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Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:03 pm

I'm stuck in quite a predicament and need experienced opinions.

I currently drive a 2003 Ford Ranger, but have been itching for a more efficient, stylish, and unique Type 1. I know the attention it requires, as my dad had a '73 four years ago, and how unreliable they can be.

After hours and hours of searching the Samba for the Goldilocks of VWs, I found a red '72 near my neighborhood which had been amateurly refurbished not too long ago.

Its asking price is 2500. The pans are like new, new carpets, but a custom gas line that may have a slight leak, a rebuilt carb, and a grabby clutch. By no means is it a show car, but definitely would suffice as a daily driver. I would be willing to put labor and whatever money I have into her, but they would be somewhat limited. I don't want to restore it, but use it as a reliable daily car to save on gas. My truck gets only 16 mpg.

My question to you is this- should I sell my truck, use the remaining money and some from a summer job to repair this beetle, or wait until I've settled a bit and have a more complete one and have another vehicle to fall back on?

Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:14 pm

The price you save in gas would be the same as the parts it will need. Especially if the previous owner did things wrong. Just my 2 cents. Keep the ranger.

Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:48 pm

For starters I can never be without my truck. My bugs don't pull my trailer or haul the tools I need. However, with the the right repairs and quality parts there is no reason why you couldn't daily drive a bug. There are a ton of people that rely on them day after day. Now do you NEED a truck, or is it just a vehicle? I'm with endicott, keep the truck and drive the bug

Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:53 pm

I use mine as a daily and drive it 3 hours to base every other week :D . Sell the ranger you'll enjoy the bug much more even if it has a few little problems here and there

Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:38 am

Define "custom gas line".

Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:34 am

A Beetle is not unlike any other automobile and will be just as reliable as the owner makes it. 66 and earlier Beetles are all I've owned and driven since '94.

That said, I'd keep looking. "Custom gas line" and "grabby clutch" are not things I'd describe as well maintained.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:11 pm

A beetle is not a prius. An antiquated 1600cc motor can suck down fuel just as well as your truck, as well as being less reliable. I'd say keep the truck, and get the beetle for fun 8)

Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:04 am

Im going to vote ford. I have a 2003 tacoma for one reason, and one reason only. Its starts every time every day. Beetles are not care free reliable daily drivers, and some may argue the reliability aspect, they can be, but no where near as reliable as a 2000 and up car.

Have a boring ass reliable daily driver, and a car project on the side. No one likes to bum rides, it gets old fast.

Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:33 am

Interesting question :)
The safe bet would be to keep the truck and have the beetle as the "extra" car - use it when you like and whet it brakes down, use the truck.

However, the beetle was designed as a reliable daily driver, so, if all things are OK it should give you economical reliable service - of course, if everything is OK. If you are unable to keep both cars it would be fun to take the beetle route, however, you must plan ahead.

1. Inspect the beetle before buying -if unsure, try to bring an experienced beetle owner along. Try to evaluate it's condition, if it's as it's supposed to be, mechanicaly speaking.

2. Plan ahead - what happens if your beetle brakes? Think that except for major engine work, most things can be sorted out in one day, if you have the parts at hand - brake repair, clutch repair, electrical gremlins and so on. If it doesn't involve welding or splitting the engine, it CAN be done in a day.

3. If something brakes, in the time it takes so source out a replacement part and to find a free day (weekend ) to do it is having a car absolutely neccesary? Can you result to public transportation or borrow a car from a friend while you fix your beetle ?

4. Do you have large things to carry or off-road driving to do ? If so, the beetle won't fit the bill.

Think at this questions, and use them as a guideline in taking your decision.

Good luck :)

P.S.:
I have a 1965 Beetle, a 1972 Type 3 Squareback and a 1989 Vanagon. The beetle is my trusty daily driver for the last 2 years. I've owned it for almost 4 years, in the beginning it broke al the time, until i've personaly replaced or repaired every moving part of it, including replacing it's engine with a decent 300$ used Mexico one. Since then it's been reliable and faithful with no major incident, and i drive it A LOT, however I do keep constant maintanance as recomended by the books and thesamba forums :)