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Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:54 pm

I've done some searching and I haven't found this topic really addressed like I'd like. It's a simple question, which would you use for a daily driver? I'm looking at the following years: Beetle 62-66, Ghia 63-72 if that helps a little. I realize that they share a majority of parts but I'm assuming Ghia stuff might be a little harder to get a hold of.

Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:13 pm

I could never make up my mind either so I own both a ''61 rag top bug and a '71 ghia. The bug is an eye catcher around town but not much power. You can also fit four people in it. The ghia is definatly a work in progress but it has more power, brighter lights etc. You are quite right about parts prices. Engine wise they are about the same but everything else is way more $$$$ on the ghia.
Patty

Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:19 pm

I guess it really is a matter of taste and location. I personally find the Ghia's lines more attractive than the Bugs and thats why I own a Ghia. Mechanically speaking they are almost identical and a joy to work on, nothing that a person with an ounce of sense can't figure out with a copy of the Muir book and a Bentley Manual.

The only caveat to that is if you live in the great white north like I do. Up here they salt roads like nobody's business. If you are looking for a year round daily driver a Ghia is going to be a bit more problematic. They are highly prone to body rust (even more so than the Bug) and they are twice as expensive to fix once it starts.

In either case if you live in an area like I do be prepared to spend a lot of money on rust prevention, or be prepared to put her away during the winter...... :wink:

Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:51 pm

1963 - 1971 Ghia is a BIG difference. I drove a 1964 Ghia for a while, and made it from Washington to Illinois and back one summer. The car handled great, and on a straight, level stretch of road I could hit 77mph! I had a .009 dizzy on it then.

The cutoff is 1963 - 1965; there are engine displacement variations (cc-wise) that I can't remember for the cutoffs. I am sure JC Hamilton will tell us. I think it went 1968 - 1971 and then 1972 - 1974. I can't remember the year the dual ports came out. Anyway, I never liked Bugs as they are too narrow. Just depends on the driver!

The only "different" parts are body parts. The mechanicals are shared with the exception that Ghias came with front disc brakes in 1967.

Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:05 pm

Droop nose Ghia any day of the week. :)

I own an Oval, but no one even looks once at it (it's restored). But if I'm in the Ghia, people gawk all the way down.

And it just drives better, it's lower, and doesn't drag in the wind as much. Both cool cars, but the Ghia is everyway nicer IMHO.

Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:08 am

Given the choices, I'd take a Ghia. But T3s rule! :D

Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:31 pm

A Ghia anytime!...OK, so I'm bias :)

/ACSwede

Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:38 pm

Drove my 1963 Convertible for nine years as a daily driver, 1200cc engine and I live in Manchester, England, UK. Known for the rain, it failed its MOT ( government test ) in 1995. At present is being restored. Have also had a beetle as a daily driver, correction ex girlfriend owned the beetle. Ghia anytime!! :D

Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:38 pm

Do I detect some bias in this forum? :D

What did I expect right?

Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:10 am

I found that Ghia is roomier than Bug.

Wed Feb 25, 2004 4:39 pm

I own both, and from my experiences with them both as daily drivers is, that it hurts alot less to come out to my car parked on the street and have the bug backed into as opposed to the ghia. When it comes down to the abuse factor, the bug is a helluva lot easier to repair when other people wreck into your ride and you're not even there!

I love my ghia, but won't ever subject it to daily duty again.

Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:21 pm

Air-Cooled Head wrote: Given the choices, I'd take a Ghia. But T3s rule! :D

Get a Type 34 Ghia :lol:

Wed Mar 03, 2004 4:26 pm

Depends on your back, knees, hips..if they work well a Ghia, If they are stoved up and function like the rust buckets VW's turn in to. A bug. :P

Wed Mar 03, 2004 5:41 pm

I'll drive which ever one doesn't need to be push started that day.

Fri Mar 05, 2004 7:38 am

I've had a bug for years and just recently bought my 71 ghia. The slightly wider seat is a nice bonus. I also agree that its a bit roomier. The biggest bonus so far is it's allot easier to adjust dual carbs in the Ghia. Disc brakes are a nice thing to have in todays traffic to.

Sat Mar 06, 2004 12:21 am

i still drive my karmann ghia everyday (30miles) since i don't have a running bug yet. :D