TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best year Beetle for cross country road trip?

Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:51 pm

My answer:
Any Beetle that you can keep running for 2500 miles.
This takes you back to the era John Muir.
Who believed you could start at trip in a complete POS,
OR the very best condition you could get your Beetle to be in.
At the end of the trip it really didn’t matter,
Because you could get both Beetles to complete the trip any way.
The latest year of Beetle I’d buy in Ca for this trip would be a ’74,
The earliest year really doesn’t matter, and is up to personal choice.
You need to know that even here in Ca. Beetles after ’70 all have Crescent vent rust.
My personal choice would be a ’71-’72 Super Beetle, or a ’73-‘74VW Thing.
Most folks I know have this romantic dream about driving an old car across country,
And most including me have paid for that dream with some weird ass breakdown,
That there was no possible way to predict. For a single person, or two single guys,
This can be quite an adventure. Would I take my wife or girlfriend on such a journey?
Hell no, because my GF couldn’t take the stress of the unknown reliability factor of a 35+ year old car,
or the lack of comfort for 7+ days in a VW Bug.
So if the deal is really to take the trip as a honeymoon, then rent a really nice car and take a
2 week trip anywhere you both want to go.
If the deal is you BOTH want the VW adventure and a vintage VW that’s great!
But you need to realize that, your perfect newly purchased Black Plate ’63 Beetle will
Really like going 55-60 mph, you’ll be tired after 8 hours, and want a motel room to rest.
You’ll still have to fix something stupid, and VW parts come by mail now,
Auto parts stores don’t stock parts for your Beetle of any year like they used to.
My answer from left field:
2000-2005 VW Passat GLX is the very best VW for your cross country trip.
No it’s not a Bug, but what it is a midsized safe reliable car or wagon.
The thing is there are still really good “B5” Passat’s out there with reasonable mileage,
that can be bought for the same price as a Beetle.
The thing about a these Passat’s is that their owners have now had them for quite some time,
They are at the minimum 10 years old, so they’re a bit old for normal Moms & Dads to be driving.
I prefer the V6 5 speed cars or wagons. Car & Wagons also came with Automatic transmission , AWD,
and 1.8t (4 cylinder turbo), but those add complications that can effect reliability.
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/5290802387.html
http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/5295109609.html
Yes it is a modern car, so you can’t fix it with just a roll of duct tape but considering
Price Reliability Comfort Personality Power you can beat a B5 Passat.

Tue Nov 03, 2015 9:19 pm

1974-or-later Super Beetle. Best all-rounder with regard to handling, ride, power, comfort and safety.

Surely there are a few remaining unmolested and dependable survivors getting around CA...?

Wed Nov 04, 2015 2:03 am

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/award-winning-1963-vw-beetle/

Wed Nov 04, 2015 6:36 am

Not one of the later fuel injected ones (1975-1979). Because there's like 3 people in the country who know how to fix those, and only 2 of those know where to get parts....

I'd recommend - if you really plan on doing this - a 1968-1994 - just because of parts, 12 volt, etc.

Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:55 am

I did just what you want to do in 2012 with my daughter. Check out the whole story at the link in my signature.

We bought a 1971 Super Beetle in the Sacramento area, drove it down the PCH to Santa Monica, then across the country on Route 66 back east to home.

We wanted to get a Bus/Westy originally, but they are very pricey in decent shape.

For sure you need to invest in a FULL inspection and repairs done by a reputable mechanic who knows vintage VW's.

That's what I did, and it is money well spent.

This year, I finally got that Westy - out in BC, and again paid for the full inspection and repairs, but decided to get it shipped back instead of driving - only because of the time of year.

You will always remember the trip if you do it - it's a lifetime memory. Just be prepared for the possible hiccups along the way that a 40 year old vehicle may give you.

#1 priority - CHANGE all the fuel lines and make sure the fuel filter is NOT in the engine compartment.

After that, brakes, tune-up, tires and you are good to go.

Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:52 am

71Survivor wrote: I did just what you want to do in 2012 with my daughter. Check out the whole story at the link in my signature.

We bought a 1971 Super Beetle in the Sacramento area, drove it down the PCH to Santa Monica, then across the country on Route 66 back east to home.

We wanted to get a Bus/Westy originally, but they are very pricey in decent shape.

For sure you need to invest in a FULL inspection and repairs done by a reputable mechanic who knows vintage VW's.

That's what I did, and it is money well spent.

This year, I finally got that Westy - out in BC, and again paid for the full inspection and repairs, but decided to get it shipped back instead of driving - only because of the time of year.

You will always remember the trip if you do it - it's a lifetime memory. Just be prepared for the possible hiccups along the way that a 40 year old vehicle may give you.

#1 priority - CHANGE all the fuel lines and make sure the fuel filter is NOT in the engine compartment.

After that, brakes, tune-up, tires and you are good to go.

I agree. Get it inspected COMPLETELY before departure. On top of what's already been mentioned, I'd also want or would just change the clutch and accelerator cables and inspect the hook on the clutch pedal Inspect and re-pack the front wheel bearings, make sure the generator brushes had plenty of meat, a new fan belt or carry a spare. Carry a spare fuel pump for the trip as well. If the engine has good compression, no excess end play and the valves were adjusted, that would be comforting as well.

Wed Nov 04, 2015 12:18 pm

What's your budget?

Wed Nov 04, 2015 3:28 pm

Cusser wrote: Not one of the later fuel injected ones (1975-1979). Because there's like 3 people in the country who know how to fix those, and only 2 of those know where to get parts....

I'd recommend - if you really plan on doing this - a 1968-1994 - just because of parts, 12 volt, etc.

yeah good point, Cusser - however I had one of these (and now have another) down here in Aussie and I would rate these as more reliable than the carby cars: The electronics are bomb-proof and everything else is quite simple. I loved mine on 1000+ mile round-trips. The only problem I ever had was the cold-start bypass valve seized... which meant a fast idle and yes I had to ship a replcement from the US

How many Bug sedans were EFI? Was it one year only - 76? Mine was/is a Cabrio

Wed Nov 04, 2015 4:26 pm

USA 75 onward bugs were FI.

Wed Nov 04, 2015 4:49 pm

The L-jetronic fuel injection system was used on 1975 Super Beetle sedans (last year for them in the USA), 1975 through 1977 Beetle sedans (last year for them in the USA), and all 1975 through 1979 Super Beetle convertibles. I think the Bugs with it are the smoothest running since the 36 hp engine.

Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:23 am

I knew a guy who went cross country in his westfilia bus for his honeymoon. By the time he got home he wasn't married anymore. If I were to recommend a good year to go cross country in a beetle it would be a 2016. I want to do that one day too in a classic Vw, but I don't know if I would subject my wife to that.

Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:34 am

daisy71 wrote: By the time he got home he wasn't married anymore
Good to figure that out early on :wink:
My wife would be disappointed if we took anything other than our old bugs on a cross country trip.

Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:44 am

Good to figure that out early on :wink:
My wife would be disappointed if we took anything other than our old bugs on a cross country trip.[/quote]

You're one lucky dude :D

Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:02 pm

daisy71 wrote: My wife would be disappointed if we took anything other than our old bugs on a cross country trip.

That's terrific. Post photos. Of the VWs.

Mon Jan 11, 2016 1:31 pm

the quote was from me and yes she's a keeper :!:
The 60 has been in at least half the states in the past 19 years, 200K and counting.

This 70 is the Bonneville pit car for the 36 HP racing at WOS (when I can talk my wife out of it). It goes to Bonneville twice a year when the races are on. 2 years ago it went to Saskatoon and Alberta.