TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:11 pm

Hey all, ive lurked on this site a bit and decided I should join. Basically, I want to build a baja bug under $2000. I would like to build it to race specs (SCORE 1600 i believe) and have NO experience with bugs. I was going to build my ranger, but some things came up, and I am under budget. This will be my senior project for highschool. Any help and/or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Here is a local bug that caught my interest, what do you think? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/899527102.html

Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:26 pm

race specs and a budget of $2000 don't really go together well, otherwise that car looks like a decent start

Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:38 pm

basically for $2000 you cant build something you can race. sorry to kinda pop your bubble but a race legal cage in a baja is around $2500. thats NOTHING else

good luck with whatever you decide to do tho

Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:43 pm

For $2000 you might be able to build up a class 11 if you really want to race.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:23 pm

vaderoni wrote: Here is a local bug that caught my interest, what do you think? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/899527102.html

What's wrong with it? $300 is pretty cheap for a baja. If it runs, it's worth it. Some glass, rear fenders, lights, gauges, door handles, and front tires can be had for less than $2000. The motor is blown or he has no papers. Somethings up with it.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:53 pm

Nicksan wrote: For $2000 you might be able to build up a class 11 if you really want to race.

Doubt it.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:28 pm

buy the 300 dollar one. looks well worth the 300 if it has papers and no backfees. watch out for those back fees. :P

Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:36 pm

Yeah I kinda figured my budget wouldn't get me that far. :?
But for just building a regular baja and later updating it should be fine... Does anyone here have a link for class 11 specs?
Here is an email I received from the seller while I was out:

"Engine good, doesn't currently run, carb is off, no windshield it broke while installing it, rear fenders bad, out of DMV computer, battery tray rust, tired if it

Sent from my iPhone"

Thoughts on what I should ask him, or should I just walk away? BTW my father just gave me $350 for my 17th bday, so its kinda tempting...

EDIT: Im thinking sportsman class might be better for me...
And do bugs compete in the 1200 class for MDR? All this is kinda confusing to me, sorry for being such a n00b, im mainly a dirt bike nut. :wink:

Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:56 pm

take some gas and put some in the intake and see if it fires.
or take a commpression tester and check it out.
I am normally not afraid to ask most honest sellers dont mind.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:59 pm

vaderoni wrote: Here is an email I received from the seller while I was out:

"Engine good, doesn't currently run, carb is off, no windshield it broke while installing it, rear fenders bad, out of DMV computer, battery tray rust, tired if it

The engine is not good if it doesn't run.
The carb goes on with 2 nuts, so that's a lame excuse.
Windshields are cheap in CA.
Ask for the plate number or VIN and call the DMV to see if there are really no back fees. I've heard this story and it's never true.
Does he have the title? Is it clear?(not a salvage). No title, no deal. It's just a parts car without a title in my opinion.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:17 pm

Email has been sent to seller.
Im not too worried about the engine, since my auto shop teacher has a fairly newish (I have no idea what cc) one sitting in the engine room that I might be able to get from him for cheap. He's done with bugs and into miatas (nasa and scca racing).

EDIT: Here's another add, but its a bit more expensive(kinda lookin at $500 max buy price), seems less shady too me though. Is this smog exempt in CA? I would prefer smog exempt.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/898982155.html

Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:17 am

I picked up a nice rig for $400 that the owner thought had a spun bearing. It was just a rocker that slipped off. If you can be patient, there are some nice unfinished projects that come up.

Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:25 am

Pick up a project with the baja kit on it. You'll save some money on your build. The kits are $400 plus freight. The baja for $300 is worth it just for that...

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:06 am

Quote: a race legal cage in a baha is around $2500. that's NOTHING else

Aaaah come on now,, The racers guys on here ,, will tell you, The over the counter cages,, made from 1 1/2" 090 are legal.. I mean Hell reads the adds ,, watch the video..
The best part is that it's cool to mount those to the pan..

Kinda like gluing a rock to a piece of paper

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:12 am

Wow, im confused now. lol, are you saying the $200 cages from Chirco are legal?

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:19 am

No they are not legal..... a used class 11 car is about 6-9k and 5/1600 is around 18-25k if that give you any kind of idea on what it takes.

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:23 am

Ok, cool. Well now that I know that I wont be racing it, yet. I want to focus on just making it an all around fun bug. (Street legal too) No reply from either seller yet...
EDIT: Oh ya, im getting the baja bugs and buggies book soon.

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:28 am

If you were to take a stock bug a baja kit, wheels\tires and suspension upgrades will get you into about the price range you wanna build to.

As far as the suspension just cut and turn the beam and reindex the rear end. The suspension upgrade could cost you nothing but the cost of the shocks.

You want to go with an IRS car that is 69-71 bug (not a super beetle)

If you get a car with all this already then do a bumper to bumper cage with that money.

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:39 am

Beams, these have beams? Sweet! or are they different than what im imagining? Im a total ranger guy, so when i think beams, i think of the rad arm criss cross beam deal.

Ill be looking for a 69-71, this isn't the first time i've heard those are the best. Are coilovers reasonable for my budget? I know bypasses wouldn't be, but I don't know the general price for bug items...
And i would do a cage, but I have an ARC welder that would eat through cage metal, and no MIG skills.

Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:40 am

wrong kind of beam. these are torsion arm suspensions