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Thunder_Kat5
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2014
Posts: 12
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 Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:33 am Post subject: Bus or Bug? |
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Hey, new to the thread.
So I'm really looking into getting a classic VW but I can't decide between the Bus or the Bug.
The two I have chosen are:
1971 Vw Super Beetle
1972 Vw Camper Westfalia
I'm 19, Max I'm going to spend is $5,000. It will be daily driven and not garage kept (Sadly we don't have a garage.) The Bus seems coolest, but I want to start off with the bug and practice tuning and maintaining the engine before I get the camper.
What are the pros and cons of each?
Is there a way to do a split window conversion for the bus?
Thanks |
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crukab
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Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:05 am Post subject: |
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Yes, you might want to start w/ the '71 Bug, a bit easier to work on than a '72 Bus THE WORST Bus year, IMHO, the engine hatch is small & no access hatch from above, which makes it harder to work on.
I'd go w/ a '71 Bus myself, easier- upright engine, lest costly to replace- compared to the '72 & up. Just my .02
And NO , you would not convert a Bay to a Split...... 
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In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI 
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
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Thrasher22
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Joined: October 05, 2010
Posts: 858
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Yeah the engine is awkward on 72 busses and there are some parts that are 72 only.
But if you're planning on learning to fix things yourself, I can't see why you'd necessarily choose a beetle. Pick the one you like and learn on it!
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Brian
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Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:23 am Post subject: |
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supers are weird too. more electrical than a standard
for a first bus go 69-71.
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Mike Fisher
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Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:41 am Post subject: |
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A squareback is bigger than a bug, but smaller than a bus & I'm happy with my '69 square with automatic transmission.
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*Darren
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Joined: July 29, 2013
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Every VW has its weirdness, what makes 'em a VW. Your budget pretty much dictates what you're in the market for and it is NOT a Westy, a non-camper bay ok, but Westy's have jumped in price uness you want a piece of crap and are willing to throw your wallet at it so it not be a toilet and then there goes your $5k and then some substantially more. Outside of budget constraints and each model/year uniqueness, how do you plan to use the vehicle? Commuting back & forth to work/school? An occasional weekend camping trip? If that's the case a bug regular or super, or a fasty/square will do just fine. Frequent extended trips/living on the road - a bus. Got 6 kids @ 19 (yikes, damn you've been busy & potent) a bus. Me, I'd go 68+ regular or super beetle (and I prefer the regular). For $5k you'd get one that maybe a tune up and you're good to go. Just my thoughts. I was seriously looking at westy's and decided "how much camping do I / would I do or long trips and just bagged the entire idea.
Last edited by *Darren on Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Brian_1952
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Joined: February 06, 2005
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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I would go with 65 or 66 bus i'm not a big fan of bay windows but an early bay would be better then 72 ....get a bus with an upright motor
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Brian
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gt1953
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Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 13848
Location: White Mountains Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Not sure where you are located at, so will you drive in the winter?
The busses are nice but getting around parking, stop and go traffic.
The Bug easier to get around in better fuel mileage.
I have had both.
Go with a 68 ~ 73 standard Bug.
Most if not all VW's have one year only part(s) on them.
I vote bug!!
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Thunder_Kat5
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Joined: September 12, 2014
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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I was considering a camper mainly since its a camper, plus I live with my parents so taking any girls home will be pretty awkward, with a camper I could avoid that without doubt. I'm just going to get a 71 super now and eventually get a camper.
But I live in Virginia so snow isn't too bad but it can get pretty bad.
I heard the super beetle trunks are a lot bigger, if so I could definitely use the extra space. |
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79SuperVert
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Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Thunder_Kat5 wrote: |
| ...so taking any girls home will be pretty awkward, with a camper I could avoid that without doubt. |
It's funny to see how the mental checklist of a 19 year old works! 
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*Darren
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Joined: July 29, 2013
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Shit, if it's all about getting some, buy a squareback and get the rear seat recliner - HER parents will never suspect that action. Squares run about the same price as a beetle - maybe just a little bit more or you could pick up a bay non camper or possibly a tintop for $5k and you could get z bed clips for the rear seat of the non camper bay. I'd still go square - in stealth van mode, but even a beetle has the fold down rear seat which will do in a pinch if that horny and acrobatic. |
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Brian
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Location: Oceanside
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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Trying to do the redneck shock test in the back (or front) of a bug is tricky but doable. I'd vote squareback for that.
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Thunder_Kat5
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Joined: September 12, 2014
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Redneck?! I beg your pardon good sir, I'm only half. Lol the squareback seems to be the perfect fit. Is it air cooled? |
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Thunder_Kat5
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Joined: September 12, 2014
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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| The squareback seems pretty cool, I like how the engine is hidden under the rear panel |
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Brian
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Redneck shock test is where you shake the car to see if the shocks are holding up or not. Good means of testing suspension components.
Type 3 motors are the same as bugs, just with different stuff bolted on to them. Probably a bit "harder" to work on but the car will be more useful in the long run.
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'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Thunder_Kat5
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Joined: September 12, 2014
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Oh, are they good in snow? |
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*Darren
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Joined: July 29, 2013
Posts: 917
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Thunder_Kat5 wrote: |
| I like how the engine is hidden under the rear panel |
It'll keep her ass nice and toasty if assuming THAT position is in play.
| Quote: |
| Oh, are they good in snow? |
Sure, rear engine/drive same as a bug. |
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Thunder_Kat5
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Joined: September 12, 2014
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| *Darren wrote: |
| Thunder_Kat5 wrote: |
| I like how the engine is hidden under the rear panel |
It'll keep her ass nice and toasty if assuming THAT position is in play.
| Quote: |
| Oh, are they good in snow? |
Sure, rear engine/drive same as a bug. |
Hell yeah she's going to be in that position, Im really impressed on how much space there is though |
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Thunder_Kat5
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Joined: September 12, 2014
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Well I made my decision and the Type 3 Squareback is it, thanks for all your help guys! |
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