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Mon Nov 08, 2004 9:41 pm

Hi all,
I'm about to purchase my first bug. A 1973 Superbeetle. 1200 cc engine.
The person that I am buying from, recently had the car to the shop, and they told him it would need a new alternator and carborator in the near future. Also, the vehicle has the problem that it doesnt always want to start the first time. I'm wondering, before i go through with the deal, how expensive and complex these problems are to fix, is it worth it to buy this car for $1200.
Please help!
Nate

Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:01 pm

Depends on the rest of the car. How's the body? Any rust? How original is it? How many miles? Check out the ads here on thesamba and see what people are asking for similar Supers; there are a lot of them for sale.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:03 am

ntwinters wrote: A 1973 Superbeetle. 1200 cc engine.

Are you sure about that? My guess would be it has a 1600 (1584cc) engine. And regarding the potential problems it has, was the seller or shop more specific? What exactly is wrong with the alternator and carb? It could cost anywhere from $10-300+ to repair. And unless the body and interior are in perfect condition, $1200 seems a bit high for a vehicle with mechanical problems.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 6:33 am

Where are you? Geography has a big impact on the value of a car. IN California, there are Beetles all over the place, but other places not so much...If you don't know a lot about VW's, see if you can find someone local who does, and have them check out the Bug with you...that'll be a big help.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:19 pm

I'm actually in Northern California. I moved here about 8 months ago. I did not buy that car. I went and checked it out this morning. The car wouldn't start due to the alternator, the brakes were almost completely shot, the carborator was louder than it should've been, and it was in desperate need of an oil change (as the receipt from the mechanic said). Different mechanics were quoting about $500 for the alternator, carb, and oil change, and then upwards of $300 more for new brakes. I think the guy selling the vehicle was really trying to take me for my money. He never was completely honest with me for the entire week and a half that I had been dealing with him. Also, something is wrong when I suggest taking a car I'm about to buy for a test drive, and he won't let me drive :roll: I'm depressed though, I was so excited to get the bug, and it turned out to be a lemon. I'm thinking, the best place for someone like me (not very VW educated) to get a vehicle, is from a bug specialist shop. I'm checking out vehicles at BugFormance in sunnyvale, CA... and The Bug Stop in Martinez, CA... If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know ASAP! I need to get a car soon, my company is letting me borrow the van, but the generosity wont last too much longer.
Thanks
Nathan

Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:21 am

Sounds like he wasn't really being up front...but in Ca. you should have no trouble finding a good one...check out shops, but make sure they're reputable. Actually, if you find one and can take it by a couple different shops to get their opinions, you should be able to get a good idea. Also, the more you hang around here, and read, the more you'll learn for yourself...
good luck,

Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:20 am

If the car was a solid, rust free car in otherwise good shape, $1200 was a reasonable price. Add $800 for the needed repairs you'll have $2000 for a clean daily driver. That's not out of line. Maybe you should have offered $1000 and took it to your mechanic for the repairs.

Your focus should be on a solid, rust free car. Cosmetically as good as you can get. Mechanicals will always be a crapshoot. Even if the PO sez the motor was rebuilt a year ago, you don't know how well it's been built or how well it's been cared for. When I buy a used car I always look at cosmetics first. If the car is solid and has got "good bones" then it's a winner. However, don't get caught up in "fresh paint". New paint can cover up allot of future problems, so you have to be thorough.

When looking at these cars, figure there will always be some mechanical irregularities. Because these cars tend to be cheap and easy to work on, they often have been subjected to backyard mechanics. Fixes tend to be compromises. Usually enough to just "get by".

As for buying from a specialty shop, you'll get what you pay for. You'll prolly not find to many "deals".

-jeffrey

Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:35 am

Check-out the buyers guide at the top of this forum. It has alot of good info on what to look for.