this 74 Baja bug...its very dependable and strong has a 1600 that's been punched to a 1640cc dual port, has a 5 rib IRS trans, ( its the smoothest vw 4 spd I have ever owned )...with coilovers, 33's in back, has steering brakes,nerf bar, great body with a 1pc. fiberglass flip forward front clip...is a super fun toy and will go places a 4x4 can only dream about....and it gets 35+mpg... I'm just using the rail more than the baja...probably just like I will use my dual-sport more than a crotch rocket, but it would be nice on longer freeway rides..for sure.. 46k has it ever had a new timing chain and tensioner ? you aught to be happy with that deal most of those bikes never see 35k...I have a friend who has a new 2000 model CBR600 motor and 6 spd still in the crate...and he wants to trade for my camper, so the high mileage thing is not a problem for me... if you want a dependable, fast, mud slinger, that will be waiting at the top of the hill for everyone else to catch up, then this is your next toy !! and do it all day for a few bucks...like to see those big v8 4x4s do that...or a wheelie for that matter..!! its is filthy in the pics the motor does have the chrome bits..needs a good steam clean...but I assure you what might look like rust is good ole Ga. red clay...went to the Red Desert Bug Out with 146 other bugs there and had a ball...and placed 2nd in the hill climb...and 5th in the mudd bug competition, would have done better with some more aggressive tires...but we all had fun...cant wait til next year to try my rail out.. "

THANKS GUYS!!

Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:46 am

I' don't think i'd pay 3 grand for it.Maybe 1800.00.I'm just a little skeptical that a baja gets 35 miles to the gallon with 33 inch tires on it.Takes a lot to get those things rolling.As for the coilovers, it's hard to tell from the pic but sounds like it has the cheapie chrome ones.Pretty much useless.Looks to be a good start though.Just a little too much money.Any more pics.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:55 am

baja5 wrote: I' don't think i'd pay 3 grand for it.Maybe 1800.00.I'm just a little skeptical that a baja gets 35 miles to the gallon with 33 inch tires on it.Takes a lot to get those things rolling.As for the coilovers, it's hard to tell from the pic but sounds like it has the cheapie chrome ones.Pretty much useless.Looks to be a good start though.Just a little too much money.Any more pics.

Thanks for the help. I was under the (apparently wrong) impression that it was worth $3000+ so trading for my bike even would be a great deal.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:00 am

Very colorful email. The picture is too small to tell anything. Bigger pics of the engine & interior would be nice if you want opinions.

The facts...

74 Baja bug
1640cc dual port
5 rib IRS trans
coilovers
33's in back
steering brakes
nerf bar
1pc. fiberglass flip forward front clip
will go places a 4x4 can only dream about (sure)

40cc's over stock is not gonna get you much. When was it rebuilt?
31's are the biggest you can get on a stock bug, there must be something else going on in the rear to make these fit. Looks like it needs a rear bumper

Without getting a full build list or better pics, it may or may not be worth it. In TN it may be if baja's are hard to come by. Go drive it and see what you think. It may not be a deal, but it may be worth $3k.

***EDIT***
just saw your new pics. $2000 tops. Still gotta drive it.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:04 am

It may be worth that where you are.Different markets will allow for different pricing.Here in So-cal baja bugs like that can be found all day long on Craigslist and the classifieds here.In tn they may be harder to come by.If it's something you want then go for it.Just make sure to check it over for rust.Floor pans and behind the rear window vents are both common places for rust on those years.Also, I didn't see any plates on it.Make sure the vin number on the title matches the car.Either the tag in the drivers side window or the one under the back seat on the pan.There may on may not be one left where the spare tire used to be.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:06 am

I'm still waiting on a response from him to see when I can come check it out. If it looks like a piece of junk and the interior is in awful shape that will hurt it a lot.

Baja's are fairly hard to find in TN. Everyone here builds sand rails and the cheapest ones I've ever seen was about $2000 and it was rusted and barely ran. "Decent" rails go for $3000-4000. I am not interested in that because I want something to get me through winter without a bike and maybe trade it for a bike again back in the Spring.

Also, I didn't really believe the BS about it going places a 4x4 couldn't unless he was meaning a stock Ford Ranger 4x4 or something. What I will need it for is very few hill climbs but some mud bogs and some rocks (nothing like real rock climbing, but just some rocks on the trail). Just a lot of tight trails with some slow hills and some mud patches. Def nothing like sand dunes or anything like that. Anyways, I appreciate your guys help -- I really don't want to get screwed on this deal.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:19 pm

I good way to search is pick random craigs list cities near you. THey will have a few for sale. Then factor in Gas to go get it. I was pretty patient and got a great deal on someone elses abandon project.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:17 pm

it looks like somewhat of a decent start, but 3k is to much. regardless of where it is, 2k at the most if your able to start it and either drive it home or onto a trailer

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:35 pm

I would be very cautions about that guy. A stock bug according to everyoe else, gets about 25-30mpg at the max. My stock bug gets about 30 MPG at the max at 55mph, on the highway. With those big ass tires, i seriously doubt it. $3000 seems a bit to high for that IMO.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:53 pm

Try this guy. He's in Maryville. Found him off knoxville craigslist:
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/796270793.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/805154836.html