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DMNCLNR
Sir Camp'alot
Joined: November 12, 2003
Posts: 2897
Location: Newport Beach Ca
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 Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:28 am Post subject: |
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Aircooled is aircooled! I drive one of 3 VWs w 67s or a 66 square. sell the water cooled and get an aircooled! If you have any mechanical skills you will be fine!
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To his their own PBJ
Pl@y@ #1 |
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philman
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 185
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 5:26 am Post subject: |
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Well, my square is my only car. I had been driving a 72 bug for 16 years as my only car until it got smacked while parked on the street this summer and was down for the count. I drove it across the country several times and put over 100,000 miles on it. I was still running great when it got crushed.
I found a square this summer and after changing the entire brake system, wheel bearings and lots of other work necessary for an older car, it has been great. Just keep in mind that a car 30 years old will occasionally have some 'issues', but then again, so will most cars sooner or later. I have found aircooled vws to be the most dependable cars I have ever owned, as long as you keep on top of them, i.e., adjust values and change oil on a regular basis, and when something starts to go take care of it right away. I would definitely give the car a good going over at first and plan for some work up front as others have suggested. Also, daily driving will involve rain, so make sure the car is tight-- window seals, pan seals, etc to keep the water out. It is actually pretty easy to change most rubber seals and will stop rust, the real killer IMHO of vw's.
enjoy!  |
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60DoubleTurd
Type 3 Contributor
Joined: May 24, 2003
Posts: 1925
Location: Ca
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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| philman wrote: |
Well, my square is my only car. I had been driving a 72 bug for 16 years as my only car until it got smacked while parked on the street this summer and was down for the count. I drove it across the country several times and put over 100,000 miles on it. I was still running great when it got crushed.
I found a square this summer and after changing the entire brake system, wheel bearings and lots of other work necessary for an older car, it has been great. Just keep in mind that a car 30 years old will occasionally have some 'issues', but then again, so will most cars sooner or later. I have found aircooled vws to be the most dependable cars I have ever owned, as long as you keep on top of them, i.e., adjust values and change oil on a regular basis, and when something starts to go take care of it right away. I would definitely give the car a good going over at first and plan for some work up front as others have suggested. Also, daily driving will involve rain, so make sure the car is tight-- window seals, pan seals, etc to keep the water out. It is actually pretty easy to change most rubber seals and will stop rust, the real killer IMHO of vw's.
enjoy! |
What year is it? Got any pics?
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Frank
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66 L87 Variant Pigalle
SBS #17 |
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philman
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 185
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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Its a 1970, and was in unrestored, original condition. Here are some pics from about a month after I bought it and got it on the road. I just put up some pics in the gallery:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=233569
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=233568
I looks a little better now-- the black is por 15 on the body's surface rust, which I touched up/resprayed a month ago. I has the FI, which thus far has been great. All in all, a much nicer ride than the bug. I still need a front bumper  but I have sorted out most of the electrical and mechanical issues, so most everything works well.
Cheers![/img] |
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P-Dub
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2002
Posts: 1064
Location: Oh, hi!
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I drive my '67 bus daily and my '67 square is the "back-up" vehicle. I'm trying my best to get the T3 to daily driver status so I can start in on my bus. |
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grantndub
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2002
Posts: 76
Location: Oroville, CA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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all i got to say is don't be afraid to drive a type 3 as a daily driver. with a little mechanical know-how, you and your car will go everywhere you want it to go, up hills are a little slow if your just stock. i drove my 69 squareback everyday for about four years, now i drive my 71 squareback everyday while the 69 is getting some custom work done when i have spare time. with a carbbed engine is easy to diagnosis and can be fixed easily and quickly. say the 15 minutes your on the side of the freeway with your lady nagging you to call a tow truck. i had to tell her shut the F-ck up and give me a couple of mintues and well be on our way. which we were. the point is they are easy to fix as long as one knows what to do. and one learns what to do after driving one everyday.
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Zek Dee Wagen, a 69 square |
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ibjack
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2002
Posts: 2106
Location: Imperial Beach CA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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Recently, I had to drive my low mile OG notch everyday. I found that the more you drive and depend on your VW, the better it usually runs. Earlier this year I drove 180 miles round trip to work. 10, 000 miles in 3 months. I will NEVER do that again. So yes, they can be just as reliable as any car if you mantain it properly.
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'68 Lotus White T34 automatic sunroof
'64 Manila Yellow T34
'65 Sea Blue Square Panel
the1500club.com
Shop Lacky at the T3/34 Factory, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094313902074 |
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73notch
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2003
Posts: 667
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| Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:41 am Post subject: |
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i drive the subynotch everyday once again
-Ryan
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SubyNotch.com is back up! |
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dougaychenuts
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2005
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:14 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, I'm pretty set on it now. All I need is to find a notchback in my price range and somewhere that's somewhat local. I seen one for $4500 in the classifieds that in Washington that looked decent, but I live in So Cali. how hard is it to transport/drive/tow the vehicle? |
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SquareTone
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2003
Posts: 1204
Location: Jenks, Oklahoma
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| Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:00 am Post subject: |
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| philman wrote: |
| ... I still need a front bumper ... |
Did something happen to the bumper that's in the pic? Straight and mostly shiny - I don't even dream about bumpers that nice. 
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Tony
'70 Fastback AT/FI (daily driver (exept when the starter won't work, or it's out of gas, or I don't go anywhere, ...))
"...it is a well known fact, that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to it."
Help Improve TheSamba |
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philman
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 185
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, it is hard to see in the pic but there is a big dent right in the middle and it is nothing but rust and dents under the impact strip. Its still solid, just ugly. |
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josh
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2003
Posts: 1773
Location: laid back in the tall grass
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| Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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I drive my square daily and it's completely reliable, BUT high maintenance and you must fix things before they go completely out.
You mentioned you had no aircooled vw experience. I think you should try driving one before you make up your mind. It's a very different driving experience. Most people either love it or hate it. It would'nt make much sense to make a daily driver out of something you like the looks of but don't like to drive.
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| modok wrote: |
...If If stoner A takes a hit and then stoner B goes right away(not waiting two seconds), he's trying to suck on it while it's still got a vaccum, doesen't get much of a hit at all! Cause it hasn't filled back up all the way yet.
Stoner A is cylinders #2/4 B is #1/3 The plugged bowl is the throttle, the bong is the manifold |
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dougaychenuts
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2005
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:09 am Post subject: |
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| my roommate has a karmann ghia and I have drove his. I enjoy it. It's one of the reasons why I want to make the switch. |
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jnil
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2005
Posts: 10
Location: Corona, Ca
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:21 am Post subject: |
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I am in the process now of swapping my daily driver car for a '66 squareback, which will be my daily driver.. i am already planning to take some days off (like when it decides to poop out on the way to work) and I am planning on spending most of my off time working on it.
I think going in knowing this stuff may occur, and proper preparations are key. As the mechanics of the car become more solid I will begin working on the eye candy...
My apologies, I have no point.... |
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vvdubman
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2003
Posts: 75
Location: Carthage, NC
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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| dougaychenuts wrote: |
| Yeah, I'm pretty set on it now. All I need is to find a notchback in my price range and somewhere that's somewhat local. I seen one for $4500 in the classifieds that in Washington that looked decent, but I live in So Cali. how hard is it to transport/drive/tow the vehicle? |
There are many transport companies that can bring your vehicle to you. YOu will have to pay from $400 to $2000 depending on the company(and gas prices). Driving it is like any other VW. It has it's own way of handling depending on how it is maintained. Towing it can be fun. I do not recommend a tow dolly. I towed a Fasty from Albqurqure to Phoenix and it was a nightmare. I suggest a trailer if you are going to tow it yourself. I have seen some custom adapters made for the type 3 front end that attach to a beetle tow bar...this may be an option. |
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vw66
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 224
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| Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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Not to hijack the post, but I'm wanting to get a square to haul my photo-equipment around the state on my job (sure I could be practical and get a used minivan or escort wagon but.....yawwwwwwn!).
I've driven bugs for years and already know and love the dubs. My question is T-3 parts availability. How much harder are they to maintain when driven daily and subjected to higher than normal milage? A beetle or bus is nothing to maintain because parts (used, new and repro) are seemingly endlessly plentiful.
Thanks!!
Tim
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Nice Hummer! Sorry about your penis. |
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Russ Wolfe
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2004
Posts: 25187
Location: Central Iowa
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| Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:42 am Post subject: |
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| vw66 wrote: |
Not to hijack the post, but I'm wanting to get a square to haul my photo-equipment around the state on my job (sure I could be practical and get a used minivan or escort wagon but.....yawwwwwwn!).
I've driven bugs for years and already know and love the dubs. My question is T-3 parts availability. How much harder are they to maintain when driven daily and subjected to higher than normal milage? A beetle or bus is nothing to maintain because parts (used, new and repro) are seemingly endlessly plentiful.
Thanks!!
Tim |
Except for body and front end parts, most parts interchange with the T-1 and earlier T-2. And what you can't fine there, you can find in TheSamba classifieds. You will find that T-3 owners are kinda hoarders. Because any T-3 parts they have, they know someone else will need eventually.
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Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
Gary: OK. Ima poop. |
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vw66
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 224
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| Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info. That sets my mind more at ease. 
Tim
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Nice Hummer! Sorry about your penis. |
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dougaychenuts
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2005
Posts: 9
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22425
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| josh wrote: |
I drive my square daily and it's completely reliable, BUT high maintenance and you must fix things before they go completely out.
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I drive my Notch on a pretty regular basis (during the warmer months, because we get too damn much salt on our roads). As a result, it's the oldest car in the parking lot, but looks better than most of the newer cars there. It's also more reliable than most of them too.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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